June 2009
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How-To
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Create The Old Masters Look With Modern Gear
Using the latest in software, techniques and hardware can provide you with imagery that will rival the masterpieces of nature photography
The literal trailblazers of nature photography—Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Eliot Porter, Carleton Watkins, Edward Muybridge and others—carried heavy and sensitive equipment through miles of unpaved wilderness in order to bring back photographs of the world that they saw.
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Photoshop Tips From The Pros
Some of the best in nature photography share 11 techniques that will turn a good photograph into an award-winner
By Tim Grey
There are many elements that separate the top nature photographers from hobbyists. With today’s digital tools, not only do photographers rely on a great eye, time-tested technique and quality equipment, but also on their ability to optimize images after capture using Photoshop and other tools.
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Taking Flight
Miguel Lasa may be a physician by training, but he’s a top wildlife photographer by avocation
If you visit Miguel Lasa’s website, you’ll find some amazing photos of ospreys, snowy owls, bald eagles and other birds swooping and diving and battling and just generally being birds. Many pro photographers photograph birds, and do it amazingly well. But UK-based Lasa has a talent for bringing the viewer right into the middle of the action with his photos and capturing the birds’ “personalities” as well as their motions.
Gear
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Building The Ultimate Lens Kit
There are so many top-notch, high-tech, affordable lenses available for nature photography, it’s easy to assemble a collection that will give you the right tool for what you love to do
By Mike Stensvold
Outdoor photography encompasses a lot of territory—from landscapes, wildlife and macro to tripod-mounted shots of static scenes and handheld shots of quick action. So the “best” lens(es) depend in large part on what you photograph outdoors and how you see the outdoor world. A basic three-lens kit is a good starting point, and it gives you a solid foundation from which to build. Expanding from the basic three is like constructing the structure on that foundation.
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Canon EOS Rebel T1i
This compact, low-cost D-SLR lets you capture nature’s beauty and motion in high-res still and video
By Staff
Light, compact and easy to carry in the field, Canon’s newest entry in the EOS Rebel line is the T1i. The camera continues the Rebel tradition, but adds amazing new features such as 15.1-megapixel resolution, ISOs to 12,800, a 3-inch, 920,000-dot Live View LCD monitor and HD video capability—all for a list price of only $799.
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Gadget Bag: In A Flash!
Electronic flash units will add dimension to your photos
By Jon Sienkiewicz
Strobe. EFU. Speedlite. Speedlight. Flash. No matter what you call it, a portable electronic flash unit is one of the most important accessories any photographer can own. But many who mainly shoot outdoors overlook the possibilities. Flash photography is by no means restricted to inside!
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In Focus: June 2009
VIDEO D-SLR
For nature photographers, there’s a lot to like about the Nikon D5000, including high-definition video capability and a 2.7-inch swing-out Live View LCD that can be tilted for framing low- and high-angle shots. The 12.3-megapixel camera uses the same sensor and 11-point autofocus system as the more advanced D90.
Locations
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The Great American Midwest
Tips for getting exciting and dramatic imagery from the prairies and woodlands of the central United States
I’m spoiled. I’ve had the fortune to photograph the pristine and spectacular—from the canyons of Zion National Park to the mountains of Glacier National Park to the fall color of New England, as well as the winter landscape in the nation’s crown jewel, Yellowstone National Park.
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The Quest For Tigers
Delving into India’s wilder side, expedition leaders Susi Allison-Lama and Butch Lama give their perspective from the field on where to find and photograph the Royal Bengal tiger
Their deep, rumbling roars echo through the verdant jungles where they hunt. Massive predatory machines that stalk silently and strike ferociously, they sit at the top of the complex food chain as dominant apex predators keeping the ecosystem in balance. For generations, tigers have captured the allure and imagination of people. Like all of the big cats, however, these magnificent predators are facing an uncertain future. With ever-shrinking habitat and the need to venture further afield to find their prey, the pressures on the world’s tiger populations could become too much for the animals to bear.
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Watkins Glen State Park, New York
Surrounded by picturesque wineries and a glacially carved landscape of rolling hills, waterfalls, lakes and gorges, Watkins Glen State Park offers visitors unbelievable natural beauty in a family-friendly environment. Located in western New York State, on the southern tip of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen is a small hamlet of a little more than 2,000 residents.
Columns
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(HD) In A Nutshell
For the D-SLR shooter, there are many factors in shooting HD video
By Neil Matsumoto
The still camera and HD video camcorder worlds slowly are starting to converge. The biggest news in the still-photography industry has been the arrival of HD shooting for D-SLR cameras. Last year, Nikon released the D90—a D-SLR that offers a 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor and the ability to record cinematic-quality movie files at up to 720p HD.
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I’ve Been Downsized
Thinning out your gear makes travel photography a whole lot easier
By Bob Krist
Despite what we read in the headlines, downsizing isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, in terms of travel photography, it may be something to which you should aspire. Airlines are getting stricter with baggage weight limits and per-piece charges. Many adventure-travel destinations require travel on small airplanes, trains, dugout canoes and bicycles, all with stringent luggage allowances.
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Scanning For The Big Print
Keep Scanning That Film • Charge It • Pocket Pro • Comparing Sensors • Volunteer Photographers • Shameless Self-Promotion Department
Keep Scanning That Film
Q When using a film/slide scanner, what resolution (dpi) should I use to produce good-quality prints in the 8x10 to 11x14 range?
M. Thompson
Via the Internet
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Non-technical tips that will make you a better photographer
Sometimes photo tips can get too hung up on the little details—f/stops and shutter speeds and Photoshop tools. It’s easy to forget that there are other important ways to improve your photography.
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Springtime is the right time for macro
After all the interesting snow and ice galleries that have been holding my interest lately, it's nice to see some photography worthy of the warming weather.
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Weird Earth
The Pixcetera galleries at AOL are often filled with interesting subjects and amazing images—and the Exquisite Earth gallery is no exception.
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