Summer Visitors

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…

The Part Can Be Just As Beautiful As The Whole

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…

Post-processing vs. Photoshopping

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…

Bird Blinds Are Wildlife Photographers Friends

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…

Sometimes It’s Fun To Just Watch

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…

Conservation Efforts Do Work

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…

Watch Your Lighting

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…

Know Your Subject

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…

Networking is Your Friend

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…

Go Play in the Snow

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…

Shades of Brown

The colors found in a picture can make it or break it. Sometimes, when out on a shoot it's hard to tell if a photo will have those rich color tones that will stand out from the crowd. This photo is one that I was not sure about until I got it off the camera…

Support Your Local Camera Stores

With so much information available at our fingertips and the ability to purchase an item with one click, it is important to remember to support our local businesses. This is especially true in niche markets like photography. Des Moines has a wonderful resource for photographers in Christian Photo. They are active participants in the community…

Clouds Can Make The Picture

Landscape photography is a fun art that is uniquely dependent on the weather and season. The same landscape will look completely different with a gentle snow falling or the trees just beginning to blossom. One element that is very hard to pin down in Iowa is the right cloud cover. If the sky is cloudless,…

Don’t Settle for a Snapshot

Landscape photography is vastly different from wildlife photography, as I have come to learn. This is not only because of the difference in subject matter. In wildlife photography, you are often at the mercy of the whims of the animal that you are trying to photograph. Sometimes, they fly or move away from that perfect…

Play With Monochrome

Sometimes nature and the seasons are not your friends when it comes to photography. This is especially true in Iowa during the summer when photographing near water. Once the temperature rises, algae start to bloom in the waterways and can destroy a beautiful picture. All hope is not lost though and this picture is a…

Sweet Little Ones

Springtime is a wonderful time to be out doing wildlife photography. Everything is renewing itself and it's time to start hunting for little ones. This can mean looking for nests, watching for parents, and researching animal habits. The best place to start is close to home, especially if you have woodlands or water near where…

Stay awhile and Listen

Photographers that are interested in capturing wildlife should be willing to wait a while in one spot. This beautiful Cedar Waxwing did not return to the area where I was sitting for over half an hour. But, once it was comfortable with my presence, it happily flew back and forth over the lake hunting for…