Go to the Houston Art Car Parade on April 8th in downtown Houston! It is a lot of fun.
You’ll see some pretty wild cars! The parade is 2-4pm, but I encourage you to get there early. You can stroll along the lineup of cars starting at 11am, visit with owners and take some fun photos of their creative works. Bring along a photographer friend, for a fun day-outing!
For more info, go to their website. CLICK HERE
Happy Picture Taking!
Kevin Gourley
One thing I have loved the most about our various adventures into Rocky Mountain National Park for my photography workshops has been the people. The park is one of my favorite places on earth, and there are so many great photo opportunities, but what I think has meant the most to me personally has been the opportunity to share these experiences with so many wonderful people.
The adventures we shared, the memories we made together, are what make each adventure extra special. I just wanted to express my gratitude to all who have joined us on one of my Summer or Fall Rocky Mountain Photography Workshops. We’re so much looking forward to this year’s great experiences.
Here are just a few photos of our various participants at Rocky Mountain National Park.
Your Name: Cathy Smith
Type of Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
What do you love to photograph the most? I love capturing the sweet expressions of children and providing families with a memory that they will cherish for a lifetime.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography? I learned two very important things from Kevin Gourley that go hand in hand which has improved the clarity of my photos: When hand holding your camera, the shutter speed should match or exceed the lens focal length and the proper lighting makes all the difference.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills: Take pictures at least weekly to improve photography skills and take classes to increase your knowledge for both technique and editing.
Want your telephoto lens to be a little MORE “telephoto”? Here is an option to consider. You could buy a teleconverter. This device inserts between your camera and the lens, and extends the effective focal length of the lens. Most often, you will find these as 1.4X and 2X teleconverters.
As with all things, with the benefit comes some tradeoffs. You have to be really careful in your selection of a teleconverter and read lots of reviews before purchasing, otherwise you could be really disappointed.
One tradeoff is you lose one stop of light with a 1.4X teleconverter and you lose two stops of light with a 2X teleconverter. Also, depending on the teleconverter, you’ll have varying degrees of degradation in image quality. With some teleconverters attached to some lenses, you might even lose other features like auto focus! So, before you buy, do your homework.
I thought I’d share some observations with a teleconverter I own. I use Canon cameras and they call their teleconverters “extenders”. (They just had to be different from everyone else, don’t ask me why.) I own the Canon EF 2.0X III Telephoto Extender for Canon Super Telephoto Lenses
I happen to own these two Canon telephoto lenses:
I absolutely love both of these lenses. The 70-200 is literally one of my all-time favorite lenses I have ever used over my 40+ years in photography. And the 100-400 is an excellent lens for use in my wildlife photography, for example on our Rocky Mountain Photography Workshops we host in the Summer and Fall.
We shoot with both of these lenses, and sometimes use the Canon 2.0X Telephoto Extender on the 70-200 lens, to extend its focal length to 140-400mm. This really works pretty well.
I would most definitely not recommend you use the 2.0X Extender on the 100-400mm lens though. That is not a good combination, primarily because the auto focus system will not work, plus the images turn out a bit too soft. But the 70-200 is quite nice with the 2.0X Extender. If you shoot with the 70-200, you can keep the 2.0X Extender in your camera bag to boost the focal length when you need it without lugging all that extra weight of the 100-400.
Also, if you already own the 70-200, buying the Extender would be the cheaper alternative, rather than purchasing the 100-400.
When you use the 2.0X Extender on the 70-200, you’ll note that it shifts from being an f/2.8 maximum aperture to being f/5.6 (which is two stops down from f/2.8). That’s really not bad at all. It is comparable to the 100-400 which is also at f/5.6 when you zoom to 400mm.
Let’s look at the two setups side-by-side. The one on top is the 70-200 with the 2.0X Extender. The one on the bottom is my 100-400.
The overall length is about the same when zoomed to 400mm, although when zoomed down to their lower focal lengths, the 100-400mm is more compact.
Here are some comparison shots, done with these two combinations.
Here is a shot done with the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens set to 400mm:
And here is the same shot done with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens with the Canon EF 2.0X III Telephoto Extender extending the focal length to an effectively equivalent 400mm:
I noticed the 100-400 rendered ever so slightly warmer toned images compared to the 70-200 with the 2.0X Extender. I also noticed that the 70-200 at 200mm and adding the 2.0X Extender actually enlarged the image a little more than the 100-400 at 400mm. They were not exactly equal at effectively at 400m. I was really a little surprised at that.
When I cropped in closer on the two images, I found the 100-400 at 400mm yielded the sharpest results, but still the 70-200 at 200mm with the 2.0X was not bad at all. I consider the two scenarios to not be exact equals, but quite acceptable (enough that I own the 2.0X Extender and I intend to keep it.
Here is the enlarged cropped-in version of the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens set to 400mm:
And here is the enlarged cropped-in version of the same shot done with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens with the Canon EF 2.0X III Telephoto Extender extending the focal length to an effectively equivalent 400mm:
So, the bottom line is: I am pleased with my Canon EF 2.0X III Telephoto Extender at least when using it with my favorite lens, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM Lens! If I want the sharpest shots at 400mm with my Canon lenses, I’d have to go with the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens.
Oh, by the way, make sure if you buy any of these items, note the “II” designations on the lenses and the “III” designations on the Extender. Those indicate different versions of these items. The “II” versions of my 70-200 and 100-400 are truly wonderful, outstanding lenses with excellent image stabilization. I am totally happy with both of these remarkable lenses.
Happy Picture-Taking!
Kevin Gourley
If you take the time to move beyond camera skills, you’ll discover the amazing and fun world of digital imaging. I encourage you to explore the use of different software tools for adjusting and editing your photographs. Once you become adept at using the various tools available, you will discover the only real limit is your imagination!
Consider the different photo editing tools and plugins as being sort of like tools on a workbench. You wouldn’t want to just own a hammer. You need a variety of tools all serving a different purpose.
In this example below, I used a mix of Lightroom and Photoshop magic, but then blended in the use of Alien Skin Software‘s “Snap Art” using their Impasto effect, which gives the image a paint brushed on canvas appearance. The background is imaginary, created with a mix of edits in Photoshop.
Want to learn photo editing skills? I offer private instruction on virtually all topics of photography and digital image editing.
Happy Photo Editing!
Kevin Gourley
Many of you know I love Rocky Mountain National Park, and I love photographing wildlife. Here are a few important tips that help with wildlife photography:
Whenever you travel to some new place, it helps to ask locals where the best spots are for photographing wildlife. Sometimes you have to look carefully.
For example, can you find the moose hiding behind these trees? Look carefully. It is there.
Ok, I was just kidding. Maybe that’s a bit obvious. 😉 Even so, finding wildlife is a matter of watching carefully. Sometimes the wildlife might actually be right there in front of you and you might not see it unless you stop and just watch and look carefully, looking for any movement. The example above is totally obvious but sometimes it is not so obvious.
In this example below, I’d swear the elk was trying to hide behind a tree. That’s not REALLY what he was doing, but it looks that way. I thought the photo was funny because it looks like a hide-and-seek photo of an elk. It is really just an elk rubbing his antlers against a tree. Still, it is possible to even miss wildlife standing behind a single tree at times!
The key is to learn where you are most likely to find wildlife, and then go to those places, and watch. Be persistent. You might have to check those places several times before you find wildlife there. Just because big horn sheep were not there an hour ago, does not mean they won’t be there later on.
In this photo of a marmot, below. The marmot was in a place where I often have seen marmots in the past. It was a rocky area with all sorts of little openings and holes where the marmots can seek shelter quickly. I knew if I went to that specific spot, and waited, I would eventually see the marmot pop up, and sure enough, it did!
Timing is also important, both in terms of the time of day and time of year. Wildlife will be in different places at different times of the day in the Summer vs. the Fall. You might find more success finding some wildlife in the cool early morning hours. As it gets sunnier, they may be more in the shade. On a bright sunny day, it is REALLY easy to miss a dark moose standing in the shady edge of a forest.
Also, make sure you take time to learn how the time of year affects the presence of wildlife. In the Summer, I am likely to see more elk up in the higher altitudes in Rocky Mountain National Park, giving me wonderful opportunities to photograph them against a backdrop of higher mountain scenic vistas.
In the Fall, during “the rut” (mating season), you’ll find herds of elk have moved down to lower altitudes into the meadow valleys, giving you great photo opportunities. They are different photo opportunities because you will not be having as many shots up on the side of a mountain but still it is a great time to photograph them.
You’ll also find wildlife around water. Just exercise caution when an adult moose is with its young (calf). Keep a safe distance. They can be very protective of their young.
Another way to look for wildlife within a National Park is to use other people’s eyes to help you. When driving down a road, don’t just look for wildlife. Look for cars stopped along the side of a road. That can be an indicator that they have found wildlife! You don’t necessarily have to be an expert in spotting wildlife.
In some areas, it is commonplace to encounter wildlife strolling into nearby towns and lodging areas. You could spend your day hunting for elk, only to find the elk standing there when you get back to your cabin!
Oh and just a note about timing and safety. Sometimes you might be up in the mountains looking for wildlife and the weather can change quickly. Be careful about that. It is unwise to put yourself in a situation where you get trapped in a sudden thunderstorm in the mountains. People have been killed by making poor choices about their hikes into the mountains with storms approaching.
Finally, one other aspect of wildlife photography is the light. Part of good wildlife photography is choosing to photograph during the times of day when the lighting is best. For example, in this shot below, it was taken shortly after sunrise. But that meant I had to get up very early, and drive in darkness for 45 minutes to reach my location just after the sun had risen to get this nice early morning lighting in the higher altitudes of the mountains. Early mornings and late evenings often provide beautiful lighting for wildlife photography.
It really helps to bring the right photographic gear. I recommend a camera that goes to a relatively high ISO that does well up to 12800 or more. You shouldn’t ever shoot at an ISO that is higher than is needed for a particular shot, but having the ability to use high ISO values allows you to shoot in lower light circumstances which are a definite possibility with wildlife photography. Otherwise, you might encounter a great wildlife photo opportunity but you just can’t get the shot because there just isn’t enough light.
Also, use a lens that goes to a higher focal length like 300mm or more for a full frame sensor camera, or 200mm or more for a camera with an APS-C or other smaller sensor format. 400mm or 500mm is even better. The longer focal lengths will safely bring you closer to the wildlife.
Of course there is a lot more to wildlife photography than just what I have mentioned here. You need to manage your exposure settings. The aperture affects depth of field which is an important consideration in nature photography. The shutter affects the freezing of motion, which is also quite important. The freezing of motion is more than just a consideration about capturing images of running wildlife. It is even more so important to ensure your shutter speed is fast enough to freeze any vibrations that could blur the shot when holding the camera. Also, if your lens/camera has any form of image stabilization / vibration reduction, make sure you use it when hand-holding your camera (but not on a tripod)!
If you need help, preparing yourself to go on some great vacation this Summer, remember I offer private instruction on most any topic in photography. I currently am teaching numerous people in my private teaching program.
I’m licensed to lead photography workshops in Rocky Mountain National Park in the Summer and Fall. We have a blast on these trips. It is truly an adventure! We’re totally sold out for both Summer and Fall for 2017, but if you’d like to be added to a waiting list in case there is a cancellation, let me know! Also, if you are thinking about joining us in 2018, let me know now. I’ll give you the first chance at registering.
Happy Wildlife Picture Taking!
Kevin Gourley
P.S. I leave you with one more parting shot of moose. (I just love moose. You might even call it an obsession. I know, I am a little weird about that.)
I have seen this quote pretty often: “The best camera is the one that is with you.” It has been attributed to so many different people on the Internet, I am not sure there is one originator of the quote. The point is so very valid though.
I was recently on a fantastic retreat at the 1900 acre H.E. Butt Foundation Camp on the headwaters of the Frio River in the Texas Hill Country near Leakey, TX.
I had my fancy DSLR with me on the trip, but I really didn’t want to take it on my hike up to the top of this cliff.
When I led a group of friends on this hike, I decided to just take my iPhone, and leave behind my DSLR.
It was a great hike, including a 400 foot ascent to the top, shimmying on rocks in some places, and hugging a river cliff edge that included a section of trail that sloped sideways right into the Frio River. I was glad I just brought my iPhone.
The weather was spectacular. This venture was really about enjoying the outdoors with friends. It was not a photographic expedition. It was a pretty good workout also.
Upon reaching the summit, we were rewarded with a great view. My handy iPhone allowed me to capture photos along the journey as well as this the view from the top:
That’s looking down from the top of the cliff overlooking the camp where we were staying. I was really glad I was able to bring along my iPhone. It was the perfect sized camera. Since I didn’t want to bring my DSLR, that means my iPhone was the best camera for this because I had it with me!
My wife and I do lots of hikes around Austin and in our neighborhood. If you’d ever like to join us, just let me know! We love hiking with friends!
I hardly ever bring my DSLR with me on hikes, but I always have my iPhone with me. Here are some examples of a few iPhone shots taken while hiking:
There is no ONE type of camera that is perfect for all purposes. Ultimately, the best camera is the one that is with you when you want to take a picture.
Happy Picture Taking!
Kevin Gourley
I am a proponent for getting the shot right in the camera as much as possible. Get the exposure right. Get the depth of field right. Get the shutter speed right. Get the lighting right. The result will be a better photograph!
That doesn’t mean your job is necessarily done after firing the shutter and capturing the image. So much of the fun of digital photography is the step that comes next. Granted it takes a bit of creativity and (even more-so) a mastery of the various software tools available. I highly encourage you to take the time to learn powerful tools like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Explore the various plugins currently available. Push yourself to go beyond just taking the photograph. Use your digital editing skills to make art!
Since you can do so much with a digital photograph to edit and enhance it, or perhaps even totally change it, sometimes it is hard to say “I am finished with this photograph.” The more proficient you become with your photo editing skills, you will discover new ways to edit your old photographs. You can even combine different photographs taken at different times with different cameras.
Here are a few examples:
Here is an original image, as shot in-camera. It already is a good starting point. Nice dramatic light. Nice composition.
The photo really is a good starting point. I could just crop it a little bit, and it would be fine as-is. But, when I was shopping recently, I noticed a placemat that looked interesting, so I took a photo of it with my iPhone:
Then, with a little Photoshop “magic”, using layers, layer masks, blend modes, etc., I replaced the background with the placemat, just darkened a bit.
The point is, you can create all kinds of variations from an original image and it is a lot of fun just seeing what you can create. Be creative. Open your mind to use most anything as a possible background.
Use the tools at your disposal, Lightroom, Photoshop, and various plugins to enhance images. Don’t be afraid to combine images shot with a DSLR with images that were shot with an iPhone.
I created one other variation from the same original image. I cropped in much tighter and then used a plugin from Topaz Labs, called ‘Topaz Glow‘. (At only $69.99, Topaz Glow is a great tool to have on hand.) Here are the results:
Or here is another example. In this case, I started with an image created in my studio during one of the Studio Lighting Workshops I teach. (Actually, ALL of these were shot by me while teaching a Studio Lighting Workshop.)
I then went back through some old photographs I had taken years ago with a different camera while traveling through Austria and Germany. I found an image among those that would work well in merging the portrait above.
With a little Photoshop editing, blending, masking, etc., here is the result:
Here’s one more example. This image was also shot in my studio:
I then grabbed this image from one of the photos from my Austria/Germany travels:
Then I combined the two images:
Really, once you have taken the photograph, the fun has only just begun.
Here are some of the tools you should check out for photo management, editing, and enhancement:
Want to Learn More About Photo Editing (or Photography)?
I occasionally teach classes on Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop and many other topics. Make sure you are subscribed to my email list so you’ll be notified as I add more classes.
I also offer private instruction on almost all photographic topics. We could set up sessions where I just teach you what you need to know the most, to get you started.
Happy Picture Taking (and Editing)!
Kevin Gourley
Your Name: Mike Johanns
Type of Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
What do you love to photograph the most?
My first loves are landscapes & wildlife, but the list of photographic interests has grown considerably over the years.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography?
I used to believe that mastering the technical aspects would take my photography to the next level, but addressing the artistic elements of photography is the key to transforming typical two-dimensional pictures into creative, evocative, multi-layered images.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills:
Challenge yourself to experiment with different genres of photography to expand and hone your skills. Last year I participated in a new genre – fine art nude photography. I gained a new appreciation for light interacting with form, and that learning improved my portraiture.
Your Name: Stephanie Kopas
Type of Camera: Nikon D3400
What do you love to photograph the most?
I love capturing nature in it’s rawest form (landscapes, astronomy, animals). It seems in this day and age things are constantly changing but I appreciate the ability to isolate a scene and see the world as it should be seen- if even for just that brief moment.
What is one thing you have learned that has improved your photography?
Exposure compensation! It has saved many of my favorite photos to date.
Advice you’d give to others wanting to grow in their photography skills:
Photography is a skill, not an ability. Start with the fundamentals and then practice, practice, practice.
