Ko Nichi Wa - From Tokyo

Hello from the Akihabara District in Tokyo.  Teaching at the first annual Photo Fest Japan with Rick Sammon and Juan Pons.  We just finished Day 1 of the three day event.  It was a full day with emphasis on photography fundamentals and flash.  It is always great fun and very satisfying when we can accelerate learning and fire up the creative process.

The shot above is from a temple visit a couple days ago.  The happy faces on the small prayer dolls are in stark contrast to their purpose.

These images are what I call composite high dynamic range (HDR) shots.  Source files are processed twice and then combined in Photoshop CS5.

Will have more shots up soon from the trip.  Looking forward to getting home and completing a couple of  iPad apps and DVDs.

Fiat Lux!

Woolly Bully?

Musk Oxen

Finishing my last day up here on the North Slope.  Wanted to show a couple quick pics from earlier today.

How to make an odd face even odder.

Off to Japan later this week for the Japan Photo Festival with Rick Sammon.  Should be a good time.

Fiat Lux!

Eagle, Whale, and Glacier Tours in 2011

Dawes Glacier / Endicott arm calving.

Hot off the press here are the basics of the tours we will offer in south east Alaska's Inside Passage next year.

Additional details will be on the website very soon.  All trips are on 80' yachts with four star dining and each cabin is equipped with a head/shower!

April 18-25  -- Eagles, Whales, and Glaciers - 8 Days/7 Nights departing from Sitka and ending in Petersburg.  We will target the Hoonah Sound herring spawn.  Fish aren't the subject but instead the thousands of eagles feeding.  Hal will lead the tour. Six participants maximum. $5,600.

April 27-May 4  --  Eagles, Whales, and Glaciers - 8 Days/7 Nights departing and ending in Petersburg.  We will target the Seymour Canal herring spawn (with the eagles, whales, bears, etc.)  Hal will lead the tour with Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon.Six participants maximum $5,750.

July 5-12  --  Summer Whales and Glaciers - 8 Days/7 Nights departing and ending in Petersburg.  Whales, whales, and more whales.  We will photograph the hundreds of humpbacks, incredible glaciers, eagles, and other wildlife and scenery.  We will take two yachts staying near each other during the day and anchoring next to each other in the evening.  Hal and a special guest instructor will be onboard to lead the tour. Six participants maximum on each boat, $6250.

July 14-21 -- Summer Whales and Glaciers - 8 Days/7 Nights departing and ending in Petersburg. Whales, whales, and more whales. We will photograph the hundreds of humpbacks, incredible glaciers, eagles, and other wildlife and scenery. We will take two yachts staying near each other during the day and anchoring next to each other in the evening. Hal and Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon will be onboard to lead the tour. Six participants maximum on each boat, $6250.

Give us a call if you would like more info.  More on the web soon.

Answering the age old question of whether a bear goes  in the woods!

Fiat Lux!

Arctic Terns - A Love Story

A quick photo look at an epic Arctic Tern love story; a tale of love and loss (and a very frustrated little bird.)

Fiat Lux!

A Few Humpbacks

We had a great time with the humbacks in Alaska's inside passage back in May.  I've finally had some time this week to look through the 20k images I shot.

The whales recently returned to Alaska after wintering around Hawaii (no guarantee but most work the AK to HI route.)

We were fortunate to see big males, females, and calves from relatively newborn to one year.

Fiat Lux!

Head On Eagles

All shots with Canon 1D Mk III, EF 800 mm f/5.6L, Induro CT313, and Really Right Stuff support gear.

We'll have next year's Alaska yacht trips up on the blog and schedule today or tomorrow.

In class this week with Tim Grey and Photoshop CS5.

If you missed it, Lightroom 3 ships today. 

Fiat Lux!