Photographing Fireworks

Team China - Story of Butterfly Lovers

Casino du-lac Leamy Sound of Light Festival

Wed August 15, 2012

Saturday evening marks the grand finale of the Casino du-lac Leamy's annual International Fireworks festival held in Gatineau, Quebec.  Last night, Team China performed their "Story of the Butterfly Lovers" show to a symphony of sound, light and colour.  

Photographing fireworks is relatively straight forward provided you keep a few pointers in mind.  Listed below are a handful of helpful tips:

- Camera must be mounted on a tripod

- Attach a cable release to camera (this minimizes the shaking of the camera when you snap the shot)

- Set ISO to 500 and shutter speed to BULB mode

- f/stop set to 7.1

- Set camera to manual focus - make sure your camera is pre-focused to a point where the fireworks will be displayed

- You do not need to use a flash

- Quickly press the cable release for each burst

- Review images during a lull in the performance to ensure your images are in focus and not overexposed.  If overexposed, or underexposed, adjust the length of timing you hold the shutter release.

The above images were photographed using a Nikon D800 with Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lens attached (set to f7.1)

See you Saturday night.

Email me if you have any questions or wish to share your images with me.

Cheers,

Claus

Yukon and Alaska - Summer Road Trip 2012

Tombstone Territorial Park (Yukon) and the Dempster Hwy

Summer 2012 has begun in grand style.  During the past few days I've be on the road updating the North chapter for the newest edition of the Rough Guide to Canada (due to be released in Spring 2013).  My tour took me up to the 220km mark on the Dempster Hwy and through Tombstone Territorial Park.  Stunning views of a rugged and raw landscape.  Then it was off to Dawson City for a few hours before crossing the Yukon River to meet up with the famed Top of the World Hwy.  Again, impressive views of rugged mountains, alpine tundra and drunken forests of spruce.  The highway took me through the gold town of Chicken and eventually to Tok.  Spent the night in Tok and continued my journey back to the Yukon via the Alaska Hwy. Along the way I stopped in Beaver Creek, Burwash, Haines Junction and Kluane National Park .    Total km: just over 2,000km in three days!

Join me in the coming days as I share my images and tales with you. 

I hope you are enjoying the start of your summer.

Cheers,

Claus

A most splendid view - Transit of Venus

Transit of Venus (aprox. 15:50pm Yukon)

Mid transit (18:30ish Yukon)

A most splendid day!!!

Success, and, relief!  The clouds broke free long enough to catch a few glimpses of the start of today's historic transit of Venus.  I caught my first peak of our sister planet sneaking across the solar disk shortly after 15:20pm (Yukon time).  Within a half-an-hour the clouds rolled in and obscured our view for the remainder of the transit.  I did, however, catch one last fleeting glimpse of the planet as it was in mid-tranist.

What an incredible privileged to have witnessed today's solar delight – and to think Captain Cook saw the same event while he was in the South Pacific in 1769.

None of us alive today will see the next transit scheduled on December 10-11, 2117!!

Good night,

Wishing for clear skies for Tuesday

Sunset over Cape Cod (August, 2011)

From the notes of Edmund Halley (noted astronomer who 'discovered' Halley's comet) on the 1761 transit of Venus - he knew then that he would not be around to witness this celestial spectacle.  

I recommend it therefore again and again to those curious astronomers who (when I am dead) will have an opportunity of observing these things, that they would remember this my admonition, and diligently apply themselves with all their might in making this observation, and I earnestly wish them all the imaginable success:  in the first place, that they may not by the unseasonable obscurity of a cloudy sky be deprived of this most desirable sight, and then, that having ascertained with more exactness the magnitudes of the planetary orbits, it may rebound to their immortal fame and glory

Edmund Halley, 1716

Here's hoping for clear skies for Tuesday's (or Wednesday, for my European and Central Asian mates) transit of Venus.  The next transit will occur on December 11, 2117.

In anticipation of Tuesday's Transit of Venus

The sun as viewed through the D300 and 300mm lens with

homemade solar filter attached

Astronomers and photographers around the world have been fine tuning their photography skills in anticipation of Tuesday's historical Transit of Venus.  Depending on where in the world you live, Venus will 'move' across the sun between June 5th and June 6th.  With proper solar glasses (a pair was included in the most recent issue of SkyNews magazine) you will be able to see the black disk of Venus make its way across the sun.  How neat! 

Yukoner's will see the transit begin at 15:30 and end shortly after 21:30 on Tuesday, June 5th.  This celestial show will not occur again until Dec 11,  2117 (the last Transit of Venus was in 2004, and prior to that, in 1882).

Last night I tried my hands, for the first time I might add, at solar photography.  I had cut out one of the solar filters found on the solar goggles and taped it to the removable filter on the Nikkor 300 f/2.8 telephoto lens.  With lens attached to the Nikon D300 camera, and firmly set on a tripod (with cable release), I aimed towards the sun.  Within seconds it was obvious my homemade solar lens was a success.  See camera settings below.

Now, if we can only pray for clear skies for Tuesday - somehow,  I don't think many of us will be around to see this show again in 2117!

Don't forget about Monday's partial eclipse of the moon!!

I'll post more images of my set up shortly with images from the Transit posted on Tuesday.

Good night from the sunny Yukon!

Cheers,

Claus

More info on Tuesday's transit can be found on Transit of Venus website (click on link)

Camera settings:  Manual focus for both camera and lens;  Vibration Reduction ON,  ISO 250 at f/5.6,  1/125th of a second.  Cable release

Alaska - a weekend getaway

Going for a walk-about (grizzly bear cub)

Grizzly bear cub 

A walk along the beach

Curious grizzly bear cubs

Grizzly bear cubs play fighting

Grizzly bear cub checking out its surroundings

Moose alongside the Haines Hwy

Breaching humpback whale

Partial eclipse of the sun (Sunday, May 20)

Flowering Praire Crocus (Putsatilla patens)

Flowering Shooting Star (Dodecatheon sp.)

At long last the unofficial kickoff to summer 2012 has begun!

Last weekend, during our Victoria Day holiday (four days), I had an opportunity to join a couple friends on a road trip to Haines, Alaska.  Throughout the weekend we were treated to endless photo opps thanks to chance encounters with wildlife, breathtaking scenery and a partial eclipse of the sun.

One of the many highlights of our excursion was photographing three two-year old grizzly cubs foraging on sedges and clams on the tidal flats near the Chilkoot River (Haines, Alaska).  With camera and tripod in hand, I spent close to two hours photographing the young bruins as they went about their business feeding, playing and scouting out their surroundings.  Soft lighting, a vibrant green background and cooperative bears made for a successful photo shoot.

On Saturday afternoon we were treated to an unexpected bonus – two humpback whales breached directly in front of us while we were eating our lunch on the rocky shores of Chilkat State Park.  Unfortunately, for me, I did not have my 300mm lens on hand.  Oh well, watching the whales enjoy themselves in the waters was a sight I won't soon forget.  Apparently, according to the locals, this is the time of year when the whales return to the Inlet to feed on krill.

The first of the flowering plants were also in full bloom as the praise crocuses, lupins and shooting stars added splashes of purple across the landscape. 

The weather did not cooperate for Sunday's partial eclipse of the sun.  Overcast skies obscured our view for most of the day.  We did, however, catch a few fleeting glimpses of the eclipse throughout the afternoon.  I guess we, here in the Yukon, will have to wait until Oct 23, 2014 to see and photograph the next eclipse (that one will also be a partial one).

Roadside encounters with moose, black bear (11 in total), porcupine, elk and mule deer were common occurrences. For some strange reason we didn't see as many swans as we did on last years road trip.

Alaska continues to impress me with its pristine wilderness, snowcapped mountains, salmon filled rivers and colourful folks who call this place home.  I'm already looking forward to my next visit come June.

Ahh, beautiful Alaska!!  We could not have wished for a better weekend.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Cheers,

Claus

Photo info:  Grizzly bear shots photographed with a Nikon D700 camera, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 lens with 1.7x convertor, mounted on tripod, cable release.  320ISO, f/6, Aperture Priority mode.

Flower pictures:  same camera, Nikkor 105 f/2.8 Macro lens, mounted on tripod, cable release

Super moon 2012

Super moon rising over Pelly Crossing, Yukon

Did you get the chance to see last night's moon rise?  It was simply spectacular.

Last night's full moon was referred to as a "super moon".  The phenomenon, also known as a perigee moon, is caused by the elliptical shape of the Moon's orbit around the Earth.  Last night, the moon appeared 14% bigger and 30% brighter than other full moons of 2012.

For us, here in Pelly Crossing, last night's super moon was partially obscured by a thin layer of clouds.  Nevertheless, the moonrise had a dramatic flair to it.

Super moons occur, on average, once a year.

Check out last year's super moon 

Photo info:  Nikon 700 with Nikkor 300mm with 1.7x tele convertor (total 500mm).  ISO 800, f/6.3 @ 1/15sec. Mounted on tripod with cable release.

Wildlife along the Klondike Hwy

Greetings from a sunny Whitehorse!

There's little doubt spring is here to stay.  The spruce bogs, forests and fields are alive with the musical chorus of robins, juncos, warblers, sparrows, crossbills and snow buntings.  Flying directly overhead, the first flocks of sandhill cranes are contributing their musical notes to this spring orchestra.  

While driving along the Klondike Highway this morning I spotted a pair of trumpeter swans and a very shy pair of coyotes mulling about.  Neat!

Enjoy your weekend.

Cheers,

Claus

Swans continue journey northwards

Tundra swans in flight

The majority of swans have left Marsh Lake and are now on their way northwards to their breeding grounds in Alaska and elsewhere throughout the Yukon.  What a thrill it has been to photograph them while they were here on their brief layover.  I'll post a few of my favourite images shortly.

Now that the swans are gone its time for the Sandhill Cranes to take centre stage.

Speaking of migrants, I heard my first Robin of the year singing his tiny heart out the other night.  Welcome back!

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

   

April Flowers

Prairie Crocus 

It's incredible how quickly spring has sprung in the Yukon.  Two weeks ago we were still covered in snow - today, the snow has melted leaving behind the brown and dried remains of last years plant growth.  Sprouting through this 'mess', the first of the praise crocuses have emerged and started to bloom.  

Every day brings with it a new cast of characters. Three weeks ago it was the return of the swans.  Their arrival was followed soon after by the emergence of the arctic ground squirrels and today, the crocuses are in bloom.  As for tomorrow, perhaps I'll spot my first grizzly of the year :)

Photo specs:  Nikon D700 with a Nikkor 105 f/2.8G ED micro lens set at f/11, 200 ISO, manual settings, overexposed by +0.7, manual focus, mirror lock up engaged, cable release, mounted on tripod

Good morning Yukon!

Trumpeter Swan

Good morning from the Yukon!

I enjoyed a phenomenal weekend with the trumpeter swans at Tagish Lake.  All the key elements I've been looking for - lighting, clean background, blue skies, a variety of behavioural displays, action shots and cooperative subjects - fell into place.  I'm pleased with my images - well over 700.  I'll sort through them in the coming days and will post them shortly.

Hope you enjoyed your Earth Day weekend.

Cheers,

Claus

Earth Day 2012

Trumpeter Swan (Tagish, Yukon)

Grizzly swimming (Khutzeymateen, British Columbia)

Prairie Crocus (Yukon)

Wish everyone a Happy Earth Day!

Enjoy the day.
Cheers,
Claus

Swan Report - April 19, 2012

Good morning,
Here are the latest numbers from the Swan Haven Interpretation Centre on Marsh Lake, Yukon:

During the last few days many folks have spotted large flocks of swans flying over Whitehorse. This is a wonderful sight, but it does mean that our numbers of at Swan Haven have decreased to 550 Trumpeter Swans. 

Lets hope more swans arrive in the coming days....

Cheers,
Claus

Swan Report - April 17, 2012

Good morning from the Yukon.  Here is the latest swan report courtesy The Yukon Department of Environment:

Last night there were more or less the same number of swans at Swan Haven, over 1100, while the numbers at Tagish have increased to 500.  New arrivals, at both locations, include the Greater white-fronted goose, northern pintails, green-winged teals, buffleheads, mallards and Canada geese.

If you are in the Yukon make sure you drop by the Swan Haven Interpretation Centre as they celebrate the annual Celebration of Swans event.  Several viewing scopes, a viewing platform and a walking trail on the ice allow visitors to spot these majestic birds while Interpreters are on hand to answer any questions you may have about the natural history of the swans.  The Celebration of Swans runs from April 14 to 22nd.

I cannot wait until the weekend.

Cheers,
Claus

Swan Report for April 16, 2012

Here are the latest swan numbers from this past weekend:

Wow - the numbers of trumpeter swans at Marsh Lake have soared to 1150 individuals.  Nice to see them back!

Swan Report April 11, 2012

Trumpeter swan flying over the Tagish bridge

Good morning from the Yukon,
The weather continues to impress us with sun, +10 degree temps and endless blue skies.
Here is today's swan report from the Yukon Department of Environment:

Last night there were 430 Trumpeter Swans at Marsh Lake.  The Canada Geese have arrived as well.
No new info from Tagish.



Photo info:  Same as previous two posts

Swan Report April 10, 2012

Here are the latest numbers for April 10th

Marsh Lake has recorded 492 Trumpeter Swans, 18 Tundra Swans
Tagish Lake has reported 360 Trumpeter Swans

New arrivals include Greater White-fronted Goose and the Ring-necked duck.

Ahh, they are back.....

Welcoming the swans and spring

What a weekend it has been! 

Monday morning I counted 300+ trumpeter swans at the Tagish Bridge while at Marsh Lake the official number was 409.  The swans keep on coming...

We could not have asked for a better weekend - nothing but bright sun, brilliant blue skies and plenty of swans flying overhead.  A perfect weekend to welcome spring. 

Hard to believe that the swan population will swell to more than a 1000 by weeks end.  Let's hope the weather cooperates for us photographers.

Stay tuned -  in the coming days I'll be posting more images and share a few thoughts on capturing these graceful birds with your camera.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

Cheers,

Claus

Photo info:  same as previous post

They're back.....

Greetings from the Tagish Bridge Recreation Site in the Yukon.
The trumpeter swans are slowly trickling in - today's count was 82 (with another 18 arriving by late-afternoon).  Meanwhile, at Swan Haven (Marsh Lake), biologists have recorded 350 swans plus a few other migrants including Barrow's and common goldeneyes, mallards, buffleheads, redheads, herring gulls and northern pintails.
Unfortunately, for me as a photographer, the swans were too far for decent photos. Regardless, their arrival was a much needed welcome sign of spring.
Despite their distance, a few flocks did fly overhead providing me with some useful images of the swans  framed against the blue spring sky.  All in all I spent close to three hours wandering back and forth on the bridge waiting patiently for more flybys.
Brilliant blue skies, plenty of sun, a steady breeze and +7 degree temperatures made for a gorgeous Easter Sunday.
Hope you enjoyed your Easter holiday.
Cheers,
Claus

Photo info:  Nikon D700 with Nikkor 300m f/2.8 lens attached.  250 ISO, f/7.1, Aperature priority, -0.7 to -1.0 exposure composition, Vibration Reduction set to 'ON'.  Hand held

Have an enjoyable Easter holiday

Wishing you an enjoyable Easter holiday.
Cheers,
Claus

Photo:  King eider ducklings, Ellesmere Island (Nunavut)