400mm lens Archives -

Making Artistic Choices. . .

July 2, 2013July 2, 2013 by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, Tips, Workshops

Photography is the art of taking light waves, controlling their intensity, and creating a visual image. Though this process, there are several decisions or choices make regarding exposure, composition, and subject. During my workshop at Sitka, we spent one day hiking through the forest. I usually spend my time working with students individually, and pointing out areas of interest. I teach by both talking and showing examples.

The image below is from this workshop. We were looking for forest birds, and learning about habitat. Then, we came upon this tree, and the wonderful photographic opportunity. I pointed out the tree with all the fungus growing on its right side. It was a great subject to test out depth-of-field (aperture) and composition.

copyright Karen Ulvestad — Shot Info – 100mm; 400 ISO; 1/60 sec.; F5.6

The entire area covered by fungus was large. It was at least 5 feet in height, and covered the back side of the tree. The trail allowed us to walk near and partially around the tree. The image below is a portion of the whole, and the depth-of-field keeps the fungus in focus, and part of the moss. The background in a series of white circular shapes and dark greens. The white is the over-cast sky, and the green is the forest.

This was shot with my 100-400 mm lens at 200 mm. I selected a section of the fungus that showed the top and bottom textures.

In the image below, I cropped tighter by shooting at 400 mm. I changed the background to the forest, which turn various shades of green. The closer crop allows the details of the subject to show in the frame. . .textures, water drops, and spider webs. I left a small section of the tree to anchor the subject in the frame.

In both this image and the one above, I left space at the bottom of the frame, so the bottom fungus are complete. This gives the eye a completeness of the subject, and avoids looking incomplete. More next time. . .

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

My next workshop is July 27 & 28, 2013 at the Pacific Northwest Art School.

Of the Land, Sea & Air – A Coastal Photographic Adventure

March 25, 2013 by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, Location, Workshops

“It was perfect for all levels. It was a great combination of technique and artistry.” Susan H.

We will have minus tides during this workshop, which will allow students to view and photograph tide pools, walk closer to bird nesting areas and marine mammal resting areas. It’s a great opportunity to learn the details of bird and marine mammal photography, and shoot at beautiful locations. The coastal waters are filled with harbor seals, gray whales, and sea birds during the late spring season.

The workshop starts in the classroom, with an interactive presentation about exposure, techniques and equipment. Then, students go out into the field and practice what was learned in the classroom, ask questions and learn how to spot wildlife. Composition is discussed through-out the workshop, both in the classroom and in the field. The workshop is about 30% in the classroom and 70% shooting in the field with instruction.

This last photograph is the students photographing harbor seals in the surf. Most of the subjects can be photographed with a 400mm lens or shorter. It is recommended that students bring a tripod. For more information or to sign-up, visit Sitka Center.

Catching a Defining Moment. . .

April 27, 2012 by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction

Photography is the art medium that “catches” a moment in time, through the use of a camera and the photographer’s creativity/knowledge. Correct exposure means going beyond the Auto functions of the camera, and controlling the exposure through manual, aperture priority or shutter priority. It also includes use white balance, ISO, bracketing (depending on subject), flash and other functions.

Pre-setting exposure is a great way to prepare for shooting subjects like birds. This blog is focused on Osprey, and they are a fast-moving bird. I always pre-set my exposure before shooting birds. This pre-setting phase includes selecting an auto-focus point, as a starting point.

Planning or visualizing the image is essential for bird/wildlife photographs. This simply means know your subject, study it and anticipate the next series of events. It’s good to go out on a shoot knowing what subject you are planning to photograph. For locations I know, I usually have a broad subject such as birds. For unknown locations, I do some research before going on the shoot. This allows me to know what type of landscape I will be shooting in, and what kinds of subjects are usually at the location.

The second part of planning is deciding what equipment will be necessary for the subject. For birds, I always use my 100-400mm IS lens. I take my tri-pod for shooting video. In addition, I carry extra memory cards, an extra battery and lens cleaning cloth. Usually, my flash is included in my bag too.

For the complete Osprey hunting sequence, visit my video at http://youtu.be/S9LFynPyNew.

Have a great day shooting. . .Karen

Snowy Owls at Boundary Bay

March 1, 2012March 1, 2012 by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, Location

There were at least 22 Snowy Owls at Boundary Bay in Canada earlier this week. The owls were roosting close enough to the dike to photograph with them with a 400 mm lens, and get good photos. Many birders and photographers are visiting the area to observe and/or photograph the white owls.

In this area, weather is an important factor to a successful photo shoot of the owls. The landscape is reminiscent of the tundra, and is wet. The best and driest viewing area is from the dike.

Equipment for the shoot should include a tripod and long lens. The minimum lens length would be a 100 – 400 mm. Many photographers use a 600 to 800 mm lens for this type of shoot.

Visitors can get within 30 to 50 feet of the owls without disturbing them. During the day, the owls are sleeping and/or resting, which makes them easier to photograph. They do startle easily by people coming to close to them. The rules of the area indicate that the owls should not be disturbed, and need to conserve their energy for the long migration back to the arctic.

The owls will be migrating back soon.

Also, the area is teaming with Bald Eagles, Hawks and other raptors.

More later. . .Karen

Photographing at Dusk

February 20, 2012February 20, 2012 by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction

Dusk is the time of day when the sunset is most brilliant. It is the time many animals and some birds come out to hunt and feed. Modern digital cameras offer us choices in exposure and flash to make the most of these opportunities.

This photograph of a barred owl was taken around sunset under the tree canopy. There was little light to work with, so the exposure for this image is ISO 2500, Shutter 1/80 and Aperture F5.6. I was using my 100-400mm lens at 400mm. This shot is not cropped, and is a full-frame sensor camera. The original file is shot in RAW.

I could have used a fill-flash in this situation, which would have allowed me to shoot with a lower ISO. It would have added light into the scene, and lit the owl. When I mention fill-flash, I am talking about adding a little light. Adding too much light in this situation would startle the owl, create shadows, and possibly over-expose parts of the scene.

On this photo, I did adjust the color and luminescent to reflect less noise, and desaturate the color to fit the time of day.

When photographing the sunset at dusk, the exposure is different. Usually, there is open space before the sunset, and it has more light.

This photo of the mountains at dusk shows the dynamic colors in the sky, which is reflected into the water. The hills and mountains become shades of blue-grey in the photo. The birds feeding in the water and on the mud flats become silhouettes against the reflected colors. The exposure on this image was ISO 100, Shutter 1/60 and Aperture F8. I was using my 100-400mm lens again at 400mm.

On this photo, I adjusted color and contrast.

More Later. . .Karen

Tag: 400mm lens

Making Artistic Choices. . .

Like this:

Of the Land, Sea & Air – A Coastal Photographic Adventure

Like this:

Catching a Defining Moment. . .

Like this:

Snowy Owls at Boundary Bay

Like this:

Photographing at Dusk

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: