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Greetings,
I'm so happy to see the end of this hot summer in sight. I'm not a hot weather fan to begin with, but this year, with all the wildfires, just seems to have been one of the worst. I'm looking forward to good old fashioned Northwest rain and cooler temperatures.
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Sitka Bubble Netting Photo Tour
One of my favorite tours this year (and definitely the most exciting) was the trip to photograph Humpback whales bubble net feeding in Sitka Sound. First off, we were in the middle of spectacular scenery. Now combine that with twenty Humpbacks rising together, mouths wide open, feeding on herring. Followed by whale tales and the occasional breach. Then it happens again. And again. You can read more about it in my blog post following last March’s tour.
And I’m going back again this March. I’ve posted next year’s photo tour to photograph this spectacle. The tour is March 26-30 and will consist of three full days on a boat. Get the full details on my workshops site here.
I’ve already filled one boat but have the option of hiring a second boat if there is enough interest. Both boats will travel together so everyone will have the same opportunities.
If you like action and suspense in your wildlife photography, all taking place in an incredibly majestic natural environment, then this is the trip for you.
I currently have spaces open for the second boat. A deposit will hold your place (refunded if the minimum is not met) or I can put your name on a “hold spot” list with the caveat that anyone putting down a deposit will take priority.
If you’re interested in this trip, or have more questions, just respond to this email.
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Topaz Photo AI version 2
I’ve only just started playing with the newest version of Photo AI from Topaz Labs.
Among other improvements and new features, Topaz has added Adjust Lighting and a Balancing Color settings, both marked as “Beta.” Adjust Lighting has one control: Adjustment, with a range of -25 to 75.
Balancing Color had two adjustments: Temperature and Opacity.
My very limited testing shows some promise, but the default settings needed adjusting, and each adjustment requires the preview to re-render, so it takes some time.
Mind, these are still in Beta, and Topaz is known for taking feedback and making improvements. But for now, I’ll stick to making most of my lighting and color adjustments in Lightroom, where I already know how to use the tools and the changes I make are seen instantly.
Suggested settings for noise reduction and subject sharpening in Photo AI are still pretty good, and I only change those occasionally, but the suggested Adjust Lighting and Color Balance settings aren’t quite there yet, at least in the bear images I’ve tried. Like I said, very limited testing.
Below, the first image has not been adjusted in Lightroom at all, but it has had noise reduction and subject sharpening applied in Topaz AI (last version before version 2 was released).
The second image is the same: taken from the camera with no Lightroom adjustments. With this image, I turned on Adjusting Lighting and Balancing Color, both at default settings.
The lighting adjustment settings are ok, if a bit too bright on the bear, but I’m not keen on the color balance.
As I noted, I can already make changes much quicker and with much more control in Lightroom, so I probably won’t use these new tools as part of my regular workflow, but I’m looking forward to seeing where these features are heading.
For a more in-depth (and better informed) look at the new features, take a look at Dave Kelly’s video.
No Lightroom adjustments. Default Photo AI (version 1) noise reduction and subject sharpening only.
No Lightroom adjustments. Processed in Photo AI 2. Default noise reduction and subject sharpening. Adjust Lighting and Balancing Color applied using default settings.
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Sitka in August
I’m arranging another August trip to Sitka to photograph the whales, birds, fishing boats and, if the last two years are any indicator, Coastal Brown bears along the shoreline.
When the temperature in the lower 48 states is in the 90s or more, Sitka is the place to be with temperatures hovering in the mid to high 60s, with the occasional dip into the 70-degree pool. Oh, and the scenery is outstanding.
Depending on interest, I’ll set up one or two tours. They will be limited to five participants each.
Let me know if you want to be on the early notify list.
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Yellowknife 2024
You may have heard of the wildfires in Canada’s Northwest Territories and the evacuations of some cities, including the capital, Yellowknife. This circumstance required me to cancel the first aurora tour and also caused no end of angst and worry.
But things are starting to look up for Yellowknife. I just found out that Aurora Village, one of the main tourist destinations, is planning to re-open on September 16th and that the Government of the Northwest Territories is planning all services will be up and running by Sept. 11, just in time for the second tour.
As of this writing, I’m still planning on running the tour.
If you want to join us, there’s still time.
2024 dates
Or if you’re more interested in trying for next year’s tours, the date ranges I’m considering are the first couple weeks of Sept (until about the 14th), and Sept. 26- Oct. 12. Let me know if you want to be on the early notify list.
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Olympic and Palouse workshops
Both of my Olympic National Park and Palouse workshops are open for registration.
Olympic is May 12-17 and the Palouse is June 17-22.
Both trips are six days/five nights because there's just so much to see. And that also gives us time to revisit locations, which almost always results in better images.
I've lead both of these workshops many times over the last 20 years or so and I always enjoy returning. I love Olympic because it's my backyard and feels like home.
I love the Palouse because I've spent so much time there that the folks at the hotel make it feel like a second home. That, and the fact that every year I find something new.
Want to sample to very different tastes of Washington State? Sign up for both. I'll even discount the combined trips by $500.
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In Closing
Ok, back to projects and preparing to leave for Yellowknife. Keeping my fingers crossed that things continue to improve. I'm optimistic!
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