In the Land of Ice and Snow

The Niagara Escarpment at Georgian Bay on Bruce Peninsula National Park

Recently I accompanied a couple of past workshop participants an outing to Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula, which was well planned as the wintry scenes will come to an abrupt end with the onset of warmer, rainy weather forecasted for this week.

The Bruce Peninsula lies between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. A section of the Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere, also runs along the Bruce Peninsula. The Niagara Escarpment is known for stunning limestone cliffs and outcrops as well as being home to eastern North America’s oldest trees and forest ecosystem. In winter this region takes on an incredible transformation as the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment are adorned with massive amounts of ice. There are several caves along the base of the cliffs that are only accessible when Georgian Bay freezes over. The interiors of these caves are  incredible to explore as well, especially with a wide angle lens.

The Niagara Escarpment at Georgian Bay on Bruce Peninsula National Park

My choice of lens to use on this trip turned out to be the amazingly wide and razor sharp Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens on my Nikon D800. The close focusing capabilities of this lens easily allowed me to capture all the amazing icy details in the foregrounds, yet take in the grand landscape before me. The Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens was also extremely useful when entering the small caves along the base of the cliffs as I was easily able to capture a significant portion of the cave’s interior details while peering out through the cave openings.

The Niagara Escarpment at Georgian Bay on Bruce Peninsula National Park

All in all the outing to this area was short. We spent a mere 4 hours photographing the wintry details of the Georgian Bay coast. We had hoped for another opportunity on Sunday, but our plans were thwarted by significant winds and rain. Nonetheless, I created some of my personal best winter landscape imagery on the outing.

The Niagara Escarpment at Georgian Bay on Bruce Peninsula National Park

I was so impressed with the winter landscape opportunities along the Georgian bay coast in Bruce Peninsula National Park that I may offer a winter landscape photography workshop to this region in 2020. Folks that may be interested in such an event should contact me by clicking here to be added to my workshop email contact list.

The Niagara Escarpment at Georgian Bay on Bruce Peninsula National Park

 

The Niagara Escarpment at Georgian Bay on Bruce Peninsula National Park

 

 

Advertisements

Singh Ray Filters Pro Gallery

Georgian Bay at Sunset, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

I am pleased to announce, and honored to have been added to the Singh Ray Filters Pro Gallery. I have relied on Singh Ray filters for the last 25 years to get the job done and photograph scenes the way I see them. I never leave home with out taking them along. The above image was created at sunrise on the beautiful shores of Ontario’s Georgian Bay, near Parry Sound, Ontario. To control the dynamic range within this scene I used my Singh Ray 3-stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density Filter. I much prefer to capture scenes such as this, in the field, the way I see it in one frame. This allows me the freedom to quickly process the image file later at the computer. Sure enough you could capture a few frames and blend the exposures in the digital darkroom, but would you not prefer to be photographing moments like instead of being stuck behind a computer blending exposures?

To save 10% on your next purchase of at Singh Ray Filters use the code “Andrew 10” at checkout.

Private One-on-One Adobe Photoshop Instructional Workshops

Outstanding nature photography requires photographers to practice good field technique and to be proficient in the digital darkroom too. Whether you are new to Adobe Photoshop or are somewhat experienced with the program “Private One-on-One Adobe Photoshop Instruction” workshops will provide you with the confidence and knowhow to maximize your digital image files to their absolute best. From the basics to advance techniques, developing a reliable workflow will exercise the creative process required to maximize the potential within each digital image.

Learn the basics of:

• Selecting the right image(s) to optimize from a specific series of photographs

• An efficient workflow

• Use Adobe Bridge to edit, caption, and keyword photographs

• Optimize images in Adobe Camera Raw to maximize their potential

• Advance Photoshop techniques to maximize image quality

• Introduction to the benefits of Luminosity Masks

• Artistic Renderings

• And much, much more

The Private One-on-One Adobe Photoshop Instruction workshops are 3 hours in length. When booking a private workshop please indicate, in advance, what it is that you are looking to gain from your session. For example, are you looking to learn the basics, image editing / selection, or advance techniques to take your knowledge of Adobe Photoshop to the next level. Although the workshops are listed as “private,” groups of 3 will be permissible. The location for the Private One-on-One Adobe Photoshop Instruction is the responsibility of the registering participant. Depending on the location chosen for the workshop, travel expenses may be applicable. Travel to areas within the Greater Toronto Area will not incur travel expenses.

Workshop Fee:

• $350 payable by email transfer or by cheque. To book your private Adobe Photoshop Instruction please click here.

Cancellation Policy:

• 3 days or greater – full refund less $75 administration fee

• 2 days or less – no refund

Muskoka Autumn Colour Spectacular Photographic Workshop

Join Andrew McLachlan in Ontario’s Muskoka District on October 7th, 8th, & 9th 2019 for 2 ½ days of in-depth photographic exploration of the finest waterfalls, rivers, forests and wetlands of the region. Embrace the beauty of Muskoka and learn the skills of landscape photography amid the palette of autumn.

Maximum number of participants is 8

Why worry about dealing with unrelenting crowds in Algonquin Provincial Park when you can enjoy photographing fall colour in Ontario’s Muskoka District without crowds and with better scenery!

Do note that there will be some walking involved on woodland trails over uneven ground. The longest walk will be roughly 1 kilometre in length. Please do not hesitate to inquire should you have any concerns regarding physical limitations that may affect your ability to attend this event. Most of the locations selected are within very close proximity to where we will park our vehicles.

Itinerary:

Monday, October 7th:

• Meet in the parking lot of Brooks Falls (Huntsville area) at 7:00 a.m. for waterfall photo session

• Stop for lunch (on your own) at 1:00 p.m.

• Oxtongue Rapids & Ragged Falls (Huntsville area) photo session

• Dinner (on your own) at local restaurant at 7:00 p.m.

• Get some rested for early start on Tuesday

Tuesday, October 8th:

• Meet at 6:00 a.m. at the Sleep Inn Bracebridge and carpool to waterfall for photo sessions

• Stop for lunch (on your own) at 1:00 p.m.

• Additional waterfall / river sessions

• Sunset photo session – weather permitting

• Complimentary dinner at local restaurant

Wednesday, October 9th:

• Meet at 6:00 a.m. at Sleep Inn Bracebridge and carpool to Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve for sunrise and morning photo session

• Depart for home 12:00 p.m.

What’s Included:

• In-depth photographic instruction during each photo session with LCD review

• Dinner at nearby restaurant on Tuesday October 8th

What’s Not Included:

• Accommodations (numerous options available… I will be staying at the Sleep Inn in Bracebridge – they serve a continental style breakfast)

• Transportation • Car pooling of participants is encouraged to arrive at each location

• Breakfast and lunch

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

$325.00 CDN plus taxes

Payment can be made via email transfer or by cheque.

To reserve your spot in the Muskoka Autumn Colour Spectacular please contact me by clicking here to arrange payment.

A Waiver of Liability will be sent to participants at the time of registering.

Please do not delay in booking your accommodations as hotels / motels in the area will fill up quickly.

Cancellation Policy:

61 Days or greater – full refund less $75 administration fee

60 Days or less – No Refunds

Bruce Peninsula Photographic Workshop

Join award winning photographer Andrew McLachlan on Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula May 27th, 28th, & 29th 2019 for 2 ½ days of in-depth photographic exploration. During this workshop we will visit some of the finest landscapes that the Georgian Bay coast has to offer. Embrace the beauty of turquoise waters and rugged limestone cliffs as we chase the light along the Niagara Escarpment – an UNESCO World Biosphere.

Maximum number of participants is 8.

Do note that there will be walking involved on woodland trails and rocky shorelines with uneven terrain. The longest walk to get on location will be roughly 20 – 30 minutes in length. Please do not hesitate to inquire should you have any concerns regarding physical limitations that may affect your ability to attend this event.

Itinerary (subject to change based on weather conditions at the time):

Monday, May 27th:

• Meet in the parking lot of Halfway Log Dump for sunrise / daybreak photo session at 5:00 a.m.

• Stop for lunch (on your own) as a group at 1:00 p.m.

• 20-30 minute walk to Indian Head Cove / The Grotto for afternoon photo session

• Dinner (on your own) as a group before sunset session

• Sunset photo session at Singing Sands at 8:00 p.m.

• Get some rested for early start on Tuesday

Tuesday May 28th:

• Meet at 5:00 a.m. at Little Cove for sunrise photo session

• Stop for lunch (on your own) as a group at 1:00 p.m.

• Afternoon photo session at Little Cove

• 20-30 minute walk to sunset photo session at Indian Head Cove for 8:00 p.m. arrival

• Complimentary dinner

Wednesday, May 29th:

• Halfway Log Dump sunrise photo session at 5:00 a.m.

• Depart for home 12:00 p.m.

What’s Included:

• In-depth photographic instruction during each photo session with LCD review to ensure you are capturing the best possible images given the conditions of the day

• Dinner at restaurant in Tobermory on Tuesday May 28th

What’s Not Included:

• Accommodations (numerous options available in Tobermory… I will be staying the Coach House Inn – they offer complimentary continental breakfast)

• Day use vehicle passes for each day

• Transportation

• Car pooling of participants is encouraged for each photo session

• Breakfasts, lunches, and Monday’s dinner

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

$325.00 CDN plus taxes

Payment can be made via email transfer or by cheque.

To reserve your spot in the Bruce Peninsula Workshop please contact me by clicking here to arrange payment.

Cancellation Policy:

61 Days or greater – full refund less $75 administration fee

60 Days or less – No Refunds

Frogs of the World Photographic Workshop Wrap-up

Red-eye Tree Frog – captive bred

On Saturday February 16th we held another highly successful and sold out Frogs of the World Photographic Workshop with 8 fabulous participants. Several of those participants were repeat students. During these workshops with captive bred specimens we use set-ups that mimic the natural habitat of the frogs in the wild for a truly realistic appearance.

Each image that appears in this post utilizes my homemade flash diffuser that was the highlight of the This Might Just Be The Best Flash Diffuser Ever blog post and post processing techniques employ light use of luminosity masking techniques by using the TK Basic V6 Action Panel by Tony Kuyper

To find out more about future Frogs of the World Photographic Workshops please click here and to be added to the contact list for upcoming events please send me an email  by clicking here

Ranitomeya vanzolinni – captive bred

 

Fringed Leaf Frog – captive bred

 

Dendrobates auratus microspot ablino – captive bred

 

Oophaga sylvatica – captive bred

 

Vietnamese Mossy Frog – captive bred

 

Vietnamese Mossy Frog Abstract – captive bred

 

Fringed Leaf Frog – captive bred

 

Ranitomeya vanzolinni – captive bred

2nd Annual Muskoka Winter Waterfall Spectacular Photographic Workshop Wrap-up

Hatchery Falls on the Skeleton River, Rosseau, Ontario

The 2nd Annual Muskoka Winter Waterfall Spectacular Photographic Workshop wrapped up on Sunday February 10th around 12:00 noon. We began the workshop on Friday February 8th at 1:00 pm after driving through a wicked snow squall in Bracebridge, Ontario with near zero visibility. The snow squall left about 6-8 inches of fresh snow on the ground and coated the surrounding forests with a lovely dusting of snow – a perfect winter wonderland was created for photographing throughout the course of the weekend event.

We had four fabulous and talented participants of which three were repeat clients.

We began with a glorious morning at Hatchery Falls near Rosseau, Ontario. As the sun began to rise it cast beautiful soft light on the distant forest behind the Skeleton River, as can be seen in the opening image. It would appear that this waterfall has been visited very seldom this year as we had to blaze a trail through significant snow depth on the ground, but it was worth the extra effort.

Potts Creek, Bracebridge, Ontario

We made two trips into Little High Falls on Potts Creek. The first trip in was on Friday afternoon, followed by a second trip on the Sunday morning. Both days were equally good, but totally different. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly waterfalls and rivers can change during the winter months when ice formations take on new shapes overnight. A light dusting of snow on Sunday morning help to accentuate openings in the thin sheets of ice that had formed on Potts Creek overnight. This can be seen in the above image and two images below.

Potts Creek, Bracebridge, Ontario

 

Winter River Details, Bracebridge, Ontario

 

Potts Creek, Bracebridge, Ontario

During brief breaks in Friday afternoon’s intense snow squalls the fresh fallen snow created beautiful clean winter scenics.

My choice of gear for this trip was kept rather simple. As usual my Laowa 12mm Zero D lens was given a workout. The Nikkor 28-300mm lens was a close second as it is such a versatile lens and great for capturing icy details along the river. When I needed focal lengths in between the 12mm and the 28-300mm lenses I worked with the Nikkor 18-35mm lens. Every image was photographed using a polarizing filter to help reduce or eliminate glare from the scene. Do note that I said “reduce or eliminate” as not every scene will warrant full polarization. There are times when a bit of glare can be used for creative effect within the composition.

Little High Falls, Bracebridge, Ontario

On Saturday afternoon we trekked into Skeleton Falls through 3 feet of snow until we reached the forest where the snow on the ground was much easier to walk through as we made our way down the forested slope to the river.

Winter Details on the Skeleton River, Rosseau, Ontario