Sunday, November 25, 2012

Some things to think about before Africa


African Safari Tips

Tip #1: Be prepared. Nathan Myhrvold in the Digital Safari Equipment Tips article states that camera support is the number one most important piece of equipment to have. Because we will most likely be confined to safari vehicles tripods are not ideal. Beanbags are suggested for east Africa including Tanzania. (picture below)


Tip #2: Next most important piece of equipment is cases to protect your equipment. Myhrvold recommends the Lowepro line of bags (make sure they are rain proof). I read that Serengeti and Ngorongoro are very dusty and equipment to protect from dust including trash bags, and zip-locks would be good to have.  

Tip #3: Also having more then one camera body and lenses just incase something fails or breaks. I think it’s also important to invest in good lenses. Bringing two cameras is highly suggested (I should probably work on buying a charger for the one I have now first). 

Tip #4: A 100-400mm lens is ideal??

Tip #5: Sounds like early in the morning and late evening are the bests times to shoot.

Tip #6: Bring ample memory cards.



So excited!

Renee






Saturday, November 24, 2012

Nick Brandt Elephant Photography


 On This Earth is a coffee table book by Nick Brandt of photographs taken in East Africa. Brandt's photographs are mystical looking with blue or sepia tones. Elephants I think are one of the most photogenic animals.

I love the depth of this photograph, and the vastness it shows. I like the clarity of elephants in the front of the photograph and how they fade out to just small little bumps on the horizon. This gives the photograph a feeling of vast endlessness. The way the bottom of the photo to the top fades from light to dark. The way Brandt edits these photographs gives them a very artsy, majestic, alluring feeling.   


This is one of my all time favorite photographs. My eyes directly focus in on the center of the photograph to the baby elephant. I like how the edges are faded and everything is centered around the baby elephant staring at the camera. This photograph to me gives off a feeling of intimacy. They way the baby elephant is peering out from behind it's mothers legs. The black and white tone softens the photograph and the faded edges give a majestic feeling. I really like Nick Brandt's photography and I like that fact that his photographs are all in black and white or sepia I think it's distinguishing but I world really like to see some of his work in a side by side comparison of the color shot. I am usually into more realistic nature photography but for some reason I fell in love with Nick Brandt's photographs in this book. I think the way he edits these photographs gives them a very artistic and simplistic appearance.

Renee

Vermont

Vermont is one of my favorite places. I've been vacationing there ever since I was little. One thing I miss most about the east coast is fall. The colors back home are so rich during the fall time. The mountains (or hills comparable to the west) light up every fall with rich yellows, oranges, reds, purples, greens. 

With all the red barns sitting around Vermont has a lot to photograph. I love the way the colors pop in this photograph. The bright leaves and the bright red barn look great together.


This is Bird Mountain I've hiked a few times. I love when photographs are able to catch sun rays beaming through the clouds.


 This photo gives a good explanation of the Vermont fall colors I miss. I love the way the colors pop in this photograph.


 This photo evokes a very peaceful, crisp feeling. You can almost feel the refreshing cool crisp air. I think the red barn in the background gives the photo great character, and a pop of color.


This photo was taken in Chittenden, Vermont were I visit regularly when I'm home. I know of this barn and I wish this photo was taken in color. I think the red barn and the yellow flowers would look a lot better in color. It's kind of boring in black and white. I do like how the dandelions are in the foreground it gives the photograph great depth.   


When taking the drive from Vermont to New York you see a scene similar to this one probably a good fifty times. The green rolling meadows are gorgeous. 


I love the richness of color in the Vermont landscape. I love the color of the yellow dandelions in this photograph. It's bright and cheery. I think a shot taken closer to the ground looking over the field of dandelions might be cool. 


I don't know if anybody has ever had fresh Vermont maple syrup but you haven't lived until you have. There is this one breakfast place Sugar and Spice in Mendon, Vermont best breakfast ever! Pancakes smothered in fresh Vermont maple syrup made in the sugar house out back are delicious. Anyway, this photo is taken in Mendon, Vermont of some trees being tapped for sap. I think the sepia tone is really appealing. 


This is a charming photograph. The red barns in Vermont are like a photographers paradise, and this cow is just in perfect position.

I love willow trees. When I was a little girl I used to call them "magical trees". I really like this photograph. The contrast in color this the yellow trees, green grass, and the red canoe make it interesting.


This picture is taken from the top Killington of my favorite ski mountain on the east coast (notice I say on the east coast) I learned what real skiing was when I came out west. Anyway, It might not be the best skiing but  it still has one of my favorite views. I love the fog rising off the mountains.

Mount Mansfield


Renee

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Aurora Borealis


Seeing the Aurora Borealis is definitely on my bucket list. Supposedly some of northern Montana got a good view about a week ago. Below are some amazing photographs of the northern lights. 






These two where from the other week in northern Montana.



This last one I think is absolutely amazing. The way the bright blues and greens stick out makes this photograph very striking. Check out some more really awesome shots on the national geographic website below:




Renee

Thursday, November 8, 2012