The Scene While scouting with friends for a new photo workshop in Ecuador, we visited the Cotopaxi Volcano National Park. It’s a beautiful place, and I wanted to take some shots that showed the vast open spaces, which are always exciting for a rainforest photographer (such as myself) as I’m used to very dark, closed
In order to create beautiful images of birds on a consistent basis it is important to understand the many elements that combine to make a good photo. This includes: exposure, composition, light, sharpness, perch, pose, and background. However, these components are not absolute rules that must be followed in every image. As a matter of fact, some of the best images are those that break some of the rules or that are “outside of the box”. Nevertheless, understanding these 7 elements as a starting point will inevitably lead to better bird images.
Located in the highlands of northwest Ethiopia, the Simien Mountains are truly a wonder to behold. Reaching as high as almost 15,000 feet above sea level, these rugged mountains are home to several photogenic wildlife species, including walia ibex, Ethiopian wolf, klippspringer, and gelada monkeys. Numerous vantage points offer stunning views of steep cliffs, jagged
Many nature photographers profess to shoot only natural light because they don’t like flashed-looking pictures. While often said as if it were a badge of honor, this statement is actually an admission that the photographer doesn’t know how to use flash, one of our most important tools! Employed properly, flash can look completely natural and
While scouting workshop locations in Chile’s famed Torres del Paine National Park last year with good friend and fellow photographer Rodrigo Moraga, we came upon a herd of Guanaco (Lama guanicoe, a camel relative and the wild ancestor of the domesticated llama). Since it was about two hours before sunset, the light wasn’t great, and
The leopard is one of the most elusive African predators. When I lead photo tours I always say to my guest that maybe we will not see him – it is nature after all, nothing is guaranteed – but he will see us. He is a master when it comes to hiding in the bush
In the past two decades, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been considered one of the most dangerous conflict areas in the world. Congo’s civil wars, which began in 1996, devastated the country. The fighting has abated in recent years, and there has been a concerted effort to secure, stabilize, and reopen parts
Mountain gorillas are elusive, making their homes in the high altitude forested volcanoes of East Africa. In summer 2014, I spent several days photographing mountain gorillas in Rwanda, a beautiful and peaceful country in the heart of gorilla territory. It was an amazing experience I will never forget. The cornerstone of Rwanda’s tourism efforts is
I have been incredibly fortunate to have spent several years working with a nearby wildlife rescue facility, documenting the spectacular wild animals that find a home there. One of the most magnificent animals I have ever seen was a male Siberian tiger weighing over 750 pounds that came to the facility from a rescue situation
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