My wife and I have taken two trips with Chris Dodds, Eagles in Homer, Alaska (EAGLES GALORE), and Puffins in Quebec (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE EDITION), and both trips have produced a portfolio of epic photos.
The first trip to photograph Eagles was well-organized: transportation was outlined, a meeting place was established, and we received suggestions as to equipment, clothing, weather, and what to expect well in advance. Chris had arranged our lodging, and upon arrival, we have a short briefing on what to expect during the course of the workshop. Transportation to the site was supplied, and to say the location and the subject was excellent is an understatement.
At times, we had forty-plus eagles overhead. Chris provided suggestions as to camera settings and provided whatever guidance was required during the shoot. Chris is very helpful and a fountain of knowledge of photography, but he doesn’t push it on you. And his head was never in the viewfinder of our cameras; he photographed, but never gave the feeling that he was on a shoot and his clients were just along for the ride.
The second trip was to Quebec to photograph Puffins. Again, the workshop was well-organized as outlined above: transportation to the site was suggested along with places to spend the previous night as we were to meet in a remote area with meager places to spend the night and dine. Boat transportation to the site was provided, and at times the puffins seemed to swarm. Chris gave us pointers on shooting small, fast-flying birds as well as the equipment necessary for closeup portrait of shy little subjects.
My wife and I have travelled all over the world, and Chris stands out among the many professional photographers we have been with. He is low key, has a good sense of humour (humour, in Canada) has a great knowledge of photography which he will share with any photographer in his groups, regardless of their experience level. We will certainly travel with Chris again.
- Carl (and Cheryl) Shneider
No matter what your level of experience you can learn from Chris!
I have been a registered NPS Nikon Pro for years and am now a registered Canon CPS pro photographer. I have had the privilege of photographing wildlife and landscape for years. When I found Chris’ website I was super impressed with the quality of images so I signed up for his Homer Alaska eagle trip for early March 2017.
Chris has a wonderful warm personality who cares about his fellow photographers on his trips. I learned additional trips and traps from him and he assisted my conversion knowledge from Nikon to Canon gear. His help was thoughtful, accurate, and delivered in a manner that assists one in getting the very best of images. His approach to using manual exposure is brilliant and one that any bird photographer should embrace for improved outcomes. He also very focused on the important light directions which can make or break your image outcomes. If you travel the London England underground tube system you cannot get the safety message “mind the gap” off your mind – when you travel with Chris you will now have the message in your mind “mind the shadow direction”. The techniques and tools Chris instills will serve you well in all your photographic moments.
I came home from this trip with stunning images that are impressive! Chris makes his duty that you obtain the type of images you hoped to achieve. Wildlife is unpredictable but Chris will assist you in going home with more than you thought possible. His knowledge of the photo industry is very deep. You will find you will enjoy the fireside chats, learn from every moment, and enjoy his company.
Chris also spends considerable time on scene to ensure that the location he determines for his photo workshop choices provides the photo opportunities you want. His pre-trip information is one of the best I have experienced for assisting your planning to the very smallest detail. I have already booked my next trip with Chris which confirms he is truly a person that you should meet and create wonderful images together.
Wynne Powell - British Columbia, Canada
If you want personal attention or just a guide who knows where and when to go, what to look for and the best way to photograph it then Chris is your man!
He's a note I received from Gill Arden (and Bob Zarnke) after my Eagles of Homer Workshop back in March 2009:
We have just returned from our third trip with Chris, it will not be the last. We enjoy being part of a small group and as there were four of us including Chris, and we got the attention and help we didn’t think we needed! After months of anticipation, being delayed by a snowstorm in Minneapolis, and the drive from Anchorage I was in a state of excessive excitement as we waited for the feeding of the eagles. Suddenly there were so many flurries of birds, swooping, diving, and retreating every which way, that I became overwhelmed. Chris appeared alongside me, calmed me down, reminded me that we were there for 5 more days, and suggested I just stand, watch and enjoy. Then return to my camera, not chase everything that moved but to pick a zone and wait for action. Still bewildered I followed his instruction and to my amazement took many keepers. Although Chris was only one of many photographers he carried on Jean’s legacy of respect for the birds and local people. He quietly suggested alternative parking spots to those who happened on private property, he organized helpers to unload fish and he called in help for an injured otter stranded on the beach. He had suggestions for our downtime and took us on several drives to enjoy the locale and he took us to excellent eating places. Oh yes, he enabled us to raise our photography standards to yet another level. He’s answered many questions since we returned and is always ready to help. We look forward to our next trip with him. If you want personal attention or just a guide who knows where and when to go, what to look for, and the best way to photograph it then Chris is your man!
A great workshop leader, excellent photographer, teacher and above all a really nice guy
I just got back from a 10 day trip to Homer, Alaska., the place to shoot the majestic Bald Eagle. My host was Christopher Dodds and what a host he has been. He gave the 2 groups I joined a lot of field time and put us in the best positions to take epic shots every single day. There are others out there but Chris has been doing this for more than 25 years so I think it’s justified to call him the primus inter pares. A great workshop leader, excellent photographer, teacher and above all a really nice guy. If you ever consider shooting Bald Eagles and get the best for your money go see Chris , he will not disappoint you.
Dennis Binda The Netherlands
Your instruction is the best I've experience in taking these kinds of trips
Chris, Thanks for another great photo adventure to Alaska during your Eagles of Alaska photograpic Expedition!!!!!!
This is the third trip with you and they keep getting better. Always challenging. Always easy-going. Always taking my photography forward. (Take a look at my site for a few new pictures from Alaska.) Your instruction is the best I've experience in taking these kinds of trips. You always seem to know where to put us in the absolute best place. Top Notch!!!! Can't wait till the next one.....wherever that might be. Thanks again!!!!!!!
Jeff Moore Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA
We had a phenomenal time
Thank you so much for wonderful time we had in Homer, AK during your Eagles of Homer Workshop. Both Rick and I are so excited about learning "M" (manual). We have attended several other photo workshops lead by others but did not learn as much as we did in the 6 days under your guidance in Homer. We came home with some outstanding photos, so many more than we thought possible. We had a phenomenal time and hope to do another workshop with you in the near future.
Melody & Rick Curtis Flower Mound, Texas, USA