Photo of the Week 2025-04-14

 

Sorry (not really) to take you back to winter when spring is really just arriving but I knew I had another Snowy Owl image in the RAW reservoir ... 

' snowy in a snowstorm '

I was out with the then recently acquired RF 200-800 to gain more familiarity with it and work on my wildlife shooting. Approaching the location where I hoped to see a Snowy Owl, the weather worsened with snow falling very heavily by the time I arrived. It was difficult seeing the road ahead at time so wasn't sure how things would be for shooting.

 

Driving slowly along the sideroads, the tires were kicking up the freshly fallen snow and it was accumulating on the side windows of the vehicle. Every so often I would get out and brush off the snow for a clear(ish) view of the fields outside. Deciding to head down a little used track where I'd had success previously and that I knew would be closed to traffic for the season in the next couple of weeks, I stopped to clear the windows and strained to see across the field to a line of wrapped hay bales along a distant fence line.

 

... and there it was !

 

Across the field in heavy blowing snow with the 200-800 at it's maximum, I would shoot short 3 or 4 frame bursts between gusts of blowing snow. I was trying to time the shots such that my subject would be less obscured and managed it a few times.

Notes:

- for context, the top image is original width, just cropped top and bottom to 16:9 ratio 

- this lower image in approx. a 100% crop to show the detail I was able to get at 800mm across fields of blowing snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 DJE

Photo of the Week 2025-04-07

 

As I work through the trove of images from recent months, memories surface and in the case of these images, a special smile forms and pride swells in my chest.   

 

' Chef Matt '

' Intimate Dining '

 

Matt & Claire are living their dream, creating and living the Revolve Farms life. What they have built together is wonderful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week's photo(s), capture Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef Matt doing his thing as he prepares dinner for an intimate family gathering, and the table atmosphere so perfectly crafted by Claire.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2025-03-31

 

 

' on the lookout '

After finding and photographing a Snowy the previous day, I came back to the area in hope of another encounter ...

Quite far from my position, I shot this with the owl in centre frame and then cropped in post keeping much of the remaining barn structure for context. Even with 800mm focal length you can still be too far away for a portrait close-up.

 

Shooting from the car window along the side of a busy roadway, I wanted to work quickly so not to attract too much attention or be a distraction for passing vehicles as there was not a full shoulder with the snow left by plows. Hand holding at 800mm in an uncomfortable position turning to the side is an art that I will be practicing more. As it was, I managed enough sharp frames to pull a couple of keepers from.

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2025-03-24

 

Revisiting forests and woodlands that I've wandered over the years ...

 

' forest fog after a light snowfall '

 

Here, it's the Arkell Rd woodlands north of Starkey Hill on a very moody late fall morning with lingering fog after a light snowfall the previous day

 

DJE

Photo of the Week 2025-03-17

 

As I work to improve my woodland photography, I've been investigating the images and words of those who's work I admire. Recently, much time has been spent listening to online interviews and presentations by British Landscape and Nature Photographer, Joe Cornish.

 

When I listen to Joe describe how he sees the elements of a scene work together and play off each other it resonates with how I feel myself when I'm out working a scene or location to create something that captures what drew me in.

 

' late fall snowy snag '

Far better spoken that me, with a vocabulary born of his formal education in art and refined over his decades of work as a photographer, I am responding "yes" and "right" to myself often as I read and listen to Joe.

 

There are other photographers that I have learned of who I follow, read, watch and listen to. Joe and many of these have helped me understand and embrace the woodland theme, it's challenges, opportunities and rewards. I've even managed to find acceptance and satisfaction with some of my own attempts in the genre.

 

DJE