Jan 7, 2021 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Daily Image 2021, Fine Art Portfolio, Fine Art Portfolio Posts, Nikon D3x, Wolf Park Wolves
Fine Art Portfolio | Grey Wolf Although I seldom capture images of captive wildlife, this image from Wolf Park was clearly captured as a work of art. B&W wildlife images seldom look appropriate to me. For some reason, this image stands out as the exception. Wolf Park researches wolves for local universities and wildlife conservation groups. Also, they provide wolf education to the general public. The main wolf pack inhabits a very large habitat area which includes woods, grasslands, and a lake. The wolves have been socialized with humans from birth, but they are still considered wild. They are treated very well and cared for during their elderly years. A couple of times a year, the Wolf Park staff teaches wolf photography and allows small groups of photographers to capture images of the wolves inside their enclosure. It’s a rare experience to capture dramatic images of wolves, which is almost impossible in the wild.
The Back Story The experience of capturing these images was truly amazing. It’s an creditable experience, which is totally impossible in the wild. Before going into the enclosure with the wolves, instruction is required on safely interacting with the wolves and general behavior while in the wolf enclosure. The instruction is included in the price of photo classes and photo shoots. After the instruction Wolf Park staff took us into the enclosure to capture images. The wolves were very close to me. Obviously, certain restrictions apply. For more detailed information, see the Photography Page on Wolf Park’s website. The enclosure is so big, our class had to follow the wolves around the lake as they moved from one area to the next. Even though they are accustomed to people and sometimes seem like they are posing for the shot, other times they just wrestle and play, as though we were not there at all. For more images and information on Wolf Park, see Wolf Park Wolves | a 7 Image Story.
Details…
| Event | A Day at Wolf Park |
| Location | Wolf Park |
| Date/Time | 3/10/2012 4:47 pm Local Time |
| Weather | Sunny | 55°F | 14 mph Winds |
| Method | Take a class on wolf behavior & enclosure rules. Go inside enclosure and capture images. |
| Gear | Nikon D3x with 70-200mm lens |
Jan 5, 2021 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Daily Image 2021, Fine Art Portfolio, Fine Art Portfolio Posts, Hyalite Canyon, Nikon D3x
Fine Art Portfolio | Oxbow Bend OxBow Bend is located along the Snake River near Great Tetons NP. It’s one of the most photographed places in the country. In this image, Mt. Moran stands majestic in the background. The crisp, cold morning air and the light spring snow cover along with the calm, no wind quiet of this remote place made me appreciate the scene in front of my lens. Dawn at Oxbow Bend is always an emotional experience. This image reveals the stark contrasts in this mountain wilderness.
The Back Story To capture this image, I arrived at the the Ox Bow Bend turnoff a little before o’dark thirty. A light snow cover greeted me at the turnoff. After setting up my tripod, I waited for the light to change. As I waited several coyote packs could be heard in the distance. Also, black bear, grizzly bear, moose, elk, and wolves call this area home. At o’dark thirty, I was the only person at the turnoff. Finally, as Mt. Moran became reflected in the Snake River and the morning shadows began to change, this composition appeared. For more images and information about Oxbow Bend, see Grand Tetons | a 7 Image Story.
Details…
| Event | Oxbow Bend o’dark thirty photo shoot |
| Location | Oxbow Bend turnoff |
| Date/Time | 5/02/2010 6:35 am Local Time |
| Weather | Fair Skies | 25°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Park at Oxbow Bend turnoff, reposition to get the angle on foot, use tripod. |
| Gear | Nikon D300 with 50mm lens, tripod |
Jan 4, 2021 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Daily Image 2021, Fine Art Portfolio, Fine Art Portfolio Posts, Hyalite Canyon, Nikon D3x
Fine Art Portfolio | Grand Teton Flats The Grand Tetons get many clear mornings. Low lying fog along the Snake River lingers to make a beautiful American image. Teton country provides many contrasts between the flats and the mountains. Tall grass in Teton country adds more contrast for B&W images.
The Back Story After an early morning photo shoot at Oxbow Bend, I was driving around on country roads looking for a nice image possibility. It wasn’t hard; the Grand Tetons provided numerous possibilities. For more images and information about Grand Teton Flats, see Grand Tetons | a 7 Image Story.
Details…
| Event | Grand Teton Flats photo drive |
| Location | Grand Teton county roads |
| Date/Time | 11/06/2010 9:40 am Local Time |
| Weather | Fair Skies | 41°F | CALM Winds |
| Method | Stop along the road and make a simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon D3x with 70-200mm lens |
Jan 3, 2021 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Daily Image 2021, Fine Art Portfolio, Fine Art Portfolio Posts, Hyalite Canyon, Nikon D3x
Fine Art Portfolio | Hyalite Canyon As the stream winds down the mountain, it gets wider and narrower and the flow gets slower or faster. Slow the shutter speed and time smooths the water’s rough edges. This image was captured between wet snow showers. To be honest, it seemed like a rather dreary day to me. Slow down the exposure for the stream to blur and you get a simple, long click. The light coming off the blurred water makes nice contrast.
The Back Story Alarm! Hello, it’s o’dark thirty on the first shoot of my first photo workshop. So, I quickly showered, shaved, and soon found myself carpooling south of town to Hyalite Canyon. As we left Bozeman, it was raining, but as we rose in elevation up Hyalite Canyon, the rain changed to heavy, wet snow mixed with rain and sleet; a fine start to my first workshop shoot. Finally, our caravan stopped along the dark winding mountain road. And, we were off, all thirty of us, trying to envision a decent image. I stuck around the group for a while trying to gain knowledge and insight. Whatever they were seeing; I wasn’t. So, down the bank along the road to the mountain stream, I went. Although there were waterproof boots in the truck, they were not on my feet. Big mistake! After setting up the tripod and moving around a bit to get the angle, my foot stepped onto a non-existent rock into the stream. With wet feet, it was time to make an image. After experimenting with a variable ND filter to get a good shutter speed, I made a few test shots and waited for a bit more light and a bit less precipitation. It took awhile to get a good shot while slipping around on the wet rocks in the stream. For more image and information about Hyalite Canyon, see Snowy Rain | a 7 Image Story and Hyalite Canyon Hike | a 7 Image Story.
Details…
| Event | Hyalite Canyon photo trip as part of a photo workshop |
| Location | Hyalite Canyon stream located about half way up the mountain near the road. |
| Date/Time | 11/08/2010 8:16 am Local Time |
| Weather | Snow/Rain mix | 33°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Stop along road, climb down to stream, position tripod legs in the stream, and wait for good light. |
| Gear | Nikon D3x with 70-200mm lens, variable ND filter, tripod, rain gear, water proof boots |
Dec 9, 2020 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, B&W Shapes, Black & White, Daily Image 2020, Montana, Nikon D3x
B&W Shapes | Western Texture The old west had some pretty rough buildings. Still, horses liked this small open barn instead of the snow outside. For the whole story with all images, see B&W Shapes | a 7 Image Story.
Oct 23, 2020 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Daily Image 2020, Leaves, Nikon D3x, Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color
Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color | Ripe Grapes The grapes look so nice against the vines when they are about ready for harvest. For the whole story with all images, see Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color | a 7 Image Story.
Oct 20, 2020 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Daily Image 2020, Leaves, Nikon D3x, Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color
Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color | Wine on the Vine The grape vines make a kaleidoscope of colors in the fall. For the whole story with all images, see Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color | a 7 Image Story.
Oct 18, 2020 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 1 VR 6.7-13mm f3.5-5.6, 7 Image Stories, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Leaves, Nature, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon D3x, Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color
Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color | a 7 Image Story The Old Mission Peninsula leaves turned into their fall color later than the surrounding inland areas. The lake water surrounding the peninsula on three sides provides an more consistent climate for the peninsula. The lake’s impact to the peninsula’s climate also provides an excellent weather for vineyards to grow world class grapes.
Old Mission Lakeside Path This path winds through the woods next to Grand Traverse Bay for several miles. It’s an easy trail for a very picturesque hike along the bay near the Old Mission Lighthouse. Old Mission Color Sometimes a colorful tree branch gets in the way while hiking down the Old Mission Lakeside Path. Wine on the Vine The grape vines make a kaleidoscope of colors in the fall. Old Mission Red Old Mission Red sounds like a nice red wine. This red tree stands on the grounds of one of the more popular wineries. Old Mission Road The ride between wine tasting stops goes through beautiful wooded and colorful woods. Ripe Grapes The grapes look so nice against the vines when they are about ready for harvest. Old Mission Crib This old crib always stands out against the colorful landscape not matter what the weather is like.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Old Mission Peninsula Fall Color.
Click any image below for a slide show.
