tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77530671313044082242024-03-14T01:30:57.471-04:00Northof49PhotographyKevin A. Pepper - K2 - Owner and Co-Founder of North of 49 Photography
Kevin A. Pepper is a Sigma PRO photographer and Manfrotto Ambassador based in Waterloo, Ontario. For the past three years he has been teaching photography to enthusiasts here in Canada and around the world.
Website: www.northof49photography.com Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-24300133911748367152013-10-03T13:53:00.000-04:002013-10-03T13:53:22.160-04:00Photo Composition - Landscape Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8X8YyIAMs8/UKZM9x9PEMI/AAAAAAAABAY/o3HMXCeTK-o/s1600/Mountain+Reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8X8YyIAMs8/UKZM9x9PEMI/AAAAAAAABAY/o3HMXCeTK-o/s640/Mountain+Reflections.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Do not forget the foreground in a landscape photo... the best way to capture the whole photo is to focus 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the photo and use an f-stop of f/16 to bring as much into focus as possible. <br />
<br />
To learn more about composition check out our workshops at <a href="http://www.northof49photography.com/"><span style="color: red;">www.northof49photography.com</span></a> <span style="color: red;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-73058916665139117902013-09-05T19:52:00.002-04:002013-09-06T20:32:05.398-04:00How to photograph the Northern Lights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-molTr3Kr1M8/UikYCdbRlzI/AAAAAAAADjw/6fAtNMWvriE/s1600/DSC_4109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-molTr3Kr1M8/UikYCdbRlzI/AAAAAAAADjw/6fAtNMWvriE/s640/DSC_4109.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div align="right">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Photo courtesy of Tessa McIntosh, my partner in Northern Canada</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The spectacle known as the northern lights is something I promise you
will never forget, and if you are prepared to photograph them, you will be able
come home and share your photos you are proud of with friends and family.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Aurora Borealis occurs in the Northern hemisphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be experienced in locations further
from the Arctic circles, but to improve your chances of seeing them you need to
spend some time on or near the activity zones. Iceland, Norway, Yukon and
Alaska are just some of the places famous for the Aurora Borealis in the Northern
hemisphere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><em><span style="font-family: inherit;">How to Photograph the northern lights<o:p></o:p></span></em></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>BASIC EQUIPMENT:</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
A good sturdy tripod. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
A remote trigger so you don't have to touch the camera. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
The camera should be a 35mm SLR camera with manual focus (set to just
shy of "infinity"), which works well for Northern Lights photography. Or an DSLR camera with the capability of </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> BULB mode so you can
manually control exposure times. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Digital cameras will need to have to be manually adjustable focus with ISO
ranges up to 1600 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>RECOMMENDED PHOTO GEAR:</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Beyond the basic photography equipment, you should bring the following
gear for great results: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
A wide-angle zoom lens, f2.8 (or lower numbers), will give great results
photographing the Northern Lights. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
If you have a prime lens (with fixed focal length) for your camera,
bring it as well. If you notice the photo above, Tessa used a fisheye lens.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>TAKING A PICTURE:</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
You generally will not be able to take good pictures of the Northern
Lights with short exposure times. Good exposure times for this are 20-40
seconds per picture (the tripod will help you eliminate shaking of the camera -
you can't hold the camera by hand.) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A sample exposure time for ISO 800 with an aperture of f/2.8 would be 20
to 30 seconds depending on the brightness of the lights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>LOCATIONS & TIMES:</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
It can be hard to predict the Northern Lights so you may be in for a
few hours of waiting during a cold night. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The best times generally are after midnight and range from October to the
end of April each year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You should head out of the city and get away from light pollution to
obtain maximum quality of photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tips:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
1.Batteries don't last as long in cold nights. Bring spare batteries.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
2.Try lots of different exposure settings; night photography is
challenging. Test your setup first.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
3.Include a part of the landscape to make the photos more attractive
and as a visual reference for size.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
4.Do not use any filters, as they tend to distort the beauty of the
Northern Lights and degrade the image.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
5.Turn on "noise reduction" and the white balance can be set
to 5000K or set to auto on digital cameras.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Techniques</span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To increase your chance of a
successful aurora hunt, you need to be aware of the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is cloudy, your chances of seeing the
aurora grow weaker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have a clear
sky you have a much better chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You also need to check the space weather for the northern lights
forecast. Please not, even if the space weather forecast is weak, it may still
be worth venturing out if you are up north in the areas that I previously
mentioned… Iceland, Norway, Alaska and the Yukon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So you are in an active zone and
you have a clear sky and the space weather is a bit uncertain. You can increase
your chances again by eliminating light pollution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The moon can also work against you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you are planning a trip to an Aurora zone, try to book it as I do
when there is a new moon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Get your camera set up so that it is easy to handle. Using a flash
light make sure your cable is connected, your lens is set just short of
infinity and the camera is level to the ground. Then turn off the flash light
and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can use the waiting time constructively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can practice with your bulb and find a
good composition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set your camera to
f/2.8 (or as wide as possible) iso 800 and take some test shots for 30 seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do this in all directions but mainly due
north (Aurora Borealis).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may start
to see a green hue on your pictures near the horizon. This is a good sign and
this is the part of the sky you need to watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As the aurora starts to get brighter you need to start adjusting your
settings accordingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start by bringing
down your iso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Important note… Always check the brightness of your image on the
histogram and never rely on the camera preview screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your eyes have adjusted to the dark so an
underexposed image will look fine – until you get it home! Speaking from experience…
the back lit LCD screen in the dark makes photos look brighter than they
actually are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If the whole sky explodes and
the Aurora casts a shadow, you need to be quick to adjust your exposure
times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best Aurora shots occur
during these brief moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A faster
shutter of 8-20 seconds will preserve some of the details of the light display that separates the great photo from the average photo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Star trails<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The added bonus… Sometimes you cannot avoid star trails if you don't
trust iso 800 and your lens stops at f/4. If this is the case, you might be exposing for 2 minutes
with a weak aurora.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Generally it is
preferred to expose for less than 30 seconds to prevent noticeable star
trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stars begin to move over 20
seconds… so if you want fixed stars you will have to increase ISO to 1600 or 3200 and keep
exposure times under 20 seconds… but, sometimes star movement adds an element
to the images you take. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please join me in 2014 as I travel to northern Canada two different
times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yukon - April 2014 for northern lights and mountain landscapes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><a href="http://northof49photography.com/yukon-workshop"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><strong>http://northof49photography.com/yukon-workshop</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Northwest Territories - September 2014 for fall colors, landscapes and
northern lights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><a href="http://www.rodbarbee.com/workshops/140920-northwest-territories"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><strong>http://www.rodbarbee.com/workshops/140920-northwest-territories</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<o:p></o:p></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-6069700028402471222013-09-03T21:09:00.000-04:002013-09-03T21:09:08.327-04:00Northern Lights and Mountain Landscapes Photography Workshop in the Yukon
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNL6XomLc4E/UiaG3y2SCZI/AAAAAAAADjc/iin7ydGMHeU/s1600/Blachford+Lake+Lodge+-+tipi+aurora++-+2000-+Tessa+Macintosh+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oNL6XomLc4E/UiaG3y2SCZI/AAAAAAAADjc/iin7ydGMHeU/s640/Blachford+Lake+Lodge+-+tipi+aurora++-+2000-+Tessa+Macintosh+Photo.jpg" width="459" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>March 29th, 2014<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We'll welcome you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in
downtown Whitehorse and we will get you checked in. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>March 30th, 2014<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over breakfast we will go over the itinerary over a group setting.
There, we will present a slide show and give you tips on photographing in the
environments that we are about to shoot in. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After lunch we will head out into rural Yukon and show you the mountain
ranges, pristine lakes and make frequent stops along the way to let you enjoy
the sights through your lens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At 8.30 PM we depart for our first of many Aurora hunts. Hot drinks and
snacks are provided<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Breakfast and dinner included<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>March 31st, 2014<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After lunch we will depart for Kluane National Park for landscape
photographic opportunities of the Yukon Mountains and lakes. On the way we stop
regularly to allow you the opportunity to take photos of the beautiful
landscape. Once we reach Kluane we can go for a short hike. Dinner will be in
Haines Junction. After dinner we will position ourselves for a sunset photo
opportunity before we drive to our nightly Aurora viewing location.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 22 000 square kilometre Kluane National Park is set like a jewel in
the southwestern corner of the Yukon between northeastern British Columbia and
the tidewaters of the Alaskan panhandle. Much of the park's 129 kilometre
northern boundary is made up of the Alaska Highway and the Haines Road. The
Alsek River, known for its big water rapids created by the tremendous volume of
water it drains from the St. Elias Mountains, is so swift it appears that
native people have entirely avoided using it for travel or trade routes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lunch and Dinner included<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">April 1st, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sleep in or a m<span style="font-family: Calibri;">orning at your leisure and go for one of your own day trips. We will
group together for lunch and spend a few hours going through your images. After
an early dinner we will grab our camera gear for another night
with the Aurora Borealis. Again, if the lights are dancing, we will stay out
taking photos for as long as the group wants. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lunch and dinner included<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>April 2nd, 2014<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sleep in because we may have been out to the wee hours of the morning
shooting northern lights. After lunch we will head west for a journey down the
Alaskan highway. Through the mountain ranges we will venture and make frequent
stops at lakes such as Squanga lake and Little Teslin Lake as we search for the
perfect mountain vista, moose and other resident wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After an early dinner we will grab our camera gear one last time for
our last night with the Aurora Borealis. We will depart at 8:30pm and have you
back at your hotel by 1:30am so you can get some sleep and catch one of two
flights home the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lunch and dinner included<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>April 3rd, 2014<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will transfer to the airport for your flight home. There are two
flight options. A 6:00am flight and a 12:50pm flight bound for Vancouver.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Price of Workshop:</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">$2487USD for a maximum of 5
people <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Single Supplement is $250 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Airport pickup and drop <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Included:</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Airport pick-up and drop-off <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Accommodation <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lunch and Dinner on day 2, 3, 4
and 5 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Daily transportation via an 8
passenger Suburban or equivalent. Hot drinks and snacks during aurora viewing
nights. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Not Included</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alcoholic beverages <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">International flights <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Items of personal nature <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Items not listed as included <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Deposit Required</strong>: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">$500USD <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Balance due before January 15th,
2014. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Contact me at
<a href="mailto:kevin@photographers-lounge.com">kevin@photographers-lounge.com</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-38936299271480193192013-08-19T09:00:00.000-04:002013-08-19T09:00:11.918-04:00Species Spotlight - The Great Northern Loon<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FzQNpITZnY8/UhE0YLFDsNI/AAAAAAAADgs/t4Ttk9nxv1k/s1600/swimming+loon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FzQNpITZnY8/UhE0YLFDsNI/AAAAAAAADgs/t4Ttk9nxv1k/s640/swimming+loon.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Great Northern Loon is one of the five loon species. Its
closest relative is the other large black-headed species, the Yellow-billed
Loon or White-billed Diver. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Adults can range from 61 to 100 cm (24–40 inches) in length
with a 122–152 cm (4–5-foot) wingspan, slightly smaller than the similar Yellow-billed
Loon (or "White-billed Diver"). The weight can vary from 1.6 to 8 kg
(3.6 to 17.6 lbs). On average a Great Northern Loon is about 81 cm (32 inches)
long, has a wingspan of 136 cm (54 inches), and weighs about 4.1 kg (9 lbs).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Breeding adults have a black head, white underparts, and a
checkered black-and-white mantle. Non-breeding plumage is brownish, with the
chin and foreneck white. The bill is black-blue and held horizontally. The bill
colour and angle distinguish this species from the similar Yellow-billed Loon.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bone structure contains a number of solid bones (unlike
normally hollow avian bones), which add weight but help in diving. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Distribution and habitat</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Great Northern Loon breeds in North America, <st1:city w:st="on">Greenland</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iceland</st1:country-region>,
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Great Britain</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
This species winters on sea coasts or on large lakes of south Europe and the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>, and south to northwestern areas
of <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Behaviour</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chicks will ride on their parents' backs</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This species, like all divers, is a specialist fish-eater,
catching its prey underwater, diving as deep as 60 m (200 ft). Freshwater diets
consist of pike, perch, sunfish, trout, and bass; salt-water diets consist of rock
fish, flounder, sea trout, and herring.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The bird needs a long distance to gain momentum for
take-off, and is ungainly on landing. Its clumsiness on land is due to the legs
being positioned at the rear of the body: this is ideal for diving but not
well-suited for walking. When the birds land on water, they skim along on their
bellies to slow down, rather than on their feet, as these are set too far back.
The loon swims gracefully on the surface, dives as well as any flying bird, and
flies competently for hundreds of kilometers in migration. It flies with its
neck outstretched, usually calling a particular tremolo that can be used to
identify a flying loon. Its flying speed is about 120 km/h (75 mph) during
migration. Its call has been alternately called "haunting,"
"beautiful," "thrilling," "mystical", and
"enchanting."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Great Northern Loon nests are usually placed on islands,
where ground-based predators cannot normally access them. However, eggs and
nestlings have been taken by gulls, raccoons, skunks, minks, foxes, snapping
turtles, and large fish. Adults are not regularly preyed upon, but have been
taken by sea otters (when wintering) and Bald Eagles. Ospreys have been
observed harassing divers, more likely out of kleptoparasitism than predation.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Northern_Loon#cite_note-13#cite_note-13"></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When approached by a predator of either
its nest or itself, divers sometimes attack the predator by rushing at it and
attempting to impale it through the abdomen or the back of the head or neck.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Breeding</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The female lays 1 to 3 eggs on a hollowed-out mound of dirt
and vegetation very close to water. Both parents build the nest, sit on the egg
or eggs, and feed the young.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Relationship with humans </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These birds have disappeared from some lakes in eastern <st1:place w:st="on">North America</st1:place> due to the effects of acid rain and pollution,
as well as lead poisoning from fishing sinkers and mercury contamination from
industrial waste. Artificial floating nesting platforms have been provided for
loons in some lakes to reduce the impact of changing water levels due to dams
and other human activities.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This diver is well known in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region>,
appearing on the one-dollar "loonie" coin and the previous series of $20
bill, and is the provincial bird of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Ontario</st1:state></st1:place>.
Also, it is the state bird of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Minnesota</st1:state></st1:place>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The voice and appearance of the Great Northern Loon has made
it prominent in several Native American tales. These include a story of a loon
which created the world in a Chippewa story; a Micmac saga describes Kwee-moo,
the loon who was a special messenger of Glooscap (Glu-skap), the tribal hero;
native tribes of British Columbia believed that an excess of calls from this bird
predicted rain, and even brought it; and the tale of the loon's necklace was
handed down in many versions among Pacific Coast peoples. Folk names include
big loon, black-billed loon, call-up-a-storm, ember-goose, </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We often see Loons on our workshops and have experience anticipating
their movement to offer you the best opportunity to photograph them in the
environment. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please check out our workshops and come photograph some
Loons. </span><a href="http://www.northof49photography.com/"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><strong>www.northof49photography.com</strong></span></a>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-46195403689421618942013-08-18T15:09:00.000-04:002013-08-18T15:09:02.204-04:00Canadian Photography Workshop Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VF6XCDpDLV0/UegPfvB9RgI/AAAAAAAADWs/Qucw-3UOne4/s1600/nova-scotia-lighthousev2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VF6XCDpDLV0/UegPfvB9RgI/AAAAAAAADWs/Qucw-3UOne4/s640/nova-scotia-lighthousev2.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have had the pleasure of travelling to some fantastic places... Africa, France, Mongolia, Eastern Europe, South America... and no matter where I go, and who I meet, I always get asked about Canada, my home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess its the expansive nature of our country. The draw of the Rocky Mountains, the expansive prairies, the eclectic economic center of Ontario and Quebec, and the iconic eastern provinces on the Atlantic Ocean... and definately not to be left out, our territories to the north, and their allure of untamed lands and wildlife... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the past year I have been mulling an idea that would bring International Photographers to Canada. A friend of mine, Tim Vollmer, brings photographers from around the world to Iceland and hosts amazing trips that can be found nowhere else on earth... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Canada also has that diverse and unique offering, and frankly, I think better opportunities than Iceland, (sorry Tim... LOL)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So in July of 2013, North of 49 Photography was launched. North of 49 refers to the latitude line of our border with the USA. So all workshops and tours that this new company will conduct, will be north of the 49th latitude line. </span><br />
<br />
Our Canadian instructors and guides have knowledge of the lands and the wildlife that we will be photographing to ensure that you have the best experience possible. These Canadian instructors and guides will also support the International Photographers that visit Canada with their friends and clients. So, you get two professional photographers to help you when you come to Canada. This offers a great ratio and increases your learning time. <br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently we have a variety of workshops and tours that focus on the very photogenic Pacific coast in Tofino, British Columbia, a few workshops centred around thousands of migratory bald eagles, Northwest Territories for landscape and Northern Lights, and as well, a workshop up in Algonquin Park and the Kawartha region of Ontario. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All of these workshops can be found at </span><a href="http://www.northof49photography.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>www.northof49photography.com</strong></span></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the coming months we will also be adding a few polar bear workshops in Nunavut and an east coast lighthouse workshop along the Atlantic coastline. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope you will bookmark the site and refer back to it often. We will be constantly updating the workshops and the blog will be filling up with all the information you will ever need on Canada, its people, its regions and where we will be travelling to. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to thank you all for your support with the Photographers Lounge. That company will continue to operate our International Workshops and local one day workshops under </span><a href="http://www.photographerslounge.ca/"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>www.photographerslounge.ca</strong></span></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kev</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-70142923697158646022013-08-06T12:39:00.000-04:002013-08-06T12:39:29.338-04:00Canadian Species Spotlight - The Osprey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62jJj8xAGwc/UgEmnU4K8nI/AAAAAAAADcU/8NDdvsuhchQ/s1600/1016114_416984375084058_1954515640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62jJj8xAGwc/UgEmnU4K8nI/AAAAAAAADcU/8NDdvsuhchQ/s400/1016114_416984375084058_1954515640_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The <b>Osprey </b>sometimes
known as the <b>sea hawk</b>, <b>fish eagle,</b> or <b>fish hawk</b>, is a fish-eating
bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than 60 cm (24 in) in length
and 180 cm (71 in) across the wings. It is brown on the upperparts and
predominantly greyish on the head and underparts, with a black eye patch and
wings. In 1994, the osprey was declared the provincial bird of <st1:state w:st="on">Nova Scotia</st1:state>, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Osprey tolerates a wide variety of habitats, nesting in any location
near a body of water providing an adequate food supply. It is found on all
continents except Antarctica, although in <st1:place w:st="on">South America</st1:place>
it occurs only as a non-breeding migrant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As its other common name suggests, the Osprey's diet consists almost
exclusively of fish. It possesses specialized physical characteristics and
exhibits unique behavior to assist in hunting and catching prey. As a result of
these unique characteristics, it has been given its own family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Osprey is the second most widely distributed raptor species, after the Peregrine
Falcon. It has a worldwide distribution and is found in temperate and tropical
regions of all continents except <st1:place w:st="on">Antarctica</st1:place>.
In North America it breeds from <st1:state w:st="on">Alaska</st1:state> and <st1:state w:st="on">Newfoundland</st1:state> south to the <st1:placetype w:st="on">Gulf</st1:placetype>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Coast</st1:placetype> and <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>,
wintering further south from the southern <st1:country-region w:st="on">United
States</st1:country-region> through to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Argentina</st1:country-region></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Osprey breeds near freshwater lakes, and sometimes on coastal brackish
waters. The nest is a large heap of sticks, driftwood and seaweed built in
forks of trees, rocky outcrops, utility poles, artificial platforms or offshore
islets. Generally, Ospreys reach sexual maturity and begin breeding around the
age of three to four, though in some regions with high Osprey densities, they
may not start breeding until five to seven years old, and there may be a
shortage of suitable tall structures. If there are no nesting sites available,
young Ospreys may be forced to delay breeding. To ease this problem, posts are
sometimes erected to provide more sites suitable for nest building.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ospreys usually mate for life. Rarely, polyandry has been recorded. The
breeding season varies according to latitude. In spring the pair begins a
five-month period of partnership to raise their young. The female lays two to
four eggs within a month, and relies on the size of the nest to conserve heat.
The eggs are whitish with bold splotches of reddish-brown and are about 6.2 by
4.5 cm (2.4 by 1.8 in) and weigh about 65 g (2.3 oz). The eggs are incubated
for about 5 weeks to hatching.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The newly hatched chicks weigh only 50–60 g (1.8–2.1 oz), but fledge in
8–10 weeks. When food is scarce, the first chicks to hatch are most likely to
survive. The typical lifespan is 7–10 years, though rarely individuals can grow
to as old as 20–25 years. The oldest European wild osprey on record lived to be
over thirty years of age. In <st1:place w:st="on">North America</st1:place> <i>Bubo</i>
owls and Bald Eagles (and possibly other eagles of comparable size) are the
only major predators of both nests and sub adults. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can often find Osprey flying around and fishing in many of the lakes
and streams we visit on our workshops with North of 49 Photography. </span><a href="http://www.northof49photography.com/"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><strong>www.northof49photography.com</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><strong> <o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Please check out our workshops and contact us if you see anything that
interests you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kev<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-2990343532117994182013-08-05T09:00:00.000-04:002013-08-05T17:31:54.518-04:00Social Media Workshop for Photographers<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DOfHEzAnSs/UNDFhZpCLxI/AAAAAAAABi8/BOq_345feek/s1600/best+social+media+sites+for+photographers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DOfHEzAnSs/UNDFhZpCLxI/AAAAAAAABi8/BOq_345feek/s640/best+social+media+sites+for+photographers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a small photography business owner that has a limited budget for
traditional marketing efforts, social media and the internet should be playing
huge role in helping you gain new clients and grow your business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">While many of us have entered the social media space, there is always
room for improvement and definitely ways to streamline the work load, while
increasing your conversation ratios of casual followers to paying clients.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Does these statements sound familiar? <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a website, Why do I need Social Media?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am ready to use the internet and social media in a smart and meaningful
way–without taking time from your primary business?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to reach and engage prospects directly instead of wasting time
and money on passive advertising?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I want to create a community of advocates who promote and support your
business for you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Is there a special connection to customers that you've heard others
have–but you're missing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Does the ever-changing information about social media confuse you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And–maybe you'd like some expert guidance to help you understand and
use all that social media has to offer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some Quick Facts about Social Media That We Will Address<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Facebook has 1 billion users, twitter has about 500 million. How many
of those users do you think could be potential customers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Social media increases your online presence, making your company easier
to find through searches and organically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Posting on Social Media increases your brands exposure, and who
wouldn't want more exposure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Social Media gives you a free platform where you can have conversations
directly with customers that may otherwise never hear of your company!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Complaints happen. Addressing public customer complaints quickly and
efficiently can contain the spread of negative feedback, and can also help
create new raving fans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our Social Media Workshop is a great way to help you and your staff
identify your target audience and establish a strong message you'd like to
deliver through a number of social media outlets. We will help you identify the
best social media platforms for your business, because what's right for some
isn't right for all. We will make sure you and your staff become comfortable
communicating with your customers and creating meaningful conversations online.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a great way to align your marketing strategies with your online
media initiatives, and make social media work for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About Your Instructor<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Kevin Pepper has over 12 years working in the Internet industry for
large multi-national organizations and some of Canada’s largest media
companies. Companies such as Canwest, Sun Media and Trader Classified Media. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From managing one of the world’s largest internet business targeting used
car buyers to teaching small to medium sized businesses on maximizing the power
of the Internet, Kevin’s social media and internet experience is extensive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having changed his career in 2011, Kevin now operates two companies
that offer local and international photography workshops for enthusiastic
photographers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pulling from all his past learnings, Kevin now offers other
professional the insights he has learned so that you can benefit from this
knowledge and grow your own business, not matter what budget you have for
marketing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is a breakdown of the workshop:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
January, 25<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>, 2014 - 6 hours long (we begin at 9:00am to
Noon, and then resume at 1:30pm and go till 4:30pm<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Part I<o:p></o:p></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Objectives<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Audience<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Message<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Part II<o:p></o:p></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Overview of Social Media Choices<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Recommendations<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Who does it?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
How often?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Options & Costs<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Best Practices<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
How to measure success<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our sessions include brainstorming and interactive feedback and
everyone takes away the maximum amount of knowledge specific for photographers.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Location is in Cambridge, Ontario<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cost is $150 plus HST/ per person (payment due at time of registration, non-refundable) - first 20 registrations for $69.00 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We will send you a form for your employees to fill out prior to the
workshop to make sure we are all prepared and we can completely customize the
workshop to your needs and goals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We will follow up with our written recommendations for your company<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contact Information:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
(phone) 519 620 9185<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
(email) </span><a href="mailto:kevin@photographers-lounge.com"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: inherit;">kevin@photographers-lounge.com</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once you contact me to register you will receive a questionnaire to
better help me understand your business situation and your specific needs. This
will help me address your specific concerns and maximize the personal feedback
you receive after the workshop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I look forward to seeing you at our next social media workshop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kev</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-82582358352179708152013-08-02T09:16:00.001-04:002013-08-02T09:16:49.496-04:00Species Spotlight - Canadian Moose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9NA01wonkw/UfuxKhQEWzI/AAAAAAAADbc/w5yTRMqaRpU/s1600/moose.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9NA01wonkw/UfuxKhQEWzI/AAAAAAAADbc/w5yTRMqaRpU/s640/moose.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I have started a new blog that is dedicated to highlighting animals, destinations and photography destinations in Canada... the blog on this website can be found here... <a href="http://northof49photography.com/blog/"><span style="color: red;"><strong>http://northof49photography.com/blog/</strong></span></a><br />
<br />
Today I am highlighting the Canadian Moose... I hope you learn something about this huge animal after reading the post. <br />
<br />
<br />
KevAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-5799140665317625902013-07-30T23:15:00.000-04:002013-07-30T23:15:06.664-04:00Photography Workshop Options<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAxdKmMIAvE/UfiBCBElRgI/AAAAAAAADbI/QWcVfY_99EU/s1600/bay-of-fundy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qAxdKmMIAvE/UfiBCBElRgI/AAAAAAAADbI/QWcVfY_99EU/s640/bay-of-fundy.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span lang="en-CA" style="language: en-CA; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>BALD EAGLES IN BC<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This photo workshop is centered on a convergence of thousands of bald
eagles in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Your
instructor(s) for this workshop will guide you to the best locations for photographing
the eagles in the Fraser Valley that is surrounded by the Cascade Mountain
range, including a private boat tour up the river within meters of the eagles.
You will be provide detailed instruction on how to capture your perfect
landscape photo and eagle shots by your instructors .<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dates: November 30 - December 4, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Price; $2950<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See more details: <a href="http://northof49photography.com/bald-eagle-worskhop-with-tim-vollmer"><span style="color: red;"><strong>http://northof49photography.com/bald-eagle-worskhop-with-tim-vollmer</strong></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>ICELAND<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The winter of 2014 is supposed to be a spectacular year for viewing
northern lights. In February I will be headed to one of the best places on
earth to view the northern lights, Iceland. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dates: February 5th to February 10th <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Price: $3895<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See more details:
<a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/iceland-winter-wonderland"><strong><span style="color: red;">http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/iceland-winter-wonderland</span></strong></a> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>TANZANIA<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And back we go again to Tanzania to bear witness to the great
wildebeest migration through the Serengeti. Please join me as we head back to
Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti plains to photograph some of earths most
amazing landscapes and animals in their natural habitat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dates:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>April 28th to May 7th <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Price: $4780<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See more details:
<a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/tanzania-photo-safari"><span style="color: red;"><strong>http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/tanzania-photo-safari</strong></span></a> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>NEWFOUNDLAND<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This ten day workshop will see us visiting northern Newfoundland and
Labrador during the beginning of summer. That magical time when whales migrate
north through iceberg alley as the crystal palaces float south. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dates: June 1st to June 10th<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Price: $4250<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See more details:
<a href="http://northof49photography.com/newfoundland-and-labrador"><span style="color: red;"><strong>http://northof49photography.com/newfoundland-and-labrador</strong></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope you consider joining us on one of our workshops or photo tours.
There are many more in the last half of 2014 that have been recently announced.
You can check out those workshops and photo tours on www.photographerslounge.ca
and www.northof49photography.com <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>TOFINO<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you ever been to the extreme west coast of Canada? The unique
location where you can enjoy the sights of a rainforest one day and be
photographing black bears, bald eagles and whales the next... then switch
things up and turn inland to photograph snow covered mountains?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join Kevin and Ellen on another "North of 49 Photography"
photo workshop to this unique land. August is a magical time of year in Tofino;
"fog"ust as it is referred to creates spectacular images along the
expansive shoreline in the morning hours, animals like black bears, sea lions
and yes, even whales are a frequent part of the day’s activities in the Tofino
area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dates: August 10 to 17, 2014<br />
Price: $1295USD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See more details here: <a href="http://northof49photography.com/tofino-workshop-with-ellen-anon"><span style="color: red;"><strong>http://northof49photography.com/tofino-workshop-with-ellen-anon</strong></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><u>NORTHWEST TERRITORIES<o:p></o:p></u></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the course of the five days & nights at the lodge, your
leaders will cover topics on macro-photography, long exposure night
photography, bird and wildlife photography. This area offers a wide variety of
plants, many of which will be brightly colored in September and lay upon the
landscape like a blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is also a
great time of year to capture northern lights (aurora borealis), migratory wildlife
& birds, including possible bear sightings, fox, tundra swans, eagles, owls
and falcons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dates: September 20 to 27, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Price: $5500USD<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See more details: <a href="http://www.rodbarbee.com/workshops/140920-northwest-territories"><span style="color: red;"><strong>http://www.rodbarbee.com/workshops/140920-northwest-territories</strong></span></a> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope you consider joining me and my fellow workshop leaders, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kevin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-45878884743983374202013-07-29T14:35:00.000-04:002013-07-29T14:36:20.542-04:00Learning exposure compensation to help get better photos with your digital camera<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxy-Xnbfks0/Ufa1xDc8ejI/AAAAAAAADa4/sDfoY_4DIUU/s1600/kayak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxy-Xnbfks0/Ufa1xDc8ejI/AAAAAAAADa4/sDfoY_4DIUU/s640/kayak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Exposure compensation is function that allows you, the
photographer, the ability to fine tune exposure to compensate for situations
where your camera's metering system does a poor job.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This would be something that you would want to use to make
adjustments for contrasting light when highlight detail would otherwise be
lost, or when photographing snowy landscapes or other tricky scenes. This photo
that accompanies this post is a good example of a real life situation.. the crashing
water was extremely bright, and the kayaker had a helmet on that casts a very
dark shadow across his face. I had to use my exposure compensation to ensure
that I did not either blow out the water, or make his face black. It took a few
photos to get the right setting, but it was worth the effort. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cameras are programmed to just aim
for the middle of the grey scale… A camera exposes for the middle luminance
value of the scene (middle grey, 12-18% reflectance or 50% luminance), and your
cameras different metering modes are just different ways of placing this mid
value by weighting where the camera meters from.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">EV Compensation helps to fix this by telling the camera to
expose at a higher or lower setting than it thinks is right. For very bright
settings (like the snow or beach), set an EV value as a positive number (+1/3,
+1 etc). For very dark scenes, choose a negative EV number.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I know what you’re thinking – that doesn’t make sense!
If the subject is very bright, don’t I need to set a lower EV (negative number)
to make sure the image is exposed correctly?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, no. It’s the opposite. It helps to think of what the
resulting image will look like. In the snow, where there are lots of bright
areas, the camera will choose a mid point in the bright area, so the snow will
look gray in the resulting image. To fix that and make the snow white (as it
should be), we need to brighten the image. Thus we need to increase the
exposure and use a positive number.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You would need to consider using exposure
compensation in the following situations:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Landscape photography in bright, sunny conditions - Landscapes
are usually shot at wider angles (zoomed out) and often includes bright skies
and dark shadows. Your camera's estimate of the mid value in such contrasty
situations can often result in important highlight details being be lost in the
sky because of that orange ball of bright light, aka the sun. To remedy this,
you would darken the image slightly by reducing exposure, usually by two or 3
stops. This will lighten the shadows and bring those awesome colours back in
the sky that drew you to the image in the first place.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Snowy scenes - Snowy scenes are unusually white, and your
camera will think this is supposed to be more towards mid grey. Without an
adjustment your white fluffy snow comes out this pale blue… sound familiar? To
remedy this, you would lighten the image by increasing exposure by 1 or 1 1/3rd
EV.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most cameras will have an EV display (in the
viewfinder or on-screen). The zero in the centre is where no EV compensation is
applied; to the left we have -EV and to the right we have +EV, with 1/3rd EV
steps between.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Depending on your camera and display settings, the EV
display may only show when in use, or when compensation has been applied.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Programmed Auto</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Locate your camera's EV button (marked EV or +/- ), hold it
down and scroll the relevant command wheel either +right or -left depending
whether you wish to increase or reduce exposure (lighten or darken the image).
As you scroll, the marker will move to the corresponding value on the scaled
display, or the value will simply update on the single type display.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember to set the EV back to zero once you've finished
taking exposure compensated shots.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Manual Exposure</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In fully manual, you set the shutter speed and aperture
values, and the EV display tells you how much this may differ from what the
camera's metering suggests. The EV button isn't used, but the effect on
exposure is the same.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The advantage with manually applied exposure is that you
don't have to remember to reset compensation. You do, however, have to set
exposure yourself for each shot.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-5395815507708087192013-07-24T10:25:00.000-04:002013-07-24T10:25:38.051-04:00Newfoundland and Labrador Workshop - whales, icebergs, lighthouses, Gros Morne Natonal Park and more
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4am9pWvxLs/Ue_jERBonDI/AAAAAAAADYI/23HnJAF9nEY/s1600/lightouse.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4am9pWvxLs/Ue_jERBonDI/AAAAAAAADYI/23HnJAF9nEY/s640/lightouse.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We begin our time together as we live the life of a
lighthouse keeper overlooking “Iceberg Alley”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hear the Killer Whales’ call echoing off massive icebergs in
our own private cove and hopefully awaken to the sounds of the Humpbacks calling
you across vast stretches of the North Atlantic. From this location we will
explore the rugged landscape made famous in “The Shipping News”, the Pulitzer
prize-winning novel and Kevin Spacey movie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Imagine the feel the salt spray in your face as you journey
out to remote Quirpon Island amidst the dolphins and whales. As you land in the
cove, imagine you are returning home to the sod huts, thousands of years old,
which lay undisturbed here. Forge a link with ancient humans as you stand in
the remains of their huts overlooking the cove and picture the tiny beach
coming to like as it was eons ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is your home for the next few days. It lies atop the
cliffs at the northern tip of this deserted island. The contrast of the rugged
beauty of the island and the cosy luxury of Quirpon Lighthouse Inn will bring
back your childhood feelings of laying by the fire as a storm raged outside.
Imperceptibly your priorities in life will shift as you become part of the
primal connection between humans and the remote reaches of the sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are now in the best spot on earth to visit with whales
and icebergs. At dawn, be certain to introduce yourself to your only neighbours
– the whales migrating past your doorstep. An abandoned fishing village near
the lighthouse is your hiking destination today. Learn of the tragic but
romantic mass murder and suicide that inevitably lead to its demise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">View the “vast cathedrals of ice”. On sunny days they appear
lit from inside. On dull days other senses take over as they seem to grow in
size. Their chilling effect spreads to your mind and you feel a timeless
empathy for sailors who have dreaded these giants for millennia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Europeans first arrived in North America 500 years before
Columbus. These Vikings settled in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of L’anse aux
Meadows. As you visit, one question will fill your mind- Why here? Be sure to
ask resident Vikings who work here today. Join them in their huts and sample
cuisine from ten centuries ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">From here we will sail to Labrador where a 12 year old child
was lovingly laid to rest in North America’s oldest grave – 8,000 years ago.
Visit Basque whaling site where a boat from the 1500’s raised from the frigid
waters shows how little technology has changed in 500 years. A photogenic
location at any time of day and your photos, chronicle history very few ever
visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heading south along the Viking Trail you might experience
time travel visiting isolated fishing villages which have hosted civilizations for
thousands of years, capturing lighthouses during golden hours and at the Port
au Choix National Historic Site, learn how little we differ from our ancient
forbearers. Take time to linger and photograph the memorable sights along the
seaside… because you will be busy spotting the thousands of moose and caribou
in Gros Morne National Park amidst some of the most breathtaking scenery the
east coast of Canada has to offer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you think the shoreline to this point has been
spectacular, wait until your boat tour of Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne.
This landlocked fjord was left as a slash in the cliffs when the last ice age
ended. 2000 vertical faces slowly come together as your journey on the purest
lake in the world. This voyage is guaranteed to give you memories to savour
back in the real world. Afterwards, stretch your legs on a valley of ancient
earth’s mantle that has made this park a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
landscape evokes images of the moon more than the earth, but this geological
wonder has its own charms. You will enjoy it from sun up to sun down through
the lens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before our trip together ends, you can have the choice of
completing our odyssey with a taste of other experiences unique to out corner
of the globe. Kayak with the bergs and whales or hike into a falls for another
photography walk to capture the golden light landscapes and local wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dates of Workshop: June 1, 2014 to June 10, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Price of Workshop: $3890USD is your price ($4250 on my
website) – shared accommodation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Photographic Leader(s): Kevin Pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maximum Number of attendees: max 5, min 4 (2 spots already taken)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deposit to secure space in workshop: $750USD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is Included: 9 nights’ shared accommodation (including
4 at Quirpon Lighthouse Inn). 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, daily snacks, juice and
water, 5 suppers (including 1 dinner theatre). Western Brook Pond boat tour.
Ferry to Labrador. All park and site passes. Transportation. Minimum of three
editing sessions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What is not included: anything not mentioned as included,
items of personal nature, travel insurance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Here is the link on my website</strong>. </span><a href="http://northof49photography.com/newfoundland-and-labrador"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://northof49photography.com/newfoundland-and-labrador</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More details on the locations<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will be staying in a reclaimed lighthouse, Quirpon lighthouse on a private island, and in some hotels. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will be spending time whale watching, photographing icebergs, photographing lighthouses on the northern shores of Newfoundland and Labrador and spending a fair bit of time in Gros Morne National Park on the North West coast of Newfoundland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We will also head over to Labrador to see the original settlement of Vikings in North America, do some shoots along the seaside and visit some of the oldest fishing villages in Eastern Canada. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You will be shooting seascapes, lighthouses, old fishing villages, hopefully some of the tens of thousands of caribou and moose in Gros Morne (if we can see them), some migratory birds, landscapes, whales and icebergs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br /></o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-9615746385488599262013-07-20T17:28:00.000-04:002013-07-20T17:28:30.746-04:00The Sunny 16 Rule for Photography
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ir_Wv99Vm84/UesAuGHvYbI/AAAAAAAADXs/xw7QPO5kv1o/s1600/kayak+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ir_Wv99Vm84/UesAuGHvYbI/AAAAAAAADXs/xw7QPO5kv1o/s640/kayak+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Sunny 16 Rule is a way to meter for correct exposure during
daylight without using the camera’s meter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The basic rule of thumb is that if you have a clear, sunny day and your
aperture is at f/16, whatever ISO you are using, your shutter speed will be the
reciprocal value of that ISO value <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So for example, if your ISO is 200 at f/16, then your shutter speed
will be 1/200 seconds. If your ISO is 100, then your shutter speed will be
1/100 seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Sunny 16 Rule is a good way to check if your camera is spot on with
exposure or does it consistently under or over expose. Some cameras have a
tendency to slightly under expose, and this is a good way to test your camera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Additionally, unlike the camera metering system, the Sunny 16 Rule is
based on incident light instead of reflected light, which means that it’s based
on the brightness of the light only, and not how the light that is being
reflected off the subject and into the camera.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Go ahead… try it and see how your camera performs… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-76431965967867955582013-07-15T17:17:00.000-04:002013-07-15T17:18:52.808-04:00Sigma 120-300 f2.8 DG HSM OS spends time in Mongolia and takes first place at the Naadam Festival <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvuDpeesU1w/UeRVklfLaiI/AAAAAAAADVQ/ie9rR9MXA84/s1600/naadam+horse+racing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lvuDpeesU1w/UeRVklfLaiI/AAAAAAAADVQ/ie9rR9MXA84/s640/naadam+horse+racing.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not your Dad’s Sigma lens. Long gone are the days of the rough
coated plastic feeling Sigma lens that rolled off the production line to
satisfy people’s needs for more lenses at an affordable price. This lens
screams quality from the first view out of the box. The lens is finished in
matte black and is dust and splash resistant. Then, when you realize that each
lens is tested before it leaves the factory, not just the random sampling, you
begin to truly understand that Sigma listened to what photographers wanted in a
lens of this caliber and delivered tenfold. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not only will the looks of this lens impress both you and anyone around
you, but it performs beautifully in a range of situations, some that you would
not think it would excel in. When I took the lens to Mongolia I had
journalists, amateurs and police that lined the crowd all looking through the
lens and taking photos… it created quite the spectacle… LOL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">OK… now, let’s just get this out of the way… the lens is heavy… there
is no other way to put it. It is 6.5lbs and is almost 12 inches long… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but this is a step into the realm of
professional lenses that has now shown me through extensive use, produces
professional results. The size of this lens can be attributed to the constant
aperture of f2.8, and for the outdoor situations I was just in, was extremely appreciated.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8v1NDm6SR4/UeRU7257reI/AAAAAAAADVM/0LVTcGkOrbo/s1600/panning+at+naadam+festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c8v1NDm6SR4/UeRU7257reI/AAAAAAAADVM/0LVTcGkOrbo/s320/panning+at+naadam+festival.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">For a week I used this lens on a monopod and hand held shooting a
variety of photos in the sports category, I panned with the camera and I did
some portrait photos. Each time I looked at the results, I was impressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is what I liked about the lens… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 120-300mm has a focus limiter to offer an adjusted range of auto
focusing, you can choose from 0 to 10meters, 10 meters to infinity and the full
range of focus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>including a faster auto
focus speed. You can also, as mentioned above, fine-tune this with the USB Dock
to your precise specifications.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The image quality produced from this lens is really great. Though it is
not the absolute sharpest lens I have ever shot with (that is reserved for the
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 that I had in May), it performed beyond my expectations. I
found a few sweet spots with the best aperture to use around f7.1, but nowhere
was I disappointed with the lens. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everywhere from f/2.8 through f/22 was sharp, with some minor abbreviations
occurring at f/22. Generally though, the sharpness was consistent across the
aperture range which, for me, is extremely impressive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The USB dock took a stock lens from the shelf and allowed me to make
micro adjustments, making this a custom lens for my style of shooting on my
camera bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The variable focal range… I truly appreciated the range when shooting
action. Whether the 1.4 teleconverter was attached, or not, the ease at which
you can go from 120mm to 300mm was appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For those of you who were waiting for Sigma to up their game, your wait
has ended. The affordable professional lens for the sports shooter has landed…
it is the Sigma 120-300mm f2.8 and is now available in stores across North
America. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I would recommend this lens to anyone that asks… if you don’t at least
consider this lens you are doing yourself a disservice.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-63611700659806338012013-07-15T09:00:00.000-04:002013-07-15T10:39:55.074-04:00Species Spotlight - Snowy Owl<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhN1yo4wuzQ/UckgzI8-h3I/AAAAAAAADTo/ARbUMARfgvU/s1600/snowy+owl+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YhN1yo4wuzQ/UckgzI8-h3I/AAAAAAAADTo/ARbUMARfgvU/s640/snowy+owl+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large owl of the typical owl
family Strigidae. Until recently, it was regarded as the sole member of a
distinct genus, but data now shows
that it is very closely related to the horned owls. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This yellow-eyed, black-beaked white bird is easily recognizable. It is
52–71 centimetres (20–28 in) long, with a 125–150 centimetres (49–59 in) wingspan.
Also, these birds can weigh anywhere from 1.6 to 3 kilograms (3.5 to 6.6 lb).
It is one of the largest species of owl and, in North America, is on average
the heaviest owl species. The adult male is virtually pure white, but females
and young birds have some dark scalloping; the young are heavily barred, and
dark spotting may even predominate. Its thick plumage, heavily feathered
taloned feet, and colouration render the Snowy Owl well-adapted for life north
of the Arctic Circle.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Snowy Owl calls are varied, but the alarm call is a barking, almost
quacking krek-krek; the female also has a softer mewling pyee-pyee or
prek-prek. The song is a deep repeated gahw. They may also clap their beak in
response to threats or annoyances. While called clapping, it is believed this
sound may actually be a clicking of the tongue, not the beak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Young owl on the tundra at Barrow Alaska. Snowy Owls lose their black
feathers with age, though particular females retain some.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Snowy Owl is typically found in the northern circumpolar region,
where it makes its summer home north of latitude 60 degrees north. However, it
is a particularly nomadic bird, and because population fluctuations in its prey
species can force it to relocate, it has been known to breed at more southerly
latitudes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This species of owl nests on the ground, building a scrape on top of a
mound or boulder. A site with <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">good visibility such as the top of mound with ready access to hunting
areas, and a lack of snow is chosen. Gravel bars and abandoned eagle nests may
be used. The female scrapes a small hollow before laying the eggs. Breeding
occurs in May to June, and depending on the amount of prey available, clutch
sizes range from 5 to 14 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other
day over the course of several days. Hatching takes place approximately five
weeks after laying, and the pure white young are cared for by both parents.
Although the young hatch asynchronously, with the largest in the brood
sometimes 10 to 15 times as heavy as the smallest, there is little sibling
conflict and no evidence of siblicide. Both the male and the female defend the
nest and their young from predators, sometimes by distraction displays. Males
may mate with two females which may nest about a kilometre apart.[3] Some
individuals stay on the breeding grounds while others migrate.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Snowy Owls nest in the Arctic tundra of the northermost stretches of
Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. They winter south through Canada and northern
Eurasia, with irruptions occurring further south in some years. Snowy Owls are
attracted to open areas like coastal dunes and prairies that appear somewhat
similar to tundra. They have been reported as far south as the American states
of Texas, Georgia, the American Gulf states, southernmost Russia, and northern
China.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In January 2009, a Snowy Owl appeared in Spring Hill, Tennessee, the
first reported sighting in the state since 1987. More notable is the huge mass
southern migration in the winter of 2011/2012, when thousands of Snowy Owls
were spotted in various locations across the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This powerful bird relies primarily on lemmings and other small rodents
for food during the breeding season, but at times of low prey density, or
during the ptarmigan nesting period, they may switch to favoring juvenile
ptarmigan. They are opportunistic hunters and prey species may vary
considerably, especially in winter. They feed on a wide variety of small
mammals such as meadow voles and deer mice, but will take advantage of larger
prey, frequently following traplines to find food. Some of the larger mammal
prey includes hares, muskrats, marmots, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, prairie
dogs, rats, moles, and smaller birds entrapped furbearers. Birds preyed upon
include ptarmigan, other ducks, geese, shorebirds, pheasants, grouse, coots,
grebes, gulls, songbirds, and even other raptors, including other owl species.
Most of the owls' hunting is done in the "sit and wait" style; prey
may be captured on the ground, in the air or fish may be snatched off the
surface of bodies of water using their sharp talons. Each bird must capture
roughly 7 to 12 mice per day to meet its food requirement and can eat more than
1,600 lemmings per year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Snowy Owls, like many other birds, swallow their small prey whole.
Strong stomach juices digest the flesh, while the indigestible bones, teeth,
fur, and feathers are compacted into oval pellets that the bird regurgitates 18
to 24 hours after feeding. Regurgitation often takes place at regular perches,
where dozens of pellets may be found. Biologists frequently examine these
pellets to determine the quantity and types of prey the birds have eaten. When
large prey are eaten in small pieces, pellets will not be produced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though Snowy Owls have few predators, the adults are very watchful and
are equipped to defend against any kind of threat towards them or their
offspring. During the nesting season, the owls regularly defend their nests
against arctic foxes, corvids and swift-flying jaegers; as well as dogs, gray
wolves and avian predators. Males defend the nest by standing guard nearby
while the female incubates the eggs and broods the young. Both sexes attack
approaching predators, dive-bombing them and engaging in distraction displays
to draw the predator away from a nest. They also compete directly for lemmings
and other prey with several predators, including Rough-legged Hawks, Golden
Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Gyrfalcons, jaegers, Glaucous Gulls, Short-eared
Owls, Great Horned Owls, Eurasian Eagle Owls, Common Ravens, wolves, arctic
foxes, and ermine. They are normally dominant over other raptors although may
(sometimes fatally) lose in conflicts to large raptors such as other Bubo owls,
Golden Eagles and the smaller but much faster Peregrine Falcons. Some species
nesting near Snowy Owl nests, such as the Snow Goose, seem to benefit from the
incidental protection of snowy owls that drive competing predators out of the
area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Info courtesy of Wikipedia<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-22823064471116549772013-07-10T09:00:00.000-04:002013-07-10T09:00:08.139-04:00Mongolia ~ virtually untouched and waiting for you to experience it through your lens.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After the breakdown of communist regimes in Eastern Europe in late 1989,
Mongolia had its Democratic Revolution in early 1990. This then led to a
multi-party democratic system, a brand new constitution in 1992, followed by
the transition to a market economy. A Democratic nation in Asia was born…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Democracy has given foreign
investors enough confidence to stick with Mongolia during the hard times in the
last 20 years. Attractive investment laws have lured some huge investors from
the mining world but despite their progression, Mongolia still faces enormous
economic and social challenges and remains one of the poorest countries in
Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since the fall of communism,
Mongolia has done just about everything in its power to open itself up to the
world to show that what is truly unique about this gem of Asia. It is not often
you can visit a country where ancient traditions survive and the unbridled
nature is still mostly intact and extremely accessible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tourism, along with mining and
cashmere, have become a key feature of the economy. Unfortunately the poor
infrastructure and short travel season have kept vacation revenues small. But a
growing network of ger camps that cater to travellers seeking ecotourism
adventures is growing and gives hope for tourism dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Without the presence of private
property to restrict a traveller’s movement, Mongolia is a perfect destination
for photographers, horse trekking, long-distance cycling and hiking, and
especially for camping out under a sprawling mass of stars. With such minimal
light pollution, one feels like they can reach out and touch stars that, until
a visit here, they never knew existed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Most travellers come for Naadam, the
two-day summer sports festival that brought me there earlier this month. The Naadam festival is held in the Mongolian
capital Ulaanbaatar during the National Holiday from July 11 – 13. Naadam
begins with an elaborate ceremony featuring dancers, athletes, horse riders,
and musicians dressed in traditional ware. After the ceremony, the competitions
begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Naadam is believed to have
existed for centuries in one fashion or another. Its origin in the activities,
such as military parades and sporting competitions such as archery, horse
riding and wrestling originated in the beginning of the 13th century when the
Yuan Dynasty was established. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As early as 1206, Genghis Khan
held big gatherings on the grassland in order to inspect his army and to
maintain and allocate the properties. The chief leaders of all the tribes were
assembled, and the gatherings were held as a sign of solidarity and hope for an
abundant harvest. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I brought a group here to spend 8 days in Mongolia. We are currently visiting numerous areas in the countryside and thoroughly enjoying the sights and the people before we head back to enjoy the Naadam festival. With special passes to allow us down on the floor where the athletes are, we are sure to capture some spectacular images. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But Mongolia’s unique charm will
always lie in the countryside where, rather than being a spectator to the
wrestling, you may find yourself in a vast expansive land, void of travellers,
in the awe of an untouched landscape. One cannot help but feel humbled! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Outside the villages nomad
families still roam and their relentless sense of hospitality can at times be
nothing short of overwhelming. And it is genuine… and as uncomfortable as it
may make some people, the generosity and decent human spirit is refreshing for
someone like me that has travelled to many parts of this world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Think of Mongolia as an Ice Cream
Sunday made up of everything you want a photographic adventure… “Mix together
the vast landscapes of one of the greatest deserts on earth with the dramatic
gorges and sparkling fresh water lakes of Khövsgöl, apply the topping of the
snow-capped mountains of Bayan-Olgi and sprinkle the ger tents and nomads with
the odd cry of a Golden Eagle and you have a recipe that you will not ever
forget. “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am sorry you couldn’t make it
this July for the 2013 Naadam festival… but I am headed back in 2014. Jim
Zuckerman and I will be leading a group of photographer’s on a workshop to
witness the Golden Eagle Festival and the Gobi Desert… Please join us on our
Photography Workshop on September 30, 2014. To learn more </span><a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/mongolia-photo-tour/"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">please click here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: red;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-27324183392293629272013-06-25T22:31:00.000-04:002013-06-25T22:31:52.511-04:00Photo Composition Tip - Photographing People<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDCT1uAVkwE/UKZOpojagdI/AAAAAAAABAg/IZkdaDORptc/s1600/Performing+for+his+Food_KevinAPepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDCT1uAVkwE/UKZOpojagdI/AAAAAAAABAg/IZkdaDORptc/s640/Performing+for+his+Food_KevinAPepper.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When you are photographing a person you should always focus on the eyes... the eyes create a connection with the subject and the person looking at your photo.<br />
<span style="color: red;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-83243057112583230242013-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:002013-06-25T09:00:03.637-04:00Mongolia... here we come... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0JYoB1KQXU/UchKcWcQLWI/AAAAAAAADTc/MxNtCk7HMOY/s1600/naadam+festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0JYoB1KQXU/UchKcWcQLWI/AAAAAAAADTc/MxNtCk7HMOY/s640/naadam+festival.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In just a few weeks, 7 of us will be travelling across Mongolia, eventually ending up at the Naadam Festival. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The biggest festival of the Mongolian year is the Naadam Festival
celebrated in Mongolia nationwide on July 11-13. Naadam is properly know as
“Eryn gurvan naadam”, after the three manly games of wrestling, horse racing,
and archery making up the core activities of the National Festival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mongolians love to dress in their best traditional costumes and riding
on their most beautiful horses during Naadam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wrestling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mongolian wrestling has no weight divisions, so mostly the biggest
wrestlers are often the best. The wrestlers are divided into 2 sides and it
begins with zasuul honoring the glorious titled wrestlers to each other by
their unique sounded speech and while wrestlers do short eagle dance by putting
hand at the shoulder of the zasuul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wrestler wears gutul heavy big boots, shuudag tight unflattering pants
and zodog open-fronted and long sleeved small vest across the shoulders.
Winners are bestowed glorious titles depending on how many rounds they win.
There are nachin (falcon) – 5 rounds; khartsaga (hawk) – 6 rounds; zaan
(elephant) – 7 rounds; garid (the Garuda) – 8 rounds and arslan (lion) – given
to the winner of the tournament. When an arslan wins 2 years in a row he
becomes an avarga, or titan. One renowned wrestler was given the most
prestigious and lengthy title of the ‘Eye-Pleasing Nationally Famous Mighty and
Invincible Giant’. All titles signify strength and are given during the
national festival Naadam. There is a variety of wrestling methods and some
elders say there are hundreds of them. Mongolians are really excellent at
wrestling, riding and archery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Horse racing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mongolians loved horse racing for over 21 centuries. In modern times,
horse racing is mainly held during Naadam Festival and Lunar New Year. Riders
are kids from age five to 12. There are six categories of horse racing,
depending on the age of the horses; shudlen a two-year-old horse will race for
15km while six-year-old azarga and ikh nas horses race for up to 30km. There is
no special track but just open countryside. Before a race, the riders sing an
ancient song –Gyngoo for the horses wishing for strength and speed and audience
all decked out in traditional finery. Some riders prefer saddle and some not.
The winner is declared tumnii ekh, or ‘leader of 10 thousand’ and the five
winning horses are admired and the riders drink some special airag and
sprinkles on the horse’s back. After the races, praise-singer extols the best
riders and their horses and 5 winning horses and theirs owners would be talked
about in reverence by the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Archery<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Five lines engraved on an ancient Mongolian target immortalizing the
phenomenal record of Yesuhei- baatar, saying that his arrow hit the target at a
distance of 536 meters. The bow is an ancient invention dating back to the
Mesolithic Period. Ancient Mongolians contributed to design of the bow as a
combat weapon. Today, Mongolians use less complicated form of archery than in
the ancient times; targeting at cork cylinders braided together with leather
straps. It is four meters in line and 50cm high. The target is placed on the
ground at a distance of 75 meters for men and 60 meters for women. In the past,
Mongolians used three types of bows; “big hand” (165-170cm),”average hand”
(160cm), “small hand' (150cm). Today Mongolians mostly use the average hand
bow, which requires a force of 22 to 38kg to draw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Arrows are made of pine wood and feather fins allowing it to reach
distance of 900 meters. Naadam archery also attracts individual archers as well
as team of 8-12 persons. Male archer shoots forty arrows at each target.
Traditionally dressed judges stand by the targets raising their hands in the
air to indicate the quality of the shot with uukhai sound but surprisingly
never get injured. They praise the best shot in a traditional drawing
recitative voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then, in October of 2014, Jim Zuckerman and I are headed to partake in the
Golden Eagle Festival. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/international-workshops/2014-workshops/mongolia-photo-tour/"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Golden Eagle Festival</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In western Mongolia, deep within the Altai mountain range, an ancient
tradition of hunting with Golden Eagles is still alive. The Kazakhs of Mongolia
train their eagles to hunt for rabbits and foxes. Once a year, hunters from all
over Bayan-Olgii province gather to celebrate this traditional skill and
compete against each other challenges that show off the abilities of both birds
and their trainers. Prizes are awarded for the fastest eagle, the best
traditional Kazakh dress, and more. Various folklore performances are given
during the festival. We take you to participate in this regional festival and
also to visit with Kazakh families, join the hunters on hunting trips, and see
different sights in Bayan Olgii province, home of the Kazakh minority in
Mongolia .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-65566145737763907872013-06-24T07:43:00.000-04:002013-06-24T07:43:59.269-04:00Photo Composition Tip - Symmetry and Patterns<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Okn3VK9sUcY/UKZIu_8cfgI/AAAAAAAAA_8/zkMLx2quzkE/s1600/2+zebra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Okn3VK9sUcY/UKZIu_8cfgI/AAAAAAAAA_8/zkMLx2quzkE/s640/2+zebra.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We are surrounded by symmetry and patterns, both natural and man-made., They can make for very eye-catching compositions, particularly in situations where they are not expected. Another great way to use them is to break the symmetry or pattern in some way, introducing tension and a focal point to the scene. (like i did above with the bird)<br />
<br />
To learn more about composition, check out our composition workshops at the <a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/workshops/composition-workshops/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Photographer's Lounge</span></a><span style="color: red;">.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-79516482679774846732013-06-23T10:16:00.000-04:002013-06-23T10:16:04.608-04:00Photo Composition Tip - Rule of thirds<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xn3RpkNmdpE/UKZAODM2tKI/AAAAAAAAA_g/YUy4J0Bd67g/s1600/common+merganser+for+rule+of+thirds+demonstration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xn3RpkNmdpE/UKZAODM2tKI/AAAAAAAAA_g/YUy4J0Bd67g/s400/common+merganser+for+rule+of+thirds+demonstration.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Imagine that your image is divided into 9 equal segments by 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines. The rule of thirds says that you should position the most important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they intersect.<br />
<br />
Doing so will add balance and interest to your photo. Some cameras even offer an option to superimpose a rule of thirds grid over the LCD screen, making it even easier to use.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-91103697675816580342013-06-23T00:21:00.000-04:002013-06-23T00:21:09.571-04:00Photo Composition Tip on naturally framing a subject<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4SvCv2pcFXg/UKXFdzUaXfI/AAAAAAAAA-0/bdqouaDlvxE/s1600/Musee+D'Orsay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4SvCv2pcFXg/UKXFdzUaXfI/AAAAAAAAA-0/bdqouaDlvxE/s640/Musee+D'Orsay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Framing a subject... naturally framing a focal point is a great way to anchor a photo. It gives an image a natural border and keeps the eyes on the subject.<br />
<br />
This image uses the clock face at the Musee D'Orsay as the frame for the Sacre Coeur in the background. Both have interest, but the eye is naturally drawn to the Sacre Coeur. <br />
<br />
The next time you are out taking photos, try to use elements to frame your image. <br />
<br />
If you want to learn more about composition, check out our Composition Workshops at the <a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/workshops/composition-workshops/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Photographer's Lounge</span></a>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-37511822915898455682013-06-22T12:36:00.000-04:002013-06-22T12:36:34.391-04:00Photo Composition Tip - Fill The Frame<div style="background-color: white; border: currentColor; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YwNr2tw3Vs/UKeXLON7OBI/AAAAAAAABDc/7JLvN5DDxlE/s1600/face+of+a+great+gray+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YwNr2tw3Vs/UKeXLON7OBI/AAAAAAAABDc/7JLvN5DDxlE/s640/face+of+a+great+gray+owl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
While empty spaces can be used effectively in photos to create stunning results you’re much more likely to get a ‘wow’ from those looking at your photos if your shots are filled with interest.<br />
<br />
If you want to learn how to compose better photos you can always attend one of our <a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/workshops/composition-workshops/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">composition workshops at the Photographers Lounge</span></a><span style="color: red;">. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-30653007412551407822013-06-21T09:25:00.000-04:002013-06-21T09:25:26.579-04:00Photo Composition Tip - Point of View<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ua33wekqYaM/UKZkUV9arFI/AAAAAAAABA8/YvzcF_Mbvpc/s1600/recognition+of+contribution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ua33wekqYaM/UKZkUV9arFI/AAAAAAAABA8/YvzcF_Mbvpc/s640/recognition+of+contribution.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Before photographing your subject, take time to think about where you will shoot it from. Our viewpoint has a massive impact on the composition of our photo, and as a result it can greatly affect the message that the shot conveys. Rather than just shooting from eye level, consider photographing from high above, down at ground level, from the side, from the back, from a long way away, from very close up, and so on.<br />
<br />
For this photo i wanted to capture the eiffel tower and the building behind. From street level on the bridge crossing the river it was too busy. I think I captured a much more impactful photo when i went back, put on a longer telephoto and climbed up a few flights in a building that was behind me. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-11707405162528728682013-06-20T10:21:00.000-04:002013-08-01T15:03:20.666-04:00The New Sigma 120-300 f2.8 DG HSM OS Travels to Mongolia<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="left">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oI3rxeFIMTM/URKLU975nII/AAAAAAAACdU/cgbtdVX5d_4/s1600/sigma%2B120-300%2Bf2.8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oI3rxeFIMTM/URKLU975nII/AAAAAAAACdU/cgbtdVX5d_4/s400/sigma%2B120-300%2Bf2.8.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">Sigma 120-300 F2.8 DG HSM OS</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Starting in 2013 all newly produced interchangeable lenses from Sigma will be designed for, and organised into one of three product categories: Contemporary, Art and Sports. Each line has a clearly defined concept to guide photographers towards the specific lenses for their photographic interests. </span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The concept of these three categories are as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Contemporary</strong></span></u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> – These lenses incorporate the very latest technology and keep size and weight to a minimum, without compromising their advanced optical performance or utility. High-performance, versatile, compact and superbly portable, these lenses will be largely comprised of standard zooms, telephoto zooms and high-magnification zooms for an array of photography, including landscape and travel photography, and casual portraiture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Art</strong></span></u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong> </strong>– These lenses are developed with an emphasis on artistic touch and are designed to meet the expectations of users who value a creative, dramatic outcome. Along with landscapes, portraits, still-life, close-up and casual snaps, these lenses are perfect for the kind of photography that unleashes the inner artist. Ideal for studio photography, they offer just as much of an expressive scope when capturing architecture, starry skies, underwater shots and many other scenes. This category will be comprised of many focal lengths and designs, such as large-aperture prime lenses, wide-angle lenses, ultra wide-angle lenses, and macro and fisheye lenses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Sports</strong></span></u><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">- With their high-level optical performance and expressive power, these lenses can capture fast-moving subjects, even at distance. This line also offers a variety of functions to aid the photographer in challenging conditions and scenarios. Besides sports photography, the lenses are also ideal for nature shots featuring birds, wild animals and other creatures, and for the capture of aircraft, trains, race cars and more. The Sports line is also unique in that users can adjust the lenses’ focus speeds and the focus limiters via a button on the lens. The Sports category will be comprised of telephoto lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, super telephoto lenses, super telephoto zoom lenses, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Since my new Sigma </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">120-300 F2.8 DG
HSM OS will be showing up any day I figured I would discuss this new telephoto zoom lens.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Here is what the company says about this lens:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sigma 120-300 F2.8 DG HSM OS is the first lens introduced into the Sports category for Sigma’s Global Vision. Designed for full frame cameras but can work with APS-C sized sensors as well, the 120-300 F2.8 has a large aperture and versatile focal length, ideal for a wide range of photography. Though placed in the Sports category, the 120-300 F2.8 is also great for nature, automotive, wildlife, and everything in between. Equipped with state of the art technology such as a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), an Optical Stabilizer (OS) and Inner Focusing and Zooming, the 120-300 F2.8 ensures sharp and beautiful images. The HSM allows for a quiet, fast, and accurate autofocusing while the OS compensates for camera shake while shooting by hand. Two FLD glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, are incorporated with one SLD element to reduce color aberration at the highest degree. The Sports category offers not only a higher level of customization through the Sigma USB dock, but also has a dust and splash proof design.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The following are the new features that Sigma is promoting about the lens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong>Enhanced Usability</strong></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><strong> -</strong> </span></span><span style="color: black;">This lens features durability that stands up to challenging
photographic situations and hard use demands along with the intuitive and
enjoyable usability that photographers need. Since the lens uses Sigma's inner
focus and inner zoom technologies, adjusting the focus and zoom rings does not
change the length of the lens, resulting in excellent hold for the selected
ring positions. Since the front of the lens does not move, the lens is
compatible with a circular polarizer. In every way, Sigma has designed the lens
for exceptional usability. The zoom ring is textured to allow fingers to find
the correct position easily. Designed for seamless integration with the rest of
the lens, the four control switches feature carefully placed lettering and
buttons and specially shaped screws. The lens hood has also been completely
redesigned, even down to the screws that connect it to the lens, and the newly
designed tripod collar provides for connection to a camera strap.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>A New Design</strong> -
All lenses in Sigma's new Sports line come with a hood with a high-quality
rubberized connector and feature a newly designed lens cap and AF/MF switch,
and are designed for intuitive use and superior functionality. Inside, HSM
(hypersonic motor) delivers high AF speed and extremely quiet performance. An
enhanced algorithm offers even smoother automatic focusing. Full-time manual
focus override is another key feature that leaves the artistic touches in the
photographer's hands. The brass mount combines high precision with rugged
construction. Its treated surfaces and enhanced strength contribute to the
exceptional durability of the lens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Resistance to dust
and water -</strong> This lens is ready for all the tough situations that pros
encounter. The mount connection area, manual focus ring, customization switch
and other controls, switch panels and cover connection areas are all designed
to be dust and water-resistant. The zoom and focus rings are also designed for
exceptional usability in real-world circumstances.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Image quality of a
fixed focal length lens -</strong> Offering excellent image expression and a low F-number,
the large-aperture 300 mm F2.8 lens is a favourite piece of equipment among
professional photographers. While taking this spec to the next level with
powerful zoom capability, Sigma has also used two lens elements made of
fluorite-equivalent FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass and one element made of SLD
(Special Low Dispersion) glass, which help minimize chromatic aberration and
provide image quality that rivals that of a fixed-focus lens.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong>F2.8 brightness throughout
the entire zoom range -</strong> This lens incorporates two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion)
glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, and one SLD (Special
Low Dispersion) glass element to minimize chromatic aberration. Since it also
minimizes sagittal coma flare and coma at the edges of the image, it is able to
rival a fixed-focus lens in image quality.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 5; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Exclusive low-dispersion glass</strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><strong> -</strong> The
degree to which light is refracted by glass depends on the light's wavelength.
This fact causes different colors of light to focus at slightly different points.
The result is chromatic aberration, the color fringing that is particularly
noticeable in telephoto lenses. Most chromatic aberration can be removed by
combining a high-refractivity convex lens element with a low-refractivity
concave element. Yet residual chromatic aberration known as “secondary
spectrum” may still remain. To minimize this secondary spectrum, which can be a
serious issue with conventional lenses, Sigma lenses feature up to three types
of exclusive low-dispersion glass offering superior performance: ELD
(Extraordinary Low Dispersion), SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and FLD (“F” Low
Dispersion). In particular, FLD glass offers ultra-low dispersion in
combination with high transmittance and the anomalous dispersion
characteristics of fluorite. Meticulous deployment of these types of exclusive
low-dispersion glass and optimization of power distribution gives Sigma lenses
superlative image rendition undiminished by residual chromatic aberration.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<h5 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The new A1 – MTF Measuring System </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">- There are three requirements for outstanding
lenses: fine design, precise manufacturing and inspection that ensures
compliance with all specifications. Sigma lenses are born of well-thought-out
design concepts and sophisticated, advanced Japanese manufacturing technology;
the final clincher is our lens performance evaluation. We used to measure lens
performance using conventional sensors. However, we've now developed our own
A1* proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system using
46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Applying this system, we check each
lens in our new lines at our Aizu factory, our sole production site. Even
previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of our
quality control inspections, allowing us to deliver consistently high lens
performance. Our MTF system has the capability to test lenses for full-size 20+
megapixel 35mm digital SLR cameras.</span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h5>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<h5 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensor</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> - The 46 effective megapixel (4,800 × 3,200 × 3
layers) and 44 recording megapixel (4,704 × 3,136 × 3 layers) 23.5 × 15.7mm
APS-C X3 direct image sensor captures all primary RGB colors at each and every
pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Using three
silicon-embedded layers of photo detectors, stacked vertically to take
advantage of silicon's ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different
respective depths, it efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers
sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since
color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required,
meaning light and color, generated by the 46-megapixel APS-C X3 direct image
sensor is captured with a three-dimensional feel.</span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h5>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<h5 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Ultra-high precision and quality</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> - all made in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:country-region>
- All Sigma's manufacturing–right down to molds and parts–is carried out under
an integrated production system, entirely in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place>.
We are now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely
"made in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region>."
We like to think our products are somehow imbued with the essence of our
homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused, hard-working
people. We pride ourselves on the authentic quality of Sigma products, born of
a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced
technology. Our sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers
of photography all over the world, because our manufacturing is based on
genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of our experts.</span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h5>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<h5 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">New Software and USB dock</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> - For our new product lines, we have developed
exclusive SIGMA Optimization Pro software that allows the user to update the
lens firmware and adjust focus position and other parameters. The user will be
able to connect the lens to a computer with a special USB DOCK and use
easy-to-operate on-screen controls to create personal lens specifications. For
Sports lenses, the focus limiter will also be customisable.</span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></h5>
</div>
<h5 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<span style="color: black;">
</span></span></span></h5>
<h5 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lens Specifications <span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">– </span></span></span></span></h5>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: .7pt; width: 640px;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Optical construction:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">23 elements in 18 groups in 1x SLD+ 2xFLD elements<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Number of aperture blades:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9 (circular)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">min. focus distance:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="FR-CA" style="mso-ansi-language: FR-CA;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.50-2.50m (max.
magnification ratio 1:8.1 @ 200mm)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dimensions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">114x289mm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Weight:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2950g<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Filter size:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">105mm (non-rotating)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hood:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">barrel-shaped, bayonet mount, supplied<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Other features:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td><td style="background: rgb(222, 222, 222); border: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 1.5pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 135%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">detachable tripod mount, compatible to the Sigma AF 1.4x
and 2x <st1:place w:st="on">APO</st1:place> tele converters, Super Multi
Layer (SML) coating<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">When you read about the lens, all this looks
great on paper, Sigma seems to be listening to photographers and making the
adjustments to an already superior line-up of lenses. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have now read about
half a dozen reviews, most of them quite positive… </span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So when Sigma
asked me if I wanted to shoot with this lens, I jumped at it. I decided I wanted to take it for
its first good workout in a real world </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">environment… It
is making the trek with me to Mongolia for the latest workshop at the <a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: red;">Photographers Lounge</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color: red;">.</span></strong> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">During that workshop I will be posting images taken with the 120-300mm f2.8... I will be giving it a workout shooting the Naadam Festival, some birding photography and will see how it performs taking <span style="color: black;">landscape and photos of the old monasteries... </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Check back as I will be posting images here and on facebook between July 7th and 14th... then when I get home I will write up a summary of my first thought on this lens. </span><br />
<br />
*update* All photos have been now posted on my facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kpeplounge"><span style="color: red;"><strong>https://www.facebook.com/kpeplounge</strong></span></a> and <a href="http://www.kpepphotography.com/Travel/Mongolia/30514346_r7dgfH#!i=2631949662&k=QfCFLFv"><strong><span style="color: red;">http://www.kpepphotography.com/Travel/Mongolia/30514346_r7dgfH#!i=2631949662&k=QfCFLFv</span></strong></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 15pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 5;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p> </o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-46027356498402647962013-06-19T08:02:00.000-04:002013-06-19T08:04:55.630-04:00Photo Composition Tip - Experiment<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEuQh8OXAg0/UKY-rjCyY_I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/kZV4tnCuZLY/s1600/dawn+swan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UEuQh8OXAg0/UKY-rjCyY_I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/kZV4tnCuZLY/s640/dawn+swan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
With the dawn of the digital age in photography we no longer have to worry about film processing costs or running out of shots. As a result, experimenting with our photos' composition has become a real possibility; we can fire off tons of shots and delete the unwanted ones later at absolutely no extra cost. Take advantage of this fact and experiment with your composition - you never know whether an idea will work until you try it.<br />
<br />
To learn more about photo composition, check out the competition workshops at the <a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/canadian-workshops/composition-workshops/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Photographer's Lounge</span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7753067131304408224.post-40088414648643781452013-06-18T16:02:00.000-04:002013-06-18T16:03:23.140-04:00Photo Composition Tip - Depth in a Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0TvWQl5IoY/UKorQRd9cmI/AAAAAAAABD4/9liuTBA05NE/s1600/English+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0TvWQl5IoY/UKorQRd9cmI/AAAAAAAABD4/9liuTBA05NE/s640/English+Bay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Because photography is a two-dimensional medium, we have to choose our composition carefully to conveys the sense of depth that was present in the actual scene. You can create depth in a photo by including objects in the foreground, middle ground and background. Another useful composition technique is overlapping, where you deliberately partially obscure one object with another. The human eye naturally recognises these layers and mentally separates them out, creating an image with more depth.<br />
<br />
If you want to learn more about composition techniques, check out our composition classes at the <a href="http://www.photographers-lounge.com/canadian-workshops/composition-workshops/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Photographer's Lounge</span></a><span style="color: red;">.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11707580758858339292noreply@blogger.com0