Bruce Peninsula Wildflower Workshop - great results!

Just finished hosting my annual "Wildflowers of the Bruce Peninsula" photo workshop in the Tobermory area. Several species of orchids were in peak condition, making for a great weekend and the participants filling their memory cards with fantastic photos! We focused on practical field techniques for creating dramatic wildflower photos. The overcast, drizzly conditions were perfect for rich color saturation!

A huge thanks to Richard, Dave, Steve, Barb and my co-leader Ian "Mr. Nikon" Brooks for making it a fun and productive weekend!


Photo 1(above): Showy (Queen) Lady's Slipper, Bruce Peninsula.
Techs: Canon EOS 5D mark II, 70-200/4 IS lens & 25mm extension tube; lighting controlled by 1 diffusor overhead and two gold-toned side reflectors. Exposure: ISO 400, 1/250s @ f/10


Photo 2 (above): Spotted Coralroot orchid (closeup of tiny individual flower) in Bruce Peninsula National Park. This is the first time I've shot this species... very exciting! Thanks to Ian for sharing his expert flash technique with the group. Techs:  Canon EOS 5D mark II, 100mm 2.8 macro & 25mm extension tube; 580EX flash off camera triggered with Pocket Wizards and diffused through an umbrella. Exposure: ISO 640, 1/30s @ f/16


Photo 3 (above): Ian photographing the Spotted Coralroot.
I carry a Canon G11 point & shoot everywhere with me to capture candid shots or photos that illustrate technique. The articulating screen made it easy for me to hold the camera up to the flower (without being too close to trample the surroundings) and still compose the photo with the LCD screen.


Photo 4 (above): It was raining so hard this morning when we left the hotel, there were ducks in the parking lot!!! Thankfully the rain subsided so we could get shooting.


Photo 5 (above): Richard sets a new fashion trend for photographers - actually storing the shower cap on his head when not using it to protect his camera from the drizzle!


Photo 6 (above): Our group after a fantastic farewell lunch at "A Mermaid's Secret" cafe - the best place to  eat in Tobermory.

Algonquin Park - fall colours photo workshop

Autumn in Algonquin Photo Workshop
September 25-27, 2009

Please join myself and fellow pro photographer Mike Grandmasion for a fall colour photo workshop we're coleading in Algonquin Park. The workshop is sponsored by Outdoor Photography Canada Magazine and is timed to coincide with the peak season of fall colours.

For more information, or to register, visit:
http://www.outdoorphotographycanada.com/workshop.html

Check out Mike's website: http://www.grandmaison.mb.ca/

Accommodations are at the Algonquin Lakeside Inn, my favourite base for shooting Algonquin Park: http://www.algonquininn.com/

Hope to see you there!

Wildflower Workshop successful

Photo 1: Indian Paintbrush in Bruce Peninsula National Park
EOS 1DsIII; 70-200/2.8 lens; ISO 400; 1/20s @ f/8; mirror lock-up & cable release.

I just finished hosting a wildflower photography workshop this weekend in Tobermory, Ontario. This was the best year for wildflowers I've seen in a decade - the early species were hanging on in pristine condition due to the cool, wet spring... and the expected species popped out with the warm weather in the two days leading up to the workshop. The white variant Calypso Orchid and the dense patches of Indian Paintbrush were highlights for me.

Thanks to the group members - Al & Cathey, Janice, Carolyn, Joseph and Lily... who shared great enthusiasm for the blooms and early mornings. And a huge thanks to my friend and co-leader "111 mile" Ian Brooks (http://www.ianbrooks.net/) , whose knowledge of the Nikon system and penchance for gear is surpassed by few. Thanks Ian!


Photo 2: The workshop gang after a great lunch at "A Mermaid's Secret" cafe in Tobermory.



Photo 3: Co-leader Ian Brooks sports the latest style in black-fly protection.



Photo 4: Yellow Lady's Slippers were prime for photo ops.



Photo 5: Ram's Head Lady's Slippers (the first flower we photographed on the workshop).
EOS 1DsIII; 100/2.8 macro