Canadian Nature Photographer Newsletter

April 4, 2017

Dear Friends - new subscribers welcome, those interested in free Photoshop workshops can get access to them here: www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/learning.html - password for Photoshop I is rdc1 and for Photoshop II is rdc2.

It's starting to warm up in Calgary, and more and more birds are passing through on their way north. This month there are three new articles posted. One by myself on the basics of Colour Theory for photographers. Second there is an article by Kyle Smith on Tips and Techniques for photographing Bears. This is Kyle's 2nd article with some beautiful bear pictures. The third article is by Reinhard Thomas who frequently travels to south America and he shares some of his photographs from the Amazon river basin. This is Reinhard's ninth article for the Canadian Nature Photographer. Remember any photographer can submit an article just follow my submission guidelines.

Special Offer $50 Off Photography or Photoshop training in April or May only for Newsletter subscribers

During April and May only I am offering $50 off private training session, normally $299.00 but for these two months for $249.00. on any aspect of photography or Photoshop in the field or studio. I will provide transportation into the field. Max of two people per outing. To register email or call me, payment can be made at the bottom of my workshops page. Topics can include: Photoshop I or Photoshop II (advanced), Macrophotography, Landscapes in the mountains or prairies, wildlife or bird photography. Below I also have a list of my summer photography workshops, remember I am available for private sessions throughout most of the summer. I may be adding more workshops before the summer.

Other news I am still working on research for a new image database program and hope to add more VR movies to the web site as soon as possible.

Spherical Imaging Photography Workshop by request $249 in April and May

If you are interested in learning how to create your own spherical movies for the web and own a Nikon or Canon camera I can let you try my fish-eye lenses in a day workshop if you don't own a fish-eye lens. Cost: $249.00 during April or May, regular price in June, July, and August for the day. This spherical imaging workshop will include half a day in the field and half a day in the studio learning how to create the VR movies using PTGui and other programs. To read about this type of photography see my article: Spherical Photography - the Basics. If interested please email or phone me 403 247-2457.

Finally - the Arctic Photography workshop is going ahead this year we have the minum number of folks but still have a few spots left. If interested contact me or read more about the workshop below and see some of the past articles on my web site.

Click on the thumbnails or links to visit web site and see these new photo articles

Snowy Owl by Robert Berdan ©  



.Understanding Colour for Photographers by Dr. Robert Berdan There has been a tremendous amount of research done on how colour affects human beings, with many of the findings suggesting that men and women may respond to colours differently - read more.

     
Photograhing Bears by Kyle Smith ©  


Tips and Techniques for Photographing Bears by Kyle Smith Grizzly bears to a lot of people are considered scary, dangerous and top apex predators. But they also have another side to them that many people do not see - read more.

     
Peru Reinhard Thomas ©  

 

Photographing in the Amazon River Basin by Reinhard Thomas We knew that we had entered the Amazon delta from the Atlantic Ocean because the water around our ship turned colors from blue to brown - read more.

     
   

UPCOMING PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

 

Banff Photography workshop  

Banff Landscape Photography Workshop - Cost $1,150 – $1,275

Location: Baker Creek Chalets, 10 minutes from the hamlet of Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Parkway

Start: May 26, 2017 at 5:00pm
End: May 28, 2017 at 5:30pm

Cost: 20% off earlybird $1250 single room/$1150 shared room, until April 30, 2016; Staring on May 1, 2016 - $1550single/$1450shared. Meals and lodgings are included.

ILPA member discount: ILPA members will receive $400 off (~ 25%) of the regular workshop price
Number of Participants: 18
Transportation: Provided via shared vehicles.
Instructors: Brian Merry and Robert Berdan

Summary: Come to Banff for a weekend of intensive learning both in the field and the classroom. Join two talented and experiences landscape photographers for a weekend of intensive learning in the Canadian Rockies. Brian Merry, long time photographer, Instructor and tour host in Banff National Park, partners with Robert Berdan, an experienced photography instructor at Red Deer College & SAIT, as we come together to offer you an intensive weekend of learning in the heart of the spectacular Canadian Rockies.

You can learn more about Brian and see some of Brian's work on his website or you can call him toll free to talk at 1-855-763-1114. Brian's web site: www.brianmerry.ca E-mail Address: Brian@bmerryphotography.com

For more information and to Register visit Event Brite web site:

     
Prairie Croccus by Robert Berdan  

Spring Wildflowers & Macrophotography - Saturday June 10, 2017
$299 - max 6

Early June is the best time for wildflowers in Rockies. We will photograph calypso orchids, lady;s slippers and other flowers. On this workshop we will travel to Rocky Mountain Parks to places where I know there is an abundance of wildflowers. There will also be opportunities to photograph landscapes and wildlife we encounter. I can provide transportation for three, otherwise we will car pool or I will hire and additional instructor to provide transportation and instruction. See article on photographing wild flowers in the Rockies. All participants will be provided with an e-book on macrophotography. There will be an optional 2 hour class in my studio before the workshop to cover macrophotography equipment and techniques and a follow up session where participants will show 6-10 of their best photos from the workshop for critique.

Avocet by Robert Berdan  


NEW - Shorebird workshop - Saturday June 24, 20176 $299 max 3

In this workshop we will travel to several locations outside Calgary in order to photograph shore birds in their natural habitat. A telephoto lens of at least 200 mm is required, a tripod or mono pod is helpful. There will be some short walks and shooting from the shoreline. The workshop will start early morning, time to be determined, but sunrise is at 5:22 am. Depending on interest in this workshop, if there are more then 3 I will schedule additional workshop, but will keep the max group size to 3. We will likely photograph Marbled Godwits, Avocets, Stilts and many other species. Participants will bring their lunch which we will enjoy in the field. This workshop will not be cancelled due to inclement weather. If you would like to participate contact me. A pair of binoculars will also be handy, I will have two pair with me in the car.

 

Waterfalls by Robert Berdan  

Waterfalls & Rainforest Workshop, Revelstoke, BC July 15 and 16 - two days one night, Max 3 - $599 plus cost of food and one night accommodation.

In this workshop we will explore the Arrow lakes, Begbie creek falls, and Sutherland Creek Falls and others. We will also explore Mount Revelstoke National park. In addition to waterfalls and rainforest we will stop at Hemlock Grove Boardwalk in Glacier National Park BC. The tour will involve short hikes of 1 to 3 km so participants should be able to walk and carry their gear on these walks. I will provide transportation in my Jeep. The additional cost to participants will be for one night accommodation in Revelstoke or Nakusp will be about $150-$200 and I will try to provide some economical options. I plan to leave early Saturday morning (6:00 am) the drive is about 4 hours to Revelstoke through the National Parks, of course we will stop for scenics and wildlife photographs along route. We should be back in Calgary late Sunday afternoon. I recommend a tripod for the waterfalls and forest and a moderate telephoto lens for wildlife, and a macro for wildflowers. The trip will not be cancelled because of rain.



Caribou by Robert Berdan
 

Arctic Adventure Workshop 2017 - August 31 to September 7, 2017 min 4 - max 10. $5,597.00

Our annual arctic adventure tour starts in Yellowknife, with accommodations provided for two nights in Yellowknife, we will touring the city, take a boat tour and in the evenings we will be photographing the Aurora Borealis. We will then fly 350 km north to the heart of the tundra to stay at Peterson's Point Lake Lodge for 7 days in photograph the tundra in spectacular autumn colours, migrating caribou,wildlife and in the evening the aurora Borealis. See my article from 2015. Guides are provided to accommodate all fitness level, we will do some hiking, boating and even some fishing if interested. The caribou sometimes come by the cabins. There are also opportunities for macrophotography with a wide variety of lichens on the tundra. Accommodations are in comfortable cabins around Point Lake include a shower and sauna. All meals are provided at the lodge including the flight from Yellowknife to and from the lodge. For more information contact me or visit Petersons Point Lake lodge web site .

     

Also if you are interested in other photography topics please use the search engine on my front page to find them or see my site map or article index to see previous articles not listed on the front page - there are hundreds of articles on all sorts of topics from waterfalls, high dynamic range, owls, winter, etc.

 

Can't make a workshop, call me if you would like private training in any type of outdoor photography or Photoshop training.

Spring is here if you haven't been out shooting you can start now.
Robert Berdan

Calgary, AB
E-mail: rberdan@scienceandart.org
403 247-2457