~Through the Lens of R. J. Warren
Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes) Rural Iowa - April 22nd, 2016 Canon T3i & Tamron 150-600 mm It is hard to sit still and wait for wildlife to come to you, but it is worth the wait. You have to remember that they are wild and that usually means that they will leave when you arrive… Continue reading The Shot is Worth the Wait
Iowa doesn't have a ton of waterfalls, but they're there if you know where to look. If you're planning to photograph waterfalls, you're going to need some extra gear. You'll want to bring along a towel and possibly a change of clothes. Waders or a swimsuit might also come in handy, depending on the season.… Continue reading Don’t Fall Down The Waterfall
Photography is all about lighting. Through manipulating light, you can add sharp edges to your photos or soften them. You can envelop your subject in shadows to make details pop out. When photographing outdoors, you can change your light by choosing the time of day with care. Shooting at sunrise or sunset can add dramatic… Continue reading Choose Your Time of Day Wisely
Birds in the heron family, like the Great Egret, are always a challenge to photograph. They can strike very quickly when fishing, and that makes it hard to stay focused on their head. These large wading birds can be found alongside rivers, ponds, and lakes during the summer months in Iowa. This can make them… Continue reading White Wonders
Summer brings a host of changes in its wake. The temperatures rise, the flowers bloom, and the pollinators fly to and fro. I love the bursting colors as the prairies bloom, and the colorful butterflies only add to the beauty.This image captures much of what I love about summer. The grass is green, the flower… Continue reading Summer Visitors
I wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. Whether you're enjoying time with family, looking for new photography opportunities, or just relaxing, stay safe and have fun!
It’s almost a fairytale setting: a large lake covered in blooming, yellow lilies, the sun shining, and the wind blowing. A chorus of frogs is merrily ribbiting. This idyllic scene is hard to find. But, well worth the effort in the end. One of the sights that I saw in this little corner of paradise… Continue reading Who Knew Fairytales Were Real?
Iconic landmarks can be a lot of fun to photograph; but, the trick is finding a new way to photograph these structures. The Campanile has stood over the Iowa State University Central Campus since 1897. Finding a new way to capture this well-known structure is definitely a challenge.Changing seasons and different events can give different… Continue reading Framing is Important
Summer is nearly here, and the chaos of spring is almost over. The plants are snug in their planters, and the spring storms have hopefully passed. It's finally time to start going through photos again.The Iowa State Capitol Building is one of my favorite places to do architecture photography. This photo is one of my… Continue reading The Part Can Be Just As Beautiful As The Whole
I've been doing wildlife photography for over three years now, and recently I've been going through my older photos to transfer them to discs and store them off of my hard drive. It's crazy to see how my photography skills have changed and to find hidden gems that I never published before. This photo is… Continue reading Flashback to the Past
Post-processing and Photoshopping are two different types of photo editing. These editing modes are often mistaken for one another and the fact that both use the same program, Adobe Photoshop, does not help matters. This confusion between the processing has led to the "straight out of camera" movement on Instagram and Facebook groups. Post-processing is… Continue reading Post-processing vs. Photoshopping
"Invasive species" or "introduced species" are terms that are used frequently in conservation circles. If you've heard these sayings before; perhaps, you heard it on a news broadcast or saw it on a sign. Maybe they were talking about a tree, a weed, a fish, or a bird. In all of these cases, the same… Continue reading What Are Invasive Species?
When looking at a map for a larger park, you may notice a pair of binoculars. When you look at the legend, it may say "Bird Blind" or "Wildlife Viewing." If you are a photographer, these places are well worth checking out. Observation areas are not all equipped for photographers. I've been to many wildlife… Continue reading Bird Blinds Are Wildlife Photographers Friends
Wildlife Photography is often about being ready to capture that perfect shot. You're eagerly peering through the viewfinder at your subject, and your finger is on the shutter release. You're tense, nervous, and excited. The shutter clicks and soon the animal takes off. Sometimes though, it's nice to sit back and enjoy watching your subject… Continue reading Sometimes It’s Fun To Just Watch
I love Hummingbirds and have had a little success in luring them to my balcony garden. I was considering how to draw them in without adding a full-size hummingbird feeder to my balcony. I came across this idea while I was browsing Pinterest and decided to try it out. I'm delighted with the end result… Continue reading DIY Hummingbird Feeder
Springtime is great for photographing young animals. Whether you're on the lookout for fawns, owlets, ducklings, or goslings, this is the time of year to find them. Different ecosystems are host to each of these young ones. But, they all share a common factor, protective parents. Youtube is rife with videos of people tangling with… Continue reading Keep an Eye on the Parents
Trumpeter Swans are one of North America's great conservation stories. Through the 1800s, hunters prioritized Trumpeter Swans for their feathers and meat. Hunting combined with habitat destruction led to the near demise of the species. Bird Surveys of the Continental US in the 1930s were only able to locate 69 swans in Red Rock Lakes… Continue reading Conservation Efforts Do Work
Wintertime in Iowa means that your light conditions are constantly changing. There have been times where I have seen the weather change from cloudy to sunny and back in a matter of minutes. There are also many days that are overcast, and it is hard to draw out the details in your photography subjects. Elements… Continue reading Watch Your Lighting
Wildlife Photography is full of crazy adventures. Maybe one day, you're sitting in a hunting blind waiting for ducks to fly or swim in. The next day involves walking through the woods searching for owls. These are regular days for a wildlife photographer, but sometimes you come across something you didn't expect: an animal in… Continue reading Nature’s Heroes
If you want pictures of wildlife, it helps to know what they want. Generally, it is easiest to catch small birds if they are willing to come to bird feeders. A great way to practice your photography and to get used to new gear is to set up near a set of bird feeders or… Continue reading What Does the Little Bird Eat?
If you have been thinking about adding some new artwork to your home, this sale is for you. Zazzle is running a coupon this weekend that gives you 60% off on Canvas and Poster Prints and 50% off of Metal and Acrylic Prints. Just use coupon code ZSPRINGTIMEZ. Check out the sale here: Arias_Photos
Whether you are a beginner or an expert at wildlife photography, you will always benefit from learning more about the animals that you want to photograph. Simple information like what eco-systems a species is more likely to be found in or what times of the year you're more likely to see a species are essential… Continue reading Know Your Subject
If you love swans and are looking for some new wall art, I've got just the thing for you. I'm running a weekend sale for this beautiful swan photo. Through Monday or when supplies run out, a 16"x20" canvas print is only $65.
No matter what your hobbies are, it is always great to network with others that share that passion. Networking can be as simple as hanging out with friends or as complicated as attending a large convention dedicated to your hobby. When looking for networking opportunities, the best place to start is at the local stores… Continue reading Networking is Your Friend
I am not a big fan of going out into the aftermath of the cold, wet, winter snows. Unfortunately for me, those can be some of the best times for photography. When the sun is shining on the snow, it can highlight the beauty of different birds and objects. The contrast between the snow and… Continue reading Go Play in the Snow
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