Category: photo tip

More Moose

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We are fortunate to travel back roads frequently. I typically have my camera on my lap and set for the conditions ready for whatever we might encounter. It paid off this particular day.

We chanced upon this cow moose grazing in the creek we frequently pass while heading to our cabin in the woods. I was able to slip up and out of the passenger side window to shoot over the roof as she was on the opposite side.

Cow moose in creek

I snapped a few shots as she waded up and out of the water, her ears pivoted repeatedly to determine the extent of the threat we posed.

Cow moose in creek 2

As she moved into the brush, I noticed another pair of ears, a smaller, lighter set.

Cow moose leads calf to safety

The calf was likely napping nearby but quickly followed mom into deeper cover.

Up wind surprise

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Yesterday we were able to get away to our private cottage (camp) for a night to decompress after some stressful work days. This morning Lindor & I headed down to the dock to enjoy the solitude and warmth of the rising sun. While sipping my coffee, I was startled to hear a rustle and splashing down the shore from me. I looked expectantly for a loon or other water bird but found to my surprise, a young bull moose wandering out from the brush and into the water for breakfast in the reeds. Realizing I had neglected to bring my DSLR down the 22 steps, I reached for my phone (always on me) to capture what I could before he noticed me or my dog. Both brown boys were oblivious to each other as the moose was up wind of me and Lindor was exploring the shoreline in the opposite direction!

Young bull moose grazing
iPhone capture

I finally gave in to the temptation to move and as quietly as I could, snuck up to the cabin to notify Brad, distract Lindor and grab the DSLR from inside the cabin. In my excitement, I let the screen door close not so quietly behind me which alerted the moose to our presence. I managed 1 quick shot before he took cover in the greenery. I don’t plan to leave my DSLR behind next peaceful dock time!!

Young bull moose in the move
Moose on the move
Young bull moose on the move close up
Moose on the move – cropped

 

Night lights

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Didn’t see the expected meteor shower at 1:30 this morning but was treated to the beauty of a moonless night sky!

Night Sky

 

I found this article very helpful in getting my gear set properly the evening before so I wouldn’t have to do it ‘in the field’ in the dark. I used my widest, fastest lense a Tamron 17-50mm at f/2.8, 17 mm, ISO 3200 set the mode to BULB and used my wireless timer remote shutter. It was impossible for me to see well enough to fine tune the focus so I crossed my fingers. made sure it was on manual focus and dialed to infinity.

Because of the brightness of our yard light, I took several images with different exposure times. In Lightroom, I selected the image shot at 25 seconds for the horizon and sky (on the left below) and one with a 4 second exposure for the foreground.

exposure time comparison

 

The two images were then layered in PhotoShop. I added a layer mask to the darker shot then applied the gradient tool to reveal just the bottom of image for the foreground.

layered image

All definitely worth the effort, I’d say. 🙂

 

 

March Moon

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The moon reached fullness March 16th. In anticipation, I kept an eye on the eastern sky the day before, though I wasn’t very diligent (a casual glance out my front door). Then all of a sudden there it was! Although my camera was accessible, I couldn’t locate my tripod so snapped a quick hand held shot. Not bad.

near full moon at sunset

Lesson learned; sort of. I had 25 hours to gather my gear in preparation for the rise the next evening. According to my favourite photography app The Photographer’s Ephemeris, the moon was scheduled to rise an hour later which would make the sky and surroundings darker than the night before. The forecast was for cloud cover by sunset as another snow storm was moving in from the west. An hour before the scheduled moon rise, I headed out to locate a suitable angle for a shot assuming the gap between cloud and horizon would be sufficient. I had all but given up when I noticed a hint of colour.

rising March moon 1
rising March moon 2
rising March moon 3Although I had located and packed my tripod, I didn’t bring my remote shutter which would have given clearer shots.

Photo Tip: When you don’t have a remote shutter, use your camera’s delay shutter option. My camera has a 10 second and 1 second option. I prefer the latter in this type of shot. Your camera should be on a tripod but can be propped up on something. Mittens or a jacket work well to create soft, flexible platform. The brief discomfort in the elements might be worth the shot captured.

I will have to remember that next time.

radiant sunset

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The other evening, the air was crisp and clear, the sky clear blue and the water calm. The lake called me out from the shore. I’m glad I answered the call.

radiant sunset.jpgTo get the star light glow of the setting sun, I set the f-stop as deep (or wide – I never am sure of the technical description) as I dared (f29) and shot when the sun was brightest poking through the pine bows. I was driving the motor boat alone as I shot so I cruised as low as possible past this point of land several times to capture the sun before it disappeared over the horizon.

 

Happy Anniversaries

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There will be lots of fireworks going off both in Canada and in the USA this week. Enjoy the shows! And if you want to try to capture some of the bright lights, check out this great article. You might just want to sign up for the Digital Photography School weekly newsletter. It’s full of great articles with photo taking and post processing tips and gear reviews.

We had our own little ‘shoot’ last night. Happy Anniversary, Scott and Krista!

fireworks over agimak lake

(By the way, I found the above mentioned article this morning so I’m looking forward to capturing our municipal display tonight. I’m going to try tip#15 for sure. Grabbing my tripod, remote shutter and bug jacket….)