Finally – After Many Years of Looking!

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Late on the morning of November 12th I finally located my first Northern Saw Whet Owl. I have tried several times over the years to locate and photograph this tiny species of owl, often coming close but never succeeding. After scouring a small cedar grove for about an hour I paused to rethink where I should look next when I noticed two bright yellow eye staring back at me, not more than 3 feet from where I stood. Alas, I had found a Northern Saw Whet Owl. As the owl was roosting within the thick boughs of the cedar trees it was tricky to get a clear photograph so I decided to frame the owl in such a way that also tells a story about its habitat.

My go-to lenses for these images were the Nikon 200-500mm Lens and the Nikon 28-300mm Lens. The Nikon 200-500mm lens was deployed to capture tight portraits of the owl hidden within the branches of the cedar trees. The Nikon 28-300mm lens was the main lens used as I was able to easily capture full body images with minimal foreground clutter. The minimum one foot focusing distance of the Nikon 28-300mm lens makes it a very versatile and functional lens. Often the Nikon 28-300mm lens is trashed by the “so-called” internet experts, but this lens in the right hands, with the right vision, and proper photographic technique yields quality imagery everytime!

Below are a few additional images of the Northern Saw Whet Owl I photographed yesterday.

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Northern Saw Whet Owl, Ontario

Advertisements

Siena International Photo Awards – Honourable Mention

Snowy Owl in a near blinding blizzard near Thornton, Ontario, Canada.

 

I am pleased to announce that my Snowy Owl image has been awarded an Honourable Mention in the “Animals In Their Environment” category of the 2018 Siena International Photo Awards, which received the highest international participation ever with close to 48.000 images submitted from amateur and professional photographers from 156 countries worldwide.

To view the gallery of amazing and inspiring, winning images please click here.

I am always fond of creating animate landscape imagery. When I discovered this Snowy Owl roosting on the ground, in a field near my home, during a near blinding snow blizzard I immediately chose to create this small in the frame image of the owl within its habitat during the inclement weather.

Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat Notes

Sunrise on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter
ISO 50
f16 @ 0.6 sec

 

The recently concluded, inaugural, Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat was a fantastic success. A very BIG thank-you to Don Johnston for his hard work and assistance with this event. We had 10 fabulous participants that were eager to explore the landscape amid wind, snow, and rain. Our efforts were not only to photograph the grand, magnificent scenes before us, but to also concentrate on the smaller details at our feet as they can often tell an important part of the story as well. We were grateful that the first two days presented beautiful sunrises and sunsets. On the third day we had a lovely sunrise at the onset of what turned out to be a very windy and rainy day, which allowed folks time to rest after a busy first two days and to process some of their imagery from the first two days as well. On the fourth and final full day of photography we enjoyed many areas of Lake Superior Provincial Park from the Sand River area to the Old Woman Bay area under mush calmer conditions although it was chilly with the air temperatures hovering around 2 degrees Celsius.

Lake Superior has long been my favourite location within Ontario for landscape photography. The possibilities are endless. During this retreat I enjoyed composing scenes with my Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens as it was my first trip to the region with this extreme wide angle lens in my gear bag.

Below are a series of my initial edits from the retreat…stay tuned for more imagery soon.

I will be planning a second annual Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat. For those that are interested in registering for the event please do send along your contact info to me, by clicking here, if you are not already on my contact list. Don Johnston and yours truly are very well travelled along the Lake Superior coast and know where to be during the given weather conditions to maximize the photographic efforts.

 

Sunrise on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter
ISO 50
f16 @ 0.8 sec

 

Sunset on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter
ISO 100
f16 @ 13 sec

 

Sunrise on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
ISO 100
f16 @ 1.3 sec

 

Sunset on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Nikon 18-35mm lens at 29mm
Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter
ISO 50
f16 @ 5 sec

 

Wave Polished Stones on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Nikon 28-300mm lens at 170mm
ISO 50
f18 @ 1/8 sec

 

In-camera Wave Blur, Old Woman Bay, Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Nikon 200-500mm lens
ISO 50
f32 @ 1/5 sec

 

Crashing Wave on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
ISO 50
f16 @ 1/60 sec

 

Moonlit Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Nikon 18-35mm lens at 31mm
ISO 3200
f11 @ 13 seconds

 

Sunset on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter
ISO 50
f16 @ 1.3 sec

 

Sunset on Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter
ISO 100
f16 @ 5 sec

 

Rugged Lake Superior Shoreline
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens
ISO 100
f16 @ 0.8 sec

 

Wave Breaking at Katherine Cove, Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Nikon 18-35mm Lens at 35mm
ISO 50
f22 @ 0.5 sec

 

Wave Polished Stones, Lake Superior
Nikon D800, Nikon 28-300mm Lens at 125mm
ISO 100
f16 @ 0.6 sec

Muskoka Autumn Colour Spectacular Photographic Workshop Follow-up

Lower Rosseau Falls
Nikon D800, Nikon 18-35mm lens

The Muskoka Autumn Colour Spectacular Photographic Workshop wrapped up on October 3rd. I am just getting around to the follow-up reort now. I have been swamped prepping for my Lake Superior Retreat as well as organizing new events for 2019.

Although the fall colours were slow in their progression this year we were able to find some lovely colour at a few of our destinations. We had two long days of photography as we visited numerous waterfalls and rivers through the Muskoka District, from Huntsville to Dwight to Rosseau.

Wilson’s Falls
Nikon D800, Nikon 18-35mm lens

Although the water levels at Wilson’s Falls were very low it turned out this provided wonderful opportunities to capture some autumn colour and the red granite river bed while the river defined the foreground elements. The Oxtongue River near Dwight is often a busy location during fall colour, but I ensured that the workshop group arrived early to have several hours of the river to ourselves. By the time we were wrapping up here there were many people starting to arrive.

Oxtongue River
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D lens

Ragged Falls on the Oxtongur River in Ragged Falls Provincial Park is another very popular destination however, the surrounding cedar forest is not conducive to autumn colour/ Nonetheless, we arrived shortly before sunset and were greeted with wonderful light!

Ragged Falls, Oxtongue River
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D lens

Throughout the workshop we experienced much light rain. It often rained heaviest when we would took our lunch breaks. The rainy weather did provide us with the absolute best conditions possible for our intended subject matter. The rain also allowed us ample opportunity to explore intimate forest details sue to the wonderful even lighting from the overcast cloud cover.

Old Growth White Pine Roots
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D lens

 

Forest Details
Nikon D800, Laowa 12mm Zero D lens

 

Granite Details
Nikon D800, Nikon 28-300mm lens

Add-on Date for Ohio State Reformatory

 

Join Sherry Butts and yours truly for the newly added date of Sunday April 14, 2019 at the Ohio State Reformatory.

NEW ADD-ON DATE Sunday April 14, 2019

Join Sherry Butts and Andrew McLachlan at the Ohio State Reformatory on Saturday, April 13, 2019 or Sunday April 14, 2019 for an exclusive photographic workshop from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Originally built in 1834 the reformatory’s hauntingly beautiful architecture housed many famous and infamous criminals. It is also the same location where the Morgan Freeman movie “The Shawshank Redemption” was filmed.

At the Ohio State Reformatory doors open to the public at 11:00 a.m., however, this exclusive workshop opportunity will allow early access at 7:00 a.m. That equates to 4 full hours of exploring the prison by ourselves prior to the doors opening to the public. What a fantastic opportunity to explore creative perspectives! We have also arranged the use of tripods inside the prison at no additional fee. After the workshop concludes you are welcome to remain on site until closing time at 4:00 p.m.

Maximum number of participants is 16

Saturday April 13, 2019 – SOLD OUT

Sunday April 14, 2019 –  11 Spots Available

The workshop group will be provided with a complimentary dinner at a nearby restaurant after the Ohio State Reformatory closes.

What’s Included:

• Entrance fee to Ohio State Reformatory

• Photographic instruction

• On site LCD image review

• Complimentary dinner at nearby restaurant on April 13, 2019

What’s Not Inlcuded:

• Transportation to and from Ohio State Reformatory

• Overnight accommodation for out of town participants

• Breakfast and lunch

• Alcoholic beverages during complimentary dinner

Workshop Fee:

$275.00 CDN plus taxes

Payment can be made via email transfer or by cheque made payable to Andrew McLachlan. Participants must return a signed Waiver of Liability Form prior to the workshop date. The Waiver of Liability Form will be provided to you at time of registration.

To reserve your spot for the Ohio State Reformatory Photographic Workshop please contact me by clicking here.

Cancellation Policy:

61 days prior to workshop full refund less a $25 administration fee

60 days prior to workshop No Refund.

 

 

 

Moose River Scouting Trip

Sunset on the Moose River in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

I was quite pleased to register 9 folks for the Rusty Old Wrecks Teaching Moment Photographic Workshop that was announced yesterday for Saturday, November 3rd. That leaves only one spot available!

Immediately after the conclusion of this year’s Lake Traverse Workshop I traveled north to Ontario’s James Bay Lowlands to scout a specific area for a 2020 workshop. Once the logistics for the trip are finalaized the announcement will be made. If you would like to be on the contact list for this workshop please do send me an email by clicking here.

I spent two days exploring a distinct section of the Moose River and the gyspum cliffs and caves that adorn a section of the river bank. The area is only accessible by canoe. I hired expert wilderness guide, canoeist, and all round fantastic guy Rick Isaacson to help me access the area. Rick is also the guide we will be using for the Abitibi Canyon / New Post Falls Workshop in July 2019. For many the Abitibi Canyon / New Post Falls and the Moose River trips will be once in a lifetime opportunities to explore remote areas of the province that are rich in stunning landscape opportunities. Don’t miss your chance to see New Post Falls – it is the most beautiful and impressive waterfall in all of Ontario!

Moose River in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

The highlight of the scouting trip was visiting the white gypsum cliffs and caves that adorn the banks of the Moose River, a short paddle downstream from our campsite. Some of the cave openings were not that large but I was able to squeeze in and use my Laowa 12mm lens to capture as much of the cave details as possible. My lens choices for the trip were my Laowa 12mm Zero D, Nikon 18-35mm, Nikon 28-300mm, and the Nikon 200-500mm Lens. Scroll down to see some additional images created during this scouting trip to ontario’s remote boreal forest within the James Bay Lowlands.

Gypsum Cave on the Moose River
James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

 

Moose River in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

 

Gypsum Cliffs and Caves on the Moose River
James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

 

Moose River in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

 

Moose River in the James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

 

Gypsum Cliffs and Caves on the Moose River
James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

 

Gypsum Cave on the Moose River
James Bay Lowlands, Ontario

Rusty Old Wrecks – Teaching Moment Photographic Workshop

 

Join me on Saturday November 3, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a Rusty Old Wrecks Teaching Moment Photographic Workshop being held at McClean’s Auto Wreckers, near Milton, Ontario. Whether you are relatively new to photography or looking for instruction to fine tune your craft this 4 hour workshop provides excellent subject matter with acres of old dilapidated cars and trucks to chose from. You will learn everything from the basics of good composition, using filters, focusing on details, and the benefits of HDR photography. The cost of this workshop is $65 plus HST and must be paid in advance of the workshop date.

To reserve your spot and to arrange payment please contacting me by clicking here. Payment may be made by email transfer or by cheque made payable to Andrew McLachlan. The maximum number of participants for this event is 10. This workshop will run rain, shine, or snow.

Cancellation Policy:

There are no refunds for Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops. If you are unable to attend you will receive credit in the amount paid for a future Teaching Moment Photographic Workshop.

About Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops:

Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops are inexpensive, half day sessions that give back! Just how will they give back – for every 5 Teaching Moment Photographic Workshops that you attend you will receive a $50 (Canadian currency) voucher redeemable on any future workshop that you attend.