The weather’s still doing it’s best to spoil things and so I am finding myself seeking flowers in sheltered areas and, even then, having to wait for quite some time until it is still long enough to obtain a sharp image. Patience is a virtue! Since I’m talking flower photography, I thought I’d mention that my number 1 purchase over the last 6 months has been an old manual focus 200mm f4 Micro Nikkor. For many years I made do with a prime 200mm f4 with extension tubes but felt it was now time (I had been putting it off for many, many years) to purchase a dedicated 200mm Micro.

So, why didn’t I get the AF version? 2 reasons. Firstly, the MF version is at least half the price and secondly, I rarely use AF when shooting close-up. Also, and this applies to nearly all MF lenses, the focus ring on MF lenses is sooooo much smoother than on an AF lens. The 200mm Micro, for example, has finger-tip focus. A real joy to use. I am now finding that I rarely use my trusty 105mm f2.8 Micro since with the 200mm I get the same magnification, double the working distance and even more control over my backgrounds. It also has a tripod collar and so changing orientation from view to upright’s an absolute breeze!

I’m off to the Bieszczady Mountains National Park in SE Poland on Monday leading a photo-tour with photographer friend, Marek Kosinski. Although primarily a landscape tour, there will be opportunities to photograph orchids and insects so this lens will definitely be going with me! Current weather predictions are for a hot week (25-30) which will be quite a contrast to what we are currently experiencing, here in the UK!

You will notice that, opposed to my previous post, I have included the technical data under each image. For all images (except the primrose), I mounted the camera onto a Manfrotto 055CX3 with a Markins M10 ball head.

Reculver at twilight
Nikon D300, 12-24mm @ 18mm, iso 200, 2 mins. @ f11.

Primrose
I had just finished holding a really enjoyable close-up and bushcraft workshop with Phil from Badger Bushcraft and, although weary, I could not resist the late afternoon sunlight and so rather than driving home,
decided to continue for a further hour shooting primroses.
Nikon D300, 200mm Micro, iso 200, 1/25 sec. f8, beanbag.

Bluebells at sunrise
Always the trickiest part of the operation with an image like this is keeping the rapidly rising sun obscured behind a tree, so as to avoid flare.
Nikon D300, 12-24mm @14mm, iso 200, 1/2 sec. f16.

Bluebell
Taken shortly after the above image. Due to the weather these were the only successful bluebell images I took. Getting up that early is never a pleasure but, and I have said this before, I never regret it when I do. The quality of light is like at no other time of the day.
Nikon D300, 105mm Micro, iso 200, 1/15 sec. f4. Multiple exposure.

Ramsons at sunset
Nikon D300, 200mm Micro, iso 200, 1/15 sec. f4.

Red campion
Another evening jaunt where, as you can see from the data below, the nagging breeze forced me to use a higher iso than I would have liked. But, with the setting sun waiting for no man, it’s always best to get something than nothing at all!
Nikon D300, 105mm Micro, iso 560, 1/20th sec. f4,

Woodruff and fern
Opposite to where I park to enter a woodland, lies a sheltered, roadside bank where, even on the windiest days, it is perfectly still. For an hour I “worked” this 20m patch, also shooting yellow archangel and wild strawberry, only having to move out of the way once, for a car. Such is it’s quiet location.
Nikon D300, 28-105mm @ 62mm, iso 200, 1.3 sec. f22.

Last rays of the day
Taken in the wood where I park my car (explained in above caption) I looked for subjects to photograph against the setting sun. As I headed to the top of wood I noticed how the light was catching just the tops of the trees. 3 images were taken and stitiched together.
Nikon D300, 28-105mm @ 35mm, iso 200, 4 secs. f16.

Broom
Nagging breeze problem, again!
Nikon D300, 200mm Micro, iso 560, 1/5 sec. f4.

Germander speedwell
Now we are completely up to date as this was taken on Wednesday. Yet another breezy day so flowers in a sheltered spot it had to be.
Nikon D300, 200mm Micro, 1/160 sec. f5.6.

Since most of us (I am assuming here) consider twilight to take place after sunset and not before sunrise, my aim for, around, one month, was to photograph plants during this period. I would head out an hour before sunset to seek out the image and begin shooting as the sun slipped below the horizon. Often I would go out with a specific image in mind, as the case with Bluebells and Grasses but on other occasions I would, simply, see what I could find. I, quickly, learned that no matter how interesting an image looked through the viewfinder as sunset approached, it’s appearance would change, rapidly, as the light faded. Warm tones would turn blue, gaps through trees would emerge revealing an aperture in which to place the subject and intricate details on flowers would slowly disappear to, eventually, form a silhouette.

I thoroughly enjoyed producing this series of images. It focused me, intensely, and opened my eyes (and imagination) to new possibilities and, although, many more were taken, some, I felt, just didn’t work for one reason or another. I have a feeling this project will run and run!

Wood anemone

Wild cherry

Wood spurge

Notes on the photography: I’ve, purposefully, steered clear of adding technical details to each image as I don’t want to detract from the visual. F-stops, shutter speeds and iso’s, though important, are secondary to “seeing” the subject and how you, as the photographer, interpret it. But, in order to satisfy curiosity, I used a Nikon D300 and for all, a 200mm f4 Micro.

Blackthorn

Elder

Hawthorn

Wild garlic

Oak catkins

Bluebells

Grasses

I have been visiting Prague for many, MANY years but it’s always a good idea to reacquaint yourself with those familiar places and to, generally, get a feel for the city prior to the workshop so I arrived 3 days before. I had met all, bar one, before and, indeed, 5 had accompanied me on other photo-tours to Lapland and Poland so strangers they were not and, if those trips were anything to go by, I knew we were going to have a lot of laughs. I wasn’t to be disappointed!

Here’s a few images I took before everyone arrived.

Charles Bridge at night

St. Nicholas Church, Mala Strana.
One of Prague’s most stunning interiors which, on the group’s last day, provided  shelter from the pouring rain and supplied endless photo-opportunities.

Prague Castle during the day is, unsurprisingly, teeming with tourists. Go there at night and there’s hardly a soul to be seen! I really had no option, here, but make do with the converging verticals as the widest lens I had with me was a 12-24mm and my back was up against a wall! Sure, I could correct it, to a degree, in CS or LR but then in doing so you crop quite a lot of the image and I like the curve of the building on the right and the inclusion of the Czech flag. A 6 stop ND filter was used to give added interest to the clouds by accentuating movement.

St Vitus Cathedral

Statue of St. George, Prague Castle.

Entrance to Prague Castle

Once the group arrived, I hardly took a picture as my focus was to assist with their photography, keep a handle on catching the metro and trams and doing a head count! I did, however, manage to sneak the camera out for the following images.

Charles Bridge at dawn

With a clear sky forecast and everyone eager to “bag” a sunrise, I arranged for us all to meet 45 minutes before sunrise, being 4.45! Everyone was there, albeit a little bleary eyed, and so we made our way onto the bridge and waited for the inevitable.

Thank you to Elaine, Bea and Mike, Chris, Denise, Sarah and James for making my job an absolute breeze (apart from when one or two decided to wander! ), for allowing me to “show off” a city I have grown to consider my second home and for, generally, being jolly good sports!

If, by reading this, you are tempted to join me next year to this magical city and you rather like the idea of hopping on and off trams, venturing into “secret” gardens and exploring Prague by day (and night), then please register your interest with me at rmcanis@msn.com

Nikon N-Photo magazine

And, as Nikon N-Photo’s cover photo on their Facebook page.

Nikon N-Photo on facebook

Over the last 20 years I have given in the region of 20-25 talks per year (that adds up to well over 400 talks) to a wide range of groups and societies, from the RSPB, WWT and Wildlife Trust to Photographic Societies, WI’s, National Trust and The Royal Photographic Society. I therefore feel I am in a strong position to give advice on how to book and treat a speaker and so, below, have listed a do’s and don’t's when doing so.

• Make an initial phone call or send an email to see if the speaker is available, in the first instance prior to booking. Confirm fee and format of the evening and whether the speaker requires any equipment other than the digital projector that the speaker would, in most cases, supply themselves. Offer to supply a back-up projector.
• Immediately (not 3 weeks later!) follow up with a letter of confirmation with a reply slip attached or email requesting the speaker to reply to the email to confirm it has reached them. If you do not hear from the speaker, ring them. Do not assume the email has been received and that, therefore, the speaker has been booked. It doesn’t!
• Along with confirmation, enclose a detailed map and directions to the venue. If the venue is in the middle of nowhere, then supply a map with, preferably, Lat/Long and not just a postcode as this is too vague when it’s pitch black and pouring with rain! Do not ring the speaker and expect them to jot down directions through a phone call. I cannot tell you how many times someone has attempted this with me only for me to stop them in their tracks and ask that they send me a map.
• If an AGM is to be held that same evening, explain this to the speaker before the day and ask if they would like to speak before or after. If you would prefer the speaker to start after the AGM, suggest they arrive towards the end of the meeting where they can then set up which, for most of us, takes less than 15 minutes. Few things irk a speaker more than to turn up and, while setting up, be informed that there will be an AGM beforehand!
• Once the speaker has arrived introduce him/her to both the chairman and whoever is responsible for the setting up of the presentation.
• If there is very limited parking space at the venue, reserve a space for him/her with a traffic cone or two. Or, since committee members often arrive very early, arrange for one to park as near to the entrance of the venue as possible and when the speaker arrives, allow the speaker to park in it. Speakers are always very grateful if they do not have to walk too far with all their equipment. Notify the speaker beforehand of the plan.

It is very important at this stage that the speaker be treated as a welcomed guest and is offered help in any way possible.

• If the speaker has travelled some distance (let us say 50 miles plus) offer to make them a hot drink.
• Prepare a glass of water and ask the speaker where they would like it placed.
• Pay the speaker before the talk or during the interval. This reassures him/her that he/she won’t have to chase up the treasurer afterwards!
• Make sure you know the speakers name, how to pronounce it and also the title of the talk. We do not like (in my case) being called Robin or for the chairman not quite remembering the title of the talk. This shows a complete lack of respect towards the speaker and, in the eyes of the speaker, makes your group look rather bumbling!
• Make sure someone is assigned to switch the lights off and on again. It’s very off-putting for the speaker to have an introduction to the talk, request the lights be switched off and then for the audience to look at one another wondering who’s going to do it! It’s all about the smooth running of the evening.
• Prior to the interval, arrange with the speaker what he/she would like to drink and bring it to them, preferably with bikkies! Do not expect the speaker to queue up! I have to say, this is very rare but on the rare occasion it has, I didn’t mince my words!
• During the interval, assign someone to stand and chat with the speaker.
• After the talk, give a note of thanks and, at the speakers discretion, ask if anyone has any questions. Most of us welcome this. I certainly do!
• Offer to assist the speaker with taking his/her equipment back to the car.
• Do not leave the speaker on his/her own in an empty room, packing away. This is incredibly rude and the one group that has done this to me has been black-listed!
• Finally, make sure the chairman stays with the speaker while he/she packs up and says a formal goodbye. The speaker should not be expected to hunt around the room looking for the chairman!

Please, this is not a rant! My experience with groups booking me and of the evening itself has, for the vast majority of the time,  been very positive without any problems whatsoever and where I have been made to feel very welcome. I have put this together so that groups have a much clearer understanding of what the speaker would like and, indeed, should expect and, perhaps, include some of those points which the group are not, already, addressing. After all, many of us travel a considerable distance to speak for the evening and so being welcomed and said goodbye to without a hitch only makes us want to return. Don’t be the group that ends up in my, or any other speaker’s, black-book!

I am very happy for this to be duplicated and used by your group.

And so, with spring upon us, I delayed no further and purchased the Acorn LTL After a little “playing” and getting acquainted with the various settings, I positioned it next to a badger path, 3 days ago, that leads to a badger gate. The local wildlife, however, prefers to use the hole in the fence next to it, instead! Who wouldn’t?! The cam has a very useful tripod attachment screw so I used a small clamp attaching it to a branch approximately 3 feet away from the gate which I then left for 2 days. As it’s weatherproof, I didn’t have any concerns regarding the weather. Upon inspecting the footage on the unit’s screen, I could see that, aside from rabbits, a blackbird, squirrel and dunnock, a fox was also captured.  However, this beats the lot! A badger collecting bedding which is, exactly, the kind of footage I was hoping for. Please watch to the end as you’ll see it return for the rest of the bedding and, also, ignore the date.

And, of the fox

I’m sure I’ll have lots of fun with this over the coming months and, of course, the results will be shown here.

Update
Footage from last night. I’ve been watching over this same sett, here in North Kent, for 25 years and have always wondered what time they arrive back from their nightly wanderings. With 22 triggers (night of 1st and morning of 2nd April), I now know! First emergence 20.30 and return 06.00….approximately! Of course, this varies on the season, but at least it gives me a better idea.

Bluebell shoot

I’ve recently purchased a 200mm Micro Nikkor having, for the last 20 years, made do with a 200mm plus extension tubes. I’d been quite happy with this combination and, indeed, have had countless publications using this set-up but you simply cannot beat a dedicated close-up lens particularly for it’s convenience. In addition,  it has a rotating tripod-collar which is very useful when shooting upright images.

Honeysuckle
Flare was the biggest issue here and so I simply cast my own shadow over the lens, firing the camera using a remote release. I’m not a fan of infra-red releases as I have seen too many workshop guests get frustrated when the transmitter isn’t perfectly aligned with the receiver!

Winter aconite
I have been looking for a nice showing of these for quite some time so was very happy when a friend gave me this location. And, what a display! With hundreds of snowdrops, too, carpeting the woodland. As to their whereabouts? I have been sworn to secrecy

Blue tit
My goal, here, was to photograph this blue tit in a contextual manner and although much more time consuming to execute than of the same bird on a strategically placed perch, I do feel that such images have a more natural feel with added depth and flexibility for interesting compositions.

Elmley Marshes at sunrise
Many thousands of wigeon overwinter here and in the next few weeks they’ll be heading back to their breeding grounds in Scandinavia

Duck in reedbed

Frozen water in flooded ditch.
Nikon D300, 12-24mm @14mm, 0.4 sec. f16, 0.6 ND hard edge grad.

Mute swan at twilight
Nikon D300, 200-400, iso 1600, 1/25 sec. f4, noise reduction in LR4

The trip is remarkably good value for money considering you will be guided and tutored by 2 professional nature photographers and receive full board accommodation. All you need to pay for are the flights which are currently £145.

So, if you want to grab a place and join us on this landscape and wildlife adventure near the borders of Slovakia and Ukraine, contact me at rmcanis@msn.com to receive a brochure.

Bieszczady National Park – Poland’s “Wild East”

June 17th – 20th 2013
Price: £465

Bieszczady Mountains at sunset.

Lesser-butterfly orchid

Meadow and beechwood at sunrise.