Golden Waters

Moving water can be some of the most pleasing subjects to photograph. The movement of the water, the colors reflected in it, and the calm joy of being next to a pristine stream or waterfall combine to make for a great experience.

Spring in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park brings all these elements together and more. Known not only for its superb displays of wildflowers in April, the Smokies has a multitude of streams which are some of the most beautiful anywhere. And they are at their very best in April. In the springtime the streams and waterfalls come to life and create a waterworld of sorts.

The upcoming photo workshop in the Smokies in April will put us close to superb opportunities to photograph moving water.  Swift-running streams are everywhere and we know the best places to find them within easy access. No back-breaking hikes, no slogging over hill and dale, we know all the back roads and will put you close to steams and not far from our vehicles. There are some lovely, relatively easy hikes for those who might want to venture farther afield, but that will be an optional personal choice.

And in addition to the spring wildflowers and exciting streams, there will be opportunities to photograph lovely landscapes and sweeping vistas. We will seek out sunrises and sunsets, and of course will always be on the lookout for wildlife as well. Black bear, deer, fox, coyote, and wild turkey are some of the animals that frequent the park.

Pro Tips For Photographing Moving Water:
-  use a sturdy tripod
-  ISO 100
-  f/11 or smaller aperture for good depth of field
-  shutter speed 1/2 sec. or longer (experiment with a variety of slow shutter speeds)
-  cable release or remote trigger (if you do not have one, set your camera on 2-second delay to allow it to settle down after pressing the shutter button)
-  try some shots with a wide angle lens, and also do some close-ups with a moderate telephoto lens
-  early morning and late afternoon are best, but using a neutral density filter (8 stops or more) can allow you to get great moving water shots at any time of day

So plan now to come along on the best Smokies photo trip available anywhere! The trip runs from April 22 - 27. Register before January 1 and save $300. Limited to only 10 photographers, it is already half full. So don't delay. Call us at 757-773-0194 or email awakethelight@charter.net with questions and for more information.

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/2 sec.  Aperture f/14.  ISO 100.  Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS set at 200mm.  Camera: Canon 5D Mark III.  Gitzo tripod with Really Right Stuff ballhead.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins. Not through strength, but through persistence."  --Buddha

Already Thinking of Spring

As the poet Shelley said, if winter comes, can spring be far behind? Well, winter is coming and I'm already thinking ahead toward spring. And my favorite place to be for spring flowers is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Smokies has more species of wildflowers than nearly anyplace else on the planet. We will be there in April when the trillium, wild iris, lady slippers, and so many more species carpet the park. This is a visual treat not to be missed.

This easy-going stress free photo workshop takes you close to beautiful flowers with little effort. In addition, we will see some of the wild free-flowing streams that the Smokies is known for.

So join me at the Wildflowers and Wildwater Photo Workshop and learn more about creative macro and much more. And enjoy the unique beauty of the Smokies at the best time of year to be there.

Register before January 1 and save $300!

Come to the Smokies for a great workshop April 22 - 27. Learn a lot, have a blast, and come away with incredible images.

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/500 sec.  Aperture f/4.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 100mm macro f/2.8L IS.  Camera: Canon 5D Mark III.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Listen to the silence of nature and hear your inner voice."  --unknown

Ice Castles

Glaciers. Big, blue, and beautiful. Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska is one of the last strongholds of glaciers in the world. Being in this ice world is a treat not to be missed.

Seeing a glacier is like traveling back through time. Many of them were formed eons ago, but unfortunately many of them are receding or melting or both. Having the chance to see them in person is a rare opportunity. Photographing them is an even greater achievement. Follow your heart, travel when and where you can, and see parts of the world that are changing fast. Once they are gone, they are gone.

Stay tuned for information on a 2016 Glacier Bay trip.

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec.  Aperture f/20.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II, set at 140mm.  Camera: Canon 7D Mark II. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Future generations are going to ask what you did about it, when you knew the glaciers were melting."  -Martin Sheen

Do More Than Skim The Surface

Skimmers are some of my favorite water birds. They are sleek, speedy fliers with incredible skill. They barely skim the water with their lower beak, which are longer than the upper beak, scooping up small morsels. They ply the same stretch of water over and over again, which makes it easy for photographers. Once you spot one it is a safe bet that you can set up your tripod and be ready for a show for at least several minutes.

Patience is the keyword when photographing skimmers. They move quite quickly, so if you miss getting good shots on one pass, just wait and chances are they will come by again. That makes it relatively easy to pre-focus in the general area they have passed before. Then it is a simple matter for your autofocus to grab on when they come by again.

This image has been optimized in Lightroom, the image optimization software I use most. The water has been darkened a bit and its color has been enhanced with the Vibrance slider. Fortunately this was shot on an overcast day so the bright whites and deep blacks held their detail and did not need any help. The bright orange area on the beak is an excellent point of color contrast against the deep blue water. And the naturally occurring reflection adds nice punch to the overall composition.

If you look carefully, you can see the water dripping off the beak. You can trace his forward progress by the thin line traced in the water as he skimmed for food.

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/8000 sec.  Aperture f/8.  ISO 1600.  Lens: Canon 200-400mm f/4L IS with built-in 1.4x extender for an effective focal length of 560mm.  Camera: Canon 5D Mark III.  Gitzo tripod with Really Right Stuff ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "We skim over the surface thoughtlessly. But we must acknowledge that thinking well is a time-consuming process. Take the time to contemplate...."   -M. Scott Peck

Halloween Smoke and Mirrors

Happy Halloween! This has become a fun holiday for old and young alike, so enjoy the fun and embrace the creepiness. Try your hand at creating some otherworldly images today to stimulate your creativity.

This image was created using black light, a light source that responds to florescent colors. But you can create similar looks without blacklight by using reflective items like glass bottles, or items made out of shiny black plastic which will reflect any bright colors that are placed in front of them or behind them.

You can use either a non-reflective black background like a piece of fabric (felt or fleece or suede), or as in this case, a sheet of dark reflective mylar. Place the main subjects in front of the background, leaving a space of 1 to 3 feet between them and the background.

What you see in this image is just the reflection of 3 clear glass bottles reflected in the mylar, not the bottles themselves. The slight natural waviness of the mylar causes the bottles to appear distorted and unreal. Rolled up sheets of brightly colored paper were placed in front of the bottles so that they reflected into them, creating an array of colorful designs.

The trick is to set this up after dark in an unlit room, and place 2 or 3 lights off to the sides of the scene. Make sure the lights shine on the colored papers so that they are lit and will reflect well into the bottles or plastic.

The lights can be light boxes (the things we used to place slides on in the old days to view them for editing) or the less expensive and more readily available LED work lights sold at:

Walmart  http://www.walmart.com/ip/Stalwart-LED-Worklight-with-Magnet-Back-Red-Black/37421356

Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Updated-Elecrainbow%C2%AE-Portable-Rotatable-Magnets/dp/B00UY9T11G/ref=sr_1_12?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1446295476&sr=1-12&keywords=led+work+light

Hunt's Photo and Video  https://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com/searchresult.cfm

These lights come in a variety of sizes and in varying price ranges. I suggest starting with the least expensive ones you can find to see how you like it. I have not used any of the exact lights in the links above, and am not endorsing any particular light, but it will give you a start in exploring what is available out there.

By the way, these small LED lights are also great for macro photography of flowers and other subjects indoors in a darkened room.

A tripod will be needed since the exposures will most likely be quite long. Also, use a moderate telephoto lens which will provide more flexibility for where you set the lights and the colored papers. 

A small aperture of f/16 or more is best for good depth of field which will keep everything relatively sharp.

Experiment with the positioning of the lights for best effect. Have a buddy with you to reposition the lights and the colored papers so that you can view the scene through the viewfinder and create exactly what looks best to you. Happy shooting and Happy Halloween!

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 15 seconds.  Aperture f/18.  ISO 200.  Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS set at 155mm. Camera: Canon 40D (an oldie but a goodie).  Gitzo tripod with ballhead.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and The Great Pumpkin."  -- Charles Schultz via Linus from "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"

The Bear Facts

Brown bear are beautiful and amazing creatures. They look relatively benign, and appear playful and amusing. But in fact they are skillful hunters, and at all times when photographing them it is important to afford them the highest level of respect. In other words, keep your distance.

When photographing coastal bears, as distinguished from mountain bears who are less mellow, as long as you give them plenty of space AND providing there are plenty of salmon and clams for them to catch easily, they barely seem to care that there are humans close by. The sound of cameras going off does not bother them. The sound of ATVs motoring around does not bother them.

However, they are wary and will change their desired route if people or vehicles block their way. So it is vitally important to keep an eye on the direction they want to head and to clear a path for them.

At all times in this environment we travel with an experienced naturalist who is knowledgeable about bear behavior. Make no mistake that a cute cuddly bear is tame and will tolerate any interference. It is neither tame nor tolerant, and should always be given a wide berth.

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec.  Aperture f/6.3.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II, set at 140mm.  Camera: Canon 7D Mark II.  Gitzo tripod with Really Right Stuff ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty."  -Albert Einstein

April In Paradise

Just Announced  -  The Wildflowers and Wildwater photo tour in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been scheduled! Join me April 22 - 27 in this spectacular park with over 1000 wildflower species, swiftly running streams, and beautiful mountain scenery.

Read all about it in our FREE monthly newsletter here     http://conta.cc/1XpULpY  

Speaking of the newsletter, if you would like to begin receiving it free each month, simply send us an email at   awakethelight@charter.net   with the word YES in the subject line and we'll get you started. Each month it provides information, education, and motivation as well. So join the thousands of others who enjoy reading it every month.  

For more information on the Smokies photo tour, please email us or call 757-773-0194.

TECHNICAL DATA

Shutter Speed 1/100 sec.  Aperture f/4.  ISO 100.  Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS, set at 70mm.  Camera: Canon 40D.  Gitzo tripod with ballhead.

TODAY'S QUOTE:: "Each new day is a gift to be opened as sunrise slowly unties its ribbon of hope."  --anonymous

Attention To Details

Regardless of the subject, paying attention to details can make all the difference. This is a beautiful scene in Alaska that would look good with almost any composition. But it is made even better by paying attention to small details that enhance and strengthen the composition.

Look at the position of the large rock on the right. It is partially framed by the water, rather than touching the shoreline on the other side of the lake. I knew I wanted the rock to be a pivotal point in the image and that would not have happened if it did not stand out.

Now look at the curve of the shoreline. It is important that the curve shows, and leads the eye into the image and around the lake.

By carefully looking through the viewfinder you can determine the placement of each important element relative to the other elements. Take your time, move around, see if a higher or lower camera position can improve the composition. 

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/640 sec.  Aperture f/7.1.  ISO 400.  Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS set at 70mm. Camera: Canon 5D Mark III.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come."  -Perry Paxton

The Unexpected

On a recent whale-watching trip in Alaska this totally unexpected abstract appeared. The water was smooth and crystal clear. And the way the light played on the surface of the water created these oval shapes all around us. It was such a treat to see these unusual shapes.

So today's lesson is to ALWAYS keep your wits about you and look for photographic opportunities, no matter what your main goal is that day. All too often we see only what we seek, and overlook the unexpected that is just waiting to be photographed.

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/1250 sec.  Aperture f/14.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II with 1.4 extender for an effective focal length of 560mm. Camera: Canon 7D Mark II.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great."  -Orison Marden 

As Cute As It Gets

Sea otters are some of nature's most adorable creatures. They have such alert faces, and always seem to be interested in the 2-legged creatures on boats nearby. This one stared at us for a long time and seemed curious enough to watch our every move.

Focusing on anything from a moving boat can be challenging. Your distance from the subject is always changing, and the boat is continually being tossed on the waves and currents. So accurate auto focus and a fast shutter speed are necessary.

Because conditions are always changing, it is helpful to take a lot of images. Don't limit yourself to taking just a few. You never know when the body position or the wave action or other factors will be just right. In this image, the small waves and the sea otter's expression and position combined to make an interesting picture.

This was taken aboard a chartered boat in Glacier Bay Alaska. Our boat trips on most Awake The Light photo tours are private charters so that we have complete control over where we go and how long we stay in one area.

This year's Glacier Bay trip was very popular, and a similar trip is being planned for summer 2016. Stay tuned for details!

TECHNICAL DATA
Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec.  Aperture f/14.  ISO 800.  Lens: Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II with 1.4x extender for an effective focal of 560mm.  Camera: Canon 7D Mark II.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."  -Jacques Yves Cousteau