Vic's Blog

One of the things I love about being a landscape and animal photographer is giving advice to would-be nature photographers.

Talking about composing shots while you’re literally in the trenches… and about being prepared for every outdoors image, all of that ‘shop talk’ is hugely rewarding. That’s why I hold regular nature photographic workshops and try to make myself available to up and coming shooters who have questions.

And do they ever! Many photographers contact me and ask if I’d  review their portfolios and give them some honest feedback.  I’m happy to do this and I encourage people to give me a call.

Be forewarned, though!  

I only like looking at the portfolios of those who take their nature photography to heart. I will give feedback as one serious photographer speaking candidly to another. Your results don’t have to be perfect yet – otherwise why would you be asking me for input – but your seriousness needs to show!

This is a wonderful community of nature photographers, those who take capturing life outdoors — in all its complexity and unrehearsed charm and grandeur – seriously.

If you’re a serious nature photographer and you’d like to send me your portfolio for a critique, expect to get real criticism, not just some watered-down words of encouragement.  My teachers were great because they were honest and sometimes ruthless with me.  That‘s how I progressed—by having someone point out what was lacking in my work.

And this is how I think it’s best to help other photographers.  I won’t be mean, but I will be honest, as I would hope that you would be if you were in my shoes.

Hey, and if you’re having trouble getting your portfolio together, or if you want some pointers when you’re starting out, be sure to check out my nature photographic workshops.   Click here for more info.

Buying a new camera can be difficult! 

There are so many brands, so many models and so many features.  How do you know which is right for YOU?  How can you know if you’ll need 8 megapixels or 12 megapixels?  Should you get an SLR or a point-and-shoot?  Should you spend $150 or $1500?

Well, the first question to ask yourself is: What kind of pictures will I be taking?  (Are you the kind of person who forgets to bring the camera to family events…or do you bring the camera and the tripod?)

Serious Photographers Should Buy A Digital SLR!

If you take special pride in your photographs, then you should consider buying a digital SLR camera.  These cameras are more expensive (starting at about $600) but have a variety of features that put them a cut above– longer battery life, instant start-up, more manual controls, a larger image sensor, and continuous shooting.  If you’re a serious outdoor photographer and you want to take stellar photographs, a digital SLR is what you’ll need.

The Canon EOS 50D 

I find that most outdoor photographers will find everything they need in the Canon EOS 50D.  For wildlife and scenery photography, this is a great choice—it has many of the features of a professional model without the extra cost. 

The 50D is great for wildlife photography because of its fast continuous-shooting mode.  This camera can shoot 6.3 shots per second, which is perfect for when you’re shooting a fast moving animal.  With 6.3 shots per second you know you won’t miss the best shot.

The other feature of the 50D is its flexible ISO settings.  The Canon 50D can shot at ISO 6400 and 12800… which is invaluable to anyone shooting in early morning or dawn/dusk light.  Early morning is the best time to capture wild animals, and with the 50D you’ll never miss the shot. 

The 50D has the kind of tools that take the camera out of the equation…so you can concentrate on what’s really important!

Just wanted everyone to know that the bald eagle image on the home page of my website was published today in the Explore section of the Fort Collins, Coloradoan newspaper. Included with the picture is an article with helpful hints on how to photograph eagles for people curious about taking images of these magnificent raptors. As a Colorado photographer, I have been capturing pictures of these birds for several years and would enjoy sharing my expreriences with other’s who into nature photography. In the last two days I have taken almost three hundred photos of eagles feeding on a Canada goose and a pair perched in an old cottonwood tree in the early morning. I hope to get a couple of these on the website in the next few weeks.

I was taking pictures of Common Mergansers today when it was 9 degrees out.

Then in the Big Thompson Canyon it was a touch warmer, twelve degrees, when I shot a stand of Ponderosa Pines in the snow.