Thursday, May 31, 2018

A Call Through Time

A Call Through Time

When I was a little boy my family lived on the top of hill on the edge of forest overlooking a lake. Every time I hear the cry of a Red-winged Blackbird I am instantly transported through time to that home. I remember it was a hot summer day in the 70's. I was in the backyard looking out at the high grasses that grew in the field leading from our place and then down the hill. The forest was to my right and as I stood there I became mesmerized by a Red-winged Blackbird as it cried out it's distinct call. It was just downhill from me in a black cherry tree and I could see it so clearly. Not a single instance of hearing that call to this day doesn't transfix part of my brain to that moment in time nearly forty-something years ago. i can even recall the feel of the sun on my tanned skin, and the wind in my face.

#Red-winged #blackbird #Redwingedblackbird #Agelaius-phoeniceus #birdphotography #birding #birdwatching #wisconsinbirds #wisconsinwildlife #wildwisconsin #naturalwisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #prairie #prairieland #oaksavanna #travelwi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

In Her Garden

In Her Garden

The first time I went to Jessica's studio was a couple of years ago. As I stood on her deck and admired the garden I knew I just had to take a photo there someday. I could picture her in the lovely setting posing on the wooden gazebo/lounge. Recently we got together on a comfortable spring day for a relaxing session. She's been busy setting up a new website to promote her business and needed a new cover image. Her hope was that I could create a photo that'd represent her belief that through yoga and meditation one could not only connect to oneself, but also to nature itself. I hope I did just that. What do you think? Did I nail it?

#jessicavonwolf #pilates #pilatesbody #fitnessjourney #fitness #fitnessaddict #dharma #namaste #feeltheyogahigh #yogafit #igyogafam #meditation #yogaaddict #yogaeverywhere #yogaeveryday #yogainspiration #yogagram #practice #fitnessgirl #yogagirl #yogajourney #fitnessgirl #yoga #yogalife #yogabody #yoga4growth #yogini #yogalove #yogapose #yogaphotography

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Using Speedlite 600EX-RT to Control the Light

Without Flashes - No Use of Ambient Lighting

This is how I set my camera to not capture the ambient lighting for certain situations. I wanted to control all of the "light" in my scene. The natural ambiance, while nice to the human eye, wasn't suitable. Basically I set my exposure settings to what I know I can create using my remote flashes. Without my flashes going off, this is how dark the photo appears. Very little ambient light is present.

Using Off-Camera Flashes - Control All Light

Using carefully placed, and adjusted, remote flash units in strategic locations I can control all the light that falls onto my model. I use "flash modifiers" which either soften, aim, or reflect the light in ways I want. I love designing the way light falls into a scene and onto a subject. By eliminating all ambient lighting I now have complete control over what the scene looks like. Being that it looks nearly identical to what the human eye sees in the ambient lighting many folks never even notice I can do this.

#canon #canonphotography #dslr #canongear #canongearnerd #canoneos #canonphoto #canonusa #teamcanon #canonglobal #Speedlite #600EX-RT #Speedlite600EX-RT

Monday, May 21, 2018

A Hawk's View

A Hawk's View

I took the "long way" to work this morning. There's so much to enjoy visually all around Mount Horeb. I noticed the way the rocks were reflecting on Stewart Lake and wanted to get a shot with my gear. The dim, cool and wet spring morning gave me a slight challenge in sorting out my camera's settings. As I continued to seek for a vantage through the trees I'd take test shots, adjusting as I went. After a few minutes I couldn't find just the right viewpoint. And then a Red-tailed Hawk landed just uphill from me. Taking my cue I slowly moved to just below it, knowing it was in the canopy above me, though I couldn't see it. And there it was, the viewpoint I sought. As I began to snap a few frames the hawk let out a series cries. It set the tone for my entire day.

#reflection #wildwisconsin #naturalwisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #prairie #prairieland #oak #oaksavanna #findyourpark #travelwi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #pinerelictforest

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Stephen's Falls Session

Stephen's Falls Session

I usually don't include taking family portraits as part of my business. When this family contacted me out of the blue though I decided, "Why not?" They'd planned a trip to a nearby town and where coming in from all directions. We'd chosen Stephen's Falls as our initial location and a spot on the trail down stream as the secondary. This session also gave me a chance to give my transportation system a shake down. I took about 80lbs (37kg) of gear. For the paved section I was able to use my converted Bob stroller. Once we hit the steep, stony trail I had to wear my backpack, carry my flash bag and two 11' C-stands. It wasn't that bad, even coming out and having to climb up a steep rocky set of primitive steps wasn't an issue. So not only did I get to work with an interesting and lovely family, but I also know I can now set up a studio shoot anywhere.

#midwestisbest #midwestliving #wi #travelwi #discoverwisconsin #wisconsin #wisco #onwisconsin #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #driftlessarea #governordadgestatepark #governordodge #dnr #wi_dnr #widnr #naturalwisconsin #wildernessculture #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoors #nature_perfection

Friday, May 11, 2018

The Wicked Witch of the West!

The Wicked Witch of the West!

Freja was so excited to be playing the Witch in her school's 4th grade play. Called "The Wizard of Us" it was basically the classic story of Dorothy's adventures. In this telling of the tale instead of melting the witch with water they defeated her by learning that being proud of who you are, having compassion for others and trying to be mindful of the present moment. What the Wicked Witch learned I'm not so sure...

#wizardofoz #wizardofus #moho #mounthorebintermediatecenter #mounthorebschools #witch #wickedwitch #wickedwitchofthewest #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #schoolplay

Monday, May 7, 2018

The Patience of Eagles

The Patience of Eagles

I marvel at these predators. I shot this during a brief respite from the harsh arctic dry-freeze we'd been enduring in January of 2018. The eagles become confined to crowding around a nearby damn on the Wisconsin River. The constantly flowing water ensure they can find an easy meal there. After weeks of fish this one had other plans for dinner. The sudden "warming" (and I use that term very loosely) gave it an opportunity to go patiently hunt in the Driftless. Since it's too cold to soar on thermals it simply waits for something tasty to meander into it's sight. That happened to be me, only I'm too big to eat.

Bald Eagle, juvenile

#eagle #baldeagle #birdofprey #conservation #wildlifefriend #wildglobe #wildgeography #featured_wildlife #marvelouz_animals #animalelite #ig_shotz_animal #nature_perfection #nature_brilliance #wildlifeplanet #live_love_wildlife #bd_pro #splendid_animals #fog #foggy #lax_parksandrec #lacrossewisconsin #lacrossewi #wisconsin #wisco #discoverwisconsin #mississippiriver #travelwisconsin #explorewisconsin #driftlessarea #midwestmoment