Sony a1 Bird Eye AF The Real Test

To truly test the bird eye AF of the newly launched Sony a1, I needed to find a moving bird against a distracting background that would normally confuse the camera's AF system into focusing on the background. Sounds easier than it was, as I first had to overcome my natural reflex of finding birds and animals against nice clean out-of-focus backgrounds. This image is perfect to demonstrate the ridiculous accuracy of the bird eye autofocus of the Sony a1: Not only is the background close and cluttered (photographing the subject further from the background would have made the background more out of focus and made the whole test easier for the camera), but the subject is relatively low contrast against it. The random scattering of snow covered branches is harder for most autofocus systems to negate when compared to the predictable vertical tree trunks on the edge of a deciduous forest. It was remarkable to see the camera lock onto the eye and follow it through a sequence of 40 images that were all razor-sharp.

Sony a1 Bird Eye Autofocus ROCKS

I have been lucky to have had several shoots with this beautiful Great Gray Owl relatively close to home in Southwestern Quebec. It was the perfect model for my recent test of the Sony Alpha A1 for Sony of Canada. It is amazing to think back on all of the owls I have photographed over the years and I can’t remember the last time I got to photograph one completely alone without a group of eager winter owl workshop participants, so this is one silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc across the travel/workshop industry.

In truth, this is a big and relatively slow moving owl. I would have loved to test the camera and it’s built-in and industry leading bird eye auto-focus on some small and fast moving Auklets in The Pribilofs or Atlantic Puffins in Quebec.

The a1 locked onto the owls eye instantly and stayed locked-on to the eye until the owl’s head turned away from the camera; that is when a larger focus target locked-onto it’s head, and quickly regained it’s lock on the eye as soon as it looked back towards me. The bird eye autofocus in extremely impressive and when combined with the camera’s ability to verify focus 120 per second (twice as often than the a9 & a9II) it truly is a game changer! Does it work every time? Almost; the only time it had a little trouble so far was when pointed at a dark bird in low contract light when it tried hard, but ended-up choosing the bird’s shoulder instead of it’s dark eye.

Sony a1 high ISO performance and how to minimize noise in any digital capture

After quickly assembling and setting-up the Sony a1, I headed outside to what turned out to be the quietest feeder in town. This Eastern Gray Squirrel didn’t even stay for long. This image was made with the Sony a1 set to APS-C mode and the Sony 600mm f/4 with the 2X teleconverter making a staggering effective focal length of 1,800 mm. I was at just about minimum focusing distance.

This image shows almost no noise at 10,000 ISO, but it is important to observe that the image is mostly midtones through highlights with almost no dark shadows except the eyes, so one could argue that this is a calculated attempt to cover-up any weakness of the new Sony a1. I would argue that this is a full-frame capture, but since the camera was set to APS-C mode and I was set to compressed RAW to achieve the full 30FPS capture rate, the noise performance is quite remarkable. Add to that that I know I have always got more detail, color accuracy, and less noise when converting RAW images with Adobe Camera Raw which has not yet released an update for the new camera just yet (as mentioned in my Sony a1 review HERE, this may simply be user error while trying to get the most from Sony’s Imaging Edge Software).

To minimize noise with any digital camera be sure to understand and use the histogram to make sure your image is exposed correctly: the whites should reside at the right-hand side of the histogram, but should not be touching the edge to avoid over-exposing them and losing details. Since the camera sees and records light like our eyes, it can’t see or record darkness: it is imperative to remember this! Most vocal armchair warrior critics online consistently underexpose and use one of many available techniques to brighten their images after capture: every one of them will introduce noise into the image (particularly in the darkest areas or the shadows).

Since noise is magnified by cropping an image, it is best practice to avoid cropping much from the original capture. Again, this is something I have seen consistently from those vocal interweb armchair critics.

Sony a1 review

I have spent a week immersing myself in the wonder of the new Sony Alpha 1 digital mirrorless camera from the perspective of a bird/wildlife/nature photographer. If you want the quick and easy answer from the end of the review: This is the best action, birds-in-flight, and all-around digital camera that I have ever used. Amazing image files, blazing-fast auto-focus, and capture rate: it is the new King of the digital camera world. There is no more need for a separate high-speed and high-resolution camera body: this is the all-in-one professional camera body we have all been waiting for and Sony has delivered..... and I haven't even mentioned the 8K video yet ;)

I'll skip copy & pasting all of the camera's specifications that can easily be found on the Sony A1 product page, so click HERE to see them all. What I will do is talk about the things that are important to me and what I do.

Like the a9II, the A1 feels light and comfortable in my hand. I have grown to love the small form factor, and intuitive dial and button placement. The new color touch menu has carried over from the Sony a7SIII, and I find it easy to navigate and in a logical order.

The new Electronic View Finder (EVF) is better than anything I have ever seen in a camera with 9 million dots and .9X magnification; it is big, bright, and fast. The high-quality mode is spectacular.

The new bird eye auto-focus is exclusive to the a1, and works remarkably well. I programmed a button to instantly switch between bird and animal eye auto-focus. I would have loved to test it on small and fast birds in flight, but seasonal variations in available species and local COVID-19 restrictions made that impossible. I was impressed with the bird eye AF on the larger owls and raptors that I was able to find, but they are large and fly relatively slowly. The a9 and a9II both excelled here, so I expect that the a1 will be just that much better. I was able to verify the autofocus acquisition speed is greatly improved over the a9 and a9II, which was already extremely impressive. Sony states that the camera can confirm sharp focus 120 times per second (twice as fast as the Sony a9 and a9II). This not only helps the camera snap into focus quickly but ensures AF accuracy between frames when shooting at 30 FPS: truly mind-blowing performance! I have seen a few reviews that mention the camera sometimes jumps between the bird's eye and shoulder when pointed at a static bird on a perch, and I did experience a little of this particularly when photographing a dark bird with dark eyes and especially while using extreme focal length (particularly the 200-600 with the 2X installed), but the overall performance is what is important to me, and it is exceptional: noticeably better than the already impressive a9 and a9II. I do expect that there will be a fair number of people complaining about this feature (bird eye auto-focus), as we should have reasonable expectations: if a crow or raven is gliding towards me at a high altitude, I wouldn't expect the camera to be able to see, let alone lock onto its eyes - smile.

I immediately set the camera to compressed RAW to be able to achieve the full 30 FPS capture rate and the resulting +/- 57MB files are better than anything that I have seen: More details, less noise, richer color, and more dynamic range. I was unable to see any difference between images made using the electronic shutter and those made using the mechanical shutter. I want to be crystal clear that I won't be able to extract the most out of the RAW files until Adobe or Capture One releases an update to their RAW conversion software. Sony's Imaging Edge Software is the only way I can see the files, and I have always been able to squeeze so much more from either Adobe or Capture One (perhaps due to my lack of understanding of the software, rather than software shortfall, I dunno). So I do expect to be even more impressed as these software updates are released.

I had planned to release my mini-review earlier this week but wanted to hold out and see if anyone found any weaknesses that I could debunk here. I am glad I waited because a lot of attention went to a review video that states that the camera is not capable of shooting 30FPS. It turns out that they used the Sony 70-200 f/2.8 GM lens which needs a firmware update to achieve the full 30FPS that will be released sometime soon. I tested the a1 with my workhorse lenses (and teleconverters) and can confirm that the following lenses and teleconverters are all capable of capturing 30FPS in COMPRESSED RAW (The capture rate is slower using uncompressed RAW):

Sony 600/4 GM

Sony 600/4 GM with 1.4X

Sony 600/4 with 2X

Sony 200-600

Sony 200-600 with 1.4X

Sony 200-600 with 2X

An interesting find was how well the affordable 200-600mm worked with both the 1.4X and 2X, and it was able to maintain the 30FPS capture rate with the 2X in APS-C mode which resulted in a 23-24MB file during my tests. The 200-600 is a great and affordable lens that costs about 20% of the prime 600/4 GM, so there are trade-offs. The AF acquisition and tracking speed are slowed down and the image quality is slightly degraded when the 2X is used, but it still offers remarkably good results. It is not likely I would use the 1,800mm for birds in flight because there would be too much atmospheric compression degrading the image quality, but I do see using this combination extremely close for incredible close-up details at the minimum focusing distance of the combination.

I am grateful that the two card slots accept both CFexpress type A or SD memory cards. While I used the CFexpress type A card that came with the loaner unit for most of my testing, I did test my 128GB Sony SDXC SD Type G memory cards to see if I needed to invest in new cards. There was little to no difference in capture rate, but an obvious difference in write speed. The camera has an impressive buffer, and I don't typically hold down the trigger for more than a short burst, so I don't expect to be buying new memory cards anytime soon. I can confirm that you can now change menu settings and review images while the camera writes to the memory card to clear the buffer.

Another bonus is the a1 used the same NP-FZ100 battery as the a9 and a9II, so I was pleased that my extra batteries will still be useful.

In closing, this is the best action, birds-in-flight, and all-around digital camera that I have ever used. Amazing image files, blazing-fast auto-focus, and capture rate: it is the new King of the digital camera world. There is no more need for a separate high-speed and high-resolution camera body: this is the all-in-one professional camera body we have all been waiting for and Sony has delivered..... and I haven't even mentioned the 8K video yet ;)

Stay tuned to this blog for images made with the Sony a1.

Canadian Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds with the new Sony a1 camera, Sony 600mm f/4 GM lens and Sony 2X extender.

Sony Alpha A1 in the house

I’ve been out & about testing the brand new and industry leading action camera, the Sony Alpha A1. Stay tuned here (www.NaturePhotographyBlog.com) for my review early next week.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it & Happy and safe holidays for everyone.

Great Gray Owl WINTER SQUALL & Private Winter Owl Workshops Announced

A wide-angle black & white view of a Great Gray Owl against dark storm clouds in Quebec, Canada. Despite working with a wide-angle lens (the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G OSS) at 28mm and choosing an aperture of f/16, the sky in the RAW file lacked the detail that I saw with my eyes. The solution was to replace the sky with Photoshop using the new Sky replacement feature that usually works surprisingly well.

Private one-on-one Winter Owl Workshops announced

Skip the Covid-19 Coronavirus risks and join me for a private one-on-one winter owl photo tour offered in January and February. The cost is $1,500.00/day plus expenses and sales tax. Includes guiding to the owls and as much instruction as you would like. Spots are filling quickly (currently booked up until Jan. 20), so make sure to reserve your day(s) soon!

Redhead & The Camera Store Sony Presentation Kudos

The Camera Store, in partnership with Sony Alpha Canada, was happy to host talented bird and nature photographer and educator, Chris Dodds for the virtual presentation, ​Bird & NaturePhotography with Sony Mirrorless Cameras​. As soon as the presentation started, the virtual chat was filling with excited and gracious messages. People from across Canada attended just to see Chris! With stories and photographs from coast to coast, he quickly made the audience feel connected, a tough feat during virtual events. Chris beautifully integrated the technical aspects of Sony Mirrorless Cameras while keeping the audience engaged and entertained with his stunning bird photography. It is easy to see why his workshops are so coveted. He has an amazing ability to make photographers of all photographic backgrounds feel talented, understood and excited to photograph! Chris encouraged everyone to ask questions and addressed them thoughtfully and honestly. He then made sure to stay late to make sure every single question was answered and every comment was acknowledged before the night was over. Thank you again, Chris, for presenting an amazing virtual event!

- Ryley Smith The Camera Store

B&W Harp Seal Pup Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM FE OSS Lens for sale

SOLD!

Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM FE OSS Lens for sale

I am selling a duplicate Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM FE OSS Lens that was purchased just before the pandemic hit to rent out to workshop clients but has remained unused (I did take it for a test spin to make sure it was working). So it is new in the box with everything that came with it (lens, lens foot, straps, instructions, plastic chest, and original cardboard box). Asking CAD$14,000.00 (US$10,750.00) or best offer. email chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com or call 514-945-6195.

Great Gray Owl PEEK-A-BOO

I love being in the woods looking for owls and I love feeling that something is watching me even more, as was the case here - smile.

The most remarkable moment with this Great Gray Owl was a group of about 14 birders who walked past me and the owl without even replying to my “hello”. No reply, eyes down as if they had already decided that they were not going to see an owl; so they didn’t get to see the owl :)

Great Gray Owl in November Sleet

Another recent Great Gray Owl image made with the incredibly versatile Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens as I zoomed out to 210mm. The Sony a9II eye autofocus locked onto the eyes immediately and tracked the owl with ease.

Rechargable hand warmer battery pack review

I accidentally found an incredible solution to my cold fingers from Raynaud’s Disease. The OCOOPA Fast-Charging 10,000mAh back-up battery and handwarmer with PD & QC 3.0 has three temperature settings and heats both sides of its excellent Ergonomic Design: The upper-wide, lower-narrow design is more suitable for grasping than the oval shape fits the natural curve of your palm and is anti-slip. The high-grade silicone oil surface coating is soft and delicate to the touch, and has superior thermal conductivity.

The OCOOPA handwarmer is built to last, with the hottest setting providing a powerful heat that lasts for nearly four hours on high, and more than 12 hours on the lowest setting. This durability ensures that you can rely on the OCOOPA handwarmer for long-lasting warmth, even in the most extreme conditions.

Recharging is super fast; I used an 18W USB wall charger, and charging a completely drained unit took three hours and 12 minutes.

The OCOOPA hand warmer is not just a solution for cold fingers. It's also an excellent power source and backup battery for your mirrorless camera and mobile phone. This versatility empowers you to stay connected and capture your outdoor adventures, all while keeping your hands warm and comfortable.

I now have four of these with me at all times while in the field: one for each loose-fitting mitten and two extra fully charged units as backups in case I accidentally forget to turn off or charge them. On the coldest days, I can use the two extras as heaters in the inside pockets of my parka.

Bald Eagle BW Over The Top Big Sky

Something a little different: A black & white conversion of a Bald Eagle cartwheeling as it dives against a stormy sky. While I do shoot extremely tight images packed with visual impact most of the time, I do always think about shooting loosely framed images which traditionally don’t do as well on social media, but make much more pleasing images for my walls.

Langara College Photography Program

I recently presented to the professional photographers program at Langara College for Sony of Canada. There was a great turn-out and the show went on well beyond the scheduled end with some great questions from the students. Here is some of the feedback:

Email:

The fact that nearly everyone stayed longer than was scheduled, and that some of them stayed for nearly an hour later is a testament to what a great presentation it was. The fact that you were on there for an hour longer than necessary says something about you as a person. From my own personal perspective, I go to so many of these presentations every year that I’ve almost completely stopped taking notes. Last night I actually took a few notes and more importantly, I was inspired to get back out with my long lenses. Thank you.

- Eric Stewart Instructor/Photography Chair Langara College

Group Chat:

Thank you Chris! I learnt a lot and plan to do more research on local birds here! - Catherine S



Amazing photos and useful info I learn a lot thanks. - Jas



I have to get going, thank you very much for the marvellous presentation! Lots of fantastic information and the images were absolutely breathtaking. Hope you have a fantastic rest of your evening! - Iulia Munteanu



Thank you Chris , it was amazing 👌🏼 - Tabatabaei



Thank you Chris for sharing your knowledge and remarkable photography. - Darren Bernaerdt



Thank you for a fantastic presentation! - cross



It’s wonderful to hear the stories behind your images. thanks for all the details. - Sara



Thank you for a great presentation Chris! - Tomo Tanaka


Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us, your work is absolutely incredible! - Sarah Fleming



Thanks very much, Chris beautiful images. Sorry I have to leave. Thanks Sony for sponsoring. - Catharine O'Brien-Bell



Thank you for this amazing presentation! I love all your images Chris, thank you for sharing! Great evening everyone! - Jessica Dávila



Thank you so much for sharing! Your work is absolutely stunning! - Lauren Eely



Much appreciated! Brilliant work. - Cody



thank you so much - Jas



Thank you Chris and LANGARA College for this great opportunity. - alejcim



Thank you Sony for sponsoring Chris -Tomo Tanaka



Thank you very much! This was so interesting and great to listen to!! I really enjoyed - Parker Shaw

Instagram:

Thank you. Excellent presentation. @clivecamm

I really enjoyed your Langara/Sony zoom today. I learned a lot. Your photos are inspiring. - @nancy.w.caldwell

This was a fantastic talk. Thanks for making it available! - @kissdust

Wicked fun way to relax after class, thank you @langaraphoto, @chrisdoddsphoto - @iuliamphotography

Langara College

The Professional Photography program at Langara College is a two-year diploma offering hands-on, comprehensive training that provides graduates with the skills to achieve success in a career in the photographic industry. Students have access to a wide range of specialized photographic equipment and are supported by faculty and staff representing a diverse range of experience. This program is intensive and provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio.

Students will apply technical and artistic skills to practical projects that are typical of the industry. Studio time is provided to complete the assignments and master the skills necessary to succeed in the photographic industry. This is further enhanced by field trips and regular visits from current industry professionals.

The continuing studies certificate program at Langara College is one of the largest, most comprehensive part-time photography programs in Canada. It is designed for all types of students, including beginner photographers, passionate hobbyists, and those interested in pursuing a career in professional photography. The instructors are working professionals who are committed to helping students refine their photography skills and foster creativity.

Bald Eagle Singing Praise

I have been busy making presentations to The Lakeshore Camera Club (Montreal) and the Club de photo de Boisbriand (Boisbriand). Sony of Canada has graciously sponsored these events and I have received a pile of great feedback!

Emails:

Thank-you for a wonderful evening!  Not only were the photos beautiful to see, but when you added the stories behind them that explained how they were taken, that added even more depth to them.  You added just the right amount of photography gear info, balanced with tips, and the wise advice for us to practice our technique.

On behalf of LCC, thank-you for the more than generous sharing of your time, and knowledge tonight.  I look forward to the day when I can meet you in person, but in the meantime, please add me to your mail list. - Stephen Shimizu

Hi Christopher, young lad!

It was a great pleasure last evening to cross your path again, young lad. Your presentation was fantastic, both with your awesome photos and your very instructive explanations. My only regret is that I had to leave the room at 22 h for personal reasons. A buddy of mine sent me an email this morning saying that the meeting ended at 23 h 15, which is exceptional.

I am a member of the Lakeshore Camera Club since 2008, and I can tell you that you’re among the TOP presenters that we have had over the years. One of your traits is that, notwithstanding the extreme quality of your images, you are very generous of your time and explanations.

I still have fond memories of our week together in Maine in 2010 as well as the trip itself, … (CHRIS: Moose Photography Workshop in Baxter State Park, Maine)

I thank you very so much, Christopher, and wish you many more fruitful and exciting years as a professional photographer. - Serge Gagné

Good morning Christopher,

That was an amazing, inspirational, educational and fun evening.

I was not expecting so much transfer of knowledge from last night. I made notes to go check some of my camera settings (newly acquired Nikon Z6 as I had Nikon lenses).

I am one of those awkward learners you were mentioning last night. I know I have to ask questions and get out to practice, practice, practice. You inspired me to go out more even in these times (alone). I do go out, yet I’m not playing/fully understanding my settings. So I got it last night. I understand the histogram which I use all the time, however, you added a new dimension that I don’t do, bringing the black to the middle to get the details while not blowing out the whites which I do often especially when I was in the Calanques in Southern France in the middle of the day.

Well, all this to say, from my perspective you have been the number 1 speaker/presenter so far this fall. We do have Freeman Paterson over the course of the year so that is no small comment. I guess it is different work and maybe my attraction to animals (not necessarily birds – probably because I’m not a good bird photographer) is what makes it more incredible.

Well, enough of the rambling, great evening and until our paths cross again.

Be safe. - Monique Pampel

Good morning Christopher,

Last evening I was a new member with L.C.C. "new member that joined the club an hour prior to your presentation"

I would like to express my sincere thanks for your great presentation last evening.

It was wonderful to listen to you sharing generously, being candid with information and tips as well as your experiences and anecdotes…….. - Jean-Louis Rousselle

From Facebook:

Fantastic presentation last night at the LCC. I loved it a lot. - Hans Kandert

From Instagram:

Thanks for an amazing presentation last night with Lakeshore CC. I learned a lot and will be trying your recommendations for exposing to the right of the histogram on my next outing. I have an A7II and a 70-300 G zoom. I also use a canon 24-105 from my old 5D Mk1 kit with the MC-11 adapter. I was interested to hear you are originally a "Northerner." I am also from the north of England, Buxton in the Peak District, and have been here since 1980. Take care. - Stephen Johnson

From the live chat:

World-class presentation! Thanks Fauna Chairs! - Ron Harper

Incredibly informative and fascinating presentation, Chris. thank you so much! - Marianna Armata

Those are amazing images. - Norm Horner

Thanks! Great Tips! - Walter Santelli

What a great tip. Thanks. - Norm Horner

Absolutely amazing images. - Eleen Webb

What a great presentation..Superb... - Muslim Harji

It's absolutely FANTASTIC, Chris! Very beautiful images and very instructive. Many, many thanks! - Serge Gagné

10 800 hours of practice, according to Malcolm Gladwell. It applies to The Beatles, concert pianists and wildlife photographers. - Norm Horner

great - Gabriel Berberian

Wow!!! Fantastic instruction, Chris!!! - Serge Gagné

Wow stunning. - Paula

so beautiful! - Min Qian

That Ile Bizard owl image is really stunning. - Norm Horner

All his owl photos are incredible. Lots of valuable info. - lorid

Amazing images and fantastic commentary and tips. Really appreciate Chris sharing his wealth of wisdom with the club. - Chris Kanters

Amazing presentation. Thank you Chris. - Ann Arial

Thanks to our Fauna Group for organizing this excellent evening with Chris Dodds. His images were amazing and his advice was great (for me, histograms). - Norm Horner

Very educational. Great presentation! - Walter Santelli

Wow! - Pierre Laviolette

Bravo! - Stewart Harding

Wow! Great presentation! - Elaine Chubry

So wonderful work and presentation and so clear explanations. I do not remember when I learned so much. Thanks Chris - Maria Korab-Laskowska

unbelievable! - Andreas Orfanos

Awesome presentation! - Marg Foley

Sensational! - Paula

Amazing! Thanks for the stories, too. - Ruth Boisvert-Blair

Excellent presentation, beautiful photos.Thanks. - Debbie Wright

Wonderful presentation. \\\\ - ry

excellent, merci, j'ai appris pleins de trucs - Jean-Marc Legentil

Terrific presentation. Thanks for sharing Chris - ry

Curious Harp Seal Pup

Facts About Harp Seals

1. Harp seals grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long and weigh up to 300 pounds (136 kg).

2. Harp seals can live for an estimated 30 years.

3. Harp seal pups are born with long white fur that helps them absorb sunlight and stay warm while they’re still developing blubber. Pups shed their white fur after about three to four weeks old.

4. Harp seals are highly migratory and can travel more than 3,100 miles (4,989 km) roundtrip to feed.

5. Harp seals can stay underwater for at least 16 minutes at a time.

6. Harp seals Harp seals are named for the curved, black patch on their backs, which resembles a harp.1

7. Harp seals have a diverse diet, eating at least 67 species of fish and 70 species of invertebrates.

8. Harp seals prefer shallow water but can dive as deep as 1,312 feet (400 m).

9. Harp seals are the most abundant species of pinniped (seals, sea lions and walruses) in the northern hemisphere.

10. Aside from sharks, killer whales, and polar bears, the seals' worst enemies are human hunters.

Harp Seal Whitecoat Pup

The harp seal pup often has a yellow-white coat at birth due to staining from amniotic fluid, but after one to three days, the coat turns white and stays white for 2–3 weeks, until the first molt.

Harp Seal mother and pup HOWL

Dr. Jack Terhune studied seal communication at the University of New Brunswick and has measured the amplitude of seal calls. His research has shown that harp seals, often living in groups of up to 150, can alter the pitch of their calls so that each seal can be heard. Off the coast of Newfoundland, there are between 5.5 and 6.5 million harp seals in regular migration up and down the eastern seaboard. One seal’s call could be heard by 10,000 other seals at a range of two to four kilometers away, so the changes of pitch and frequency are important to avoid overlap.

Bald Eagle Winterscape

I’ve long been wary about joining a workshop with a “big name” pro. I’ve heard (and witnessed) a litany of workshop horrors, ranging from egomaniac leaders to unwieldy, unhappy groups. Plus, as a professional photographer, I did not think that I would learn much from a workshop. Indeed, I teach photography and postproduction.

Chris Dodds’ Eagles Galore workshop changed my mind. Although he is a supremely talented photographer, Chris is approachable and friendly, and he works tirelessly to make sure that everyone in the group has a fantastic experience. He limits the workshops to a small, manageable size. And, in spite of my I’m-a-professional-and-don’t-need-help attitude, I am a better photographer for having joined the workshop. After spending a week with Chris, my flight photography is materially improved. (Chris is an expert on the nuances of servo autofocus, for example.) Chris also taught several useful post-production techniques that I now use routinely in my workflow.

The true measure of any photo trip, however, is the photos. Chris’ stated goal is for every workshop participant to go home with images that Chris would be proud to call his own. He means it. The eagle photography was fantastic. I came home with several dozen “portfolio grade” images, plus thousands of strong shots. Indeed, the single biggest complaint from my fellow workshop participants is the number of eagle shots that they had to sort through when they got home.

I’ve already registered for another workshop with Chris.

Andrew Kelley Denver, Colorado USA

Bald Eagle LOCK-ON

“I love Alaska and had been dreaming of taking an Eagle photography workshop and decided to sign up with Chris. I am so glad I chose Chris for a lot of reasons. The workshop was very well organized. Chris provides the attendees with a list of suggested clothing to be sure you are comfortable in the Alaskan winter weather. He provided us with a list of suggested equipment so that we knew exactly what was needed to get the kind of photos posted on his workshop page. The group was limited to 5 attendees, so we each had ample opportunity to get feedback and suggestions from Chris. Chris is extremely knowledgable about Kachemak Bay and knows where to go to get the best shots depending on the wind and the weather, and whether there is sun or snow. Chris uses the same boat and captain for this workshop, so the captain knows exactly what Chris wants to do and how to get us into those best areas…. Chris believes in safety above all else, but snow, sleet and rain did not keep us from going out. In fact, it made for some great photos depicting the Alaskan winter eagle environment. It was an amazing trip and I got a lot of great photos and learned so much! I would definitely choose Chris for another birding workshop as he is dedicated to doing everything he can to make sure you come home with lots of amazing photographs! Thanks, Chris, for a fantastic workshop and wonderful adventure!”

— Jessica Duke Eagle Nest, NM, USA

Save the date! I will be hosting a presentation at The Camera Store sponsored by Sony of Canada on Dec. 9, 2020 at 19:00 MST. The event is free and open to all. Register HERE.