Utah

February 9, 2022

I just flew into Utah and have been scouting a few locations for future workshops. One of the most appealing things about Utah is the wide-open spaces and the many national parks, land management areas and such. Exploring seems like an endless journey and I treasure every moment that I have had so far.

I brought my Sony gear with me. My A1 is my main camera body and my 24-105mm lens has been my go-to lens but I also have my 70-200mm and my 16-35mm lenses with me. My tripod has been a chore as always to drag along but I have my MeFoto lightweight carbon travel tripod with me, so it hasn’t been that bad.
My friend Michael is with me, and I am glad because he enjoys driving and I do not! We are covering a lot of ground on this scouting trip and coffee has been a top priority.

For most of my scouting trips, I bring my single cup drip coffee maker or my small coffee press and water heater that plugs into the lighter, depending on if I have time to make it in the room or I have to prepare it on the road. I also bring my own blend of organic coffee to make me feel more at home while on the road. Doing this keeps me from wasting time looking for a good cup of coffee in the morning.

Since the weather would be cold, or at least we needed to be prepared for the cold I brought plenty of layers so that I could peel them off as the day warmed up. I also brought waterproof boots, pants, and jacket just in case. Hand warmers, gloves and an assortment of hats made it into my overstuffed suitcase. No matter where I go I tend to over pack, why is that...

Donna Bourdon is getting ready to lead her sold out Alaska Eagles in Winter trip. I know she’s anxious to get back there. Donna did such a great job co-leading my Charleston and Greece trips; I continue to get rave reviews about her. We’re talking reservations for her Greece Dalmatian pelican trip in 2023, Alaska Eagles in Winter 2023 and Charleston 2023 if anyone is interested shoot me an email.

I have two remaining spots for my Patagonia trip in May of 2022. I hired one of the best puma trackers in the area and we will be photographing some of the beautiful landscapes as well. My last trip to Patagonia was epic. I had many opportunities to photograph seven-week-old puma cubs and chances are good for another banner trip.

Paul and I have one spot open for our Japan in Winter tour after adding a second trip for 2023. We also have two spots open for our Kenya/Amboseli trip which has an optional add-on to a world class hide which allows for low angle and night photography if you are interested let me know.

The image above is an arch near Factory Butte with the butte in the window of the arch. I added the moon with glow as I felt the scene needed something in the right top.

Patagonia ~ May 18-25, 2022

February 3, 2022

Spots available for this once in a lifetime adventure!

Join me and my world class guides in Patagonia for a week long expedition to photograph the elusive and beautiful Puma that roam free and wild in and around Torres del Paine NP. We will stay at an upscale lodge with every amenity available at our finger tips. Work hard, play harder! This is a one of a kind destination workshop with our focus on Puma. We will spend some time during the early mornings and evenings to photograph the majestic landscapes that are Patagonia.

Participants will fly to the airport in Santiago, Chile (SCL) and take a connecting flight to Punta Arenas (PUQ). We will then be picked up by our hotel- these transfers are included. Once we reach our hotel we will check in and everything will be included, all meals, open bar, bilingual guides, transfers to and from the park, horseback riding if you want- or simply just photographing the horses. Anyone wishing to bring a spouse may, the price would be the same as there will be other excursions and treks available if they do not want to join the group. We will photograph early mornings and when the Puma are around— also in the evening. Free time can be enjoyed relaxing at the award winning hotel and taking advantage of some of the hotel’s amenities, downloading and reviewing images or simply enjoying the grand view from our hotel.

Accommodations: Explora Patagonia~Hotel Salto Chico

For more about this trip CLICK HERE.

Client's Yellowstone Images

January 31, 2022

I wanted to share a few of my client’s images from our recent Yellowstone trip. They each sent in a few images and I tried to pick out a variety that I felt showcased our trip. Overall each and every one of them did a wonderful job with their photos and we all got along nicely. It was another great group, I am blessed.

Waiting for the Storm

January 29, 2022

I’m in New jersey with a winter storm approaching. The winds are expected to peak at 70 miles per hour and the worst is expected between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. today. I am fully stocked with water and food. I can hear the winds already starting and there is at least 8 inches of snow accumulation from last night and visibility is extremely limited due to the wind gusts and snow.

From CNN- The nor'easter churning along the East Coast on Saturday is threatening a dangerous mix of heavy snow and fierce winds for millions of Americans -- and could develop into a historic storm for parts of eastern New England, according to forecasters.

Hearing weather reports and having everyone call me over and over again making sure that I have everything in place for the storm has stirred some concerns. I worry about the trees in my yard coming down on my house, I worry about losing power (internet connection) and heat for a long period of time. I worry that my roof will not hold up to the worst of the storm… Nor’easters are common along the coast of NJ and I have lived here long enough to have the utmost respect for them.

I am hunkered down and awaiting the worst but in the meantime I am getting ready to go out and see the power of nature in my own backyard while I shovel and sweep the snow from my porches and trees.

To all my east coast friends-be safe and I will be thinking of you…

hugs, denise

In-camera Pan Blur of a stand of Lodgepole Pines covered in snow.

Yellowstone Part II

January 23, 2022

After leaving Yellowstone, I haven’t had a lot of time to sort through my images. I had to leave one trip and go straight to another. I’m on the plane writing this blog post while heading home for three days before leaving for my Greece photo tour. I have lots to do, since I, and many of my clients have had flight changes, Covid testing issues, etc.…

While home I’ll see my family, unpack, wash laundry, pack another suitcase, update spreadsheets, get my mail, go to bank, send out bills, and answer emails. AND sleep in my own bed.

I probably won’t have time to sit and look through photos, so I’m doing it now. I picked these images as my second round because they are the ones that mean something to me, and I don’t want them to get forgotten in what I refer to as hard drive heaven.

To create the in-camera pan blur of the stand of Lodgepole Pines shown above I handheld my camera; my shutter speed was 1/6 second and I was shooting in manual mode. I moved my camera at different speeds in an upward movement. Hoping to leave a bit of detail in the background trees. I wish Sony had multiple exposure capabilities so that I could have captured an in- camera multiple exposure but they don’t and so I worked on a pan blur instead. I’m glad I did, I like this one very much. The soft color palette appealed to me too.

This close up shot of a bison was taken at first light was captured while on my belly rolling in the snow to try to get a low angle for this very beautiful bison that stepped away from the herd. I loved seeing all the snow on him and the dark background looked nice.

The walking bison with the blue strip of water at the top of the frame looked incredible with all the caked-on snow. The composition took some getting used to…

This high key tree shot became art once I overexposed the background on purpose and increased the green tones. After all, photography is much more than just trying to get the correct exposure in-camera. This look appeals to me very much.

Our early morning sunrise shot at the thermals was beyond what I could have hoped for as far as color and layers. I decided to capture a vertical to take advantage of the sky, yet keep a tight frame on the thermal area.

My favorite bison was one that was laying in the snow, covered with frost and ice. He looked so cold. My RAW file shows a totally blue scene as this was captured before first light. I tried over and over again to commit to the blue cast but in the end I have chosen to share this scenic view (below) taken a little later that morning instead. I am still working on the blue bison. I left some of the color cast in my scenic shot and loved the way he looked like a small part of a winter scene.

I loved this stand of tree bones that stood at the top of a hill and couldn’t help but think they reminded me of that saying - “the dead of winter.”

All of my Yellowstone images in both of my posts were captured with my Sony A1. I used a variety of Sony lenses: 200-600mm, 70-200mm, 24-105mm and my 16-35mm. I used manual mode for all, evaluative metering, natural light. Almost all were handheld.

I’ll be returning to Yellowstone in 2024. I have a sold-out trip but plan to offer another one. Should Yellowstone in winter be on your bucket list— absolutely! It is an amazing experience and to think it is one of our most treasured National Parks. Yes, a return to Yellowstone… I can hardly wait.