Emperor Goose

Emperor Goose (Chen canagica, Oie empereur) Homer Spit, Homer, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 500mm F4 IS, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head. ISO 400, 1/100s F11 Manual Exposure. Full Frame.
Emperor Goose Close-up detail (Chen canagica, Oie empereur) Homer Spit, Homer, Alaska, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head. ISO 400, 1/30s F20 Manual Exposure. Canon 550EX II flash in manual mode. Full Frame.

Perhaps the most striking goose in North America, this small goose is seldom seen because of it's high-arctic haunts, where it is never far from coastal tundra. The Emperor Goose, Chen canagica, breeds on the coast of northwestern Siberia, St. Lawrence Island, and around the Bering sea, mostly in coastal northwestern Alaska. Winters mainly in the Aleutian Islands but wanders also down the North American western coast as far as California. Due to its low population size, and restricted range, the Emperor Goose is especially vulnerable to local catastrophic events, such as oil spills. In winter, the majority of the global population of this species can be found in the Aleutian Islands. Eskimos once rounded up thousands in "goose drives" during post-breeding, the flightless molt period, then drove them into traps to be killed for food. The Emperor Goose population is thought to be on the rise in Alaska after an unexplained decline from an estimated 139,000 in 1964 to only 42,000 in 1986.

Inner Game of Outdoor Photography

(Galen Rowell ISBN13: 978-0-691-14069-8) After posting the book reviews in my last entry, I received numerous requests for more; mostly from people looking for the perfect Holiday or Christmas present for photographers. If I could make a single suggestion for anyone interested in outdoor photography, It would be Galen Rowell's Inner Game of Outdoor Photography. Rowell, his wife Barbara Cushman Rowell, pilot Tom Reid, and Reid's friend Carol McAffee, were killed in a plane crash near the Inyo County Airport in Bishop, California on the 11th of August, 2002. They were returning from a photography workshop in Alaska.

“Galen Rowell was a man who went into the mountains, into the desert, to the edge of the sea, to the last great wild places in the world to be absorbed by their grace and grandeur. That is what he did for himself. For the rest of us, he shared his vision with—click—the release of a shutter, creating photographs as timeless, as stunning, and as powerful as nature itself.” –Tom Brokaw, from the foreword of Galen Rowell: A Retrospective

In sixty-six essays based on his popular Outdoor Photographer monthly column and with more than 160 color photographs, Galen illustrates how he transforms what he sees into vivid, memorable works of art. He clearly explains why “pre-visualizing” a photograph before exposing any film is one key to making an arresting image rather than a mere replica of what we see through the viewfinder. Includes advice on practical, technical matters, packing for travel, pushing film to extremes, and when to use fill flash and smart flash. Galen was instrumental in my early development as a nature photographer. I remember reading, and re-reading, every word he wrote for Outdoor Photographer; and that was long before I had access to the internet. This book should be a "must have" for any outdoor photographer.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

Knowledge: The Single Best Way to Improve Your Wildlife Photography

Timber Wolves Alpha Pair in Fog (Grey Wolves, Canis lupus, Loup Gris) Quebec (C) ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 70-200mm F2.8 IS @ 200mm ISO 500, F5.6 1/200s Manual Mode. Hand Held. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO BUY A PRINT OR LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Hearing Timber Wolves (Grey Wolves, Canis lupus, Loup Gris) howl while photographing them on a foggy January mourning was a hair raising experience; their reputation as ferocious enemies of man owes more to fiction and folklore than reality, in fact, they go out of their way to avoid contact with humans. Grey Wolves vary in colour from white on the arctic tundra (Arctic Wolves) to grey (Timber Wolves) or black in the forested regions of Northern wilderness regions. They  travel in packs, working co-operatively to bring down their prey; big game like deer, caribou and moose. Most regard wolves as unbeatable hunters, but they often fail to catch their intended prey. 

If I had to name a single way for anyone to improve their skill at wildlife photography, it would be to know your subject inside and out. I love to read, and I love books, so I was recently thrilled to get my hands on two simply outstanding books. I've caught myself getting lost in the pages of these marvels of the wild world far too often. Essential for the library of any nature photographer (or nature lover), The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds and The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals have become the go to resource when I'm researching a specific species; or simply sitting here daydreaming of my next big adventure to some far corner of the world. Of all the natural history books in my collection, these two stand out amongst the best! ... and they are a bargain!

                                                                    

 

The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals

 (David W. Macdonald ISBN13: 978-0-691-14069-8) is the most comprehensive and accessible reference book on mammals available. Unsurpassed in scope and stunningly illustrated, this book covers every known living species, from aardvarks to zorros. The informative and lively text is written by acclaimed researchers from around the world and features a concise general introduction to mammals followed by detailed accounts of species and groups that systematically describe form, distribution, behavior, status, conservation, and more. There are superb full-color photos and illustrations on virtually every page that show the animals in their natural settings and highlight their typical behaviors. And throughout the book, numerous "Factfile" panels with color distribution maps and scale drawings provide at-a-glance overviews of key data. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals is the definitive one-volume resource--a must-have reference book for naturalists and a delight for general readers.

  • Covers every living mammal
  • Describes form, distribution, behavior, status, conservation, and more
  • Features spectacular full-color photos and illustrations on virtually every page
  • Includes "Factfile" panels with color distribution maps and scale drawings for at-a-glance reference
    •
  • Written by an international team of experts

David W. Macdonald is director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and a fellow of Lady Margaret Hall at the University of Oxford. He is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and the author of several books, including Mammals of Europe (Princeton).

The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds

 (Christopher Perrins ISBN13: 978-0-691-14070-4) is a comprehensive and lavishly illustrated reference to the world's birds. Accessibly written by renowned biologists and conservationists, and illustrated in color throughout, the book provides authoritative and systematic accounts of every bird family, covering form and function, distribution, diet, social behavior, breeding biology, and conservation and status. More than 1,000 superb color photos reveal the enormous diversity of birds in their natural habitats, from arctic tundra to tropical rain forest, and a wealth of beautifully detailed color and line illustrations depict representative species from each family and highlight characteristic behaviors. The main articles are complemented by detailed coverage of special topics, such as how ibises and spoonbills feed by touch, how pigeons find their way home, and how crows store food. And throughout the book, numerous "Factfile" panels with color distribution maps and scale drawings provide at-a-glance overviews of key data. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Birds is the definitive one-volume reference--an essential guide for amateur bird enthusiasts and professional ornithologists alike.

  • Covers all the bird families of the world
  • Describes form and function, distribution, diet, social behavior, breeding biology, and conservation and status
  • Features more than 1,000 spectacular color photos and illustrations
  • Includes "Factfile" panels with color distribution maps and scale drawings for at-a-glance reference
  • Explores special topics in depth
    •
  • Written by leading biologists and conservationists

Christopher Perrins is a distinguished ornithologist, the author of many popular and scholarly books on birds, and a fellow of the Royal Society. A former professor of ornithology at the University of Oxford and former director of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, he is currently a fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

National Geographic Traveller rates Gaspé #3 Best-Rated Travel Destination in the world

Northern Gannets LOVE, Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan Bonaventure Island, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 300mm F2.8 and 1.4XII Tele-converter  ISO 250, F8 1/800s Manual. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

National Geographic Traveler Magazine rates Gaspé number 3 destination in the world:

Subject to development, mass tourism, pollution, globalization - are the world's great places still...great? Jay Walljasper writes on page 50 of the November / December 2009 edition of National Geographic Traveler Magazine, Gaspé ranks # 3 in the world - Congratulations Gaspé!
jutting into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the colorful Gaspé Peninsula  offers "oceanfront, islands, and inland mountains" within "excellent parks and reserves," along with "authentic Francophone" villages. A big part of the area's appeal is "tourism development largely on a human scale." READ MORE HERE

Click HERE for more information on the Gannets of Bonaventure Island Photo Safari at The Parc National de l'Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé and my very favorite bird photography location on planet Earth!

Testimonial

"I just returned from attending my first workshop, my first time in “the Gaspé” and my first experience with shooting birds in flight and I thought I’d share a bit about the experience…

The workshop was given by Christopher Dodds who is often referred to as one of the very best nature photographers in Canada. We were going to spend three days shooting Gannets on L’Ile Bonaventure, Québec (about 30 minutes off the Percé harbour and close to the famous Percé Rock). The Island is a protected habitat for Gannets and access to the Island is only allowed when the Parks Canada staff are there from about 9am to 5pm.

It’s a long uphill climb from the wharf to the top where the birds are, and Park staff say most people take about 45 minutes to an hour. Chris and I made it in about 30 minutes the first day (and got it down to about 25 minutes the following days but if he wanted to, I’m sure Chris could do it in 15!). We could hear the Gannets long before we got to the top and the first view of them – literally thousands and thousands of them – was breathtaking. The unofficial current estimate is at over 500,000 Gannets, now making this the largest colony in the world!

I can't speak highly enough about the experience of shooting with Chris Dodds. Chris is absolutely amazing. He's got tremendous experience and a great eye. The whole experience was way better than my expectations. He’s a far better photographer and workshop leader than I expected. Not only does he produce incredible work, he has the technical knowledge and experience to make this a really worthwhile learning experience. And he gives what is truly a “workshop”, in that he gives constant tips and coaching to make sure all participants are learning (no matter what their experience is or how stubborn and set in their ways they might be – like myself). He doesn’t just lead you to a subject (as many other workshops do), but he gives all the technical support and training you could wish for; he makes sure you are learning the photo techniques needed to improve. Chris and I knocked heads quite a bit those first days (he was right – I was wrong) as he stuck with trying to get me to improve and get out of my comfortable rut.

I liked those three days (and the one pre-workshop day) so much that I decided to stay for a second three-day workshop and luckily Chris still had a spot available. Not only that, but I’m certainly going to return to shoot those Gannets again, hopefully with Chris. In fact I’d love to take any workshop Chris was leading.

We were shooting ALL day... from the time we got to the top until we had to leave. There was absolutely no shortage of birds or birds in flight and that's unlike any other avian photography venue in the world from what everyone was saying. Elsewhere you only have a few hours to shoot and then the birds are gone. We were always the first ones on the Island (with the Park staff) and the last ones to leave (again with the staff).

Chris is so well known there (and so highly regarded) that he and his group were certainly given privileges and access that someone on their own wouldn't get. If (I should say when) I do this again, I'm going to do it with Chris on one of his workshops.

And with Chris, everything was organized for us including lunches; access and transportation to the island, accommodations and of course the great training. I wouldn't do it any other way.

Believe me, if you took such a workshop with Chris you wouldn't regret it! And his repeat clients (of which there were many in both the 3-day workshops I attended) had nothing but raves for him.

An absolutely fabulous time!"

Eldor Gemst | Montreal | QC | Canada

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Social Media Sites Strip Embedded metadata; Another Reason for Bold Watermarks!

 Great Grey Owl Blizzard in White (Strix nebulosa Chouette Lapone) January 2005 Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 100-400mm @ 100mm. ISO 400, F6.3 1/800s Manual Exposure. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Technology & Art; get it out of the middle

Modern digital cameras are tools jam packed with not-so-often used features; remember to use focus selection points other than the centre - it makes for much more pleasing photographs. As amazing as it was for photography, the Great Grey Owl invasion during the winter of 2004-2005 was an amazing time for friendships. I had a great time in Bracebridge, Ontario with a great friend who continues to inspire me today.

The American Society of Media Photographers has released a report called "Best Practice Recommendations for Social Networking Sites" by Christopher J. Reese, Esq. Well written, this is must read for anyone posting images to the internet (amateur or professional): READ HERE

Great Grey Owl WIngs Wide Open (Strix nebulosa Chouette Lapone) December 2004 L'Île-Bizard, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 100-400mm @ 300mm. ISO 400, F6.3 1/640s Manual Exposure. Full Frame.

Recent infringements:

I am actively monitoring my image use, abuse and copyright infringements in an effort to keep you up-to date with infringements and resolutions. Here's an image of mine, stripped of it's metadata, and the copyright watermark was removed. While I'm flattered that they used my image, they should have asked & given credit! While the communications officer had agreed to replace the image with one that I provided with metadata and copyright watermark, they decided to remove the content instead.  From his last email to me: "I did some further digging to determine who looked after the site, and to put them in contact with you for other photos. That particular page and  site were run by a museum housed on campus but that museum is no longer at the university. We've removed the content, so your photo will no longer be on the BU website. I was unable to find a contact for the current curator of the museum, so I'm unable to pass along your information. Once again, sorry for the obtrusion."

I'm not against my images being used in high profile educational environments, but come on: It's about time that Universities and the Minister of Education audits image use on University websites! For crying out loud, these are the very institutions that educate our next generation of lawyers & scholars and they should set the example! I'm curious about Brandon University's view on plagiarism.

If anyone does know how to get in touch with the museum, please send me an email.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

It’s official: Bonaventure Island is the Largest Northern Gannet Colony in the World!

Northern Gannet EYE ON U, (Morus Bassanus, Fou de Bassan) Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada
Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 70-200mm F2.8 @ 160mm 25mm, 12mm & 25mm Extension Tubes ISO 400, F14 1/180s Manual with Canon 580 EX Flash in manual mode and LumiQuest Soft-box III. Full frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

 I have spent so much time on Bonaventure Island over the years and I have so many images – but I still can’t wait for next spring to get back there. Here’s a close-up look into a Gannet’s eye. I used my Canon 1Ds Mark II with my Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS zoom lens (@160mm), a 12mm and two 25mm extension tubes . Hand-held, but resting on a wooden railing with a LumiQuest Soft-box III on my Canon 580 flash (in manual mode). There is a virtually unlimited number of ways to compose a close-up like this; I often look at it and think about a bit off the bottom and the right side – both compositions work, as do millions of others.

There is a census taken on Bonaventure Island every four years and the results now confirm that the Northern Gannet colony there is, in fact, the largest in the world. As of the 2009 Census, there are officially 59,589 nesting pairs. With virtually unlimited space for the colony to grow, it is expected to stay ahead of Bass Rock in Scotland, where the population has run out of possible nesting sites (a real estate shortage). It is commonly assumed that there are at least as many non-breeding “teens” and don’t forget that most nesting pairs have a baby each year.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Photographing the Ross's Geese of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and kudos

Ross's Goose (Chen rossii, Oie de Ross) Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 250, F8 1/1000s Manual Exposure. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO BUY A PRINT OR LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Pro Tip:

I worked very hard at capturing the above full frame image of a Ross’s Goose in it’s recognizable environment while visiting Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico last fall. I worked equally hard to get the image of a Ross’s Goose against a blue sky for my stock files. Having the blue-sky flight image in my stock photography files ensures sales to regional publications outside of that recognizable habitat of high desert mountain.

Ross's Goose (Chen rossii, Oie de Ross) Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 250, F8 1/1250s Manual Exposure. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO BUY A PRINT OR LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Ross’s Goose facts:

A tiny goose with black wingtips, the Ross’s Goose (Chen rossii, Oie de Ross) is about 40% smaller than the more abundant white phase Snow Goose. The Snow Goose is larger and has a larger bill without the greenish base and has a black grin patch along it’s bill edge (black “lips”). It breeds in the central Arctic and winters primarily in central California, but it is becoming more frequent farther east. It is named in honor of Bernard R. Ross, a Hudson’s Bay Company factor at Fort Resolution in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Kudos

After viewing your two excellent Nature presentations in the last year at our camera club, I have come to conclude that you are in that top echelon of truly outstanding nature photographers, creating art - rather than just photographs. When I see your presentations, I keep saying under my breath... AMAZING!
Best regards,
Frederic Hore,
Past Nature Chair,
Lakeshore Camera Club
Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada

Thanks again for your superb presentation yesterday evening.  Your images are fantastic and you are definitively an inspiration for a lot bird photographers like myself.
Cheers,
Pierre Giard
Nature Chair
Lakeshore Camera Club
Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada

Comments welcome & appreciated.

The Screaming Eagle & when not to use flash

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus Pygarge à tête blanche) Homer Alaska, USA. ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter,1.4X II Tele-converter, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 640, F20 1/80s Manual Exposure and Manual Focus. Full Frame. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

I have been to Alaska to photograph Bald Eagles many times, and always wish for golden light during the first, and last, hour of light. It's often cloudy when I'm there, and my flash is always mounted and ready to go. Typically I would use some light fill flash on heavily overcast days; even when this bird looked to the side I used fill flash. The thing is, I was looking for a perfectly framed, tight portrait of a screaming eagle; and I wanted to see straight down it's throat without any shadows. The single best time to get this shot was during a snowstorm when the clouds and snow diffuse the natural light and bounce it around creating a virtually shadowless world.  It was hovering around freezing and the snow was changing to rain (as we'd endured for a couple of days). I saw this eagle singing and decided to dedicate some time to this shot. So, why no flash? Simple, It would have created a shadow from the front part of it's beak that is hooked downward.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Northern Harrier & " Stressful Jobs that Pay Badly"

Northern Harrier   (Circus cyaneus, Busard Saint-Martin) Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Canon 580 EXII Flash with Better Beamer, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head II  ISO 400, F8 1/800s Manual Mode. Full Frame. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

Northern Harriers have owl-like facial disks to help with directional hearing; unusual among hawks, they use their sense of hearing to locate prey.

This article from CNNMoney.com caught my eye when someone posted a link to it on FaceBook. They forgot to mention that no matter what your area of expertise, there is always a pile of people who don't depend on photography to earn their living; and those people will all do the job for 1/10 the price, or even free. I remember when I used to charge $5,000.00 for a wedding and there were always another ten "photographers" charging $500.00; you do get what you pay for. Most people think that the life of a professional photographer is glamorous and well paying....Sigh, smile.

Click on the image to go directly to the CNN article.

 

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

 

Brand Identity, Watermarks & Copyright Infringement as a Marketing Tool / Sales Aid

Eastern White-tailed Deer Buck Portrait (Odocoileus virginianus, Cerf de Virginie) ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4, Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 250, F5 1/400s Manual mode.

As a passionate nature photographer, I often post images to this Blog, my website and various on-line nature photography forums like NatureScapes.net (where I happen to be a moderator for the bird photography forum). I regret any image that I have posted on the Internet without a very bold and obvious watermark. Let me explain: I have recently received two very different phone calls, from two very different people, in very different places. Both callers referred to a video that they had seen on YouTube.

Caller number one described the video and paid huge compliments to my images. She informed me that her son, Lee, had recently achieved the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout, and that he had asked his mother if she thought it would be all right for him to project the slideshow video to his Scout Troop during the evening of his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. She told me that there were only two images with copyright information visible, that both images were identified as mine, and that she was pretty sure they were used without permission. I granted permission for the viewing and thanked her for calling, her honesty and for raising her boy to achieve that honor (I was a Boy Scout myself). Congratulations Lee!


Caller number two called me and pointed me to that very same video, but this was a very different call. Long story short, he was calling to place an order for 16 large, signed prints for the golf course the he runs.

Despite the video producer stealing the images, he left my copyright watermarks intact and I doubt he made any financial gain, or caused me any financial loss, so a lawsuit would only cost me money. By leaving the video as is (not that I could have done anything about a video that I didn’t know about) I made a very substantial sale.

So, what's the moral of the story?

You are a brand: Identify your brand, market your brand and protect your images; do it boldly and do it consistently. The next time you consider making a small, transparent watermark, think of the Nature Photography Blog and the video below:

In closing, if they really want an image without a watermark, they most likely will find a way to remove it, or simply find another picture. If they really just want a picture for a slideshow like this one, then it becomes a great sales aid for you. 

This video clip was produced and posted to YouTube without my knowledge. Ten of the Bald Eagle images it contains are "stolen" from me, Christopher Dodds. Images in question can be viewed at the following times: 1:33, 1:41, 1:49, 1:54, 2:01, 2:35, 2:43, 3:02, 3:06.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Twitching & The Black-Tailed Gull of Charlotte, Vermont

Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris, Goéland à queue noire, BTGU) October 21, 2005 Lake Champlain, Charlotte, VT, USA ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 500mm F4 IS, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head. ISO 200, F7.1 1/1250s Manual Mode. Full Frame. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

First used in the 1950s to describe the nervous behavior of Howard Medhurst, a British birdwatcher, a twitcher is a birder who travels long distances to see a rare bird and check it off, on a list. Previously known as "pot-hunter", "tally-hunter", or "tick-hunter", a twitcher’s main goal is to accumulate species on their bird lists. Some birders engage in competition to accumulate the longest species list. The act of the pursuit itself is referred to as a "twitch" or a "chase". A rare bird that stays put long enough for people to see it is "twitchable" or "chaseable".

I am not a "Twitcher", so I don't run off to photograph rare birds at the drop of a hat. I certainly wouldn’t go running off to Lake Champlain to try to find a Black-tailed Gull amongst the thousands of Ring-billed Gulls that are typically found there; Lake Champlain is huge; it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. On October 21, 2005, I was on my way to Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area to photograph Snow Geese, when I got a call from a friend telling me about this rare Asian visitor in Charlotte, Vermont. I laughed when I heard that it was "along the shore of Lake Champlain", but decided that I would stop by for a look on my way to Dead Creek WMA. Not hopeful, I assembled my camera and set the exposure in manual mode and then headed for the water's edge where at least 50 birders had gathered. I set-up my camera in manual mode and started to eat a sandwich, when there it was. The image above was one of about thirty that I took within the first ten minutes of my arrival. I changed my plans and stay put, but the bird didn't re-appear that day. Great fun was had exchanging stories with the many birders present - the images were a nice bonus too.

Service Notice: EOS 7D: Residual Image in Picture

Thank you for using Canon products.

We have confirmed that in certain camera settings and shooting conditions, the phenomenon described below may occur in images captured by the EOS 7D Digital SLR camera.

Canon is currently investigating and analyzing the cause of this phenomenon, and we are planning to release a firmware update to address this issue.

Once the support measures have been established, we will post the relevant information on our Web site.

We offer our most sincere apologies to customers using this product who have been inconvenienced by this issue. Going forward, we will spare no effort in our quality management to make sure our customers can use our products with confidence. We hope our efforts will earn your understanding.

Phenomenon
In images captured by continuous shooting, and under certain conditions, barely noticeable traces of the immediately preceding frame may be visible. This phenomenon is not noticeable in an image with optimal exposure. The phenomenon may become more noticeable if a retouching process such as level compensation is applied to emphasize the image.

Affected Product
EOS 7D Digital SLR

Support
This contact information is for residents of the United States and Puerto Rico only. If you do not reside in the USA or Puerto Rico, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.

Thank you,
Customer Support Operations
Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Contact Information for Inquiries
Canon Customer Support Center
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight. ET,
  Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., excluding holidays
Phone: 1-800-OK-CANON (toll free)
  1-800-652-2666
TTD: 1-866-251-3752 (toll free)
Email: carecenter@cits.canon.com
For additional support options: www.usa.canon.com/support

 

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Photographing the Pied-billed Grebe: light illuminates - shadows define

Pied-billed Grebe Reflection (Podilymbus podiceps, Grèbe à bec bigarré) Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4 IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Gitzo tripod and Wimberley Head II from VW Westfalia (thanks  Ethan). ISO 250, F16 1/320s Manual Mode. Full Frame. Click HERE to purchase a print or license image for publication.

Light Illuminates - Shadows Define

Though many try to take the credit for saying it, it was Howard Pyle who said, "Light illuminates texture and color - shadows define form" - though he was referring to painting, the same holds true for photography. Light is an incredibly important part of photography. Out in the field, or in the studio; it's quality, quantity and direction are all very important components in your final image. Many nature photographers advocate pointing your shadow directly at your subject, resulting in a direct, flat, frontal light source (the sun). While that is a good starting point, I strive to get my light source (the sun in this case) off to one side. As you can see in this image of a Pied-billed Grebe, the sun is off to my far right. The resulting image is full of light and shadow, creating a dramatic, detail rich image; every wet feather on the back of its neck is accentuated by both light and shadow. This method works incredibly well for white birds like Snowy Owls, that have a hollow feather structure.

The Bigger Pictures:

As promised when I started this Nature Photography Blog, I have been messing around with image sizes and page format. I do hope you like the new, bigger pictures and will try to get all of the older posts updatesd soon. Leave a comment to let me know how you like the new format.

Pied-billed Grebe facts:

Nicknamed dabchick, devil-diver, hell-diver and water witch, the Pied-billed Grebe, Podilymbus podiceps, feeds on fish (carp catfish & eels), insects (dragonflies, ants & beetles) and amphibians (frogs & tadpoles).
The most widespread of the North American Grebes, it is often found on remote ponds and marshes of Canada, parts of the United States and temperate South America. Preferring to escape danger by diving, this Grebe rarely flies.
Instead of having webbed feet like ducks, Pied-billed Grebes have lobes extending out the sides of it's toes to provide extra surface area for paddling.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Photo Competition: Buyer Beware!

Coyote Autumn pup  (Canis latrans) Quebec, Canada (C) ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMark III, 500mm F4 IS, Gitzo Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 500, 1/160s F4 Manual Mode. Full Frame. Click HERE to purchase a print or license image for publication.


So, you work for a magazine and your publisher is trying to squeeze a profit out of your magazine during these difficult economic times. Earning kudos from the boss may be easier than you would think: Just announce a photo competition where all entrants assign all publication rights (editorial, commercial & educational) AND they send a $20.00 bill with each submission. Just 1,000 entrants produces an image bank of at least that many images AND $20,000.00 for the magazine. The grand prize: get you picture published in the magazine. The most shocking part is how hard it was to find the fine print and I'm sure most people who sent off a cheque never read it. Oh, I almost forgot: the magazine does not have to pay publication rights to photographers anymore. Just something to think about next time you think about entering a competition…

Entries become the property of (insert magazine name here), a division of (insert company name here) Inc., which reserves the right, without further consideration, to use all photos and text in any publication, media, and related prodcts or promotions. The company cannot confirm receipt or return entries. By submitting your materials, you agree that your contact information may be given to the contest sponsor, which may use the information for marketing purposes. You further agree that your photo, text, name, and city and state may be posted on (insert company name here)-owned websites and, on sponsor websites, as well. If you are younger than 13 years of age, you will need to provide signed permission from a parent or guardian allowing you to enter the contest. - REAL FINE PRINT FROM A REAL PHOTO COMPETITION 

The Coyote , Canis latrans, runs with it's tail down, unlike domestic dogs with their tail up or wolves with their tail straight. Known as the best runner among the canids, the Coyote cruises at 25-30 mph (40-50km/h), with a top speed of 40 mph (65 km/h). Always an opportunist, Coyotes eat small mammals like mice, squirrels and rabbits, as well as birds, frogs, toads snakes, insects and fruit.

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Photographing the Common Raccoon with wide-open & fast lenses.

Common Raccoon  (Procyon Iotor, raton laveur) Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 70-200mm @ 195mm. ISO 400, F2.8 1/1000s Manual Mode.

Pro Tip: I'm amazed at the number of photographers out in the field today, and even more amazed at the inventory of professional camera gear they cart around with them. Many pay the hefty price, and carry the extra weight of fast lenses, rarely using them at their intended extremes. Try using your F2.8 lenses at F2.8, then try them at F16; while it is true that they are not quite as sharp at F2.8 than, say F4.5, or F5.6, I would bet money that you can't tell the difference with a full frame Canon 1DsIII and all of the pixels it has to offer. Try using your depth of field (or lack of one) to hide or accentuate different features, or areas, of your subject. A shallow depth of field is especially useful when photographing captive animals: I can't tell you how sick I am of looking at "snapshot" style captive images from "serious" photographers - mostly the result of too much depth of field with cluttered backgrounds.

Common Raccoon  (Procyon Iotor, raton laveur) Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMark III, 500mm F4 IS. ISO 800, 1/160s F4 Manual Mode.

The black mask across their eyes and ringed tails are the keys to identifying the "backyard bandit" of Southern Canada and much of the United States. Raccoons, Procyon Iotor, are amazing climbers and swimmers that den in hollow trees and spend the night foraging for food. When these masked marauders move into the suburbs, they become experts at opening garbage cans (waste bins).
Not true hibernators, Raccoons do sleep through much of the winter. By February, the mating urge sends the males on a quest regardless of the weather. Nine weeks later most females have three to six kits.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Photographing the Boreal Owl & Ultimate Owl Camera Kit

Boreal Owl  or Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus, Nyctale de Tengmalm) Owl Woods, Amherst Island, Ontario, Canada Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds  www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 50D, 100-400mm @ 285mm. ISO 400, F5.6 1/80s Manual. Purchase a print or license image for publication HERE.

The thick frost and -5°C temperature during my morning walk through the orchard with T-Bone this morning had me looking foreword to having my snow tires installed and the coming winter owl season.
Last year, I found that having a Canon 50D (with it's 1.6X crop factor) and my Canon 100-400mm zoom lens in a Lowepro Cirrus TLZ 25 Holster Style Case For Digital SLR & Telephoto Zoom Lens (Black) shoulder pouch was the ultimate owl kit to have with me at all times while scouting for roosting Saw-whet owls, Boreal owls, Long-eared owls and short-eared owls. I used to hike through the woods with my pro camera bodies and multiple lenses (including the 500mm F4 IS with matching Tele-converters) packed in my Lowepro Super Trekker. Both Boreal and Saw-whet owls are nocturnal and will probably stay on the same perch for most of the daylight hours, so if I decide I would like images with my 1DsIII and tripod mounted 500mm lens, I have plenty of time to go back to the car and get them. Long-eared and short-eared owls typically flush quite easily, so being ready with my ultimate hand-held rig is key to photographing them. This winter I will use Canon's new 7D with my 100-400mm zoom lens while hiking through the woods and I can't wait!
How do you get an image of a nocturnal owl with it's eyes wide open? - just wait as long as it takes for a birding group (often 10-20 people) to hike right up to you and the owl; there is often a thin layer of ice covering the snow or frozen swampland in the woods that makes quite a racket when that may people approach.

Known in North America as the Boreal Owl, Aegolius funereus, it is also known as Tengmalm's Owl, named after the Swedish naturalist Peter Gustaf Tengmalm.

SOLD: FOR SALE: CANON 1D MARK II

I have a used Canon 1D Mark II (not the 1D Mark IIN) for sale. This has been a much loved and used camera body that has many marks, scratches and little dings. It has been used professionally and it shows. 100% in working order and includes the original box , charger and contents. Also includes an extra battery. CAD$1,000.00 or best offer. Email me if interested: chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com

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The Many Moose of Baxter State Park. Trip Report Part III

Bull Moose Vertical (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 and 1.4XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 500, F5.6 1/200s Manual.

As mentioned in earlier posts, this years trip to Baxter State Park in Maine was one of my most productive. Here's just a few of the 13 Moose we spent time photographing. It's always a thrill to get close, and close we got on a few occasions; It's best to let Moose come to you, rather than go off chasing them around the forest & remember that Bull Moose that are about two and a half years old (like the Moose in the photo above) are the most unpredictable and therefore the most dangerous; If you find yourself feeling a little uncomfortable, then slowly move away. Moose of this age are starting to "feel their oats" for the first time, and unsure of how to behave during this time of hormonal change.

Bull Moose Giant of the Northwoods (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 1/160s Manual.

Named from the Algonquin term meaning "twig-eater", Moose rely most on their strongest senses: Hearing and smell. Their vision isn't the best, but with the placement of their eyes they can see almost 360°. Inhabiting dense forests throughout Canada, Maine and Alaska, Moose (Alces alces) are the giants of the deer family. They may lack the grace of other deer, but they are among North America's most magnificent mammals. A bull moose crashing through the underbrush in a northern bog is a sight not soon forgotten.
Alaska boasts the largest males: they weigh some 1,800 pounds, stand seven feet tall at the shoulder, and have antlers with a spread of over six feet. In addition to a massive body and a big, overhanging muzzle, the moose is characterized by a fold of skin on the throat (its function unknown) called the "bell" or "Dewlap". You may be able to distinguish particular moose by their distinctive dewlaps. Though long and spindly-looking, its legs are well suited for moving swiftly across snow, wading in water, and swimming.
During the fall rutting season, when their low, mooing calls echo through the forest, bulls battle over cows in savage antler-to-antler confrontations. By December the contests end and the bulls shed their hefty headgear.
In summer, moose wade into ponds and streams to eat aquatic plants, and in winter they browse on twigs and bark. Once exterminated in parts of their range- they were used as food by native peoples and early settlers, and their antlers have always been prized as trophies- moose have lately made quite a comeback.

Bull Moose Vertical Portrait (Alces, Elan, Orignal) Baxter State Park, Maine ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4 and 2XII tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 1/125s Manual.

Do consider joining me for the Moose and fall colors of Maine Workshop next year.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

American Black Bears of Baxter State Park. Trip Report Part II

American Black Bear Curious Cutie  (Ursus americanus, Ours Noir) Roaring Brook Campground, Baxter State Park, ME ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS Ids Mark III, 500mm F4, Gitzo 1325 Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 640, F4 1/200s Manual mode.

We were pleased to photograph these two Black Bear cubs at the Roaring Brook campground parking area of Baxter State Park in Maine, but saddened by their future. Though the park staff called them problem bears, the problem is the people who offered hand-outs and simply didn't listen to the Park Rangers pleas to lock all food inside vehicles. By the time you read this, I hope they have been relocated, as planned, to a rehabilitation centre in New Brunswick in Canada.
American Black Bear Autumn Stroll  (Ursus americanus, Ours Noir) Roaring Brook Campground, Baxter State Park, ME ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS Ids Mark III, 500mm F4, Gitzo 1325 Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 500, F4 1/200s Manual mode.

Do consider joining me for this unique workshop next year. Details HERE.

American Black Bear facts: There are three species of bear in North America: Polar Bear, Brown Bear (commonly called Grizzly Bear), and Black Bear. The Black Bear, Ursus americanus, is the only bear that lives in Maine where they are generally deep brown or black with a tan muzzle. Current estimates place the Black Bear population at around 30,000 in Maine; with as many as 300-400 of these in Baxter State Park.

The average life expectancy of Maine bears is only about 5-6 years; whereas a typical life expectancy in the wild might be 25 years. Most Black Bears are killed well before the end of their natural lifespan by human-related factors like hunting or  vehicular collision. Baiting (or feeding) is legal while hunting bear in Maine: READ THIS

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

White-tailed Deer of Baxter State Park. Trip Report Part I

Eastern White-tailed Deer Fawn Portrait (Odocoileus virginianus, Cerf de Virginie) Sandy Stream Pond (Roaring Brook Campground), Baxter State Park, Maine, USA ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, 500mm F4, 2X II Tele-converter Gitzo 1325 Tripod and Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 1/500s Manual mode.

This years trip to Baxter State Park in Maine was, without doubt, my most productive. We had a great time photographing two Black Bear Cubs, an Eastern White-tailed Deer doe and her twin fawns, Common Goldeneyes, Common Mergansers, amazing fall foliage and did I mention the 13 Moose? I thought I would make my first post about the Eastern White-tailed Deer that live in the park, but until this visit I had never seen there. Shortly after setting-up for Moose one afternoon, we watched as a doe brought her twin fawns out to the water's edge across the lake from us. She slowly made her way around the lake until they were about forty feet from us.

White-tailed Deer Doe & twin fawns at Sandy Stream Pond (Odocoileus virginianus, Cerf de Virginie) Sandy Stream Pond (Roaring Brook Campground), Baxter State Park, Maine, USA ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 24-70mm F2.8 @ 70mm, ISO 400, F14 1/200s Manual mode.

White-tailed Deer facts

Our only animals with antlers, North America's deer include three giants; Moose, caribou , and wapiti, or elk. The most widespread and abundant members of the family, however, are the alert, elegant bucks, graceful does, and dappled fawns of the white-tailed and mule deer.
Especially common throughout the East, the delicate white-tailed, or Virginia, deer prefers woodland edges but can also be found in many suburban areas. Up to 3 1/2 feet tall and weighing as much as 250 pounds, it is a fast, elusive creature that, when frightened, flashes the white underside of its tail like a banner. White-tailed deer can run at speed up to 36 mph (58 km/h), it can make vertical leaps of 8.5 feet (2.6m) and horizontal leaps of 30 feet (9m). The stockier, long-eared mule deer lives in the west on forested mountain slopes and deserts. The black-tailed deer of the North-West is a subspecies of the mule deer.
Both white-tails and mule deer browse by day and on moonlit nights on the buds and twigs of trees, feeding on tender grass, berries, and acorns when they are available. During hard winters they barely subsist on the meager food that is available, and starvation is common.
Male deer, or "bucks", are easily recognizable in the summer and fall by their prominent set of antlers, which bear a number of tines, or sharp points. In the fall, the antlered males battle other bucks  for mates. About seven months later, first-time mothers generally give birth to a single fawn, while older does commonly bear twins. The young have spotted coats that provide much needed camouflage when they crouch motionless on the forest floor or in tall grass. And they are scentless, which further protects them from predators.

Kudos

from multiple workshop participant Eleanor Kee Wellman (thanks, Eleanor):

Since I first met Chris he has been telling me I should go with him and photograph the Northern Gannets on Bonaventure Island.  He knows I love to capture behavior and there, you are surrounded by the many behaviors of the gannets as they go about their daily lives.
Chris is super organized and extremely well prepared!  He knows what lenses and flash combinations are needed to maximize your opportunities.  He genuinely wants his participants to go home with the best and most varied images possible. His early morning zodiac trips aren’t available through anyone else.
Lots of people, me included, dislike bad weather but Chris relishes it!  The more dramatic the better for photography!  Gannets in rain, fog, drizzle and sun, too.  Eagles at Homer in the rain!  Snowy Owls in white snowy haze!  Hey, there’s going to be a big snowstorm!  Why don’t you leave now and meet us for some great photo ops!  He is ever enthusiastic and helpful.
He inspires everyone to do their best and he knows the greatest places to eat, too!
Thanks, Chris!!!!!
Eleanor Kee Wellman - Balla, Ontario (www.eleanorkeewellman.com)

For the love of Puffins; Photographing The Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic Puffin with Sand Lance , Fratercula arctica (Macareux moine) Gull Island, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve (south of St. John's) Newfoundland & Labrador ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4IS, 2X II Teleconverter and Canon 25mm extension tube. ISO 400, F20 1/160s Manual mode. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head II.

Proper exposure technique is crucial to maintaining intricate detail in both the whites and blacks. Be sure to check your histogram and expose so the whites are right up against the right hand side, without touching (expose it right, to the right). Often overlooked is the use of a sturdy tripod and head, and good long lens technique - it's pointless to achieve perfect exposure, only to loose the detail by hand-holding or bad long lens technique.
Atlantic Puffin Back in Black , Fratercula arctica (Macareux moine) Iceland ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved Canon EOS 1DMKII, 300mm F2.8IS. ISO 400, F2.8 1/1250s Manual mode. Canon 580 EX Flash in manual mode.

Everybody loves puffins! I know that it's probably the most sought after bird species for birders and bird photographers alike. There's hundreds of puffin books out there and even puffin clubs and associations. It is the official bird of the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador. The genius name Fratercula means "little brother" or "friar" which may refer to its black and white coloring. I've spent countless hours watching, studying and photographing them in Maine, Quebec, Newfoundland and Iceland. Puffins are curious and I'm sure that they spend just as much time watching and studying me.
A seabird species in the auk family, the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a pelagic (Relating to or living in or on oceanic waters) bird that feeds primarily by diving for fish like Capelin and Sand lance. If necessary, they will also eat other sea creatures like squid and crustaceans. A series of backward-pointing spines that project from the tongue and top of the mouth allow them to hold food in place while more is being caught. The record in Canada is 61 fish in one bird's mouth!
Approximately 95% of the Atlantic Puffins in North America breed around Newfoundland's coastlines. With an estimated population of more than 260,000 pairs, Witless Bay Ecological Reserve near St.John's is the largest puffin colony in the western Atlantic.
Puffins have difficulty taking-off and flap their wings at an amazing 300-400 beats per minute.They also have trouble landing and often crash.
A "puffin wheel" is when they gather in large numbers and fly in wide circles over the sea around their nesting grounds to protect and defend against gull predation - it's a sight to behold.

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Wood Duck ON GOLDEN POND

Wood Duck ON GOLDEN POND , Aix sponsa (Canard Branchu) Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved Canon EOS 1DsMKIII, 500mm F4IS, 1.4X II Teleconverter. ISO 400, F8 1/800s Manual mode. Canon 580EXII Flash in manual. Gitzo 1325 tripod and Wimberley Head II. Click HERE to purchase print or license image for publication.

Ever wonder how to photograph ducks (waterfowl) on beautiful golden water? The technique is much easier than most think. I love digital, and digital photography does amazingly well in the shade or overcast conditions. Once you locate your subject, simply position yourself so that your "zone" is in the shade of beautifully colored fall trees. Set your cameras exposure for the shade (here, I used Aperture priority set to minus 1/3 stop) and add enough flash to properly expose your subject (I used my flash in manual mode, set to the approximate distance where the Wood Duck filled the frame reasonably well). This technique works incredibly well to bring out the iridescent colors on the wood ducks head.

Perhaps the most beautiful species of waterfowl in North America, if not the world, the Wood Duck, Aix sponsa, lives in swamps, creeks, river valleys, streams, lakes and forest bottomlands. They can be found from southern Canada to the eastern, southern and western coasts of the United States. Unlike most other ducks it has sharp claws for perching in trees where it normally nests in cavities. In southern parts of the breeding range the wood duck regularly produces two broods in a single breeding season, making it the only North American duck to do so. Often called "woodies" or "woody", their population was nearly wiped-out around 1900, and a complete ban on hunting them between 1918 and 1941 brought their population back to what is now considered to be a secure one.

upcoming photo safaris / workshops:

 

Comments welcome & appreciated.

 

Arca-Swiss releases its DSLR shifter

Arca-Swiss, maker of high precision tilt-and-shift cameras, has announced the availability of a new range that can accept digital SLR cameras.

Sadly, Arca-Swiss does not have a website; unimaginable in today's world.
I had heard this was coming down the pipe when I had posted the release of the Horseman VCC Pro. Expensive, but certainly worth the wait.


The M-Line Two is available in two formats; one accepting Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLRs, and the other designed for medium format.

Aimed at photographers who 'want to take more elaborate images using shift for perspective control and Scheimpflug (a rule that calculates the alignment of subject, lens and film planes) for image sharpness', the M-Line Two is compatible with a large range of accessories that can replicate the movements of a large format technical camera.

Like Cambo's Ultima 35 and Silvestri's Flexicam - who also make systems that can accept digital SLRs - the M-Line Two serves as a platform for a camera or back (film or digital), attached via a range of adaptors, together with specialist lenses made by Rodenstock and Schneider.

'When used with a DSLR camera or a digital back, this new precision system enables you to take images of buildings, landscapes or objects with the fullest of control. It's ideal for landscapes to macros. The M-Line Two is part of one of the largest photographic systems currently available and is compatible with all DSLR cameras.'

'All traditional medium format film backs are compatible with the M-Line Two,' says the statement. 'The usable focal length extends from 28mm for the M-Line Two SLR and 23mm for the M-Line two MF, to infinity.'

The system measures 250x140x300mm (length x depth x height). It offers a vertical and horizontal shift of 70mm, a swing of 30 degs, a tilt of 90 degs and a maximum extension of 190mm (depending on the configuration).

Adaptors for the M-Line Two are available in Canon, Nikon and Sony fits for the DSLR version, and Contax 645, Hasselblad V/H, Mamiya 645 AFD, AFi/HY6 for the medium format version. Accessories include a binocular viewfinder, lens hood, extension rail and compendium.

Pricing starts from EUR2990 +VAT. For more details, email arca-swiss@wanadoo.fr.