Image copyright Denise Ippolito, South Georgia.

South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsula Trips

July 19, 2025

I am happy to announce that I will be collaborating with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris on an upcoming expedition to South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsula in 2027. I have traveled with Cheesemans' twice in the past. I have circumnavigated South Georgia and spent loads of time exploring the Falklands Islands and the species that inhabit it.

For most, this will be a trip of a lifetime and it’s important that you go with the right outfitter and Cheeseman’s is it. They offer top notch leaders such as Scott Davis and Huge Rose. Scott is now the co-owner and co-CEO of Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris. Ted Cheeseman put me in touch with Scott and Krista with his blessing. For those of you that have travelled with Ted and his parents in the past you know how high their standards are. Scott is also an expert wildlife, nature, and travel photographer. He trained as a wildlife and marine biologist and has explored all seven continents for both research and photography. His work has been published in National Geographic, BBC, Animal Planet, NY Times, and more. So let’s talk about Huge Rose. For those of you that don’t know Huge, he has over 20 years of professional guiding experience under his belt. He is extremely knowledgeable and I have had the great pleasure of joining him on two of his South Georgia trips— and he truly is as good as it gets!

SOUTH GEORGIA AND ANTARCTIC PENINSULA OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 14, 2025

Set sail in October 2025 with Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris for an exceptional voyage limited to 100 passengers, venturing to the rugged beauty of South Georgia and the early season wonders of the Antarctic Peninsula. With over twenty-five years of Antarctic experience, we provide a deep dive into some of the planet’s most concentrated wildlife spectacles. October's unique timing means you'll witness the seasonal dynamism as South Georgia bursts into life and the Antarctic ice begins to retreat. Our small group size guarantees intimate wildlife encounters, making every landing and Zodiac cruise a personal experience with nature's most awe-inspiring scenes.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS 23-DAY TRIP

Spend an anticipated twelve full days on South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula with maximum shore time and Zodiac cruising.

See five penguin species (possibly 6)! Plus, many species of whales, seals, albatross, and seabirds.·Hear the cacophony of king penguins as you walk near colonies of up to 300,000 birds.
See gentoo, macaroni, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins as they start their breeding cycles.
Marvel at dramatic snow-capped mountains descending into valleys and glacier-fed rivers emptying into the ocean.
Watch southern elephant seal bulls defend their territories from competing bulls and females nursing pups during their peak breeding season.
See endangered gray-headed albatross on nests, only possible this time of year.
Hike or snowshoe on South Georgia Island. Take shorter walks in the Antarctic Peninsula.
With only 100 participants, everyone can land and/or Zodiac cruise at once, rather than in separate groups.
Our 15 leaders are polar specialists, photographers, and naturalists who will provide numerous lectures, workshops, and guided excursions. (In 2027, I will be one of those leaders, offering Photoshop, Lightroom, photography tips and more).

FOR MORE INFO ON THE 2025 TRIP, CHECK OUT THE LINK BELOW or contact me, I’d be happy to help you decide if this trip is a good fit.

CHEESEMANS’ South Georgia/Antarctic Peninsula Trip 2025

I understand that this is very last minute for a trip of this magnitude, but Cheeseman’s are offering a last-minute discount for anyone that can make it in 2025.

*Otherwise, wait until 2027, and join me. I will be offering plenty of perks to those joining my group. Photoshop techniques, Lightroom tips, Image review, photography instruction, gear suggestions for each landing as well as for the entire trip, and more! A very small sampling of my images below.

South Georgia &

Antarctic Peninsula 2027

Join me on this expedition to one of the world’s greatest wildlife destinations.

If you would like to be on the interested list for the Cheesemans’ South Georgia Island and the Antarctic Peninsula Oct/Nov, 2027 trip with me, please submit the contact form below or shoot me an email. I’ll be sure to get you in our group.

Photographing Birds by the Shore

July 18, 2025

During one of my workshops at Nickerson Beach in NY, I told the story of how I first started photographing birds and how they became my main focus. The truth was that eagles and bears were at the very top of my list when I first started out. Living in NJ meant that unless I traveled, I would not be photographing too often. I looked for subjects that excited me. Since I lived on the coast, there were plenty of shorebirds; I decided they would be the main focus of my photography.

I paid my dues at Sandy Hook in New Jersey where we (my good friend and shooting partner for over 20 years and I) would walk out each morning, about 1/3 mile to the beach. We made our way through thousands of biting mosquitoes; we fondly referred to it as the "death march". Every single inch of your body needed to be covered, including your hands and face. Years ago, the beach area was not roped off (only the dunes were) and visitors could walk out to this small cove in the pre-dawn and get on sun angle and wait for the small shorebirds to feed by the surf's edge at sunrise. It was great shooting with the right conditions, and we did this for years building our portfolios and knowledge. Towards the end of the season, as the nights got cooler, so did the water temperatures. We would lay belly down in the cold water hoping to photograph the juvenile and southbound migrant birds. It was so much fun learning all the different ID's and behavior. Not to mention trying to age them... I bought a ton of shorebird ID books and went online trying to learn as much as possible about these tiny little creatures that I came to love.

Soon I found out about Nickerson Beach in Long Island, NY. I talked my friend into going; it is about a 200-mile round trip from my house. Factor into that, the bridge tolls and gas; we fondly referred to our daily treks to Nickerson as our expensive non-paying jobs :). If we got on the road by 3:15am we could make it in time for sunrise. We would shoot all morning and leave the beach just as the light would get harsh to make it home by noon. Sometimes, our trips were in vain and neither one of us would take a single picture. That never stopped us from making the long drive over and over again, we were hooked. Most mornings we never saw a single soul except for an occasional beach walker or beach cleaner.

It was there at the beach that I would put my passion for art and nature to the test. Since I had already learned most of the ID's and the bird's behaviors, I started to spread my photography wings. I worked hard to create images that evoked the feelings that I was looking for but felt were missing in many of the bird photos I had viewed on the web. I saw shot after shot of bird portraits, most of which concentrated on getting the bird tight in the frame with the perfect head angle-but that was it. There would be no connection for me. I wanted more. I wanted my images to have more feeling. I wanted to see the preening poses and intimate moments that you can really only see when looking through a big lens. I loved being on the beach in the early morning; there is something magical about watching the birds stir and take flight as the sun hits the horizon.

I remember several years ago I was counselled by a Marketing Agent in exchange for some Photoshop and image review sessions. I thought that it would be a great way for me to learn more about how to market myself. His advice to me was that I should give up bird photography and concentrate only on my creative photography. He said that I was diluting my "brand". First of all, I didn't know I had a "brand" and second of all I would never give up something that gave me so much pleasure. Watching birds preen, fly and interact with each other has always been a great thrill for me. I also can't think of anything more peaceful to do with my time. In addition to that, I love the thrill of flight photography. I decided to ignore his suggestions and continue with my own thoughts on the matter. If I love, it, there is a great chance that someone else will love it too. Do what you love, the rest will follow... And so it began, I would combine my love for nature and art. Blending them together as one genre of photography & loving every minute of it.

Below is a gallery of images from those days at the beach…

Ingredients:

Long telephoto lens-mostly 500-800mm
Tripod or skimmer pod (I used to use a hard frisbee that I drilled a hole on the side to put a carabiner through so it could attach to my belt).
Teleconverters
Blower
Clean, angled paint brush, to clear sand off the lens and camera
Water shoes so that you can go near or into the water
Backpack to put all your paraphernalia in as you comb the beach
Patience and passion

Recipe:

Get up extra early to arrive at your location well before sunrise. Make sure you have your gear set-up in the parking lot before going out. Check your camera settings so that you are somewhat prepared before walking out. Get low, as you’ll want to have a lower angle to assist with better backgrounds and a more intimate view of your subject/subjects. Using a slow shutter speed can be a great option when the light is low, also silhouettes are another good option when shooting in low light.

Once the sun comes out try some backlighting for a more interesting shot. Also, flight photography is a good option once the light is bright enough to use a fast shutter speed. Try your best to keep one hand (preferably your right) free of sand at all times or the sand will end up everywhere. Mix this all together with a smile and you should be in store for a great experience.

Combination of a diffuser and a reflector to control the natural light.

Reflectors and Diffusers for Flowers

July 16, 2025

The difference between a good or bad image often depends on the lighting. Poor lighting or insufficient lighting can affect the overall appeal of the final image. There are many techniques that are used by photographers to utilize the ambient light to their advantage; One of the most versatile, inexpensive and convenient ways is with the use of light reflectors and diffusers. From now on, I will refer to both as simply reflectors.

Reflectors do exactly what they say they do, they reflect light and are used to control and manipulate the light source. The most obvious place to try out a reflector is outside but they are also used for indoor shooting. One way that I like to use reflectors is when the available light is from the side. This helps to add light to shadowed areas or to even out the available lighting. Available light or ambient light usually refers to any natural light source. Another use for reflectors would be to diffuse or soften harsh light. I also use the reflectors to shade flowers when the light is too harsh. I prefer to photograph my flowers with natural light and using a reflectors is a great way to harness or control the sunlight.

I am always set up on a tripod when using a reflector and I use my camera’s timer or a remote. You can purchase things to hold the reflectors in place but I prefer to hand hold them so that I can move them around freely.

Make sure that when you are positioning your reflector that it is actually reflecting the light where you want it. It is important to experiment with the positioning until you get the desired lighting; sometimes this is best seen when looking through your camera—especially if the difference is subtle. When using a diffuser to soften the light-it needs to be positioned between your subject and your light source. Your goal is to have nice controlled lighting on your subject, preferably without harsh shadows.

Don't get caught with the wrong reflector. An oversized reflector in a crowded area is a recipe for disaster. You will end up hitting someone or something. I use small 12” inch reflectors that fit in my pocket when not in use. They work perfectly for close-up flower photography in tight spaces or public gardens.

I also like the reflector kits that have five reflectors inside. These kits usually contain an assortment of the most popular collapsible reflectors such as: gold, sunlight, silver, white, and translucent. These larger reflectors are great when photographing fields of flowers, open spaces or studio work at home. Below are some explanations to the different types of reflectors in these kits.

I use the ProMaster 32" Collapsible Reflector - 5 in 1 Plus (shown below). I use the ProMaster 12” smaller reflectors also.

White Opaque - Produces an even, neutral-colored reflected light that works as a fill light. Can be used both indoors and outdoors.

Silver - Silver increases the highlights with a bright and whiter reflection which creates a higher contrast look. I like to use this for cooler toned flowers.

Gold – Works the same as the silver filter but with a warming tone that is more subtle. Recommended use is outdoors with very early or late sunlight.

White Translucent aka a diffuser- Softens harsh light sources. I like to use a combo of a soft diffuser and a reflector at the same time, holding the diffuser between my subject and the light source-then using a reflector to reflect light where I want it (usually in the center of the flower).

Black – Does the opposite of reflect, it absorbs light. Black can also be used to shade flowers when the light is too harsh.

Follow me on Facebook for more content.

It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

July 14, 2025

It's All Over Now, Baby Blue, Bob Dylan - 1965

Though I was too young to really appreciate Bob Dylan and the times that he reflects in his songwriting. I have grown a deep appreciation for his song writing skills since the release of the movie titled "A Complete Unknown," starring Timothée Chalamet, who actually sang for the film. He even learned how to play guitar and harmonica, just for the role. I felt his performance was outstanding, especially given the acting, singing, and instrumentals.

But again, I never really was into the music or life of Bob Dylan. It is only since the film, that I can not get his music and lyrics out of my head. Dylan earned a Nobel Prize in Literature for his songwriting (I never knew that either). Digging into some of his hits and obscure songs, I felt a big connection to many of his songs. Many of his songs are more about the way he sings the lyrics, than just the lyrics—but it is kind-of haunting, the way his voice goes up and down to add punctuation.

I liked this version of him singing live, I feel live performances always show the true artist better. It’s raw and unpolished… Bob Dylan - It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (Live at the Newport Folk Festival, 1965). In the movie it is clear, that Dylan is a true artist not willing to compromise his music for anyone—not even for the people he was most fond of. I think as artists in any field, we can relate to that. His album following that concert has been described as one of Dylan's best works…good for you Bob Dylan.

I think the take-away here for me, is that you need to believe in yourself and your art and push forward against the naysayers. The same is true with photography or any form of art. Maybe that is why the movie touched me so deeply.

PS- I watched the movie 3x

Lyrics-

Well, you must leave now, take what you need, you think will last
Buy whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out, the saints are comin' through
And it's all over now, baby blue

What a highway is for gamblers, better use your sense
Take what you have gathered from coincidence
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
This sky too is folding over you
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue

All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home
All your reindeer armies are all going home
The lover who has just walked out your door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor
The carpet too is moving under you
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue

Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you
Forget the dead you left, they will not follow you
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore
Strike another match, go start anew
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue

Two of my other favorites- Girl from the North Country and It Ain't Me Babe

Grimsey Island, Iceland -Trip Report

July 11, 2025

I am heading home from Grimsey Island off the north coast of Iceland. It is a very popular breeding spot for Atlantic puffin and other seabirds. I mainly chose to start doing workshops on Grimsey because:

I absolutely love puffins and the UK (Farne Islands, where I used to run puffin workshops) kind of fizzled out in terms of photography after Covid and then being hit hard with avian flu. The boats changed their landing times and the shortened time on the islands didn't work for me.

The light on Grimsey can be amazing in the evenings, not to mention the midnight sun and all the opportunities it brings.

The island offers several different areas to photograph at. There is a large pond that is generally filled with terns, ducks and shorebirds, there is a beach area that has lots of Oystercatchers on rocks, phalaropes, godwit, plovers and such, there are basalt columns that add an interesting element to your photos, a lighthouse with Northern fulmar nesting near the cliffs, the harbor area is a great place to photograph Black guillemot, Arctic terns, Common eiders and more. Not to mention the thousands of puffins, razorbills and guillemot on the cliffs.

You can walk freely about. There are no restricted paths or time limits to hinder photography. But, you must always be respectful of the wildlife and be careful not to stand in front of -or trample any burrows. Also, if you are photographing in one spot near where the puffins burrow it is a good idea to rotate your position frequently in case you are inadvertently too close to a burrow. Tiny tern chicks can line the roads, so drive slowly and carefully.

Grimsey is a close knit community with a small grocery store (really small), gift shop, food truck( they sell cod dogs), bar/ restaurant where you will find that the fish of the day is always a good choice. Donna and I really like the owners and their staff, they have made us feel most welcomed. Our host is also a gem, we love her!

When everyone else is fighting hot summer heat, Grimsey is pretty cool at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit on average.

Overall Grimsey has won my vote for one of the best places to photograph puffins.

On this trip Donna Bourdon was co-leading but moving forward Donna and I will rotate years. Next year my trip is “sold out” but we just listed Donna’s 2027 trip if you are interested in joining her.

We had pretty good weather during our trip. The locals were sun bathing because it had been overcast with rain for weeks before we arrived. With light all day and night it’s hard to decide when to shoot and when to rest. I know that you’re thinking poor us! There were lots of whales just off the coast, they were fun to listen to and watch.

Overall we had a fantastic trip. It always makes me feel good when everyone leaves the workshop with great memories and photos to share.

These are a few of my favorites from the trip. CLICK ONTHE PHOTO TO SEE THE LARGER IMAGE