Badlands National Park, South Dakota

September 12, 2020

I just returned home from a two-week scouting trip to Badlands National Park located in South Dakota. I was expecting a vast, dry, canyon area. But it is much, much more than that. Badlands is home to a lot of wildlife. I found that there were some Bison, lots of Bighorn Sheep and Pronghorns. and more Prairie Dogs than you can imagine.

There is a Loop Road that winds around the park and has several different overlooks so that you can view the canyons from above. The loop road takes you past multi-colored rock formations, steep canyons, huge spires, and vast grasslands. The wildlife was very close to the road and scattered throughout the park. Just like in Yellowstone a sighting can have folks pulled over and jumping out of their cars.

There was a soft undertone of sagebrush in the air and it was a delight to our senses each time we got out of the van. On one of our early morning shoots we heard a bunch of hoofs clamoring on the rocks-we turned around to see a small herd of bighorns making their way in and around the steep cliffs. We watched them for hours as they nursed, played and explored the steep cliffs-such fun! While we were there temperatures ranged from 29 degrees (Fahrenheit) to 110 degrees and we actually took a long hike when it was 98 degrees. Since we were in a canyon the shade kept it from feeling hot. There was a slight breeze and I remember saying that I didn’t even know it was in the 90’s.

My friend and I drove 24 hours straight-through in my camper van. It was the second trip with my camper but the first “really big” trip I took. I loved it! The camper has just about everything one needs to make a road trip like this fun.

On our way to the park we passed hundreds of acres of sunflowers and found out that South Dakota is the #1 producer of sunflowers in the US. We were about 2 weeks past prime time for photographing them. But they were amazing to see on both sides of the highway.

During our time in South Dakota we visited Custer State Park as it is home to about 1600 Bison and the park is picturesque. We also stopped at Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument—just because we were so close.

So now for the photography… I found the overlooks to the canyons a real treat, each one different yet somewhat similar. It was like looking at a giant jigsaw puzzle that needed to be put together. That challenged me and I loved the overlooks so much, I could not get enough of them. Also, I liked the perspective that the overlooks offered, it was similar to aerial photography.

The overlooks are only a portion of the photo opportunities. You can also hike throughout the park. We stopped at every turn through the park to get out and explore. We combed through as much of the park that we could during our stay but we left so much on the table. I am anxious to get back and a second trip is in the works.

One night while we were doing some Milky Way photography a ranger came up to us, we thought we were in trouble for being there late or pulling over on the side of the road. He was just checking that we were not boondocking and once we told him that we had a campground booking he was most helpful to us giving us location ideas for star photography, etc...

I brought my Sony gear with me. The lenses I used were the 24-105mm, 16-35mm, 70-200mm and the 200-600mm. I could have left the 70-200mm home as I only used it once and I would have liked a slightly wider lens but it was not absolutely necessary. I brought two camera bodies and a tripod. Good, gripped hiking shoes a must as the loose gravel on the rocks can be an issue.

I left my white balance to “As Shot” for the most of mt images because I wanted the images to reflect what I actually saw. Most of my shots were created at sunrise or sunset or during cloudy weather. As the light changed so did the colors of the rocks. I loved the early morning blue tones and the late light warm tones, and I wanted to embrace those colors.

Overall I think that Badlands NP is a gem and is now on my top 10 places in the US to visit. It was a great recharge for me since I have been home since March. I hope you enjoy my photos and a glimpse of what I saw. There are a pair of Leucistic Prairie Dogs below, photographed just outside the park.

A Badlands workshop will be announced soon.

Wanderlust

August 29, 2020

I’m getting the bug, I feel the need to get out in nature… I am driving west for a short but peaceful adventure. I will be isolated and safe. If I get any images worth sharing, I will. I am so excited, this will be my first time out since Tanzania in March. Even though it is a mini-camping trip —it is an adventure to a place that I have never been. I want to keep the location private for now so that I truly have that alone time in nature that I seek.

Used Gear For Sale

August 25, 2020

ITEMS FOR SALE:

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

E-163B Lens Cap, Rear lens cap, ET-138W II Lens Hood, Lens Case 500B, Drop-In Filter Holder for 52mm Screw-In Filters, Lens straps (never used), LensCoat lens cover (Realtree Max5), Second smaller tripod foot

$6,500 (brand new cost: $9,000 + tax)

Excellent 9+ shows little to no signs of wear.

Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Dan Ion - 516 581-1186 idm1354@yahoo.com (preferred)

Induro GIT304L Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod

Top plate, Induro carry bag, Inner cloth bag, Tool kit, New, unused spikes, New, unused rubber feet

$475 (brand new cost: $660 +tax)

Excellent 9+ shows little to no signs of wear.

Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Dan Ion - 516 581-1186 idm1354@yahoo.com (preferred)

Canon Extender EF 1.4X III

Original box, LensCoat lens cover (Realtree Max5), Front and rear lens caps, Soft pouch

$275 (brand new cost: $429 + tax)

Excellent 9+ shows little to no signs of wear.

Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Dan Ion- 516 581-1186 idm1354@yahoo.com (preferred)

Induro BHD2 Ball Head

Original box, Soft pouch

$145 (brand new cost: $199 +tax)

Excellent 9+ shows little to no signs of wear.

Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Dan Ion- 516 581-1186 idm1354@yahoo.com (preferred)

Nikon TC-14EII AF-S Teleconverter

Compatible with AF-S and AF-I NIKKOR lenses except AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED, 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED, VR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED and DX NIKKOR lenses.

included in the sale: original box, manual, front and rear cap

Asking price: $250

Mint condition

Mary Louise Ravese

(919) 307-9054 MLRavese@BellaVistaPhotography.com

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Body with Canon Battery Grip (BG-E20) and Really Right Stuff L Plate Set (BGE20-L Set)

Also included in the sale: camera strap (unused), battery, battery charger, front cap. Software and manual can be downloaded from the Canon website.

Asking price: $1950 for the complete package. Will consider offers on individual items.

In excellent condition. The camera is regularly checked and cleaned by Canon (Gold CPS member). Photos available on request.

Raj Mundayat

347.267.8623 dishers47@gmail.com

Nikon D5 body

Includes Nikon dual battery charger, EN-EL18 battery and Lexar 64GB 2933x XQD card
$3850
Excellent condition - recent professional sensor cleaning and mechanical inspection.
Dennis Westover
206 605 0404 dwwestover@comcast.net

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark 11
Mint condition, hardly used.
Body only with caps, electronic flash, cable clip, lithium-ion battery and charger, strap and box included.

Barbara Vietzke (email) barbaravietzke25@gmail.com
203 488-4688- asking $850.00

Canon EF 500 mm f/4 USM IS lens version 1 with 1.4x extender
Very good condition - has had a LensCoat on it at all times. Comes with case and RRS plate.
Asking price $3,500.
Steven Berkowitz 610-656-2862 sberk@epix.net

Nikon 200-400mm f/4G IF lens (first version).

Included are the rear lens cap, front lens cover, straps, Wimberly replacement foot, and a custom bag.

Excellent condition. One small scratch on the lens hood.

Asking $2400 for all.

Lori Franzen 734-761-3762
lhfranzen@comcast.net

Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens USA
Excellent condition.
Includes: lens hood, front and back lens caps, tripod collar, case and original box.
Asking Price: $799
Contact: Dave Eckmann 651-315-1838 e-mail

Canon EF 600 mm f/4 IS II USM
Sale includes: Hard case, lens hood, front and rear lens caps, Really Right Stuff LCF 53 Lens Foot, Canon PL-C 52WII 52 mm drop-in circular polarizing filter (new), Canon 52 mm drop-in filter holder with a B+W 52 mm 0.9 MRC nano ND filter (new), and Think Tank Hydrophobia Rain Cover 300-600 V2 (black) with eyepiece for Canon 5D MK IV
Asking Price: $9,600.00
Excellent Condition – used less than 5 times in the field
Jason Weingart- 330-327-3231 e-mail(preferred)
Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Canon EF 85 mm f1.2L II USM
Sale includes: Front and rear lens caps, lens hood, Canon soft case, original box
Asking Price: $1400.00
Mint condition – used once
Jason Weingart- 330-327-3231
e-mail(preferred)
Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Canon 16-35 mm f2.8L III USM
Sale includes: Front and rear lens caps, lens hood, Canon soft case, original box
Asking Price: $1400.00
Excellent Condition
Jason Weingart- 330-327-3231
e-mail(preferred)
Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Canon EF 70-200 mm f/4 L IS USM
Sale includes: Front and rear lens caps, lens hood, original box
Asking Price: $750.00
Excellent Condition
Jason Weingart- 330-327-3231
e-mail(preferred)
Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Canon EF 100 mm f2.8L MACRO IS
Sale includes: Front and rear lens caps, lens hood, original box
Asking Price: $650.00
Excellent Condition
Jason Weingart- 330-327-3231
e-mail(preferred)
Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera Body
Sale includes: Really Right Stuff L-bracket, original box, camera strap, battery, battery charger, Front cap
Asking Price: $925.00
Excellent Condition - low shutter count
Jason Weingart- 330-327-3231
e-mail(preferred)
Insured shipping via Fed-Ex or UPS ground in the continental US included after check clears

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto lens. USA.
Includes original box, front and rear lens caps, Lens Case LZ1324 and Lens Hood ET-83C, Tripod Mount Ring B (W).
Asking price: $899.
Excellent condition. Lens has always been protected by a UV filter. Maintained regularly at Canon service facility. Very clean and sharp.
Insured shipping within continental U.S. included after check clears.
Joanne Collins
503-364-8995
e-mail

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens
Excellent- mint condition
Comes with LensCoat cover, hood, original case
Asking price $5800.00
Contact: Denise Ippolito
The sale includes insured shipping via either USPS or Fed-Ex Ground in the Continental US.
The lens will not ship until your check clears.
All sales are final.

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens Mint-condition
Comes with the hard case, both caps, lens hood, and the black lens hood
cover -- plus the Lenscoat cover (~$99 value) that has been on the lens
since we got it.
Mint-condition. The lens hood does have a piece of tape on the inside, it keeps the lens hood from sliding, does not affect functionality. Contact me for more info if interested.
$3000 includes ground shipping within continental US
Tom Cuchara
203-305-1732
e-mail

Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-150mm f4.0-5.6 II
Items included - Original box, front & rear caps.
Asking 310.00
Condition is excellent - never used
Contact: Diana Rao
813-960-0603

Tamron SP 70-300 F/4-5.6 Di VC USD
Items included - original box, front & rear caps
Asking 150.00
Contact: Diana Rao
813-960-0603

Canon EOS 7D Mark ii DSLR Camera Body with Canon Battery Grip BG-E16
Includes camera strap, body cap, battery, battery charger, all software disks & manuals
Price $950
Excellent condition, not used since Canon performed clean and check on it. 21k shutter count
and
Canon EOS 7D Mark ii DSLR Camera Body with Kirk BL-7DII L Bracket
Includes camera strap, body cap, battery, battery charger, all software disks & manuals
Price $925
Excellent condition, not used since Canon performed clean and check on it. 9k shutter count
Ron Horn
907-303-0337
e-mail

Tamron A011 150-600mm f/5-6.3 for Nikon
Front and rear caps, original box and LensCoat type covering (camo)
Small white mark on the hood, lens and glass in excellent condition.
Asking $650 Payment by check, PayPal or Chase QuickPay
Lens will ship when check clears or EFT is confirmed
Contact: Robert Kaplan
e-mail
516-456-3667

Nikon D3s Camera Package
All Items offered for sale as a "Package Deal only, no items will be sold separately."
1) Nikon D3s Camera - with original D3s Box. Camera is in excellent
condition with a total shutter count of less than 33,500.
2) Really Right Stuff L Bracket designed strictly for this camera.
(This bracket sells for $190.00 on the RRS website.)
3) Nikon Original Dual Battery Charger, capable of charging two
batteries simultaneously.
4) Single Battery Charger - for use when travelling
5) Two (2) Nikon D3s Batteries and One (1) Sony D3s Battery.
6) Original unused D3s Camera strap
7) Five Compact Flash Memory cards; three (3) 32 gigabyte and (2) 16
gigabyte capacity.
8) David Busch's Book for the Nikon D3s/D3x cameras
Price: Asking $1600.00 for the complete package.
Photos of all items are available for viewing by interested parties.
Haig Hachadoorian
Home Tel: 516-829-8391
Cell Phone: 516-850-9000
e-mail

Nikon D600 Body only
Sell $750.00
In the original box with front cap,battery charger,extra battery ,Nikon strap,manual.USN+B cable
Excellent. Nikon recalled the camera to fix the color cast problem.
e-mail

Nikon D300 Body only
Sell $240.00 In the original box with front cap,nikon strap,battery charger,extra batteries,manual.
Fair condition.
e-mail
Will furnish photos if requested.

Canon 7D Mark II
Sale includes: Front cap, strap and all booklets, Original box, battery and charger
Price: $925 excellent condition (lightly used) - low shutter count
Insured shipping after your check clears
Contact: Andrae Acerra
e-mail

Canon EOS 7D Mark II DSLR Camera USA
Like New Condition. Low shutter count. Original box, one battery, charger, body cap, cables, strap, manuals.
Asking price: $975.00
Contact: Pat Finelli
e-mail
The sale includes insured shipping via either USPS or Fed Ex Ground in the Continental US
The camera will not ship until your check clears.

Tamron SP AF 180mm F/3.5 Di LD(IF) MACRO 1:1 (for Canon AF). 72mm filter, bayonet type
Like New Condition. Original box, front and rear caps, hood, case, strap, tripod collar
Asking price: $499
Contact: Pat Finelli
e-mail
The sale includes insured shipping via either USPS or Fed Ex Ground in the Continental US
The lens will not ship until your check clears.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR Camera USA
Very good condition. Original box, 1 battery, charger, body cap, camera strap, cables, manual
Asking price: $1450
Contact: Pat Finelli
e-mail
The sale includes insured shipping via either USPS or Fed Ex Ground in the Continental US
The camera will not ship until your check clears.

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens USA
Very good condition. Original box, case, rear cap, front 77mm cap, tripod collar, lens hood ET-83C
Asking price: $899
Contact: Pat Finelli
e-mail
The sale includes insured shipping via either USPS or Fed Ex Ground in the Continental US
The camera will not ship until your check clears.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Sale includes: manual, camera strap, one battery and charger
Condition: good condition
Asking: $1199.00
My phuong Nguyen
301-379-8562
e-mail

Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens
Sale Includes: case, rear cap, front 77mm cap, tripod collar, lens hood ET-83C
original box(not in the greatest condition)
Asking $800.00
Condition is good/excellent. Some very minor signs of use, but very clean
Contact: Glenn Wagner-732-814-7505
e-mail

Canon 7D DSLR camera
front cap
cable
battery and charger
Asking: $500 Canadian dollars
shutter count 66 441
great condition
Ilana Block
514-234-6366
e-mail

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM
Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Front & Rear Caps, Lens Hood, TS-31 Tripod Collar
Case, Strap
like new, excellent condition
asking: $750 Canadian Dollars
Ilana Block
514-234-6366
e-mail

GoPro Hero4 Black
Never used, brand new condition
Included with the GoPro are the following:
Wasabi Power USB LCH-DC-Head, 2 Extra Batteries, SanDisk Extreme Plus 64GB micro SD, Tripod Mounts
Two new condition paperback books:
"My GoPro Hero Camera" by Jason Rich
GoPro Cameras for Dummies in full color by John Carucci
I would like $375
Jean Farnum
603-772-3212 - please leave message
e-mail

Now Available!! The Softer Side of Macro ~ Version II

August 22, 2020

I am thrilled to announce that my newest eBook “The Softer Side of Macro ~ Version II” is now available in my store. Extra special thanks to Lori Ellis for proofreading the book for me so that I could get it listed. I also wanted to thank everyone for their recent comments on a couple of my compositional posts. I have included a few of those comment in my book, I wish I could have included them all!

About the new book:

All flowers have a natural flow to them; learning to see that natural flow and capturing their unique lines helps to bring their individual beauty to life. Before I begin photographing, I spend time observing my subjects, looking for that “special something” that can help to set my images apart. When I photograph flowers, my intent is to present a softer look, using a more artistic approach. This does not necessarily mean I am trying to create images that are not sharp. It simply implies a more delicate, romantic feel, rather than end to end sharpness and grain. This is my fourth book dedicated to flowers and serves as a revision of my extremely popular “Softer Side of Macro” book, filled with lot of new images and thoughts.

Table of contents

Introduction

Filling the Frame

Interaction

Including Some of the Background

High Key

Getting in Really Close

Composition & Orientation

Adding Softness in Photoshop

Transforming Flower

Multiple Exposures

Photoshop Tips

Reflectors & Diffusers

Final Thoughts and My Flower Photo Gear

Over 100 pages and 8500 words, this PDF file is available only through A Creative Adventure HERE. $24.99

Coming Soon!! The Softer Side of Macro ~ Version II

August 20, 2020

I am just about finished writing my newest eBook “The Softer Side of Macro ~ Version II”. This book celebrates my continued love for flowers and how I like to present them in a softer more delicate way. I have lots of new images and ideas that I share as well as some Photoshop tips. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as my best seller “Bloomin” Ideas”.

This will be available soon and will be priced at $24.99.