The night sky over Eagle Lake in Maine's Acadia National Park. Winter.

7 Tips for Photographing the Sky at Night

The night sky over Eagle Lake in Maine's Acadia National Park. Winter.

The night sky over Eagle Lake in Maine’s Acadia National Park. Winter.

I am more of a morning person than a night owl, so I’ve never been very motivated to get out and shoot the night sky, despite the beauty that can be found in night images. But I’ve been seeing so many stunning night sky images from other photographers the last few years, that I’ve been inspired to stay up late every once in a while recently to see what I can do. It’s actually not that hard technically to get some nice images of a star-filled sky, but there are a few things you need to know before heading out and filling up your memory card in the dark. Continue Reading

Dawn on the New Hampshire Seacoast. Wallis Sands State Park, Rye, New Hampshire.

Seascape Photos – Quick Tips

Dawn on the New Hampshire Seacoast. Wallis Sands State Park, Rye, New Hampshire.

Dawn on the New Hampshire Seacoast. Wallis Sands State Park, Rye, New Hampshire.

Living on the New Hampshire Seacoast, I’m blessed with the opportunity to shoot seascapes pretty much anytime I feel like getting out of bed in the morning. With the weather warming up, I realize many of you will begin making trips to the coast for photography, so I thought I’d give you some quick tips to keep in mind while shooting our shorelines. Continue Reading

Waterfall Photo Tips

I was in the White Mountains last week, and while here is still snow on a lot of the trails, the streams have warmed up, the water is flowing, and waterfalls are at full strength. I put together this video to share the techniques I use when making my waterfall photos. Let me know if you find it helpful.

On another note, I’m embarking on ambitious film project next week called The Power of Place. Please take a look at what I have planned, and if you like it, pledge to my Kickstarter campaign by May 16th to help make it possible. Thanks!

-Jerry

Lotus, with reflector

Flower Photography with Diffusers and Reflectors

 

Reflectors and diffusers are invaluable tools when photographing all sorts of subjects, but especially flowers. Diffusers (white translucent fabric) are used to reduce contrast by softening the light. I like to call a diffuser a “cloudy day in a bag” because when you hold a diffuser over your subject it’s like the clouds rolled in. Continue Reading

Harpswell Maine by Steve Beckwith

Photo Critique – Harpswell Town Landing by Steve Beckwith

Harpswell Maine by Steve Beckwith

Harpswell Maine by Steve Beckwith

Today I am critiquing Steve Beckwith’s photo of the Harpswell, Maine town landing. What immediately struck me in this image is how the gloomy, violent look to the sky is in stark contrast to the calm, placid waters of the harbor. Continue Reading

Some New Gear Comments (and a wicked cool look at the Tough Mudder)

Last weekend I took a little diversion from my usual nature and conservation-themed work to work on a video of an event called the Tough Mudder in Mount Snow, Vermont. Continue Reading

Monterey Sunset by Raga Swamisai

Photo Critique – Monterey Sunset by Raga Swamisai

Monterey Sunset by Raga Swamisai

Monterey Sunset by Raga Swamisai

For this month’s critique, I chose a photo submitted to our Flickr Group by Raga Swamisai. To be fair, I probably find his photo of sunset in Monterey, California so compelling because I’ve been spending a lot of time during the last several months shooting on the New Hampshire and Maine coasts, but what the heck, this is my critique so I can choose photos for personal reasons if I want! Continue Reading

A rainbow over farms in Peacham, Vermont.

Shooting in the Rain

A rainbow over farms in Peacham, Vermont.

A rainbow over farms in Peacham, Vermont.

So many times we give up when the weather becomes inclement. Because we don’t like to get wet, we don’t want our equipment to get wet, it’s a hassle. But have you ever considered the images you can make under stormy conditions? Or being out there as the conditions change? I’m not advocating standing on a beach with Category 4 winds coming at you from Hurricane whomever, but you extend your photographic reach with a little more protection. Continue Reading

Fall colors reflected in the Swift River in New Hampshire

Basic Tips for Making Fine Art Prints at Home

Fall colors reflected in the Swift River in New Hampshire

Fall colors reflected in the Swift River in New Hampshire

I’ve heard it said that the process of creating a photograph isn’t complete until you’ve made a print.  I don’t know that I’m in complete agreement but I will confess that I derive tremendous satisfaction in the art of printmaking.   In a blog post I wrote last year titled “Pixels vs. Prints” I wrote about how viewing a photograph on a monitor and in print are two wholly different experiences. Continue Reading

Monkman_0630_Portsmouth_NH_078

Finding Inspiration – Six Months of 0630

Monkman_0630_Portsmouth_NH_078

Ascension, South Street Cemetery, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

There comes a point in a photographer’s career when he or she understands enough of the technical aspects of the craft, that making pictures changes. It is no longer about understanding the concepts of things like depth of field or exposure, but instead it becomes about finding the inspiration that allows one to make interesting, important, and/or beautiful photos. Continue Reading