HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) – captive

Wishing everybody a safe and prosperous year!

Happy New Year!

All the best,

Andrew

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Top 20 for 2020

2020 has certainly been a challenging year for so many people throughout the world.

The past year really limited many of my photographic adventures from cancelling workshops to being locked down at home. Fortunately I was able to make my way to Cayman Brac for two weeks in late February. The world shut down shortly after my return in March. During the summer months I concentrated my efforts on extreme macro photography around my rural home, often not even having to leave my property. By the time autumn came around I was able to continue with my Muskoka Autumn Colour Spectacular Workshop and Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Workshop. As a result my top 20 images for 2020 have been selected from my Cayman Brac trip, insect photography at home, autumn colour, and the Lake Superior coast.

I hope you enjoy viewing this selection of imagery.

Here’s to a better year in 2021!

Daybreak on the Caribbean Sea at Cayman Brac, BWI

Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) at Sylvia’s Reef, Cayman Brac, BWI

Spotted Scorpionfish (Scorpaena plumieri), Cayman Brac, BWI

Sister Island Rock Iguana (Cyclura nubila caymanensis)

Crab Spider

Baby Garden Spiders

Praying Mantis

Robberfly

Two-horned leafhopper (Ceresa diceros)

Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

Late day light on Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

Overcast Light on Geogrian Bay, Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada

Autumn colour and reflections at woodland pond in Seguin Township, Ontario, Canada

Winter on Lake Superior, Wawa, Ontario, Canada

Snow covered gorge along Lake SUperior’s north shore near Schreiber, Ontario, Canada

Hattie Cove in winter on Lake Superior, Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario, Canada

Winter storm at Sandy Beach on Lake Superior, Wawa, Ontario, Canada

Mink Creek, Marathon, Ontario

Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) male, Neys Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

Sunrise at Highland Pond in the Torrance Barrens, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada

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New eBook Announcement: WILD PLACES

Today I am pleased to announce the release of my 3rd eBook; WILD PLACES – Exploring the Creative Process of Landscape Photography.

WILD PLACES – Exploring the Creative Process of Landscape Photography is not a book about the technical aspects of landscape photography. It is about the thoughts and decisions that were made, in-the-field, to determine what to include or exclude from the frame to convey visual beauty. Slowing down and making conscious decisions to control the visual elements within the environment will assist you in creating photography that entices the minds and emotions of viewers.

Wild Places features a collection of 110 photographs from Ontario and beyond that will inspire you on your next excursion into wild spaces, as you explore the artistry of the land. Extended captions that correspond to each image provide discussions on the composition, applicable filter selections, and many other useful tidbits of information.

I am often complimented after presenting my various programs for being  an engaging speaker who shares inspiring imagery while explaining various tips and techniques in a way that can be understood by all levels of photographers. This eBook is characteristic of attending one of my photographic presentations.

Price: $20 CAD

To purchase your copy of Wild Places please click here.

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Cayman Brac 2020 Trip Report

Brown Booby in Flight

I returned on March 4th from a two week stay on the remote Caribbean island of Cayman Brac. It was by far a very productive trip with a multitude of great images captured.  As usual the nesting Brown Booby birds put an an awesome show from nesting activities to in flight opportunities.

Sunrise and sunsets were a little trickier to be had this year due to heavy clouds out on the horizon, but nonetheless perseverance paid off. Virtually all of my sunrise and sunset imagery was created using stacked ND and reverse grad filters. The ND filters coupled with the reverse grads allowed me to slow the shutter speed down sufficiently to allow the incoming ocean waves to blur out nice and soft. My choice of filters for these scenes were the Singh-Ray Filters 3-Stop ND Filter, Mor-Slo 5-stop ND FIlter, and the 3_stop Reverse Graduated ND Filter

During my snorkel excursions my Nikon D500 and Nikkor 18-35mm lens inside an Ewa Marine Housing proved perfect for many of the ocean fishes encountered. I had great success with Octopus, Spotted Scorpionfish and many other often difficult to photograph while snorkeling species. I will do a full blog post on the underwater success I had in the near future.

I was also quite ecstatic with finding a very co-operative, female Sister Islands Rock Iguana. These iguanas are sadly critically endangered now, but efforts are underway to lend a helping hand, which entails eradicating  invasive Green Iguanas.

As you scroll down through the images you will see a host of wonderful opportunities that were to be found during this trip. Stay tuned for announcements for the 2021 trip very soon.

Daybreak on Cayman Brac

 

Spotted Scorpionfish

 

Sister Island Rock Iguana

 

Daybreak on Cayman Brac

 

Brown Booby Preening

 

West Indian Whistling Ducks

 

Brown Booby Family

 

Yellow Stingray

 

Sunrise at Pollard Bay, Cayman Brac

 

Octopus

 

Green Heron

 

Willet

 

White-spotted File Fish

 

Cuban Tree Frog (invasive on Cayman Brac)

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ANNOUNCING: The 3rd Annual Muskoka Autumn Colour Spectacular Workshop

Join Andrew McLachlan in Ontario’s Muskoka District on October 5th, 6th, & 7th 2020 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.

New for all landscape workshop participants is the availability to use the same Singh Ray Filters that I personally use, in-the-field, to explore my creative vision. Find out first-hand why I trust Singh Ray Filters to capture the scene in one frame without the need to spend hours at the computer blending multiple images.

Itinerary:

Monday, October 5th:

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

• Stop for lunch at 1:00 p.m.

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

• Dinner at local restaurant at 7:00 p.m.

• Get some rested for early start on Tuesday

Tuesday, October 6th:

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

• Stop for lunch at 1:00 p.m.

• Additional waterfall / river sessions

• Sunset photo session – weather permitting

• Complimentary dinner at local restaurant

Wednesday, October 7th:

• 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

• Use of various Singh Ray Filters to explore and capture your creative vision

• Complimentary dinner at nearby restaurant on Tuesday October 6th

What’s Not Included:

• Accommodations (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

• Breakfasts, lunches, and Monday night dinner

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

$350.00 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.

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

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Announcing: 4th Annual Lake Traverse Photography Retreat

Join Andrew McLachlan for an exclusive, weekend workshop deep in the heart of Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park on scenic Lake Traverse for an opportunity to create stunning imagery from this remote, pristine landscape. This event will be held on September 25, 26, & 27, 2020. Lake Traverse is situated in a remote area of the park and is rich in both history and scenery. To reach this remote destination in Algonquin Provincial Park you must enter the park at the Sand Lake Gate. In the early 1900’s lumber baron J.R. Booth established a private lodge – The Booth Turtle Club on the shores of Lake Traverse. Today remnants of this lodge can be found in the woodlands such as impressive stone fireplaces and a rusted old wreck decaying in the forest. The timing of this event will allow for misty sunrises over Lake Traverse and assuming weather conditions co-operate we are in one of the best locations in all of Ontario to photograph the night sky and possibly the aurora borealis. Furthermore, we are situated a short walking distance from picturesque waterfalls on the Petawawa River.

Our accommodations for this event will be at the Algonquin Radio Observatory, located on the shores of Lake Traverse. The Algonquin Radio Observatory is closed to the public and inaccessible. However, exclusive access has been granted to our workshop group for this event. A tour of the immense satellite has been arranged during the mid-day hours on Saturday, when lighting for photography is generally at its worst. Also available to participants is the use of canoes and kayaks during the mid-day hours to explore the lake on your own.

A quick note about the Algonquin Radio Observatory:

The Algonquin Radio Observatory (ARO) is Canada’s national radio observatory featuring Canada’s premiere Earth station facility. ARO is a division of space technology company Thoth Technology Inc.

Completed and commissioned in the 1965, ARO’s 46m antenna is the largest antenna in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The observatory is situated on a 100 acre wild and breathtakingly beautiful site in the North of Algonquin Provincial Park on Lake Traverse, deep inside the park. The observatory hosts a suite of state-of-the-art scientific equipment including its own atomic clock and still operates with a state-of-the-art technical capability.

ARO is the official ground station for Northern Light, Canada’s mission to Mars.

Itinerary:

Friday September 25:

Meet & Greet Dinner at 6:00 p.m. follow by photographic presentation and a nightscape photo session (assuming weather conditions co-operate)

Saturday September 26:

Morning Photo Session (6am – 10am followed by breakfast, tour of satellite, Petawawa River Session, Rusty Old Wreck Session, Evening Photo Session, Nightscape Session (assuming weather conditions co-operate)

Sunday September 27:

Morning photo session (6am – 10am) followed by breakfast. Checkout is at 11:00 a.m. however, participants are permitted to explore other areas of the park at their leisure for the remainder of the day.

Do Note: Each location we will be photographing at is a short walking distance from our home base at the Algonquin Radio Observatory.

What’s Included:

• In-depth landscape photography instruction by yours truly

• Vast selection of Singh Ray Filters to try out

• Lodging at Algonquin Radio Observatory (included with payment to lodge)

• Friday – dinner (included with payment to lodge)

• Saturday – breakfast, lunch, & dinner (included with payment to lodge)

• Sunday – breakfast (included with payment to lodge)

What’s not included:

• Transportation to the Algonquin Radio Observatory

• A 3 day, daily vehicle permit fee must be purchased at the Sand Lake Gate to enter the park. This vehicle permit will allow participants to remain in the park until 10:00 pm on Sunday.

• Snacks

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

Important note: The fees for this year’s event are broken down into two stages. One to Andrew McLachlan for the workshop and the other payment direct to the lodge for meals and accommodation.

The workshop fee is $350 + HST. Payable by cheque or e-mail transfer. In order to register for this workshop payment of this fee is due now.

By July 1, 2020 the accommodation and meal fee must be paid directly to the Algonquin Radio Observatory by email transfer. Details will be provided to registrants at the time of booking. The fees for meals and accommodation are as follows:

Double occupancy = $285 + HST per person

Single Occupancy = $325+HST per person

Waiver of Liability forms will be signed by registrants at the meet and greet dinner on Friday September 25th.

This workshop is open to a maximum of 15 participants.

To reserve your spot in this exclusive workshop please contact me by clicking here.

Cancellation Policy:

Prior to July 1, 2020 workshop fee refunded less $75 administration fee.

As of July 1, 2020 no refunds

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Announcing: Frogs of the World Photographic Workshop

The next Frogs of the World Photographic Workshop will be held on Saturday March 14, 2020 at Lifelike Imaging in Mississauga, Ontario (10:00 am to 3:00 pm)

The space for this workshop is limited to a maximum of 8 participants to allow ample time for folks to photograph each species of frog.

These are the only workshops available in Canada whereby you will be able to capture stunning imagery of 15 – 20 different species of frogs and toads from all over the world. We will be photographing numerous varieties of dart frogs endemic to the Amazon rainforest, and several other species of frogs from Costa Rica, South America, and Madagascar. It would cost tens of thousands of dollars to explore the jungles of the world, with hired guides, on your own, in hopes of photographing a mere fraction of these species. These workshops, in partnership with Understory Enterprises, will bring you an incredible opportunity to photograph these 15 – 20 species of frogs in a comfortable atmosphere with natural, pleasing studio set-ups.

The recommended gear for photographing these tiny frogs is a macro lens and off camera flash. Alternately, using high quality close-up filters such as the Canon 500D filters will allow many lenses such as the Nikon 80-400mm or Canon 100-400mm to focus close enough for these small subjects. Please contact me here if you have any equipment inquiries when registering for this workshop. I also have custom made flash diffusers that will allow folks to capture stunning imagery using camera mounted flash as well. A note about flash use; you should possess a basic understanding of how to operate your flash and make +/- adjustments to flash output.

Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided during the workshop.

To register for this workshop contact me by clicking here .

Payments can be made via email transfer or by cheque made payable to Andrew McLachlan.

Hope to see you there!

The one day cost of the workshop is $195 CDN plus applicable taxes ($195 +$25.35 HST = $220.35 CDN).

Cancellation Policy:

31 days prior to workshop date 50% refund

30 days prior to workshop date no refund

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Muskoka Winter Waterfall Workshop Round-up

The 3rd Annual Muskoka Winter Waterfall Spectacular Photographic Workshop wrapped up today. This year we were blessed with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark with no wind whatsoever. It was quite lovely to be able to photograph without the constant need for gloves to keep fingertips warm. We also had mostly overcast conditions which is the best light of all for photographing the woodland waterfalls we were visiting. A relatively shallow bed of snow also made for mostly easy walking along the trails, although the mild weather did create a few sections where we had to be careful of slip and fall due to icy sections. Nonetheless, we succeeded in completing our visits without incident. I always recommend to folks to bring along crampons for added traction along trails that may have icy sections.

Below is a selection of imagery created at each of our stops on this one-of-a-kind workshop in Ontario’s Muskoka region. I used a variety of lenses from my trusty Laowa 12mm Zero D lens, to my Nikkor 28-300mm lens, and also my Nikkor 200-500mm lens, which is very useful for reaching out into rivers to capture icy details on exposed rocks and such. My filter choices for the vast majority of all my winter photography are those created by Singh Ray Filters and my go to filter choices are neutral polarizers and neutral density filters.

Folks that may be interested in attending the 4th Annual Muskoka Winter Waterfall Spectacular Workshop or any other events that I have or will announce this year can contact me by clicking here to be added to my workshop contact list 🙂

Potts Creek in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Skeleton Falls Details in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Skeleton Falls in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Rosseau River in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Potts Creek Details in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Little High Falls in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Rosseau River in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Skeleton Falls in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Rosseau River Details in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

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Top 20 Images for 2019

Milky Way Night-scape at the Algonquin Radio Observatory

I decided not to wait until January to share with you my personal 20 favorite images that I captured during 2019. Many of the selected images were created during several of my workshops this past year. I always teach by example and capture various images to share with participants, in-the-field, so they too can create similar photos. The first image in this post was created during the Lake Traverse Photography Retreat with night-scape scenes of the massive satellite being the highlight of the trip. We have been blessed with clear skies every year for this workshop and hopefully 2020 we will be blessed with the same conditions.

In-camera Pan Blur of Birch Trees, Wawa, Ontario

Even when photography conditions seem to be less than ideal there is always something to photograph, which is what I demonstrated during my Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat when I created the above in-camera vertical pan blur of birch trees in late day light.

Over-Under Bullfrog, Parry Sound, Ontario

During some my personal photography days I made good use of my final days with the family cottage to create my all-time favorite frog-scape scenes as can be seen in the above and below images of a large male Bullfrog in it’s watery home within the wetland on Horseshoe lake near Parry Sound, Ontario. These two frog-scapes were created using the Laowa 15mm 1:1 Wide Angle Macro Lens on a Nikon D500.

Bullfrog-scape, Parry Sound, Ontario

The following two photographs were created in March on a personal excursion with two past workshop participants. We had an incredible afternoon exploring the icy shoreline and caves of Georgian Bay on the Bruce Peninsula. In fact we loved it so much we will likely be going back again this winter 🙂

Ice Cave, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario

 

Halfway Rock Point, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario

My first-ever Bruce Peninsula Workshop was a great success with many wonderful opportunities, especially those we encountered on two separate mornings at Half Way Log Dump on Georgian Bay. The image below was created during a foggy morning with the Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens. Stay tuned for the 2020 Bruce Peninsula Workshop announcement in the new year.

Halfway Log Dump, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario

Personal trips to the North Shore Rugged Hiking Trail in Parry Sound always yields impressive vistas. Watch for single day workshops at this location to be announced for the 2020 season.

Sunset on Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, Ontario

Late October found me on the shores of Lake Superior with two back to back events and some of the absolute best landscape photography conditions I have encountered in the area to date. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to photograph this impressive area of the province. Registration is open for the 3rd Annual Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat.

Afternoon Light on Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario

 

Sunset on Lake Superior, Wawa, Ontario

In July I bid farewell to 35 years at the family cottage and will miss exploring the wetland on the lake as it is where I created a significant number of memorable imagery over the years. Below are two photos that were created in the weeks leading up the departure.

Fragrant White Waterlilies on Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario

 

Storm Clouds at Dusk in Wetland, Parry Sound, Ontario

Hatchery Falls on the Skeleton River is a highlight of the Muskoka Winter Waterfall Spectacular Workshop and I am really looking forward to being back in the area this coming weekend for the 3rd annual event. If you are looking for a last minute photography workshop in beautiful Muskoka there are still a couple of spaces available. Please contact me by clicking here if interested.

Hatchery Falls in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario

When I discovered the newly emerging Green Darner Dragonfly this summer it was a perfect opportunity to test out my dual flash system for macro photography. More to come on that later 🙂

Green Darner Dragonfly, Parry Sound, Ontario

The Lake Superior coast in Pukaskwa National Park near Marathon, Ontario as long been a favorite of mine. When I had a couple of personal days in between my two Lake Superior events I made the trek further north to explore the impressive ruggedness of the area.

Lake Superior, Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario

I do not particularity do a lot of bird photography but when a rare visitor of Ontario’s boreal forest over-winters 20 minutes from home it is worth every effort to capture it. My favorite image of the Northern Hawk Owl was created during a light snow flurry on a bitterly cold day. It was not until after the owl landed in this tree that I became aware of the meadow vole it had cached in the tree earlier.

Northern Hawk Owl, Schomberg, Ontario

In April I hosted an Ohio State Reformatory Workshop with Sherry Butts. It was a great success and we look forward to meeting the new participants for the 2020 event. If you wish to sign up for the 2020 Ohio State Reformatory Photo Tour please reach out to me by clicking here. The image below with the red chair was created in the library and the sunrays were added using Luminar for a creative effect.

Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio

The Tan Jumping Spider below was my first attempt at photographing very small subjects using a 105mm macro lens with a Raynox DCR-250 diopter and dual flash tubes. My wife had informed me of a spider on the ceiling in the kitchen. I said I would get me camera ready 🙂  I carefully moved the spider onto a small piece of bark for a natural setting. In 2020, once insects emerge from hibernation please watch for many posts about extreme macro photography.

Tan Jumping Spider, Thornton, Ontario

The final two images that are among my personal favorites for 2019 were created in the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve in Muskoka, Ontario on a glorious morning with clear skies and cool temperatures. These conditions were perfect for creating a significant amount of mist rising from the surrounding wetlands, that began to glow a fiery orange when the sun rose over the horizon. A Nikkor 200-500mm lens was used to create each of these images.

Daybreak in the Torrance Barrens, Muskoka, Ontario

 

Red Maple in the Mist, Muskoka, Ontario

As 2020 approaches I am looking forward to the new opportunities that will arise, and to meeting new and past workshop participants.

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Announcing: Killarney Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat

Join award winning photographer Andrew McLachlan in Killarney, Ontario May 4th, 5th & 6th 2020 for 2 ½ days of in-depth photographic exploration. This early spring workshop will avoid black fly season. During this workshop we will visit some of the finest landscapes along the Georgian Bay coast as well as iconic vistas within Killarney Provincial Park. You will be walking among the magnificent landscapes that once inspired the legendary Group of Seven, creating your own masterpieces. Marvel at the pink granite outcrops along Georgian Bay and the ancient white quartzite ridges of the La Cloche Mountain Range, while exploring the ‘crown jewel’ of the Ontario park system in Killarney Provincial Park.

The Killarney Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat will require the ability to walk along trails with uneven terrain that are rated as easy to moderate trails. Please do not hesitate to inquire should you have any concerns regarding your abilities.

Our photography retreats are geared towards creating dramatic imagery throughout the entire day, to provide you with extensive opportunities for photographic instruction. For folks that arrive in the Killarney area on the afternoon of Sunday May 2nd there will be the added bonus of a Sunday evening photo shoot near the town of Killarney.

I will be staying at The Sportsman Inn and do recommend that participants book their own accommodations here as well. However, you are welcome to explore other options for accommodations in Killarney, which may include AirBnBs or camping in Killarney Provincial Park.

I am also pleased to announce that Singh Ray Filters have graciously provided me with filters to use as teaching tools for registrants attending my photography retreats.

Dates: May 4, 5, & 6, 2020

Maximum number of participants is 8

Itinerary:

Day 1:

• Sunrise photo session

• Breakfast (on your own)

• Mid-morning photo shoot

• Lunch (on your own)

• Afternoon & Sunset photo sessions

• Dinner (on your own)

Day 2:

• Sunrise photo session

• Breakfast (on your own)

• Mid-morning photo shoot

• Lunch (on your own)

• Afternoon & Sunset photo sessions

• Dinner (on your own)

Day 3:

• morning photo session

• breakfast (on your own)

• participants depart for home at 11:00 a.m.

What’s Included:

• In-depth photographic instruction during each of the photo sessions with LCD review

• Image review and casual Lightroom / Photoshop sessions on Monday and Tuesday evening

What’s Not Included:

• Transportation (car pooling of participants is encouraged)

• Accommodations and meals

• Daily passes for entry into Killarney Provincial Park (unnecessary if you have the annual park pass)

• Snacks such as protein bars are excellent choices while out photographing.

• Alcoholic Beverages

Workshop Fee:

$325 CDN plus taxes

To reserve your spot in the Killarney Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat payment in full is due now.

Please contact me by clicking here to register for this event

Cancellation Policy:

91 days prior to the workshop date 50% of workshop fee is refunded.

90 days prior to the workshop date or less no refunds.

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