Photo Geek Christmas Party - Last Chance

Great Grey Owl SOLITUDE (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) Gatineau, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS Canon EOS 1DX, 70-300mm F4-5.6 L IS USM @244mm with Jobu L-Bracket  Hand Held ISO 3,200s, f/5.6 @ 1/2,500s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.

Photo Geek Christmas Party - Last Chance

BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE

If you are in the Montreal area on March 9, 2013, then you would be foolish to miss out on this opportunity to get a two hour mini, but intensive, workshop/seminar. It is an hour and a half long slideshow presentation to benefit Le Nichoir. The show is designed to be entertaining and informative to all; nature lovers and photographers alike. Stories of adventure, natural history facts and information are all on the menu and this show is designed to offer helpful tips & techniques sure to improve your photography efforts with everything from a camera phone, point & shoot camera or professional SLR camera system. 100% of the bargain $18.00 entry fee goes to the largest bird rehab center in Canada and the door prizes are, frankly, over-the-top! Special thanks to our sponsors:

WANTED: Nikon 500mm f4 lens (AFS with or without VR)

If you, or anyone you know has a Nikon 500mm f4 lens for sale (AFS with or without VR), then please contact Andre in Calgary, AB at: andretc@telus.net

Happy Holidays

Red Deer WHITEOUT (Cervus elaphus, cerf élaphe). Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Canon 1DX, 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM @130mm ISO 400 f/5 @ 1/160s. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Happy Holidays, peace, love, good health, joy and laughter to you and your family throughout the New Year.

Please help me to give back by joining me and/or spreading the word about my annual Christmas fund raiser:

PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY

Join me, Canadian nature photographer Christopher Dodds, on March 9, 2013 at 6:30 PM at the Casgrain Theatre (CEGEP John Abbot College 21275 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec H9X 3L9, Canada) for an hour and a half long slideshow presentation to benefit Le Nichoire. The show is designed to be entertaining and informative to all; nature lovers and photographers alike. Stories of adventure, natural history facts and information are all on the menu and this show is designed to offer helpful tips & techniques sure to improve your photography efforts with everything from a camera phone, point & shoot camera or professional SLR camera system. Over one hundred of his images will be projected, many unseen.  Everyone is welcome!
Hurry! Only 280 seats. Tickets are only $18.00 each and are available for advance purchase only - every penny is collected by, and goes to Le Nichoir. Please call or email Le Nichoir (communication@lenichoir.org 450-458-2809) to secure your tickets, or make a donation if you can't make it (be sure to tell them it's on behalf of Chris' Photo Geek Christmas Party) Major credit cards and cheques accepted. There will be ample time to mingle, meet my friends and contacts and share some of your images with others, so feel free to bring prints, iPads or laptops with your favourite images to share. I hope to see you there and PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

The door prizes were over the top last year, and thanks to my good friends and sponsors, we have secured an even better stash for this year.

If you would like to contribute door prizes for, or sponsor, this worthy cause, please email me (chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com) to discuss. It's a great way to have your product or brand mentioned in every blog post until the main event while helping an awesome cause!

Last year we raised over $2,500.00 and I am asking for your help to at least double that!

HALF is TWICE as good - JOBU Jr 3

Burrowing Owl PORTRAIT  (Athene cunicularia, Chevêche des terriers, BUOW) Cape Coral, Florida. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon 1D MK IV, 500mm F4 L IS, 2X Teleconverter III & Canon 25mm Extension Tube. Jobu Jr. 3 & tripod. ISO 400, F11 @1/320s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION

HALF is TWICE as good!

I was sitting here, in front of my computer, thinking of concepts to help remind people how to make better images, when it suddenly dawned on me: HALF is TWICE as good! Well, it’s no brilliant marketing slogan, but as a concept, I think it works.

Take half the pictures, but spend twice the time composing each one; your images will, most likely, be twice as good. It's a simple principle; make the image, instead of taking the picture.

Take half the number of trips, and spend twice as much time photographing in each place; sounds simple enough, right? But imagine how much more you will learn about the place, the culture, your subject and it’s behavior. If you are shooting landscapes, you will learn about the weather, the light and how the light interacts with the scene. If you are shooting wildlife, then you will develop an intimate knowledge of your subject, it’s behavior and it’s habits. Guess what? You will probably make images that are; you guessed it, twice as good!

Keep half the pictures and those you keep will be twice as good? Well, I’m not certain that this one is true, but I am always telling people to edit, edit, edit! People tend to take so many pictures these days, and I cringe every time someone wants to show me pictures from a trip, birthday or event; they want me to sit there and see all of them! For crying out loud people: keep the best and trash the rest!

My new LOVE: Meet JR.

I confess: I’ve been using the Jobu JR. 3 Compact Gimbal Head since April, and although I got one to reduce space and weight while travelling on aircraft, I haven’t been able to use anything else since! As you all know, I have owned, and used, a Wimberley gimbal head forever. I have tried many other makes and models of gimbal head that are smaller and lighter, but never found anything that I could even settle for. The Jobu Jr. 3 was designed for smaller lenses like the 70-200mm f/2.8, 300mm f/2.8, 100-400mm and 400mm DO, etc., but I have been using mine exclusively since I left for Texas in early April; It works remarkably well with my 500mm F4 IS L, even when working with the 1.4 or 2X extenders! The level of customer service, after sale support and engineering expertise from Jobu is unmatched in the industry today!

At HALF the size and less than HALF the weight of the Wimberley Head II (23 ounces or .65 kilograms VS. 60 ounces or 1.4 kilograms), the Jobu Jr. 3 has become my main tripod head!

I have also developed a love for their one piece flash bracket, so be sure to check that out as well.

I'm thrilled to announce that I am an official distributor of the Jobu line, and have forged a terric partnership with them. Jobu heads, flash brackets and assorted items will be available for you to test-drive and purchase on all of my Canadian workshops, presentations and lectures.

Workshop updates & FREE JOBU JR.3!:

This is a tough business, I have had a few people cancel at the last minute due to illness recently, leaving some new openings is what were full workshops.

Gannets Galore on Bonaventure Island June 15-17, 2011 - 2 spots due to illness.

Puffins Galore July 1 to 3, 2011 - 2 spots due to illness.

Puffins Galore July 5-7, 2011 - 1 spot due to illness

Thank you - Merry Christmas

Great Gray Owl (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone) Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 500mm F4 IS. ISO 800, F8 1/800s Manual Exposure. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION. Image presented with both a visible, and invisible digital watermark by Digimarc.

Many thanks for your loyal following and encouragement here at www.NaturePhotographyBlog.com 2010 has been a great year in so many ways, and I look forward to 2011 being even better. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and may 2011 bring you much health, happiness and sweet photo opportunities.

PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY Wrap-up

I hosted my first annual PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY at the ROCKBURN PUB in Hinchinbrook, Quebec on December 15th. We had a great turn-out despite the heavy snowstorm and resulting bad roads. Everyone eagerly shared a couple of their favorite images and the food was fantastic as expected. John Zimmerman (President, Montreal Camera Club) passed the hat for Missing Children's Network / Enfant-Retour Québec; and we raised a total of $445.03.  Special thanks to Joann for opening the pub just for us!

AND THE WINNERS ARE....

Special thanks to a special visitor at the Christmas party: 9 year old aspiring photographer and fan Andrea Beauchemin brought a few wonderful images to share and did a great job of drawing the winners for the Great Gear Giveaway. Thanks you Andrea! The winners are:

  • WH-200 Wimberley Head version II (retail value of US$595.00) Diane Moon - QC
  • Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 (retail value US$169.00) Randy Williams - MT
  • Nik Software Viveza 2 (retail value US$199.95) Carole Croke - ON
  • Digimarc for Images Professional Edition 1 year subscription (US$99.00) Richard Gale - UK
  • Eight Canon Long Lens Rain Covers (US$125.00 each) Wendy Altona - QC, Guy Cote - QC, Helmut Mohelsky - QC, Ann Pearson - QC, Jim Hasapis, Naomi Bissell, Alain Charette - QC, Larry Goldman - NY.

Many thanks to my sponsors: Wimberley Inc., Think-Tank Photo, Nik Software and Canon Canada.

If you go out in the woods today - Think-Tank Photo Digital Holster V2.0

Great Grey Owl Winter (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone) Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds http://www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1D Mark II, 100-400mm @ 400mm. ISO 800, F8 1/400s Manual Exposure. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE AN IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION. Image presented with both a visible, and invisible digital watermark by Digimarc.

Let’s face it: digital cameras are responsible for more people being more successful at making great images than ever before. The instant feedback from the image and histogram displayed on digital camera's LCD screens has revolutionized how we take picture and is responsible for the astronomical volume of pictures captured every day – many of them great images.
The gap between the professional and amateur has narrowed. The biggest difference between a professional and amateur today, is their ability to edit down the number of similar images, and a professional's ability to leave some gear behind. If you head out into the woods to look for owls, consider packing less for speed, ease of movement, comfort and your back. You really don't need to lug around every lens you own in the biggest of camera backpacks. I’ve seen it countless times out in the field: great images missed while the photographer was selecting which lens and camera to use from the arsenal they had just hauled through waist deep snow into the woods. Imageless, out of breath, dripping sweat, shaking from the physical exertion, they are left to pack-up their photographic assets, while I quickly chimp through the images, stow my single camera and lens and carry-on looking through the woods for owls.

Nature Photographer Christopher Dodds with Think-Tank Photo's new Digital Holster 50 V2.0 and Digital Holster Harness V2.0 looking for owls December, 2010, Rockburn, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright and courtesy ©Julie Morrison All Rights Reserved. Image from my Canon S-95.

Think-Tank Photo Digital Holster 50 V2.0

My friends over at Think-Tank Photo are at it again. This time, they have redesigned their Digital Holster line. I was thrilled to receive the new Digital Holster 50 V2.0 with a Digital Holster Harness V2.0 and put them to the test recently while out in the recent Canadian winter looking for owls.
I threw my 70-200mm F2.8 IS II onto my Canon 1D Mark IV, extended the hood and slid it into my new Digital Holster 50 V2.0 after un-zipping the “pop down” lens compartment extension on the case – a terrific design that reduces the holster’s size when you travel with the lens hood reversed. Next, I quickly installed and adjusted the Holster Harness (they have even found a simple way to stash the left-over ends of straps so they don’t get in the way or blow around in the wind) and quickly loaded the rig over my huge coat and onto my chest. I threw an extra battery and some extra memory cards into the built-in side pocket and was off to try my luck at finding any owls that may have been out in the fresh snow. The new version even has a built-in side attachment system compatible with modular Think-Tank Photo pouches if you need a little more room. Built materials and quality are first rate, as expected from Think-Tank Photo and there is even a built-in padded flap to cover and protect the camera’s LCD screen.
The Digital Holster 50 V2.0 and the new Digital Holster Harness V2.0 worked flawlessly and proved to be the key to mobility and agility while safely protecting my camera as I navigated around the forest in the fresh snow. As mentioned, the material is durable and it’s built well, I only wish the fine folks over at Think-Tank Photo would stop including waterproof covers that take away storage space when stowed in the bag, get in the way and then become lost, and instead produced a weatherproof line of gear for the outdoor crowd – don’t get me wrong, they are almost weatherproof now and I have yet to find a better alternative. I am just hopeful we will see an “adventurer” line from them in the future; a line designed by and for the outdoor photographer.
Order yours now and get a free bag HERE while helping to support this site.

Great FREE Gear Giveaway Continues

Sign-up for my newsletter before Dec. 15th, 2010 and you will automatically be entered to win some amazing prizes. Simply fill-in your name and email address in the form in the column to the right of this post and you are entered automatically (only sign-up once please). Tweet, Like or Share this blog entry on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a meaningful comment here for additional chances to win. Don't forget to tell your friends or fellow camera club members about the prizes.

  • WH-200 Wimberley Head version II (retail value of US$595.00)
  • Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 (retail value US$169.00)
  • Nik Software Viveza 2 (retail value US$199.95)
  • Digimarc for Images Professional Edition 1 year subscription (US$99.00)
  • One of eight Canon Long Lens Rain Covers (US$125.00 each)

Dec. 15th PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY

I'm hosting my first annual PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY at the ROCKBURN PUB 2461 Mtee Rockburn, Hinchinbrook, Quebec J0S 1E0 (450) 264-2239. All amateurs and hobbyists welcome! It's an à la carte menu and there is no fee (other than paying for your own food & drinks) - John Zimmerman (President, Montreal Camera Club) has graciously agreed to pass the hat for Missing Children's Network / Enfant-Retour Québec; donations are optional but encouraged (Tax receipts will be issued for contributions greater than $15.00). Come on out and meet me, my friends and make new contacts while networking and showing off a few of your favorite images from 2010. Feel free to bring prints, iPads or laptops with your favorite images. RSVP required - email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com (please type PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY in the subject line) to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve soon. I will be drawing some great prizes for the Great Gear Giveaway Contest and you get another name in the hat @ the party. Special thanks to Joann for opening the pub just for us!

Free Gear Giveaway - Lensmate Quick-Change Adapter - Richard Franiec S-95 Grip

Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus, Goglu des prés, BOBO) Franklin Centre, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DsMKII, 500mm F4 L IS, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 400, F8 @1/250s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION. Image presented with both a visible, and invisible digital watermark by Digimarc.

Notice how perceived sharpness is increased by moving the sun far over my right shoulder. The shadows and highlights increase depth and give each feather detail. One of the hardest things to do here was maintain detail in the yellow hood, while exposing for maximum detail in the blacks. This image is anther example of how well Nik Software's Viveza helps make targeted adjustments a breeze. I took the old master Tiff and places a U Point control point on the yellow hood - selectively lowered the brightness and ...voila! Remember to use coupon code "CDODDS" at the check-out and save 15%

Reader Q & A

Hi Chris,
Enjoy reading your blog and often spend hours gazing into your incredible images – I get lost in great adventures and see some amazing sights through your eyes and lens. I was wondering if you had or used a point & shoot camera. If you have one, then which model do you have and would you recommend it to others?
 - Savannah Capote Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Thank you Savannah. Yes, I own a Canon PowerShot S-95 point & shoot camera and feel comfortable recommending it to anyone. There are times when I don’t want to haul around my pro SLR equipment, but do want control over the creative process and the ability to shoot in manual mode. I chose the S-95 because it can shoot in RAW,  JPEG (or both at the same time) has reasonable low light capability, and still fits in my coat pocket. I like how easy it is to navigate the menu and control the manual settings (I can even program the camera to let me decide what setting is adjusted with which switch or dial). There are smaller point & shoot cameras out there, but they produce noisy images in low light situations and they are harder to control in manual mode. I also own a Canon PowerShot G10, which is a great camera, but I find it just too big to want to pick it up and bring it along everywhere I go – though it was probably the best choice when I bought it. Be sure to read David Pogue’s “A Love Letter to a Camera” from The New York Times.

There are some very useful accessories for point & shoot cameras that I use and highly recommend; I simply can’t live without them. Lensmate makes a Quick-Change Adapter Kit that consists of a tiny receiver that sticks to the front edge of the lens and allows a filter holder to be installed in a split second. This little accessory is pure genius and makes it easy to use a polarizing filter. The instructions are as well designed as the product itself, and even tell you how to remove the adhesive without leaving any residue on the camera.
One of the disadvantages of a small camera, is it’s missing grip; I often felt like I didn’t have a great grip and that I was going to drop the S-95. Richard Franiec  makes a small aluminum S-95 grip that sticks to the body of the S-95 that now gives me something to hold onto. Richard’s instructions are also well designed and easy to follow, and even show you how to remove the grip without leaving any residue.

 

Canon PowerShot S-95 with Richard Franiec’s  S-95 Grip and Lensmate S95 Quick-Change Adapter Kit 37mm

Great FREE Gear Giveaway Continues

Sign-up for my newsletter before Dec. 15th, 2010 and you will automatically be entered to win some amazing prizes. Simply fill-in your name and email address in the form in the column to the right of this post and you are entered automatically (only sign-up once please). Tweet, Like or Share this blog entry on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a meaningful comment here for additional chances to win. Don't forget to tell your friends or fellow camera club members about the prizes.

  • WH-200 Wimberley Head version II (retail value of US$595.00)
  • Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 (retail value US$169.00)
  • Nik Software Viveza 2 (retail value US$199.95)
  • Digimarc for Images Professional Edition 1 year subscription (US$99.00)
  • One of eight Canon Long Lens Rain Covers (US$125.00 each)

Dec. 15th PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY

I'm hosting my first annual PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY at the ROCKBURN PUB 2461 Mtee Rockburn, Hinchinbrook, Quebec J0S 1E0 (450) 264-2239. All amateurs and hobbyists welcome! It's an à la carte menu and there is no fee (other than paying for your own food & drinks) - I will pass the hat for a soon to be announced charity; donations are optional but encouraged. Come on out and meet me, my friends and make new contacts while networking and showing off a few of your favorite images from 2010. Feel free to bring prints, iPads or laptops with your favorite images. RSVP required - email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com (please type PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY in the subject line) to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve soon. I will be drawing some great prizes for the Great Gear Giveaway Contest and you get another name in the hat @ the party. Special thanks to Joann for opening the pub just for us!

Happy Thanksgiving

Sea Otter PRAYER (Enhydra lutris) Katmai National Park, AK. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Tripod & Wimberley Head II from open ramp of skiff. ISO 800, F10 @1/320s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION. Image presented with both a visible, and invisible digital watermark by Digimarc.

Here's a favourite from Alaska that was processed exclusively with Nik Software (they have quite a deal today - use coupon code CDODDS to save big). It was a thrill for everyone when we anchored the Coastal Explorer and took the skiff out to photograph a raft of hundreds of Sea Otters during my Alaskan Brown Bears of Katmai workshop/safari in July. Do consider joining me for the trip of a lifetime in July 2011 Bears, Wolves, Otters, Eagles and much, much more.

Happy American Thanksgiving

Thank you for following the blog and for your continued support and encouragement! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Canadians and Americans celebrate Thanksgiving at different times, but it's always good to stop and take a look around at all we have to be thankful for. If your travelling; travel safe. If your shopping; good luck bargain hunting.

 

Canadian nature photographer Christopher Dodds sporting the much saught after and rare Canadian Professional Services Tuque. Image copyright and courtesy John Zimmerman.

A tuque is a knitted cap, originally of wool though now often of synthetic fibers, that is designed to provide warmth in winter. Most tuques are tapered; they sometimes have ear flaps, and may be topped with a pom-pom, this style of tuque is sometimes referred to as a boggan or sherpa. Tuques may have a folded brim, or none, and may be worn tightly fitting the head or loose on top although the latter is considered more standard. - Wikipedia
Tuques are indispensable in cold climates, and are worn worldwide in various forms. They have become the common headgear for stereotypical dockworkers and sailors in movies and television. Jacques Cousteau wore one and the most famous media characters to sport this kind of hat are the SCTV characters Bob and Doug McKenzie and U2 guitarist The Edge.

Does Canon have you covered? - FREE TUQUE GIVEAWAY

I got my hands on some super cool, and much saught after, Canon Canada CPS tuques and I want to hear from you. Post a comment on this blog and share your service stories since Canon Canada revamped their CPS program, and I will send a few of you a fancy new Canon Canada CPS Tuque (you must be a CPS member to get one). Did you pay to join? have you sent gear in for repair? was the repair done right and quickly? Have you taken advantage of the loaner equipment? More information about the Canadian CPS program can be found HERE.

Great FREE Gear Giveaway Continues

Sign-up for my newsletter before Dec. 15th, 2010 and you will automatically be entered to win some amazing prizes. Simply fill-in your name and email address in the form in the column to the right of this post and you are entered automatically (only sign-up once please). Tweet, Like or Share this blog entry on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a meaningful comment here for additional chances to win. Don't forget to tell your friends or fellow camera club members about the prizes.

  • WH-200 Wimberley Head version II (retail value of US$595.00)
  • Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 (retail value US$169.00)
  • Nik Software Viveza 2 (retail value US$199.95)
  • Digimarc for Images Professional Edition 1 year subscription (US$99.00)
  • One of eight Canon Long Lens Rain Covers (US$125.00 each)

Dec. 15th PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY

I'm hosting my first annual PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY at the ROCKBURN PUB 2461 Mtee Rockburn, Hinchinbrook, Quebec J0S 1E0 (450) 264-2239. All amateurs and hobbyists welcome! It's an à la carte menu and there is no fee (other than paying for your own food & drinks) - I will pass the hat for a soon to be announced charity; donations are optional but encouraged. Come on out and meet me, my friends and make new contacts while networking and showing off a few of your favorite images from 2010. Feel free to bring prints, iPads or laptops with your favorite images. RSVP required - email me at chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com (please type PHOTO GEEK CHRISTMAS PARTY in the subject line) to reserve your spot. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve soon. I will be drawing some great prizes for the Great Gear Giveaway Contest and you get another name in the hat @ the party. Special thanks to Joann for opening the pub just for us!

Wimberley Head II & Coastal Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) with Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) - Unlikely fishin' buddies

Coastal Brown Bear and Gray Wolf Unlikely FISHIN' BUDDIES (Ursus arctos or Grizzly Bear and Canis lupus) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, AK. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS, 2X II Tele-converter, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 800, F8 @1/125s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

WH-200 Wimberley Head II review

If there is a single piece of photography equipment that I own and can't live without, but often abuse and take for granted, it's my Wimberley head. If it could tell a story, it would have many stories to tell; we've shared many adventures. From watching these unlikely fishin' buddies in Alaska, to the rainforest in Panama to photographing over the edge of a 5,000 foot cliff in Iceland, it's been my constant travel companion. I owned and loved my first version of the Wimberley Head for years, and now rely on my Version II to support my equipment while in the field. Simply put: The Wimberley Head II (WH-200) is the sum of a great idea, brilliant design & engineering, stellar customer service & support, product evolution and a small company that cares about their customers, their product; They care and they consistently prove that they care.

"The Wimberley Head is a specialized tripod head for telephoto lenses. Its gimbal-type design allows you to rotate your lens around its center of gravity and thus easily manipulate very large lenses. Since its introduction in 1991, the Wimberley Head has become the industry standard for serious nature photographers.

The Wimberley Head Version II offers the same stiffness, capacity, and fluid movement of the old version in a more compact and lightweight package (it is one pound lighter and about two inches shorter). The head’s redesigned panning base has zero play, and the pan locking knob has been moved to the side of the head, thus allowing the user to easily operate both knobs with the same hand. New lobed “soft-touch” knobs provide a more comfortable grip and perform better when using gloves.

In addition to the above improvements, Wimberley has examined all aspects of the head, tightening tolerances, improving friction materials and so forth. Our goal has been to make this head functionally and aesthetically better in every way than the old version and competing products." - Wimberley website

Speaking of competing products, there is a growing number of copies and knock-offs appearing on the market; some cheaper than, and others comparable in price to, the original Wimberley Head (and the new Wimberley Head II). Before saving a couple of bucks, simply ask yourself if your expensive camera equipment deserves anything less than a Wimberley brand product, and all that the Wimberley name stands for. Knock-offs are being mass produced with second rate, low grade, un-tested materials, and try speaking to a "customer care" agent in the Orient where they are made - these companies are more interested in producing profit than quality and are best avoided.

See more from Wimberley HERE.

I like my Wimberley Head so much that I'm giving one away on December 15th, 2011. Thanks to the fine folks at Wimberley, we are giving away a brand new Wimberley Head II (WH-200); simply sign-up for my newsletter in the column to the right of this post and your name will automatically be entered to win.

Coastal Brown Bear and Gray Wolf Waiting for leftovers (Ursus arctos or Grizzly Bear and Canis lupus) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, AK. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DMKIV, 500mm F4 L IS, Tripod & Wimberley Head II. ISO 1600, F4 @1/320s Manual mode. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Whether it's the start, or end, of daylight savings time, I always use the occasion to change out the batteries in my smoke detectors and to make sure all of my clocks, watches and cameras are set to the right time. I typically set everything to match THIS SITE.

Great FREE Gear Giveaway Continues

Sign-up for my newsletter before Dec. 15th, 2010 and you will automatically be entered to win an amazing prize. Simply fill-in your name and email address in the form in the column to the right of this post and you are entered automatically (only sign-up once please). Tweet, Like or Share this blog entry on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a meaningful comment here for additional chances to win. Don't forget to tell your friends or fellow camera club members about the prizes.

  • WH-200 Wimberley Head version II (retail value of US$595.00)
  • Think-Tank Photo Urban Disguise 50 (retail value US$169.00)
  • Nik Software Viveza 2 (retail value US$199.95)
  • Digimarc for Images Professional Edition 1 year subscription (US$99.00)
  • One of eight Canon Long Lens Rain Covers (US$125.00 each)
  • More to come

Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Photo Safari / Photography Workshop

Both of the images in this blog entry were from my July 2010 Coastal Brown Bears of Katmai Workshop / Safari. Do consider joining me from July 24 to July 30, 2011 for the adventure of a lifetime. Only three spots remain. MORE INFORMATION HERE.