|
|
|
|
Greetings,
In this month's newsletter I finally get the chance to use the new Maven filters; I'm teasing an early 2024 tour; whining about all the projects I have on my list; and dropping a mysterious clue.
|
|
Maven filters review
 Well, I finally had the chance to put those new Maven filters to use. They are so much easier to use than traditional filters and I’ve now put adapter rings on all my main lenses.
In the field, these filters are a joy to use. The color coding makes it easy to find the filter you want and attaching them to a lens is fast and easy. The soft case (included) can easily fit in a jacket pocket, or you can attach it to your belt using the belt loop. There is also a carrying loop and a metal ring for attaching to other things.
Because these filters are so easy and fast to attach, I find I’m more likely to try creative long exposures. And the color coding makes choosing the filter simple. No more trying to read the teeny tiny print on the side of a filter to see which one it is. And no more having to know what ND 64 or 10X actually means. Each Maven filter is plainly marked as to what it is. For the ND filters, it’s simply 3 Stop ND-77mm, for example. and I quickly got used to the color-coding, it’s so convenient and so smart you’ll wonder how you ever put up with previous filters. You might get the idea I like the-color coding.
Maven also has plans for making lens hoods and more filters. I’m particularly interested in the combo ND+Polarizer filters as these will greatly reduce any vignetting I’d get from stacking filters on wide angle lenses. I’ll probably need to buy their filter holster to hold more filters….
And according to their blog, there will be a second Kickstarter for the new products.
I really like using these filters. They are well-built, super easy and quick to use (have I mentioned color-coding??), they have no color cast, and the magnets are strong.
I like the filters so much that I’ve become an affiliate. You can get your own filter set by following this link. If you use this link and end up buying something on the site, I get a small commission.
Read the full review here.
|
|
A new family member?
There may be some news in the coming months. News of a new family member. Will I become a grandfather again? Perhaps a new camera will come to live with us? Maybe a new plant? Who could possibly know....
...stay tuned (and subscribed).
|
|
Escaping the summer heat
Where do I like to go to escape the summer heat? Why, Sitka, Alaska of course!
When it's 90 degrees back home, Sitka is in the 60s. And maybe even drizzly. It's a great place to escape to.
And I just happen to have two openings in my August 4-9 Whales and More photo tour to Sitka! What a coincidence.
Feel like escaping the heat and photographing Humpback whales, otters, fishing boats, eagles, streams, waterfalls, and more (maybe even coastal Brown bears)? Consider joining me.
More information can be found here.
|
|
Still one space available for Yellowknife
There is still one space available in my second Yellowknife aurora tour this Sept. 18-25.
We'll be there at what's traditionally been the peak season for fall color, which consists of mainly birch, wild rose, and some Tamarack (Larch).
It also happens to be a great time to photograph the Aurora Borealis (northern lights).
Yellowknife is one of the best places in the world to see and photograph the auroras. It's geography is such that there are many clear nights. In fact, you can see the aurora in Yellowknife on an average of two out of three nights. And we'll be there for six nights of possible shooting.
I've been going to Yellowknife since 2014 (barring the 2020 and 2021 Covid years) and I can attest that the average of two out of three nights holds true; we've never been skunked.
Get all the information here. And if you're interested in seeing and photographing was is probably the most astounding sight found in nature, let me know.
|
|
More whales
I'm in the process of putting together late March 2024 tour to Sitka to see and photograph the Humpback whales bubble-net feeding on the abundant herring.
This year's trip was astounding both in site and sound. Those whales are very vocal.
Next year's trip will likely feature daily boat trips of six to eight hours. Captain Gary will have his new boat by then and it will be larger and more comfortable. Most importantly, it will have a head (that's boat-speak for bathroom). This will be a welcome addition.
You can get a better idea of what the trip is like from the post I published soon after last March's trip. Read that here.
On Captain Gary's boat, I'm limited to five participants (and four spaces are tentatively spoken for) but if there's enough interest, we can add another boat and I'd likely add a co-leader.
I'm still working out the duration and cost of a trip (or trips), but if you're interested, respond to this email and I'll add you to the notify list.
|
|
Colorado, Bosque, and White Sands
There are still spaces available in these three workshops that I'm co-leading with Cliff Zenor.
Colorado is all about fall color and mountains.
Bosque is for the birds. Literally. Thousands of birds.
White Sands is about vast and intimate landscapes. Color, shapes, subtlety.
Check them out and be sure to let me know if you have questions.
|
|
Projects, projects...
Between workshops, planning workshops, and my home projects, I keep pretty busy. Above is a picture of just one of my current projects.
We recently had three more trees taken down. And as time, energy, and my troublesome wrist allow, I've been working on splitting it all up (with a splitting ax, no less!). Then I'll need to find a place to stack it where it can stay dry. I'm thinking of using the Holz Hausen stacking method rather than taking the time and incurring the cost of building a wood shed.
Ok, that's enough for now. I probably should get back to one of my projects...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
