Gannets Galore Bird Photography Workshop

“Hi Chris: As you know, I attended the Gannets Galore Workshop in June 2014 in Quebec and wanted to drop you a note and let you know what a profound experience it was for me, in terms of both the Gannets themselves, and the opportunity to work with a true professional. I learned many things on this trip regarding not only the technical aspects and capabilities of my camera and lens, but also in my approach to understanding what I really hoped to obtain as a final photographic image. This trip, coupled with your patient guidance, have truly changed the way that I use my equipment and forced me to think about what I really hope to accomplish as an end result – and I finally understand the importance of the “Histogram” – hooray! The Gannets themselves were breathtakingly wonderful and I shall never forget this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thanks again for a really great workshop. I’m saving my pennies so that hopefully I can take another trip with you in the future.”

— Jake Jacoby, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired)

Coastal Brown Bear on a log

Here’s a Coastal Brown Bear cub checking out the view from the log during my Ultimate Katmai Coastal Brown Bear Boat trip in Katmai National Park, Alaska. We were watching a couple of 3 year old twins grazing the sweet protein rich grass when this one decided it had to stroll over and check-out the view from the log. Most of the time it spent on the log looking away from us, but it did finally turn our way for a photograph :)

Great Gray Owls Courtship

Great Grey Owls Courtship (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) 2005 Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. 120mm ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/1,600s

Here's one from 2005 that seems like a lifetime ago! After making about 80 images, I just had to step back from the camera and watch; the interaction was amazing! There is still a couple of spots left for my otherwise sold-out Winter Owl Workshops in January. This winter is already proving to be the start of a great winter for Owls :)

The very best photo trip I have ever joined!

What can I say? Your Winter Owl Photo Tour was an absolute sensory overload of owls, knowledge and fun! A smashing success! I have to say this was the very best photo trip I have ever joined (and I have joined many). It was an EPIC adventure, and it was a huge success; with your help, I managed to pull off an incredible portfolio of Owl images that was miles better than I could have imagined! Just like your stated goal; I can attest to the fact that the single most important objectives for you as the leader is for your clients to achieve an EPIC portfolio that you would have been proud to call your own, and for everyone to learn. Mission accomplished, my friend…many fold. I would have been thrilled with just one of the hundreds of EPIC images that I created under your wise guidance. You will see me again on another workshop soon. I can offer anyone considering this trip the following advice: DO IT! You won’t regret it. Chris works extremely hard for you to get the very best images; images that will impress everyone. He’s fun and eager to teach anyone, regardless of their abilities. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Peter Frost London | England

Snowy Owl in a blizzard

Snowy Owl in a blizzard (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) from my Winter Snowy Owl Photo Tour in Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens  with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm ISO 5,000, f/2.8 @ 1/2,500s. Manual exposure. 

Here's a Snowy Owl from my Snowy Winter Owl workshop on the coldest day last winter. It was -34C and the wind was howling at about 70km/h. The fine, dry snow that had fallen overnight was being picked-up by the strong wind and was sand-blasting the cold right into us. It was dark, and I saw an opportunity to make the owl stand-out by shooting wide open at f/2.8 which rendered the trees in background out of focus. I like the yellow eyes against the otherwise monochromatic image ;)

There are just a couple of spots left for my Snowy Winter Owl Photo Tour. Learn more HERE.