Canadian Nature Photographer Newsletter
November 29th , 2013 Newsletter
WELCOME NEW SUBSCRIBERS - the Password to take the Free Photoshop I online course is rdc1 - and Photoshop II course is rdc2. You can access the tutorials by clicking here: onlinetraining.html. Any questions please let me know.
Dear Friends and new subscribers:
In November I posted 4 new articles featuring the stunning photography of Stephen Elms from Ontario and Paul Zizka from Banff. Paul released his first book on the Rockies called "Summits and Starlight: The Canadian Rockies" and this book is available at London Drugs, stores in and around Calgary, also from Amazon.ca.
I posted 2 new articles 'Virtual Tour of the Northwest Territories" which includes several 360 vr interactive panoramas from Yellowknife, including the Aurora and on the Tundra at Peterson's Point Lake Lodge. Next Autumn I am leading another photo Adventure workshop between September 3-10. We have added an additional day on the tundra, a trip around the bay in a boat and a trip to Aurora Village. Book before January 1 and save $300. The Arctic Adventure is limited to 10 participants - for more information or to book please visit: Peterson's Point Lake Lodge web site. Price: $5,379.00.
The 2nd article I posted " Tips on Identifying and Photographing Mushrooms" will help get you ready for the next mushroom season starting in spring.
Click on the banner above for more information.
What's Hot and New Click on the photos or links to read the latest photography articles
Tips for Identifying and Photographing Mushrooms by Dr. Robert Berdan Mushrooms can be as beautiful as birds, flowers, butterflies and sea shells to photograph. Mushrooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. You can find them almost anywhere though they only appear for a short time and are usually most common in spring and autumn. To learn more about mushrooms and how to photograph them view article here.
Virtual Tour of the Northwest Territories by Dr. Robert Berdan. This year when I travelled north to Yellowknife for my 5th visit I wanted to take a different photographic approach and went up with the aim of creating 360 spherical VR movies. I describe how I do this is previous articles. In particular I wanted to photograph the Aurora using 360 vr spherical imaging - view article and pictures.
A Moment In Time by Paul Zizka. "Photography for me simply started as a "dry," somewhat selfish way of documenting remarkable places, light, and weather events. I have a rather practical mind, and picking up a camera seemed to be the obvious way of chronicling the mountain experience. With time I became increasingly fascinated with the interplay of light, weather and the landscape and this expanded my emotional connection with high places - more.
Photography in Ontario’s Provincial Park by Stephen Elms I’ve been fortunate to experience the beauty of Ontario’s Provincial Parks since I was very young. Years of canoe trips, camping excursions and winter camping have afforded incredible opportunities to develop my photography skills. Parks such as Algonquin, Killbear, and Killarney have become my “second home” ... read article and view pictures.
PHOTO OF COMET ISON EAST OF CALGARY
While out searching for Snowy Owls on Wednesday, Nov 27 - Kamal Varma and I photographed Comet ISON just before sunrise. It was a small streak in the south east sky. NASA just reported that comet ISON did not survive its brush with the sun on Nov 28th, they observed something emerge from around the sun that appears to be a stream of debris marking the remains of the comet's disintegrated core. For an update on comet ISON visit spaceweather.com
Sunset over Pond along the Ingraham Trail won 1st place in Yellowknife's Topix Photocontest in Environment Category.
November Canadian Nature Photography Photo Contest Winner is Fred Schact - Waterfalls
Fred Schact Waterfalls - Fred wins a copy of my Macrophotography E-book.
UPCOMING PHOTOGRAPHY PRESENTATION FOR FAMILIES AND KIDS - $15.00 Calgary
Edworthy Park Heritage Society is very pleased to sponsor a "Nature Photography for Kids Talk" by Robert Berdan on Saturday January 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the small hall of Wildwood Community Association.
After the talk, and depending on the weather, we may go outside either in the community garden or to Edworthy Park for a practice session so please dress warmly.
The cost is $15.00 per family – this includes a free copy of the Edworthy book, Treasures of the Trail. Children must be accompanied by one of their parents (but both parents can attend if they wish). You must bring a camera – point and shoot, dslr, film, etc. – any kind of camera will do.
It is necessary to pre-register and pre-pay by December 20th, 2013. To pre-register,
please phone 403-630-4307, leave a message and we will call you with further information. If we do not get enough registrations, money will be refunded and the talk cancelled.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
How to Get the Most out of your new DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera - Max of 3 students. $249 + GST January 5, 2014. If you can't make this date call to book a private session. This workshop includes about 3 hours indoors and 3 hours outdoors shooting. This workshop is design for those that might receive a new DSLR camera for Christmas or anyone who wants to gain confidence on how to manipulate and use their digital camera to get the best pictures. You can call me or use the PayPal button below,
Topics coveed will include:
Camera settings, A, P, M, S, T
ISO speedF-stops
Colour space: sRGB and Adobe RGB
File types: .jpg, vs. RAW
How to use self- timerOn camera flash settings
Depth of field preview
Exposure modes: center, spot, evaluative, matrix
How to use exposure compensation
How to care and clean your camera and lenses
Photographic accessories including filters, tripods, camera bag etc.
Winter Photography Workshop 2014 - Jan 15 Wed evening, January 18 all day, Jan 29 Wed evening. Evening sessions will be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Cost $249.00 + GST Max 10
If you just purchased a new camera or you rarely get out in the winter to take pictures this workshop is for you. It includes 2 evenings, the first night there is a slide show and discussion about camera controls and preparing for photographing in winter. The second evening participants will bring some of their winter photos to receive a critique and feed back. This workshop is suitable for all level of photographers with a DSLR camera. A tripod is nice to have but not a requirement. We will be car pooling and heading out to the Mountains on Saturday for a day of winter photography. Lake Louise will also be hosting its winter festival.
Photoshop I Workshop - $249 (max of 5\class)- Upcoming workshop Dates for 2014: January 11, March 1.
This one day Photoshop workshop in Science & Art's studio, runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. and covers a variety of topics including:
- Introduction to Photoshop interface and Adobe Bridge
- Calibrating your monitor and configuring Photoshop
- RAW workflow - using Adobe Camera RAW
- Workflow for JPG or TIF files
- Colour correction by the number
- Quick & Easy Photoshop fixes, Red Eye, Perspective crop, etc
- Convert images to Black and White or Sepia
- Create BW image and return some of the original colour
- Repairing images using the clone tool
- Retouching a portrait
- Repairing old photos
- Extracting images from their background
- Simulate a neutral density gradient filter
- Use the Shadow Highlight tool
- Blending photos to make a panorama.
PRIVATE TRAINING I am available for private instruction on any aspect of photography or Photoshop on a one-on-one private basis $60\hr or 7 hours for $249. Folks wanting more in depth training can purchase 15 hours of training for $499. I also offer discounts for small groups. Photo destinations can include mountain parks, badlands, prairies etc.
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE $249 + GST Makes an ideal Gift for the Photographer in your family.
You can purchase a gift certificate for $249 + GST. The gift certificate can be used toward any of our workshops, you can specify a specific workshop or you can leave it open so the person receiving the gift can sign up for which ever particular workshop they like. Alternatively, the Gift certificate can be used for private instruction for up to about 7 hours instruction at a time that is convenient for them. Please note participants must still register for a specific workshop Private training can be arranged almost anytime of year. For workshops costing more the $250 - the participant can simply pay the extra amount when they take the workshop. These gift certificates do not expire. I will send the gift certificate to you or the person you specify - I will follow up on your order shortly after you purchase a certificate.
Winter Photography Workshop 2014 - Jan 15 Wed evening, January 18 all day, Jan 29 Wed evening. Evening sessions will be from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Cost $249.00 + GST Max10
If you just purchased a new camera or you rarely get out in the winter to take pictures this workshop is for you. It includes 2 evenings, the first night there is a slide show and discussion about camera controls and preparing for photographing in winter. The second evening participants will bring some of their winter photos to receive a critique and feed back. This workshop is suitable for all level of photographers with a DSLR camera. A tripod is nice to have but not a requirement. We will be car pooling and heading out to the Mountains on Saturday for a day of winter photography.
Transportation will be via car pooling. We will visit Vermilion lakes, Castle Junction, Morrant's curve and Lake Louise which will be hosting their annual ice festival.
Cost is $249 + GST for the Winter workshop
OTHER NEWS
Google analytics reveals the number of visitors to the Canadian Nature Photography web site over the past 30 days from Oct 29 to Nov 27, 2013 averaged 750 visitors\day. with 18,167 visits with 15, 450 being unique visitors. Visitation is up from about 12,000 visitors last year. 54% of the visitors are male, 46% female. The largest age group is between 25-34 yrs. This year I expect that more than 180,000 visitors will have stopped by - THANK YOU.
I will continue to add new content of value about Nature photography and photo techniques in the coming year. I welcome your suggestions for topics and invite you to become involved as a featured photographer or consider entering the monthly photo contest. If you enjoy the articles please let your friends know about the web site and if there is something you would like me to cover please let me know.
Christmas Gift Ideas for Nature Photographers
- Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements - now only available via the Cloud
- A tripod or monopod - need advice read "An Overview of the Best Tripods and Heads for Nature Photographers"
- Small binoculars for the field by Leica, Swarkski, Zeiss, Nikon, Pentax or Baush and Lomb
- An portable flash unit
- A Lastolite flash softbox to soften the flash from portable units
- A new camera bag e.g. by Lowenpro or Tamarac
- A GPS unit that attaches to the camera
- A Workshop gift certificate
- A coffee mug in the shape of a Nikon or Canon l
Lastly - my wife, Donna has been writing and recording a number of new songs about nature, and I just added her latest song to the web site - Big Bad Wolf. You can listen to all of her songs using the mp3 players at the top right of the home page including: Hangin with the Caribou and Fire in the Sky tonight.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Robert Berdan
Calgary, AB
403 247-2457
rberdan@scienceandart.org
Please Visit : www.canadiannaturephotographer.com & www.360vrmultimedia.com