Northern Lights

Here is my attempt at photographing the Northern Lights. It was extremely difficult to do especially when we didn't get out there until it was already dark. We struggled getting the windmill in focus too because we arrived so late but overall the picture turned out pretty okay so long as you keep it small. There is a ton of noise that was really difficult to eliminate. It was an extremely challenging experience just getting out there and attempting to get some good shots of something you cant see.

ISO: 3200

F: 3.5

30.0 sec.

Two Photo Critique

 ISO: 1400

F: 5.6

1/200 sec

ISO: 900

F: 9.0

1/60 sec

7 Tips for Photographing Deer and Elk

So, I stumbled upon a pretty interesting article that gave a few tips on how to photograph deer and elk. I thought it was extremely informative and gave a unique perspective.

Tips

1. Focus on the eye
We instinctively look others in the eye. The same goes for photographs. When the eye is out of focus it can be unsettling.
2. Give backlighting a try
Use backlighting to highlight those photo-enhancing furry edges of deer and elk. The nice rim light created works especially well on antlers still covered in velvet.
3.Photograph deer and elk in fall
White-tailed, Mule Deer, and elk have fresh coats and are in prime condition in the autumn. As they gear up for the rut (see #6) males haven’t yet been run down, their antlers aren’t broken, and the extra testosterone coursing through their bodies has thickened their necks impressively.
4. Focus on deer and elk behavior
While portraits can make amazing photographs, some of the most emotionally compelling wildlife photographs capture behavior and animal interaction. Creating these images means slowing down and spending time observing the animals. But patience usually pays off—eventually!
5. Work on the edges of the light
That dramatic light that comes at the beginning and ending of each day coincides nicely with the times these animals tend to be most active.
6. The rut is prime time!
For elk, the rut usually begins in September and ends in October. For deer, the rut usually runs from November through early-January. Exact dates vary depending upon location, so be sure to do some research before you head out to a specific area. Dueling males certainly make for exciting action shots, but keep your distance!
7. Stay aware during hunting season
If you head to national forests to photograph you could find yourself frequenting the same areas as hunters, since prime photography season coincides with hunting season. If you do, wear blaze orange—a color humans can easily see but deer and elk can’t.

Article

2 photo submission

The first "rule" I chose to illustrate was the "rule" that states: red is more attractive than yellow. The picture I chose was one that I took of a tree outside my house. The tree is just beginning to turn so it is starting to get some awesome colors but I think the red is accented the most.

The second "rule" I chose to illustrate was the "rule" that states: sharpness is more attractive than blur. This photo is one I took this morning of a mallard that really demonstrates how helpful it is to be close to a subject to create a sharp photo and how much better the sharp portion looks as opposed to the blurred portion.

Rising

A rising trout would be an awesome picture to be able to capture. It is obviously a tricky thing to do but I think it would be really cool. Below is one of these pictures and an article about a guy named Øystein Rossebø, who, not only took this picture, but specializes in such photographs. 

Article

Assignment 1

The two pictures I decided to upload are of some ducks. I went down to a small pond near my house and was able to capture some ducks feeding and just hanging around. Also, the ducks are in their summer plumage so they are quite ugly at the moment. Some of the pictures turned out okay but I struggled when I switched the camera to Shutter Priority mode to attempt to stop the movement. For some reason the pictures did not turn out when I did that. Anyways, here are my two pictures. Also, I'm not sure if I did this assignment correctly because in my opinion, it all looks out of focus. I think I needed a 30-110 lens because a 30 just didn't cut it, which is why the pictures turned out poorly I'm guessing.

Attempt at getting all of the ducks in focus 

Attempt at getting only the middle duck in focus 

UPDATE: I went back this afternoon and was able to get a couple of better pictures that illustrate the assignment better.

In this photo, nearly the whole image is in focus.

 1/100 F5.6 ISO200

This is just a knot in a tree with not a whole lot in focus except for the knot.
S: 1/100 F3.5 ISO200

Mule Deer

 As mule deer hunting is one of my passions, this week I have chosen to post a picture of a buck in the snow. This picture is really cool in my opinion because the background really highlights the buck and makes it pop. I did not take this picture and I could not find out who did, but it's still cool.

New Zealand Fly Fishing

One of my dreams is to go fly fish in New Zealand. Stock and sight casting big bugs to huge brown trout is any anglers dream and with the clear waters in many of the New Zealand rivers, it is possible to fulfill that dream. Not only can you catch some trophy fish, but the landscape is absolutely breathtaking. Below are some photos illustrating both.

Ahuriri River, South Island, NZ

Bozeman Daily Chronicle