Join OM System Pro Ambassador Lee Hoy as we examine Ten Myths about Nature Photography and we explore what it means to “Master Your Camera.” This episode will debunk popular myths that too many nature photographers believe are true which often leads to frustration, wasted financial resources, and missed images.
This episode will discuss the planning, logistics, and travel to the Galapagos Islands, the proper selection, use, and considerations of using a tripod, and five tips for beginning bird photographers.
Blue-footed Booby
Common Cactus-finch
Galapagos Sea Lion
Swallow-tailed Gull
The Galapagos Islands are dream destination for many photographers and for good reason! It offers up close and personal wildlife, dramatic island landscape and even underwater photography while snorkeling! I just finished my fourth workshop and first as the solo leader; but Kevin Loughlin, owner of Wildside Nature Tours, has been 41 times! To say Wildside reigns supreme as the Galapagos Photography Workshop is an understatement! If you are going to go to the Galapagos, what should you know about planning a photography trip? Do you go solo or do a live aboard? What will you miss if you go solo? How do you make sure you choose a great company for a photography workshop to this amazing destination? Find out what a “generic” Galapagos trip will leave you sadly disappointed as a photographer.
Tripods are a critical piece of photographic gear and as such, I am often left wondering why such a huge percentage of photographers put so little thought into their purchase and use. In this episode, we will navigate the waters of camera support and give you some knowledge on how to best purchase and use a tripod.
Tripods
Finally, we give beginning bird photographers five tips on how to capture better bird images. Frankly, many non-beginners could use this same advice!
Yellow-headed Caracara
In the sixth episode of Capturing Nature with Lee Hoy, we have a segment of “On the Road” where we share the challenges of moving birders from birding with a camera to bird photography and the opportunities it presented during the 2022 Wildside Nature Tours Peruvian Amazon Riverboat Cruise. You can see a sampling of my images from this workshop below and you an see some of my favorite images from the Peruvian Amazon folder on my SmugMug.
Sanderlings along a Peruvian Beach
Dobsonfly
Dead Leaf Mimic Toad
Green Kingfisher
Pygmy Marmoset
Ringed Kingfisher
White-winged Swallows
Camian Lizard
In the second “On the Road” segment, we consider the final five tips on how to be a great photography workshop/class participant!
A Wildside Nature Tours Participant walks a Peruvian Beach
Finally, we conclude today’s podcast with a segment “Setting Yourself up for Success”where we will discuss image stabilization and how to develop an internal database of the lowest shutter speeds you can use with any specific camera/lens combination. This will vary based on your physical strength, handholding technique, and external factors such as wind, subject movement, and other environmental conditions.
Handheld at 1000mm with Shutter Speed of 1/8″ OM-D E-M1x | M.Zuiko 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO @ 500mm 1/8s | F5.6 | ISO6400 Handheld
On the fourth episode of Capturing Nature, Lee will share seasonal photography tips for Big Bend National Park, his home base and favorite spot to photograph. Big Bend National Park is a huge park and the lone photographer can waste a lot of time not knowing what and when certain activities take place. Whether you are in pursuit of birds, wildlife, macro, landscape, Milky Way, or other photography subjects, Lee will give you a good foundation for photographing Big Bend.
Four (4) Image Panoramic
Great Horned Owl in Flight
Lightning at Sotol Vista Overlook
To learn more about visiting the Big Bend region, you can explore the Visit Big Bend website and the National Park service website on Big Bend National Park.
Pre-visualization is a technique Lee uses when traveling to new and repeat destinations to increase his chances of capturing captivating nature images. This simple but effective method will help you in advancing your photography skill.
Finally, Lee shares his thoughts, complaints, and rants on crappy composites.
To learn more about Lee, his role as an OM System Ambassador, and the photography workshops he offers, you can click on the links below.