Taking photography of Hummingbirds is a combination of good photography, location and sometimes good fortune. This Rufous-tailed Hummingbird loves the Torch Ginger flowers in our garden. So if one is patient and waits in the morning and late afternoon eventually you will have an opportunity for a good image. They are a beautiful bird in a beautiful setting so the wait is well worth it.]]>
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While we know that the fall season gives way to winter the fall in much of the north brings a special beauty with it. Fall color for much of the northern part of North America can be incredibly beautiful depending on the year, rain and temperature. This image of Tahquamenon Falls in Northern Michigan was taken in early October. This was after a failed attempt two years earlier.]]>
While we travelled through Central America this past winter we were amazed by the beauty of the coast of Belize, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala the the mountains of Panama. However, when back in Michigan the lakes, rivers and falls of northern Michigan near Lake Superior are equal to any landscape scene anywhere. This picture is of part of the Bond Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.]]>
Traveling through Latin American during the recent horrific winter experienced in North America had its benefits. However, traveling through the small towns along the Lake Michigan shore provides much beauty and relaxation. Certainly many photography opportunities as well. The historic lighthouses from the late 1800's have a lot of architectural beauty, especially in a settings such as the Big Au Sable Lighthouse in the Ludington State Park. You have to hike to this lighthouse but it is more than worth the walk. Along the way you can view sand dunes, trails and at the right time of day a spectacular sunset.]]>
After traveling through Belize, Guatemala and Panama for nearly six months we ended our trip in Panama City. This is an image of a Panamanian family in the historical traditional dress "Pollera". For more images of sites and people in Panama please go to "Travel Photography"> Panama and also to "People". Panama is very diverse in its geography and its people. A very beautiful country.]]>
After living in Belize for over two months we traveled to Antigua and Lake Atitlan Guatemala. Lake Atitlan is a volcanic lake and is surrounded by three inactive volcanic mountains. This lake offers one of the most beautiful scenes in the world.]]>
Sarteneja is a small fishing village in the northeast corner of Belize. Many fisherman still fish the way that they have for a century going out on sail boats for weeks at a time. In addition to being a village with a rich cultural history Sarteneja is also the nearest village to the Shipstern Nature Preserve, one of the most diverse and largest preservation areas in Belize. Sarteneja and Shipstern are worth a visit if you have a few days. To see more Belize images please go to Travel>Belize.]]>
Traveling in Belize can be an incredible experience. Belize is a small country of only about 350,000 population but has more wildlife and cultural diversity than most countries of Central and South America. You can dive or snorkel on the Barrier Reef, find Red-footed Booby Birds on Half Moon Caye , explore historical Mayan cities as well as seek the Jaguar, one of many endangered species. The combination of spectacular birds, animals and reef life make this a special place.]]>
Fall photography can be beautiful in certain northern and mountain states. Timing and weather is everything in this regard however. Trying to get this image three years ago at exactly the same date in October was a disaster because of rain and warm temperatures. Never give up. Sometimes you have to keep going back to the same location. This is the lower falls of the Tahquamenon River, Michigan.]]>
While we can take "macro" or "close up" photography at any time of the year, inside or outside, it is especially inviting in a garden when we get natural light from the sun. This Gerbera Daisy image was taken with a Tokina 100 mm Macro 2.8 lens also using a tripod.
Larry Wilkinson
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It was exciting to go back to New York City this spring and see the new One World Trade Center near completion. This a beautiful building and an exciting new chapter to the "Twin Tower" site.]]>
The Florida Birding & Photo Fest held in St. Augustine, Florida is an opportunity for "Birders" and "Bird Photographers" alike. An array of photography classes are offered with guests such as well known nature photographer George Lepp. There are also many field trips on water and land for bird viewing and photography. This time of year is special as it is the nesting season for Egrets, Herons, Spoonbills, and many other birds. I was able to capture this Roseate Spoonbill image with my Nikon D-300 and 80-400VR lens.
Larry Wilkinson
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For several years we have hiked the trails around Boquete, Panama which is in the highlands of western Chiriqui. This area which is generally above 5,000 feet of elevation, is one of the few areas to see and photograph the Quetzal. Nevertheless this bird hides in the shadows and does not fly in open areas. We have found the bird on prior occasions but never were able to get a "quality" image until this year. This was taken with a Nikon D-300 and a 80-400VR lens. Patience does pay off but you can't always go back to a specific area in a country like Panama in Central America. This year we were fortunate.
Larry Wilkinson
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Black & White photography can create a dramatic mood. Until recent years digital photography could not match the contrast offered by film for black & white images. Contrast is extremely important in these images because it really creates the mood. Now upgraded Photoshop and plugins such as NIK offer black and white photo filters that come close or equal the quality from a image created with film. In this scene, which is from a digital image, the contrast of snow and sky offers an opportunity to create a different mood as compared with a "color" image. I like scenes with snow or sometimes old buildings seem to lend themselves to Black & White conversion.
Larry Wilkinson
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After five trips to Belize one might be amazed that we can find anything new and interesting to photograph. However, if you are a photographer, you know that every sunset is different and every location has a different prospective if you look for it However, in Belize, from the Caye's to the inland rainforests, this small country has endless opportunities for photography including birds, land animals and underwater scenes. Belize has incredible diversity in its people, landscape and wildlife.
Larry
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Macro photography can be "close up photography" with a zoom lens or "Ultra Macro" photography with many macro lens options. Macro photography is interesting to me because it lets us into this small world that we only see on rare instances. I like the Macro vs. Ultra Macro because Macro, in this instance for example, combines two aspects of the image as you see here with the flower and the grasshopper. This image was taken with a Nikon D-300 and a Tokina 105mm Macro lens.
Larry Wilkinson
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Larry Wilkinson
Fall photography can be among the most beautiful of all. In certain areas of the northern US and mountain regions with a lot of deciduous trees leaves change colors when the night temperatures get cool in the fall. The timing is everything and there is usually a window of only a few weeks for maximum color contrast. Get a tripod and go to your local state, city or national park if you are near an area with this climate. Try different slow shutter speeds if you are also near rivers and streams. Color "intensifier" filters can be purchased which help get a little extra "pop" with the color. The image included here was taken in Elkmont in the Smoky Mountains. No additional filter was used in this case.
Larry Wilkinson
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As summer is fading, at least in northern states of the USA, it gives me a fleeting feeling that we will soon be in a less attractive season for photography opportunities. However, this is still a terrific time of year to get your camera out and go to your nearest lake, stream or river and get a few great images to view over the winter. The sun is setting earlier and rising later and has a softer glow. Also you do not need full fall colors to get some terrific images with trees and water. Try to include shoreline, clouds and when appropriate step back and get some late summer leaves. Many of us leave our camera indoors after Labor Day week-end. Keep it out.
Larry Wilkinson
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Urban scenes can take many forms. Sometimes they are a view of massive buildings such as in our Manhattan images and sometimes they are local street scenes as we have seen in Millennium Park Chicago or Central Park New York City. In this case I was really looking for a landscape scene on the St. Clair River near the Blue Water Bridge which connects Michigan and Ontario. Walking around I noticed the skateboard activity near the river and move closer and immediately took several images. After taking the first images I approached the young man skateboarding to see if he would do another run while I was better prepared. As in many instances the candid shot was much better than the planned and posed shot. As Jay Maisel would say, always keep your lens cap off, when walking around you never know what you might see that could result in a terrific photographic image.
Larry Wilkinson
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Possibly if you live in New York City you may take the photography opportunities for granted. If you are a visitor, however, it is impossible to not be awed by the endless sights. Having been a visitor a number of times I have taken the usual shots from the GE Building in Rockefeller Center, (much better than from the Empire State Building by the way) Times Square from the bleachers and of course from one of many river cruises. However after you have been to the iconic locations and simply walk around Central Park, Washington Square or many other locations you begin the realize that the street scenes are incredible. As Jay Maisel (famous NYC photographer) would say, "keep your lens cap off". Where else would you see a grand piano being played in the middle of a park on a Saturday morning?
Larry Wilkinson
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Larry Wilkinson
Larry Wilkinson
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Larry Wilkinson
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While we are celebrating the end of winter, particularly in northern areas, it is important to remember a few points on winter photography. We may remember these for next year or we may get that last big snow and head out with our cameras. While we know that winter can be beautiful we may have a tendency to stay in the house or take or camera out on the deck for a few quick pics. While this winter was a litter warmer in most areas of the US and Canada, photography in times of generous snow, ice and sunshine can be spectacular. Taking sunset images over a lake that is substantially frozen can yield wonderful color and reflection. When you go back to that "special" place where you took your summer sunset image you may find that your winter shot provides a good equal. In many cases, particular on the coastal waters and Great Lake areas the winter shorelines can be beautiful. There are many subjects such as lighthouses and ice locked ships that will contribute to your subject matter. They are worth getting out. Don't forget your polarizer and graduated density filter (that you would use for any sunset). Additionally our cameras on auto exposure it is important to adjust with a plus .3 or .7 for extra exposure so as to avoid the "grey snow" look.
This image was taken with a Nikon D-200, 1/180, ISO 200, lens at 27mm.
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Zoo photography offers many opportunities for photographers as well as many challenges. In most zoos, for example, a photographer can find many birds that would be virtually impossible to find without a great deal of world travel. However, while noting that your image is a "zoo location" it is still desirable to avoid fencing, buildings and in many cases people, who detract from the quality of the image. This can be done by continually watching what you see above and behind the subject. It is far easier to reposition yourself in the zoo location then it is to try to eliminate these distractions in Photoshop after the fact. Also by getting as close and "tight" to your subject as possible you create the appropriate depth of field to blur the background. There are many great zoo opportunities regardless of the season and equally as many photo ops. Take your time and wait for the right moment. This image was taken with a Nikon D-300, 1/60, ISO 640, lens 200mm.
Larry Wilkinson
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