Peter West Carey Photography

Category: Shooting

  • Favorite Photos From 2021

    Favorite Photos From 2021

    Another year on the books but not as many photos taken this year for me. I have been gradually switching to shooting more video for stock work and client work but I still love still photography for what it can express in one still image.

    Here then are my favorite photos from the last year:

    First up, this photo of the Milky Way is not too amazing. For one thing, it’s missing all the colors some people embellish into their versions. What’s amazing to me, is this is from an iPhone. An iPhone 13 Pro to be exact.

    I used a mini tripod for the 10 second exposure.

    Yosemite Valley. What more needs to be said.

    While waiting in the Newark Airport for a flight home, the sun started hitting One World Trade Center at just the right angle. Such a huge reflector!

    Heading out to Nevada and Lake Mead. But before you get there, the landscape becomes a swirling mass of muted colors.

    What the? 9 cameras?!?!  On top of a <sarcasm> very cool </sarcasm> Prius? In Vegas?

    This year I went into business with a company called Overflight Stock Plates (OverflightDrivingPlates.com) to produce driving plates.

    What are driving plates? They are those scenes you see outside of a car in a TV show or movie where the actors are talking to each other and the world flies by outside.

    This custom made rig is able to create sets of plates from eight angles and one pointing up (for reflections onto the car when filming). It’s pretty spiffy and a lot of work but also cool to know stuff I am creating is going into studio productions.

    Ah, Alaska! I made it up to the 49th state twice this year, both times to create images for Uncruise Adventures.

    In this case, I was onboard the Safari Explorer, arguably the finest vessel in the fleet. In the background you can see a glacier of Glacier Bay National Park. Just off the left side of the frame is the wide open Pacific Ocean.

    For this trip I was producing 360° Virtual Tours of six of their vessels. If you want to see and tour the Safari Explorer, click here: https://app.cloudpano.com/tours/A_JAbmNFs

    More tours can be found on their website.

    While getting 360° images, it never hurts to have a DSLR at the ready when the orcas show up!

    Close encounters with Nature and wildlife is what Uncruise does best.

    On the flight to Alaska the sun was setting and my window seat was the best place to be.

    Closer to home in LA’s Santa Monica Mountains, there is a labyrinth a client and I hiked to to practice some art at sunset.

    Slightly larger than the 36 passenger Uncruise ship is the 312 passenger Windstar Cruises Star Breeze on its maiden voyage in the Caribbean after $80 million in renovations.

    The vessel wasn’t full for my trip in July to capture lifestyle images for the company and, along with strict Covid protocols (nose-swabs, masks, etc…), that made it a great trip.

    One of the coolest aspects of the ships is the rear Watersports Platform. It drops down and is equipped with floats, kayaks, paddle boards and other fun water sports equipment. It’s the perfect opportunity to dive into the warm Caribbean waters and soak it all in.

    Very happy with this image on the last night aboard the Windstar Cruises Star Breeze off the shore of St. Marteen.

    One fun activity while on the Star Breeze was an optional catamaran snorkel.

    This stop was at an underwater park where they had sunk a few things, including a helicopter. It’s a little odd seeing one on the floor of the ocean.

    Just another sunset in the Caribbean.

    Final shot from the Windstar Cruises Star Breeze.

    Now let’s head over to Mono Lake in central California.

    For me this was a quick stop and my first to the lake. Such an enchanting landscape!

    While camping near Mono Lake I was blessed with passing storms along the east side of the Sierra Mountains.

    On the way over to Mono Lake I headed through Yosemite National Park and stopped at all the regular stops along Tioga pass to take in the grandeur of the park.

    If you’ve seen my post about sort of converting our Prius to a camping vehicle, this is something of an update. The car has been outfitted with a folding table and rocking camp chair (thanks to my wife) making it almost luxurious in camp.

    On the inside, set up for sleeping. I’m 6’1″ and I fit in the back in this comfy sleeping bag. Side lights and bug screens make for a pleasant camping experience.

    Back again in Glacier Bay National Park, one of my favorite, with Uncruise Adventures and acting the poser in front of Lamplaugh Glacier.

    While in Alaska, big bears walk the shores. We saw a number from the boat and here their tracks are left behind in the muck.

    Some behind-the-scenes action of getting the 360° VR photos for Uncruise. The final version has the drone edited out and I was able to hang the 360 camera from under the drone and fly very cautiously to cover all angles of the boat.

    How could you NOT want to go to Alaska in the Summer?

    This is the Wilderness Discoverer in a secluded bay where the big boats could never visit.

    Another glamour shot of the the Wilderness Discoverer in the Fords Terror-Tracy Arm Wilderness.

    Tracy Arm in Alaska.

    A friendly reminder that the Red Cross needs your blood. Please consider making an appointment to donate today.

     

    Aerial view of OHVs playing in the sand dunes of Southern California. I’m not a fan of the noise they create, but all those lights sure make a spectacle.

    Aerial view of a scrap yard.

    Aerial view of an orange orchard in California.

    Aerial view of replanted forest on the slopes of Mt. Shasta.

    Aerial view of Portland, Oregon.

    Can you tell I like aerial images?

    Aerial view of Covid vaccination site at Dodger’s Stadium in Los Angeles in January.

    Getting up early for this aerial image of downtown Los Angeles and McArthur Park.

    The final shot is not from me, but of me. A much needed vacation in Hawaii and testing out my iPhone 13 Pro underwater. It works pretty well (and is still functioning).

    Thank you for joining me on this recap of 2021.

    I hope we can all get out and explore and photograph more in 2022!

  • What’s New For 2020

    What’s New For 2020

    I’m pretty dang excited about photography opportunities staring me in the face this year. It’s going to be a little hectic, but in a good (get-paid, do-what-you-love) kind of way.

    More Blog Posts

    First, I’ve spent the last month or so working on my ability to focus and craft personal goals, such as reading 100 books this year (I fell just short of it last year with 87). That practice is now spilling over to my blogging.

    Let’s face it, this blog doesn’t generate the millions of dollars you might think it does. 😉 So I put my time into profitable tasks first and sometimes the blog is ignored. A lot.

    No more!  You can hold me to this one: I will be posting at least once a week on this blog, continue my Photo Of The Day over at The Carey Adventures, and also post at least once a month of Far Horizon Photo Tours. Subscription buttons are available on each site (different lists, in case you don’t want to see everything).

    Work Projects

    My two largest projects this year so far are very cool gigs indeed.

    First, I’ll be spending five weeks in an RV traveling from Indiana to New York City to shoot video for MS Runs The US. It is a fundraiser that centers around a coast to coast relay with 19 different runners. Each runner runs a marathon, each day, for about a week.

    Sounds intense! I’m glad I’m not running it! But I am excited to be capturing the emotions, trials, victories and life on the road for these amazing everyday athletes that have stepped up to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis research and assistance. Check out the run and consider making a donation.

    Second, I’ll be hopping aboard the newly streeeetched Windstar Star Breeze for a two week assignment in Australia. That trip will take us from Melbourne to Kangaroo Island (I’m curious to see the rebound the area has made at what will be the one year anniversary of the devastating wildfires) to Tasmania to Sydney. While this ship is slightly larger (310 guests) than the 80 passenger craft I am used to shooting for UnCruise Adventures, I believe it will be a solid challenge to capture its essence and deliver marketing images for my client.

    A New Take On Nepal And Bhutan Tours

    Last year’s two photography tours in Nepal were a resounding success. Both trips sold out (although one guest had to back out due to a broken hand) and I know my guests had the time of their lives spending 13 or 17 days exploring Nepal with their cameras in hand.

    Going forward, I’m switching up how I schedule my tours. Rather than place a date on the calendar, I’m leaving dates open to individuals and groups to best fit their schedule.

    This concept also allows for custom group sizes, from 1-8 guests on a trip, as well as custom itineraries.

    Want to spend more time in the Himalayas beyond the two week typically trek? No problem! Is there a region of the country you always wanted to explore but want to avoid places you’ve been? We can do that! Want to combine a Photo Trek with a Photo Tour for a solid 30 days of exploration. We’re ready for it!

    The best times to travel are in the Spring and Fall to avoid the monsoons and freezing temperatures in the Himalayas. But we’re not totally against heading out in the Summer or Winter if you have the gumption for it!

    To get you started, I have prices and basic itineraries (from which to deviate) on my Far Horizon Photo Tours site for both the Photo Trek and the Photo Tour in Nepal.

    Take a look and gather your friends, family or photo club for an unforgettable adventure!

    Personal Assignments

    In between Lightroom instruction sessions here in LA, as well as anywhere with an Internet connection, I have a few personal assignments to fill out my stock photo and video libraries. Those will include trips to:

    • Arizona and New Mexico
    • Las Vegas
    • Northern California National Parks

    If you’re in need of images or video (land-based and aerial) from those locations, drop me an email.

    Finishing Photography Basics and Photography Experiments

    This one needs to get done and it has been hanging on long enough. I WILL finish both Photography Basics, A 43 Day Adventure AND 40 Photography Experiments before the year is out. Come hell or high water. Preferably neither.

    Both series have about 20 posts left each. I like to keep the quality of my posts higher than “Good enough! Ship it!” which slows me at times. But 40 posts is doable with a roadmap and the remaining 300 days I have.

    If you have any feedback on either series that will help me make the content more relevant for you, please don’t hesitate to email me.

    Flushing The Queues

    I have a huuuuge backlog of photos and videos to post for sale and licensing. About 3 years worth.

    Both still photos based on land and drone as well as ample video captured on recent photo tours in Nepal as well as two trips to Alaska last year. This stuff makes me no money just sitting on my hard drive without the world knowing about it.

    It’s time to set it free! 

    But not for free. 🙂 While the returns on stock photography tend to dwindle each year on a per image basis, predictably so as more and more people can take better and better photos with whatever is in their pocket, I feel a strong need to get this logjam broken up and available. I made okay money last year with both photo and video and am not going to abandon it just yet.

    Are You In Need Of A Photographer/Videographer?

    I realize a lot of blog subscribers are photographers yourself and not in the market to buy and hire. But if you are one of those in need of specific imagery, let’s get in touch and see how I may be of help!

    Enough About Me, What About You?

    Now that you’ve read this far, I’d love to hear what you have planned for photography in 2020. Leave a comment, drop me an email, or if you’re in LA, let’s meet up for a drinkable!

     

  • Favorite Photos From 2019

    Favorite Photos From 2019

    2019 was a mixed bag of ups and downs in my photographic world. Ups include running two successful photo tours in Nepal in the Fall (more info here if you’re interested in your own custom tour), two trips to Alaska to teach photography and photograph cruise ships for UnCruise Adventures, and getting paid to shoot drone video for a couple of productions. Downs include losing my DJI Osmo Pocket at an airport, losing my DJI Mavic 2 Pro in Alaska due to stupid mistakes and….really, that’s about it. It sucks to lose valuable camera gear, but it’s all replaceable with effort.

    My photography switched gears a little this year as I backed off weddings and portraits altogether. I’ve loved shooting weddings for close to 30 years but it’s time for a break. I was also quite busy with my daughter’s graduation from high school and subsequent start at college this Fall, just before heading off to Nepal for 6 weeks of tours and a little vacation. I shot less, but I loved what I was shooting just a little bit more.

    I also got back into birding and was able to spot over 70 new-to-me species in Nepal. If you do the eBird thing, you can find me here.

    Now then, my favorite photos from the past year:

    Mugger crocodile along the banks of the Rapti River in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. These are the type of crocodile you need to be afraid of. Mean suckers!
    Double-crested cormorant drying out its wings in Chitwan National Park, Nepal.
    Greater One-horned Rhinoceros on the shore of the Rapti River, Chitwan National Park, Nepal.
    Getting up close (as close as our guides felt safe) and personal with a greater one-horned rhino in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Our photo group was small, just six guests, which makes it easier to maneuver and observe these wonderful beasts.
    Boats on Fewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal.
    Machapuchare soars over Pokhara, Nepal. This peak, known locally as Fish Tail, is seen bathed in wonderful morning light during our first morning in Pokhara. It was early, but entirely worth it.
    While the ‘free’ areas of Sarangkot, a high hill with expansive views over Pokhara, tend to be crowded as people try to ‘enjoy’ the sunrise, spending just a few rupees more for my guests gave us an enjoyable vantage point above the crowd. This was a truly unforgettable sunrise to experience.
    Mount Everest, beautiful as ever.
    It’s a wide panorama, but there’s no better way to take in the grandeur of Gokyo and the Machermo Range in Nepal. Altitude, 15,500′. Click on the photo to experience it for yourself.
    Our group with perfect sunrise conditions at Gokyo, 15,500′ high in the Himalayas of Nepal.
    Lifting fog reflected in Dudh Pokhari, alongside Gokyo, from about 16,500′ high on Gokyo Ri, Nepal. I loved watching the patterns change on the lake, a unique perspective I had not experienced before.
    The sun’s golden rays catch spindrift flanking off of Lhotse, the third highest mountain in the world. Shot from the side of Gokyo Ri, Nepal.
    A lone stupa emerges from the mist surrounding Phortse, Nepal. Located three days journey into Sagarmatha National Park, this little village offers expansive views to some of the tallest peaks in the world.
    Hidden smoker, Bhaktapur, Nepal. One of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites we visit on tours to Nepal, Bhaktapur’s temples and markets harken to time ages old.
    Spinning prayer wheels at Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathamndu, Nepal.
    This is why Swayambhunath Stupa is also known as the Monkey Temple. They are everywhere!
    Client work! I love shooting for Uncruise Adventures because their trips take you into the heart of wilderness areas very few other boats ever venture. Add to that the grandeur of Alaska and you come away with immense appreciation for all our natural world has to offer.
    THIS CLOSE! A zoom lens helps, but a small UnCruise Adventures boat can bring you closer to the incredible humpback whales found in Alaska in the Summer.
    Always get up early when on a photo tour. I know it’s not easy, especially when the sun peeks over the horizon at 4:30am in Alaska in the Summer, but it can bring about scenes like you have never experienced. This morning, the calm waters were rippled by the passage of a pair of humpback whales painted gold by the sun.
    I love producing unique and captivating images for my clients. In this case, taking my drone up along a hillside to show the vastness of Alaska and the crystal clear and calm waters left me with goosebumps. The panorama was shot automatically by my now-lost DJI Mavic 2 Pro. It is a great platform for aerial photography.
    In this shot, the UnCruise Adventures Wilderness Explorer sits in a calm bay before a day of exciting and adventurous bushwhacks, kayaking, shore excursions and paddleboarding begins.
    Oh my! Was this ever the best wakeup call at 1am! While on assignment for UnCruise Adventures we were treated with a magical Northern Lights show right above the ship! Magical is the only word I can use to describe it. I spent two hours photographing and simply experiencing the lights’ quiet, serene dance.
    So when they gave me this assignment, UnCruise’s marketing department told me they wanted shots of the five sense. Most seemed easy, until I got to taste.
    Thankfully, Sarah, one of the marvelous UnCruise guides, was explaining to guests how a type of lichen has a sweet taste, much like honey. Couple that with the chance that she was facing into blue Alaskan skies and bingo!
    Misty Fjords! This was a new stop in Alaska’s waters for me. And WOW!
    There is so much more to explore but I was thankful every minute after the mists broke on the first morning of our UnCruise Adventures trip. Often the fjords can be clouded for days or weeks, but August seemed to be a lucky time to visit.
    Steep, steep sheer cliffs that dive straight into the chilly water below. Simply captivating.
    My first mountain love: Mount Rainier. For my birthday our family spent the night in the National Park and had the good fortune of warm weather and blue skies. It’s the second glaciated peak I have ever climbed and an endless subject of many, many, many photographs over the years.
    Now THIS was a happy day! My daughter and I right after she graduated from high school.
    UnCruise Adventures cruise #2! This time I was teaching photography onboard the SS Legacy and it was a blast. The guests are typically laidback and in it for the adventure and grand vistas of Alaska. In this case, I had guests train their cameras on the waters at sunset to capture a different view of the vibrant colors overhead.
    The biggest advantage with UnCruise Adventures and their smaller ships (20-88 passengers) is the ability for captains and crew to choose little side trips as weather, tide and temperament allow.
    In this case, we ducked into a what seemed like a small cove, with a 200′ wide entrance of basaltic columns, only to have the views pop wide open to what seemed like Yosemite Valley half submerged. How this area on Baranof Island is not already a National Park, I do not know.
    Just another lovely sunset form the sterns of the UnCruise Adventures SS Legacy in Alaska.
    For context, these peaks, most of them, ARE a National Park. They are the higher reaches of Glacier Bay National Park, which we visited the day before.
    There was pure poppy pandemonium in Southern California back in the Spring. I was late to the scene but the mix of flowers in this is abundant poppy field caught my eye. Backlighting can be your friend when used correctly.
    Want to see a National Park without the crowds? Get up early!
    We hit Yosemite National Park for Spring Break, certainly a busy time and during the day that was usually the case. But at 7:30am (really not that early, all things considered) we hiked four miles before spotting two other visitors. It was outstanding.
    Before my drone’s demise, we had a lot of fun together. These next shots are form earlier in the year when I’d take that little dynamo everywhere with me.
    Imaged here is the view directly over a golf course green on Whidbey Island, Washington, with clouds reflected in the still waters of the hazard.
    More fun with the drone. Overlooking a reservoir and Mt. St. Helens, Washington.
    Aerial view of solar panels set in the California desert
    While it might not seem that fantastic of a shot (although I really love the lighting), this image was taken while shooting footage for a TV production. They needed shots of Victorville, California so I spent four batteries wandering the town and capturing unique angles., one clip of which will eventually be used.
    After driving by this bus barn dozens of times, I finally stopped one sunny day to capture the patterns.
    The last (first) of the drone shots for the year. Drone cameras still have a ways to go to be comparable to current DSLR models, but I was happy with how this five shot HDR image came out over the San Fernando Valley in California.

    That’s all for this year, folks!

    If you loved those Nepal photos and have your own group of fiends who would love a customized trek or cultural tour (or both!), drop me a line and check out Far Horizon Photo Tours for more information. I’d love to show you around the country!

    Thanks,

    pwc

  • Daily Drone Photo – February Challenge

    Daily Drone Photo – February Challenge

    DailyDronePhoto ChallengeReady for a fun and semi-frivolous challenge?

    Do you own a drone?

    Then you’re all set for the February #DailyDronePhoto Challenge!!

    The goal is simple: Take a photo every day with your drone and post it to Twitter, tagging it #DailyDronePhoto

    Why?

    If you’re like me, you wish you flew your drone more but life gets in the way. Well, it’s time for the drone to get back in the way for the shortest month of the year!

    28 days, 28 photos. It’s that simple and straight forward. No prizes, no judging and no rules (other than the image has to be taken with your own drone).

    Indoors, outdoors. High up, underground. Works shots, fun shots. Hobby drone, professional cinematography rig. Panoramas, tiny worlds, infrared…. it’s all fair game.

    The idea is to get the juices flowing, keep current with your flying and photography skills and have some fun. 

    If you’re in, drop a note below and I’ll start following you on Twitter (I’m @pwcarey). If you miss a day, don’t sweat it; no one is keeping score. Just put in the effort the next day.

    Some random inspiration form my last few months with way too few outings.

  • Sunrise Beauty Across The Puget Sound

    Sunrise Beauty Across The Puget Sound

    Some mornings it’s worth it to get up before the sun, find a choice place to fly your drone and see what Mother Nature has to offer. With rain in the forecast for the 100 months, I’m glad I chose to freeze just a little while capturing this fantastic sunrise.

    This sunrise view starts from close to Langley, Whidbey Island, and then heads across the Saratoga Passage. All the while the view is toward Hat Island in the foreground, with Everett, WA, behind and to the left. The mighty Cascade Mountains complete  the horizon.

     

  • Favorite 10 + 4 Photos From 2018

    Favorite 10 + 4 Photos From 2018

    Top Ten lists aren’t my thing and I tried to fit my selection into such a finite number. But I failed.

    I failed because some of the photos I know you will like, being a casual observer, and some I will like, for the memories they bring to me. Let me explain, photo by photo.

    The first shot is of the lunar eclipse on January 31, 2018. It was total in some parts of the US and while I watched in amazement, I decided it was time to get my camera. Just before the moon moved out of our shadow, the colors were fantastic.

    Next up is Seljalandsfoss, a beautiful waterfall in Iceland and in the summer and even more mystical in the winter. My wife and I visited Iceland during some fairly cruddy weather, but for this one hour when blue skies showed up behind the waterfall. Scroll down a bit for a more ‘realistic’ view of Iceland in the winter.

    Next is the Grand Canyon. Who can go wrong with the Grand Canyon in the Spring time? This was a family Spring Break road trip and a great time to be in the park. The first full day was cloudy and afforded excellent hiking weather (that sucker is steep!). Then we met with an excellent sunset, seen above, and a third day of nothing but sunshine. Timing is everything and this trip was right on the nose.

    After Grand Canyon was a diversion to Death Valley National Park to meet with one of my brothers who had driven down from Seattle. It was pretty typical and 100+ when on the valley floor. After living 5 hours from the park for 5 years, this was my firs chance to visit and explore. And there is so much more to explore! I look forward to heading back in other season to capture the changing landscape.

    I got a little crazy with birding in 2018 and this shot of a osprey carrying its breakfast was a highlight, for sure. That day I watched 4 different osprey capture and devour fish from the Puget Sound. Such magnificent birds!

    Another vacation trip, this time to Turks & Caicos, and another chance to capture something unique. This is a 6 shot underwater panorama, my first. The structure was so big it demanded multiple shots and thankfully my trusty Sony RX-100 V with underwater case didn’t miss a beat. My wife chose to swim though the structure while I was happy to snap away. This structure was part of a TV show competition where competitors had to swim off-shore about 200 yards, free-dive down to what used to be a dome, and gather a mystic peal. Then they got a puff off a SCUBA regulator as a reward. The TV crew simply left the structure in place and walked away. It’s now growing coral and is an interesting attraction to visitors like my wife and I.

    You just can’t go wrong with a Fall sunrise on Puget Sound with a ferry boat in the foreground. When the clouds are cooperative, it’s a fantastic sight. And a great way to start your day.

    Just two weeks after the last photo came this fan favorite. I rarely have as much reaction as I have from this photo. It’s take from about the same spot as the photo just above, mid-way between Mukilteo and Clinton, Washington on a ferry boat. But using some pushing zoom effect, Mt. Pilchuck takes on a otherworldly feel. Something relating the pyramids, perhaps?

    And then I got a new drone. A Mavic 2 Pro. It’s a fun machine and I’ve already used it more than I used the Phantom 4 before it, because it’s so small and easy to deploy. I was in Tacoma, Washington, shooting some video for a client when I realized I can get right close and over the train tracks. Tacoma has a large yard and from the air it seems like an endless amount of tracks. I plan to take a LOT more photos for the air this coming year. Stay tuned!

    This shot took a bit of forethought and luck. It’s another drone shot from a spot along the Seattle waterfront, which isn’t easy because there are restrictions all over the place. I found a back alley with no traffic on a Sunday night and after shooting shots from Queen Anne Hill, this image of the full moon rising behind the city is one I am most proud of. It captures Seattle landmarks; like the Space Needle, P.I. Globe and the Great Wheel on the far right. Patience and planning.

    And now for the bonus 4 images.

    These are images that have personal meaning to me, while still maybe being a little cool to view.

    Do you see that beautiful waterfall far above? This is the next morning when the locals told us not to drive back to the airport. Truth: The weather in Iceland hated us. The first day was bliss with the Blue Lagoon (and snow!) but then the Golden Circle was closed because of blizzards. Hmmm…what to do? We continued on with our plans to drive to Vik and realized more bad weather was on the way. Luckily, we had some airline miles and canceled our return trip (also on miles, easily canceled) and decided to head to London for a couple days instead of seeing nothing of Iceland in near-whiteout conditions.

    In the morning we spent 2 hours helping cars in front of us dig out through the deep snow before we got on the Ring Road back to the airport. This shot, by my wife as I was white-knuckling it the whole time, is of only one of a few vehicles we spotted. It’s a snow plow and we eventually passed it on the left after 10 minutes of blindly trusting its taillights.

    I sure do want to see Iceland in better weather conditions!!

    My daughter (near ground) and my step-daughter (beside her) still enjoy doing the Junior Ranger Program at US National Parks. This is our stop at Grand Canyon and my wife (far left) checks out the displays. They are now 17 and 11, respectively, and I’m glad to have instilled in both of them the desire to complete these fun, and often silly, programs to learn more about the parks. They have over two dozen badges between the two of them and I appreciate them both humoring me in completing each program. It’s a wonderful family memory.

    Same trip, different location. Overcast days make hiking in the Grand Canyon much easier. We all decided this spot was far enough, ate our lunch and were able to enjoy the rest of our time in the Park.

    Lastly is a Leucistic Bald Eagle. Something that was new to me. They are certainly rare but not too uncommon, if that makes sense. It’s basically a pigmentation issue with the wing feathers that makes the adults look this way. Here’s some more info. unique and I’m glad I got a chance to see one.

    That’s it for 2018!!!

    In 2019 I’ll be heading to Spain and, more importantly, to Nepal, leading a couple of photo tours. The first is sold out, but if you’d enjoy an easy trip around Nepal with all the photographic ecstasy you can handle, take a look at what I have to offer in October.

    It’s bound to be a great year!

  • DJI Mavic 2 Pro: HDR In Camera Or In Lightroom?

    DJI Mavic 2 Pro: HDR In Camera Or In Lightroom?

    I recently purchased a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone for my Real Estate Photography business and have been curious about just how good the HDR feature is. Previously I had a Phantom 4 and its HDR capabilities were okay. I was better off using exposure bracketing and then creating the image in Adobe Lightroom.

    Which Method Is Best?

    The new drone begged the question: Do the easy thing and use in-camera HDR or take a couple minutes more and craft the image in Lightroom?

    My short answer is: Shoot a five image exposure bracket and then use Lightroom’s HDR capabilities.

    Let me show you why.

    Mavic 2 Pro HDR test
    DJI Mavic 2Pro – HDR in-camera
    Mavic 2 Pro HDR test
    DJI Mavic 2 Pro – HDR in Lightroom

    Both of these images are unedited, except for what the default settings do.

    The HDR process for the Mavic 2 Pro is to take a number of images, with different exposure settings, and then combine them in camera. It’s results are okay, and maybe in different lighting I wouldn’t notice as much.

    Crop It Close

    But look around the sun. Let me crop it closer for you.

    DJI Mavic 2 Pro - HDR test

    Ick. While you won’t always be pointing the drone at the sun, this is less than stellar.

    The alternative is to shoot five images, spaced .7EV(stops) apart and letting Lightroom do its thing:

    DJI Mavic 2 Pro - HDR test

    The Mavic does the shooting for you. The process in Lightroom can be automated by highlighting all the images and pressing Command (or Ctrl)+Shift+H. Really not that hard.

    Granted, I don’t like the look of either image as they stand and will edit them further.

    Conclusion

    It’s clear to me that using the HDR feature in the drone should be used sparingly. Or when you’re just feeling lazy.

    As for my final image, I spent a little more time cleaning things up, because not many HDRs are perfect on the first pass.

     

  • Find Some Light – Photography Basics – Weekend Experiment #2

    Find Some Light – Photography Basics – Weekend Experiment #2

    Photography Basics - Weekend ExperimentToday I want you to find some light. Not just any light. I need you to find three different types of light.

    Recap

    Welcome to the weekend!

    This last week we covered a number of topics on how your camera works. We started the week completing the Exposure Triangle while covering Aperture and ISO (Shutter Speed was explained the week before). From there we touched on some much needed jargon explanation that will come up time and again as you dive more deeply into photography.

    Photography Experiment
    Death Valley National Park, California

    We ended the week explaining how your camera sees light and makes its choices for exposure. These are your metering modes. This section is vitally important to those starting out, so please reread it if you need to. Lastly we considered the different camera modes available and what they do.

    So far we have been leading up to understanding and capturing light. That is the heart of photography and the reason the art exists. Light and how it acts and reacts is part of most arts. The commercial world relies on it heavily as well, especially with today’s computer graphics in movies and video games. If the lighting isn’t right, the game looks fake.

    The Experiment

    To help you start seeing light, experimentation is vital.

    Photography Experiment
    Red Rocks National Recreation Area, Nevada, USA

    That’s why I want you to go out this weekend and photograph three different kinds of light.

    When you find light that you like, take a moment to not just shoot and move on. Look at the light. Where does it come from? Is it filtering through anything? If you move around the scene, does the light look different? How would you best set your camera to capture the light?

    Really take the time to think about how light is affecting your scene. Maybe come back to the same area later in the day and see how the light has changed (unless your scene is entirely lit by artificial lights).

    When you have finished, feel free to post your results in the comments section below. Post them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr, anywhere!  Then link to them in the comments section with your thoughts on search for light.

    What Different Kinds of Light Are There?

    Photography Experiment
    Ship Anchor, Panama Canal, Panama

    Let me count the ways:

    • Direct
    • Indirect
    • Reflected
    • Facing the light
    • Human-made
      • Fluorescent
      • LED
      • Incandescent
      • Daylight bulbs
      • Flash/strobe
      • Colored lights
    • Firelight
    • Candlelight
    • Moonlight
    • Auroras
    • Bioluminescence
    • SunlightQuestions?  Pop ’em like Pez in the comments section below. or email me at peter@peterwestcarey.com.

      Photography Basics – A 43 Day Adventure, and its companion 40 Photography Experiments, are series written by professional photographer Peter West Carey. The series are designed to unravel the mysteries of photography, helping you can take better pictures. Subscribe here to receive all the updates and bonus material. Your comments are always welcome.

      Photo ToursIf you enjoy the series, consider learning photography first-hand on a professionally led international photo tour in Nepal or Bhutan. More information can be found at Far Horizon Photo Tours. 

  • Speed & Light – Photography Basics – Weekend Experiment #1

    Speed & Light – Photography Basics – Weekend Experiment #1

    Welcome to the first weekend experiment of the Photography Basics course.

    The Experiment

    This weekend I want you to take one of two lessons from the week, Understanding Shutter Speed or The Number One Law Of All Photography , and dive into different ways to play with them.

    Blur things.

    Stop things.

    Light trails, can you make some?

    Look into and away from the light. What works best for you?

    To that end, I have some experiments pre-cooked for you to try if you haven’t already.

    Share Your Results

    It’s your choice, but take some time this weekend, even if it’s only 15 minutes, and get out there to photograph. The best way to learn photography is to do it, over and over.

    When you have shots you are okay with, please feel free to share them in the comments section below (just link to your photos on any platform). I’ll be glad to give feedback if you like (I’m a gentle critiquer).

    If you need some inspiration, I’ll leave some of my own photos regarding these topics right here:

    If you want to find other Weekend Experiments in this series, look over here.

    Questions?  Pop ’em like Pez in the comments section below. or email me at peter@peterwestcarey.com.

    Photography Basics – A 43 Day Adventure, and its companion 40 Photography Experiments, are series written by professional photographer Peter West Carey. The series are designed to unravel the mysteries of photography, helping you can take better pictures. Subscribe here to receive all the updates and bonus material. Your comments are always welcome.

    Photo ToursIf you enjoy the series, consider learning photography first-hand on a professionally led international photo tour in Nepal or Bhutan. More information can be found at Far Horizon Photo Tours. 

     

  • How To Conserve Power In The Backcountry

    How To Conserve Power In The Backcountry

    Photography in the backcountry, especially backpacking trips or treks, requires special attention in order to conserve power.

    Either you carry more batteries (or a solar panel) or conserve. When you are days or weeks on the trail, such as a nice stroll down the John Muir Trail (which is on my bucket list), or trekking high in the Himalayas of Nepal, that extra weight in batteries or solar panels can be a killer. Every ounce counts!

    So then, how to conserve? Let us count the ways…

    Turn Off Your LCD Screen

    The LCD on the back of your camera sucks power regularly. Especially if you are using it to review images.

    I suggest turning off the LCD for almost all functions, especially image review. Most cameras have the ability to totally turn off “Image Review” and it should be your first line of attack. Avoid using the back or top LCD screens as much as possible.

    Think of it as a chance to be retro, like in the days of film. You compose, you check your metering, you shoot and upon your return to civilization you check your work. It’s scary and exhilarating at the same time.

    Think And Compose Before You Shoot

    This one is key to all good photography, not just your mission to conserve power.

    All the tips after this one, in one way or another, rely on your ability to first think about what you want to photograph and then how to capture what you see.

    Digital Photography School has a plethora of posts regarding composition and how to think through the process.

    Switch To Manual Or Back Button Focus

    You would be amazed at how much you can conserve by turning off autofocus.

    If you are like me, every time you tap the shutter release half way down, your camera attempts to focus. Sometimes hunting all around. That action takes power.

    You have two options: 1) Switch to manual focus. It takes more work, but on a long lens, like a 70-200mm or longer for birding or wildlife, the energy needed is sizable. 2) Use back button focus. This process lets you set a button on your camera and only when it is pressed is focus activated. It’s a good step moving toward full manual focus.

    Power Down More Often

    My camera is set to auto-powerdown after 2 minutes. Don’t do that if you want to conserve.

    Instead, get in the habit of turning your camera all the way off after each use. The idea is you have composed the image in your mind and know how you’re going to shoot it before you turn on your camera and start pointing it in every direction (see Think And Compose Before You Shoot above).

    This tip will also make you more conscience of how often you use your camera.

    Turn Off Your Sensor Cleaner

    A lot of cameras have a sensor cleaner that runs each time the camera is turned on. Turn this feature off as it use a small but, over time, draining amount of power.

    Limit Flash Use

    I hope this goes without saying. That flash on your camera, if it has one, uses a lot of power. Some night shots and fill flash will require its use, but try to conserve how often you employ it. On some cameras one use of the flash for a group photo 15′ away uses as much power as 35 individual images.

    Keep Your Batteries Cool When Stored

    The cooler your camera batteries are, the better they conserve power. The warmer they are, the faster they drain. This is just physics.

    Granted, you probably don’t have an ice pack with you in the backcountry (except for the one in your first aid kit that should not be used for photography) so this might take some ingenuity. Or, more likely, it just means keeping your camera and batteries out of the direct sun. If you have a quality ziplock back, you can store your batteries in a cold stream over night to help them last longer.

    Turn Off GPS

    More than once I’ve turned on my Canon 7D Mark II and found the batteries dead. Usually when I haven’t been shooting for a couple of weeks.

    This is because, on a lot of cameras, the GPS function remains on even when the master on/off switch is off. It’s annoying, but it does make GPS signal acquisition that much faster when in the field. But it kills batteries.

    If location information is important to you, you’ll need to balance that against total total images you wish to bring back. It’s a tough balance for those of us who love data.

    Conclusion

    There’s more than one way to conserve power while in the backcountry. Not every option is perfect for every photographer, but with some forethought, you can decrease the extra weight in multiple batteries (not only live batteries, but without conservation you’ll be carrying more dead batteries) and still get the shots you want.

    Do you have any additional tips that have worked for you when you are far from an outlet? Share them in the comments section below.