Canadian Nature Photographer Newsletter November 2019

 

Problems reading the newsletter you can view it online here: https://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/newsletter92.html

 

Dear Friends and new subscribers welcome, those interested in the free online Photoshop tutorials can get access to them here: www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/learning.html - password for Photoshop I is rdc1 and for Photoshop II is rdc2.

It seems winter has come early this year to Alberta. I will be heading out to look for snowy owls around the end of November as there are have been a number of inquiries into my snowy owl outtings. If you would like me to guide you to the snowy owls please contact me in December.

I have posted two new articles in October one on Ponds and Marshes and the other a continuation of my first article on Alberta landscapes.

October Article Postings

Please Click on the thumbnails or links to read the Latest Photography Articles or visit the home page of Canadian Nature Photographer.

Wood frog by Robert Berdan ©  


Ponds, Marshes and Wetlands offer a Variety of Photographic Opportunities by Dr. Robert Berdan I have always been attracted to ponds, as a kid I used to wade in them and collect insects, snails, look for crayfish, frogs and turtles - read more.

     
Photographer at sunset Red Rock Coulee Robert Berdan ©  


Alberta Landscapes Part II by Dr. Robert Berdan This article is a continuation of my Alberta Landscapes Part I article where I share some of my favourite spots in Alberta to photograph - read more.

     

Love of the Land Photo Contest Canadian Parks & Wilderness Northwest Territories Three of my photos shown below will appear in the 2020 Calendar.

 

Three of my photos also made the final round in Nature Canada Annual Photo Contest for 2019 (shown below)

The first photo of the Saw Whet Owl was chosen as the overall winner and I will be taking a canoe trip next August with
Black Feather Adventures along the French River in Northern Ontario

The French river is located about 2 hours drive north of where I grew up in Ontario (Midland\Penetanguishene). I hope to take my Father along with me on the 4 day canoe trip. I have done some canoing south of this area about 35 years ago. The trip will also allow me to spend time with some of my family in Ontario and also photograph some new regions of Northern Ontario.

Workshops Around Calgary

I am offering a number of workshops and private photography training all year round. Photoshop I and II training is offered in my studio when ever an individual or group is interested. I taught Photoshop at SAIT for over 20 years. The photoshop workshops are usually held on weekends, but I can sometimes accommodate weekdays.

The snowy owl workshops can accommodate up to three people each outing and have been very popular the past few years and so far I have always been able to locate at least three owls and my best day out I found 14 for folks to photograph. I will start scouting around the end of November and into December. The best months are usually end of December, January and to the end of February. The cost is $299 per person, extra folks not bringing a camera are $75 each. If two photographers book at the same time each saves $50 on the trip. We start from my place in Calgary, NW in the morning and shoot all day returning to Calgary around dinner time. We stop for lunch at a restaurant (food not included). This workshop involves lots of driving but we often stop, walk into the fields to get closer to the owls. We may encounter other owl speciees as well - see my article: Photographing Owls in Winter Around Calgary.

Female snowy owl by Robert Berdan ©

Female snowy owl on fence post from 2018

I operate landscape and wildlife workshops all year round into Kananaskis, Banff, or Dinosaur Park. My jeep allows me to drive in almost any kind of weather and along back roads. There should be lots of opportunities to photograph winter landscapes in 2020. There is no reason to keep your camera inside during winter - dress warmly and embrace the season.

I also offer snow flake photography - these depend on it snowing so I can't select days in advance. Those interested should contact me and if it is snowing we can arrange to meet at my place. I offer these workshops for half day or full day. Cost for half days is $150. If it does not snow or stops snowing before we can take pictures I will offer a "snow-check" for another date.

Snowflake by Robert Berdan ©

Snowflake taken with a Canon MP65-E Macrolens.

If anyone is interested in learning to restore old photos I also offer a special workshop for this out of my studio. I provided slide and flat bed scanners and will show you various techniques I use to repair photos. You will have an opportunity to repair several of your own old or damaged photos. The photos can be up to 24 x 36 inches in size. If you are looking for a unique gift for a family member I also provide photo-restoration services for reasonable costs - learn more.

repaired photo

SPECIAL OFFER - I offer gift certificates for budding photographers - these gift certificates do not expire and can be used for any workshop costing $299. If you buy 2 gift certificates - I will include a third certificate for FREE until December 24th, 2019 - only.

Gift Certificates Available for $299 in my Workshops Page

If you buy a new camera for Christmas, I also provide training for newbies by the hour ($65\hr) or day $249 around Calgary. Looking for Christmas gifts e.g. Prints or digital files that you can have multiple prints made for non-commercial used - please check out my galleries and print purchase page.

Exhibition print of Diatoms 400X - I offer a wide variety of landscape and wildlife prints - see my Galleries.

If you don't see a workshop that interests you, I am happy to customize training for an individual or small group - just contact me.

Know someone that has or is getting a microscope for Christmas, I will offer 90 min free training for anyone under 16 (accompanied by an adult) for free. I offer adults training in photomicrography and high magnification macro-photography including focus stacking at my usual hourly or day rate. You don't need a microscope, I can provide one along with a camera. All you need is a device to take the images home .e.g. USB stick.

NEW - I now offer photomicrography services: Science & Art Photography including equipment rental in my studio.

I will be posting another newsletter before Christmas and hope to include an update on snowy owls around Calgary..

Note if your group is interested I offer presentations on the "Micro-Universe" around Calgary. This presentation includes photographs and movies of organisms photographed with various microscopes and reveals an alien-like world all around us.

Best wishes

Robert Berdan

Calgary, AB
E-mail: rberdan@scienceandart.org
403 247-2457