Since being diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called Polymyalgia Rheumatica, or PMR, I have had to give up almost everything I love to do in life. In this post I talk about my severely limited activity level, learning to accept my condition, and finding solutions that will help me keep doing photography. I am awake. My first thought: “Don’t move!” As long as I stay … [Read more...]
Canon 400mm f/5.6L vs. Tamron 150-600mm G2 Lenses for Wildlife Photography
I recently made a big investment in my wildlife photography gear. Big both in size and dollars! It's a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. Until now, my wildlife lenses included a 70-300mm and a 400mm lens, both of which are great, but I really wanted that extra reach that a 600mm lens would give me. I was so excited about this new addition, but unfortunately, the first Tamron … [Read more...]
Enhance Your Photos with Textures
Do you ever have a photo that you really like, but you want it to be a little … more? Or maybe you just want another version of the image that is a little different? Perhaps more dramatic and artistic looking? Adding textures is a fantastic way to get that extra depth and create a really unique look in your images. In this video I'll show you how easy it is to add … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Why Your Photos Aren’t Sharp
It is a disappointment all photographers face at some point. In fact, it is a disappointment most photographers face on every shoot! There are so many things that can go wrong, so many mistakes that can be made to cause a photograph to be blurry. It's inevitable. Here are 5 common reasons why your photos are not as sharp as you want them to be: 1. Your shutter speed is … [Read more...]
Create a Soft Dreamy Effect (the Orton Effect)
The Orton Effect is a simple technique you can use to add a soft, dreamy look to your photos. I love this effect because it has a way of making a photo magically soft and sharp at the same time. In this video, I'll show you how to create the Orton Effect using Photoshop, Lightroom, or Luminar. https://youtu.be/PWvdlYd2Blo Click here to watch the video larger on … [Read more...]
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
There is a silver lining to all that crazy winter weather we had this year, and that is the incredible California wildflower super-bloom this spring. I was worried that I would miss it since we had gone to New Mexico, where we experienced some horrendous winds. I love New Mexico, but this year wasn't the best. By the time we got back through Arizona and into California, I … [Read more...]
A Squadron of Javelinas
I was in the zone. Nothing existed except me and thousands of sandhill cranes. In the middle of the action, I had something amazing in front of me that I was photographing, and everything else was muffled out. My intensity communicated to all that I didn't want to be bothered. Someone was talking ... to me I think ... my focus slightly wavered and then I was immediately … [Read more...]
Dolphin Acrobatics and Photography in British Columbia
This is why I do it. I go out in my little boat, Snoopy, in the summer months and sometimes I come home with a bad back as a result. I drag my camera gear out there and usually come home with some photos of splashes or maybe nothing at all. But sometimes ... I have the best day of my life. One of those days when, in the middle of the action, I realize it is a day I will … [Read more...]