Landscape and Macro Photography / SPRING 2009 MACRO AND MORE -Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon Coast!

©Jack Graham

A lot goes into planning a workshop.  Itineraries are set based on weather conditions, subject availability and sunrise and sunset times. Planning a Macro and More workshop requires even more precision since we are not only shooting a vast array of subjects, but adding in the macro factor. What Mike and I look for when choosing locations are areas that lend themselves t o not only the grand landscape, and even some wildlife, but endless macro opportunities. The Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon coast are both such areas.

After what we thought was a very successful M&M workshop in 2008, based only in the gorge, Mike and I spent a few days shooting out on the Oregon Coast. The coast offers a totally different menu of both macro and landscape opportunities. We quickly decided that in 2009 we would do a combination workshop with ample time in both areas. 

Our group met in a location close to the airport in Portland which is less than ½ hour from shooting locations in the gorge on Wednesday night late in May.   Thunder and lightning (rare for the Pacific Northwest) greeted many of the folks flying in during afternoon prior to the start of the workshop.  Things improved throughout the weekend.  We had a really wonderful group from all over the country. There were folks from New Mexico, Tennessee, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio and elsewhere.

As is customary, we meet informally the night before the workshop starts to get to know each other, discuss   schedules, conditions, and goals for the days ahead. Typically our attendees are so excited about the potential activities of the coming days that the 1^st night’s sleep is sometimes challenging. However, this time of year, the days are long and most everyone sleeps well the 2^nd night.  Sunrises are about 5 AM and sunsets are after 9 PM. The mornings usually start with a huge dose of coffee. The 1^st day is in many respects the longest, but being in such a magnificent area makes it worth it.

After capturing a glorious sunrise in the Gorge, we headed to our 1^st combination landscape /macro location for the bulk of the morning. As you can tell from some of the images below some great photos were made. Mike and I spend lots of time helping our attendees offering those tips and information that is important to capture images in both formats.

Mike and I really hardly shoot at all unless we are demonstrating something to our attendees. We spent lots of valuable time with our groups, and the results shown here speak for themselves. We had a total of 10 attendees here so a 5:1 ration worked well.  Mike and I really take a lot of pride seeing the fruit of our efforts.

On the 2^nd day, we always take a few hours, based around lunch and the usual bad mid day light to review work from the previous day and the current morning. These review sessions really are helpful in correcting some habits that folks get into.

Feather © Sally Thompson

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                 Lupine    © Judy Beard 

Not only do we try and disseminate information to our attendees regarding photographic technique, we try and show them how to “see” an image and compose a pleasing to the eye composition.  All nature photographers must be totally technically proficient with their equipment, just like a musician on his or her’s instrument, in order to allow the photographer to turn on the right side of the brain, the creative side, and compose a great image.

                                

                                                                                                                                                                                

We spent a full day and 1/2 in the Coumbia River Gorge shooting lots of macro (Plants, feathers, leaves, tree bark etc) before venturing out to the Oregon Coast. We spent some time photographing both landscapes and macro at Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach. We then drove south to Newport and spent the night before spending the next morning at Seal Rock State Park. This location is one of the best tide pool areas on the coast. Mike and I planned this  workshop with a below normal low tide. The images shown here are indicative of the opportunities available during these low tides. Many of our attendees had never experienced this kind of photography and honestly, Mike and I were very pleased with their results.

                    Harbor Seal  © Mike Cooper

Tide pool photography, and macro shooting on the coast is somewhat more demanding than the shooting we did in the gorge. That’s why we did the coast last.                                                                                                  Purple Star Fish  © Ken Robb

The weather was good as we had lots of overcast to aid in allowing us some nice flat light to work with. Check out some of these images. They are really wonderful. Though everyone was quite tired by the end of the workshop, I know everyone had a great time, learned a lot and came away with lots of great shots.

 

Once again, Mike and I thank our attendees for coming. We are doing another Macro & more this fall in October, based in the Eastern Sierra(Mono Lake ,White Mts. area), and there are 1 or 2 spots still available if interested. Here is the information. Please contact Mike or Jack for more information

      M&M_2009_ESIERRA_flyer_01                                                                                                                                                                                                          ©

PlPlease enjoy  these other images shot by some of our attndees. They are really wonderful.

See you all in the field…..                     Mike (macro) and Jack (more)

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  Yaquina Head Lightouse © Sally Thompson

 

                                                                                                                                              Lupine©Sally Thompson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maple Seed on Log @Ken Robb                                                                                   Yellow Leaf on Fern Web© Ken Robb

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Dasies©Judy Beard                                                                                                                        Ferns  ©Judy Beard

Wood Abstract   ©Mike Cooper                                                                                                                            Stream © Mike Cooper

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                   “River Rocks”   © Russ Gifford 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fog in Pines   © Russ Gifford

UP COMING MACRO and MORE EVENTS—-and information

MARCH 26,2009

UP COMING—MACRO AND MORE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS™ EVENTS

 

Jack Graham   jack@jackgrahamphoto.com   www.jackgrahamphoto.com

Mike Moats      mgmoats@yahoo.com              www.tinylandscapes.com

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Our Macro and More™ workshops are vastly different than the vast majority of the workshops available. First, our group size is limited to only eight participants max per instructor. This gives both Mike & I the time to spend with each of you individually in the field. Secondly our workshops are in areas that we are very knowledgeable of. We know the right times, right light and right conditions to be in the right areas in order to allow for the best images available. We base locations on the light and conditions. The goal is to get people to the best locations in the best light. Typically each location has so much variety that we can find something spectacular with macro or landscape photography no matter what the light conditions is that day. 

The shooting schedule can be challenging.  We typically shoot from dawn to dusk (short days in the winter and, really long days in the spring). We eat, sleep, and breathe photography. This is intense photography experience and most attendees come out the experience shooting at a much higher level. We don’t really do ‘formalized’ classroom instruction during these workshops, but rather do our teaching and give tips, answer questions and work in a “hands on “approach in the field. Our workshops are a “learn by doing” type of experience. We have repeat clients coming back this year, which always makes us feel good and lets us know we are giving our customers the best experience possible. There photo workshops are the perfect vehicles to deliver the results you are expecting.

Most importantly, at some point and usually more than once, we take time to review and critique our work. This is one of the most important parts of the workshop.

When the workshop is over, we encourage you to stay in touch with us if you have any questions about anything that has to do with photography. Though we part ways on the last day of the workshop, I hope you will stay I touch.

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MACRO & MORE/ Columbia River GORGE & OREGON COAST

June 4-7^th 2009                                                                                                     $675.00

 

COMPLETE INFORMATION HERE:     mm_2009_oregon_flyer_01

We have only 2 openings left for the coming workshop this spring. This is going to be a very different experience from what you may expect. We will shoot the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and surround areas of Mt. Hood as well as travel to the magnificent Oregon Coast for both unique landscape photography and some amazing macro possibilities. We will be shooting the tide pools on Sunday. We have timed this workshop with one of the lowest tides of the year, which offers us more time to photograph as well as explore some areas not available during the remainder of the year. You will see abundant sea stars, other creatures, along with other subjects that will make for some really amazing photography. We’ll also be visiting a few of the many lighthouses, sea stack beaches along the coast along with much more.

 

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BIG NEWS!!!!!!———-MACRO & MORE goes to the EASTERN SIERRA.

 

OCTOBER 8-11 2009                                                                                           $ 725.00

 

COMPLETE INFO HERE:   mm_2009_esierra_flyer_011

 

For over 15 years Jack has conducted workshops in the glorious Easter Sierra. For the 1^st time this year Mike & Jack are again joining forces for another MACRO & MORE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP™, this time in one of the most breathtaking areas in the worlds, California’s Eastern Sierra.

 

Early October is perhaps the best time to visit this vast and beautiful landscape. This is the peak time for the fall color in Eastern /Central California. We will be shooting landscape as well as macro at Mono Lake and the surrounding areas, Bodie State Park (Ghost Town), as well as many unknown areas that are in their fall beauty this time of the year. On Sunday, we will venture south, and up to over 9000’ elevation to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine forest to photograph the grand landscape as well as the intimacy of these ancient, specimens, some as old as 4000 years. This is an experience you won’t forget and after being there, I know you’ll want to return.

 

 

 

WHAT’S AHEAD in 2010…?

 

Yes it planning time again. Based on the success so far, we plan on doing at least 4 Macro & More Photography Workshops in 2009. We look to expand these workshops new locations. Some of the locations targeted include Acadia National Park, Olympic National Park, Upper Michigan Peninsula, Cuyahoga National Park, or somewhere TBD in the American Southwest. If you have any suggestions, please send them along.

 

Again, please feel free to contact us at any time for more details.

 

Thanks you

 

Jack & Mike

 

Jack Graham   jack@jackgrahamphoto.com   www.jackgrahamphoto.com

Mike Moats      mgmoats@yahoo.com              www.tinylandscapes.com

Presenting At The 48th Annual NFRCC Convention

Jack Graham and I will be presenting a Macro & More talk at the 2009 48th Annual Niagara Frontier Regional Camera Clubs Convention. It will be held March 20,21 & 22nd at the Holiday Inn on Grand Island, NY. We will be presnting on Friday night, and on Saturday we will have subjects set-up for macro photographers to bring their cameras in and shoot. Other speakers are Michael Reichmann of Luminous Landscape, Rick Sammon, and more. See more details at; http://www.nfrcc.org/convention/speakers.php

2009 OREGON COAST & COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE INFO & SIGNUP

Folks,

We are proud to announce the 2009 Macro & More —OREGON COAST & COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE Macro and More Photo Workshop, June 4-7 2009. Based on last years event we should have a great workshop , but even more so as we added the new location…. The Oregon Coast.

mm_2009_oregon_flyer_01                    reg-formmm

                                                                    assumption-of-riskmm

Please read the attached information file. Pretty much all the info you need is there. More specific information will begin to flow about May 1st.

 

Please sign up soon as we expect this event to fill quickly.We are going to limit this workshop to 15 people as we can insure lots of one on one attention. Registration forms are also attached for your convenience.

Feel free to contact us with further information

Jack jack@jackgrahamphoto.com

Mike- mgmoats@yahoo.com

Tiny Landscapes Book Now Available Online

My New book is printed and ready to ship, those that have ordered will receive it by the end of the week.

This is a book for the new to advanced macro nature photographer. It’s a simple and easy to read guide to the equipment, camera functions, composition, techniques, and tips. It contains many images, plus information about the subjects, the time of year, and environment they were shot in. The thought process in the compositions. Included will be tips on where to find interesting subjects in nature, and ideas for setting up shots.

To order a copy go to:
www.MikeMoatsBooks.com
or
www.Amazon.com do a search for “Tiny Landscapes”
or
Send me an email and I’ll send you a form to pay by check.
mgmoats@yahoo.com

$19.95 plus shipping, Michigan residents add sales tax.

TIDE POOL PHOTOGRAPHY— Get ready for JUNE 2009!!!

ARTICLE UPDATED : Nov 23 2008.I received an email from a reader, Ms. Cynthia Trowbridge, who is a marine ecologist, educator and photographer.  She pointed out some descripencies within this article comcerning tidal zones. I’ve adjusted the information contained here in this article to reflect her information. I always value information from those who know a lot about this area than do I.Thanks Cynthia!.

 

She also mentioned her new publication coming in March 2008 entitled The Bilogy of Rocky Shores, second edition (Oxford University Press) as well as another publication entitled Americann Malacological Bulletin available online via Bio One (www.bioone.org).

 

I’ll be checking them out!

 

 

Here is some general information that may help you decide to join us for our Macro & More Photography Workshop here in Oregon next JUNE 2009. If not I hope it helps you learn about the tide pools and get out and do some photographing in these amazing areas.

 

All images included here are © Jack Graham

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The rocky pacific shoreline of Oregon is home to some of the nations best tide pools and richest marine communities anywhere. A diverse amount of life covers almost 100% of all the rocks in these tide pools, all competing for the food that sustains life.

 

This tide pool sea life moves to the daily rhythm of the tides Twice each day the tide rises , then falls alternatively covering, then exposing the rocks and tide pools. These tide pools are small pockets of ocean that contain a vast array of creatures that inhabit these pools of ocean.

 

The sun and the moon control the tides. The tides vary each day and each low and high tide is one hour later each day. The tides also vary from location to location.

 

Oregoncontainsall of the 4 Intertidal Zones, (the Splash Zone, the high, middle & low zones). The splash zone begins where the waves and high tides send spray over the rocks There isn’t a lot of life here and photographing is dangerous and quite frankly not worth the reward.

The Low zone ( Cape Perpetua comes tommind as a good low Zone area) is perhaps the richest and varied of the three zones. Half of The middle zone ( Seal Rock State Park for example)is typically covered twice each day. Barnacles, muscles, sea weeds and sea grasses all compete for space.  When the tide is low, many small animals are sheltered within these grasses.

 

The tide pools are home to sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs and other sea animals. The lower tidal zones are usually only visible a few times per month in what we call minus tides, the lowest of the tidal periods. When this happens almost every available space is covered with life. Glimpses of the kelp forests are visible as well. Small octopuses, sea stars and sponges are at times clearly visible. Small bug like creatures called isopods scurry around the rocks

 

White Gooseneck Barnacles make for endless photographic possibilities as their patterns are great to work with a close up lens.

 

California Mussels are food for the sea stars, birds and crabs. However their coloration makes for rewarding images as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ochre Stars are the most common here in Oregon. They can be orange, purple or sometimes brown Their tubed feet operate like suction cups holding onto the rocks surface while eating some of the algae, muscles, barnacles found here. They eat only when the tide is low. The largest sea stars can get as big as 12-13” in diameter.

 

Green Sea Anemones are everywhere. Though they may look like plants they are really animals. The green comes from the algae that live inside them. The tentacles sting its prey protecting the anemone from predators. The anemone uses the algae for energy.

 

 

 

These animals also eat crabs, mussels and small fish. They are also known to eat sea stars believe it or not.

 

TIPS ON PHOTOGRAPHING in the TIDEPOOL

 

Other than the obvious, be careful with your equipment comments that I am sure you all know about here are some tips on equipment etc. Shooting in the tide pools offer lots of possibility found no where else, however it does come with some risk to you and your equipment.

 

EQIUPTMENT and other stuff that will help……

 

1)     You must use a tripod. Often you have to be at some tough angles where hand holding is almost impossible.

2)     I almost always use a polarizer to take the sheen off the water and the subject. Also the polarizer will bring out color as well while serving to protect your lens.

3)     Carry a diffuser. Even on cloudy days extraneous light filters through casting some glare.

4)     Use macro as well as long lenses. They offer the same possibilities as say photographing flowers.  Technique doesn’t change shooting in the tide pool. It’s just a little harder.

5)     Carry a chamois to dry your lens with. I can guarantee you’ll get some moisture on it, probably more often than not.

6)  I am not a vest guy, but I usually wear one when in the tide pools, rather    than catty a cumbersome camera bag, however, I always carry the LOWE PRO DRY ZONE 200.

 

This bag is the world’s first totally waterproof, soft sided camera bag. Even the zippers are waterproof. This bag acts like a dry suit for your equipment. The inside is heavily padded for protection. It’s a must if you live and shoot near tide pools.

 

7)    

 

 

 

7)  Carry plastic bags and small towels to cover your camera then not in use. Sea spry and sometimes mist can cover your equipment quickly.

     DRESS: Be prepared to get wet & dirty. Boots are a must. Don’t be afraid to get down into the scene. Work different angles to get some images that perhaps you havn’t seen in books.

9)      The locals tell me that if you come home from the coast dry, you haven’t worked hard enough!  

10)  WEAR SHOES THAT WILL PERVENT YOU FROM SLIPPING, WITH TRACTION. These tide pools are very slippery and contain some very sharp rocks. Dress to stay warm, even when wet.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

 

You can check on tide tables via the internet. There are usually 2 low and 2 high tides per day.  The lowest tides in the summer are usually in the morning. Tides can get as low as about -3 feet (rare) but even a minus 1-2 foot tide is great for tide pool photography.  Your best results will occur when you have a minus tide. Start your shooting just before low tide them work the tide out as you explore the possibilities. Then retrace your steps as the tide comes back in

 

WATCH OUT FOR INCOMING TIDES: Always look over your shoulder at the rising water and waves. Big waves can come in when you least expect them (I know from experience!). If you are not careful you may even get stranded.

 

RESPECT THE WILDLIFE: Slow down!!!! You won’t miss as much if you walk slowly and look at this immense world around you. Resist the temptation to pick things up. Be careful where you walk.

 

STATE LAWS: Oregon has a law prohibiting you from removing plants and animals from the tide pools. Please don’t litter.

 

 

 

MACRO and MORE— well here’s where the more comes in. Often these areas offer some rewarding landscape images as well. We will par take of these and come home with some wonderful images. What a cool trip!

 

JG

REI Nature Photography Clinics

I will be presenting a nature photography clinic at the REI stores here in Michigan. Its a watered down version of my full blown intro workshop.

Ann Arbor REI Store,  August 26th, 7:00 to 8:30
Northville REI Store, August 27th, 7:00 to 8:30
Troy REI Store, August 28th, 7:00 to 8:30

If your in the area stop in and say hello.

Mike Moats
www.tinylandscapes.com

How Macro & More Started

When Jack Graham called one day with the idea of a combined macro and landscape workshop, I thought it was a brilliant idea.  It has a couple of great advantages over the standard landscape workshops. 

 

A)  With landscapes workshops you shoot mainly mornings and evening when the light is at its  best,  but with macro we control the light, so we can shoot during the midday hours which allows us to shoot from dawn till dusk.

B)   If your going to travel to a great landscape destination to shoot in a macro workshop, you would be crazy not to shoot the landscapes while your there.  By combining the macro and more you will receive more benefits in this style of workshop.

 

I didn’t hesitate in this opportunity to work with Jack,  an excellent all around photographer, who also brings to the table many years of experince in offering nature photography workshops.  Jack being a very outgoing and personable guy, has gotten to know and work with many of the big name professional nature shooters, which has help  him reach to the level of his success today. 

 

Next,  Jack calls and asked what I thought about doing a blog with the Macro & More theme.  Once again I thought, what a brilliant idea.  We can combine our talents to help people learn more about the equipment, techniques, products, and locations, of the M&M style.  We will also update this site with our upcoming workshops and events. Jack and I are always happy to help those with any questions, and please let us know of any ideas of thing you would like to read about. 

 

As a full time macro photographer I will be posting and giving tips and product info about the macro world, I’ll leave any landscape stuff to the expert, Jack.  Here’s a shot from last May’s M&M workshop in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.  This is a California Poppy shaded by Purple Vetch. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Mike Moats

INTRODUCING MACRO & MORE–the blog for Macro Photography..and MORE!

Mike Moats  mgmoats@yahoo.com

Jack Graham jack@jackgrahamphoto.com

 

Folks,

 

OH NO! NOT ANOTHER BLOG!!!!!  Well, yes, another blog…. however this one should be lot of fun. After a lot of discussion, planning along with the success of last years workshop, We both decided to create this blog called MACRO & MORE to not only selfishly promote our workshops and events, but expand the MACRO & MORE ( which I’ll refer to as M&M ongoing) concept as we look forward to 2009.

 

Both MIke and Jack will be frequently adding updates and other interesting information regarding different aspects of photography AND MORE……………………………………. so check back here frequently.

 

This blog will feature:

> Info on M&M events 

>Recent images by Mike & I with discussion on Macro techniques etc

>Images by our workshop participants

>Location & subjects that make for interesting macro photography

>Calender of M&M events along with Jack & Mikes other events

> MORE as we further develop this blog

 

If you have any other ideas please pass them along to either Mike or Jack (emails above).

 

Thanks for viewing and enjoy!

 

Mike & Jack

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This is a reprint of a blog posting from my blog www.jackgrahamsblog.comafter last yers M&M workshop here in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.

 

 

MIKE MOATS

 

Last year, Mike Moats ( www.tinylandscapes.com)  and I (www.jackgrahamphoto.com) began talking about doing a workshop together. Mike, as some of you know, is as good as it gets when talking about macro photography and is my favorite macro photographer around. Not only are his images sharp, interesting, etc, but Mike has a keen eye and the ability to see in a macro world better than anyone I know.

 

 

 

 

In the competitive world of photography workshops, you have to do things a bit different from your competition. This workshop is one such event that makes it attractive to potential attendees.

 

In mid May, we held the 1^st of what we think will be many “Macro and More in the…” photography workshops, the first being here in Oregon, in the Columbia River Gorge. What Mike and I  set out to accomplish was to do a workshop stressing macro photography, but in an area that offers itself to some fantastic photo opportunities. The Columbia Gorge is one such place. We shot sunrises, and sunsets, waterfalls, streams, along with lots of great macro subjects.

   

                                                               Sunrise from Crown Point

 

We had a good group of attendees coming from as far away as Michigan and as close as Northern California.

 

Here is our group looking pretty OK after 3 days in the heat! Kudos’s to all of them!

 

As things worked out the light was average at best. A lot of diffuser use and early in the day shooting was invoked. Days were long as sunrise in mid May is about 5:30AM and sunset is about 8:30PM here in Oregon. What made it even tougher to photograph, let alone get down in the trenches for macro work, was the fact that it was near 100F degrees on Saturday afternoon. (The average temp here in Portland should be about 70 F degrees! ). But this group didn’t complain once came away with what I hope were some good images. Mike and I really enjoyed the personal 1 on 1 contact in the field with each and every participant. 

 

      

FOLKS LOOKING FOR THE BEST ANGLE BEFORE USING THEIR TRIPODS.. always a good thing to remember to do

 

      

Plamps come in handy         Mike working with an attendee making sure all is well in

                                                    macro land

 

We took some time to review some work about half way during the workshop. I know that everyone went out and understood what to look out for even more after this session.

       

Bruce , working hard as always              Shooting into the waterfall             The group shooting sunrise

 

The workshop went too fast and we said our good-by’s on Sunday afternoon. Mike and I along with one attendee went out to the coast on Monday. There’s as much if not more on the OREGON COAST to make Mike & I schedule a “Macro & More on the Oregon Coast” sometime in spring 2009. Stay Tuned!

 

A few folks even went back into the gorge to make more images after the workshop was over on Sunday afternoon. That made Mike & I feel really good.

 

Here are a few images I shot along with the group. What a great workshop this was.

JG

 

 Wild Bleeding Heart

                                                                     Cascading water over moss covered rocks.