I photographed these beautiful cupcakes (truly delectable despite primary ingredients consisting of styrofoam balls, adhesive, and baker’s twine) during a recent studio session to create a cover image for the April 2012 issue of a popular crafting magazine.

After completing an image styled for the magazine’s cover, my assistant and I plated the cupcakes on these vintage cake stands and set them in the sunny studio window. It was a lovely autumn morning, and the warm sunlight streaming through the window of the old studio storefront lent to the vintage styling of the set-up.

I photographed the image using a Nikon D3 and 200mm AF-D Micro-Nikkor lens mounted to a Kirk BH-1 ballhead on a Studio Titan camera stand. Shooting tethered via Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 directly into Lightroom allowed me to view the images large on a Dell studio monitor (my usual set-up for editorial and commercial studio work) to ensure I had exactly the image I wanted before moving to another composition. Post-processing in Photoshop, I added a texture layer and the rough frame edge to complete the vintage look.

Bon appetit!

Our popular annual Autumn Color photography workshops are fast approaching – and there are still spots available. This year we are expanding the Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshops fall color events to include another fabulous Iowa location – Wildcat Den State Park!

Saturday, October 15, we’ll be offering our one-day field workshop at the gorgeous Wildcat Den State Park, near Muscatine, Iowa. This lovely state park is conveniently located about 30-minutes West of Davenport, 1 hour Southeast of Iowa City, or 2 hours 40 minutes East of Des Moines. It features a variety of fabulous nature photography subjects, and a historic stream-side mill.

Sunday, October 23, we’ll then be returning to the beautiful Ledges State Park in Boone County (about 30 minutes North of Des Moines) for another one-day field workshop. The Ledges has been a highly productive workshop location for us in past years! This park’s mix of prairie, cliffs, and deep valley streams make a marvelous location for our workshop participants. Central Iowa photographers won’t want to miss this opportunity to shoot with us!

The itinerary for each Autumn Color workshop begins early, with a quick pre-dawn get-acquainted meeting, and then we move right into a very packed day of hands-on photography, creating beautiful fall color photographs until dusk!

Topics covered include both basic and advanced topics of outdoor nature photography, including exposure, selective focus, composition, proper field technique, numerous creative techniques, equipment and gear, and much more.  Our experienced instructors are hands-on and do not shoot their own images in the field; rather, they focus 100% of their efforts on assisting participants to learn proper technique and to create fantastic images. Our goal is to help you return from the field at the end of the day with a collection of publication-quality autumn color photographs including landscapes, close-up or macro images, and evocative artistic images.

Our Autumn Color one-day field workshops generally sell out and have a waiting list! We keep group size small to ensure plentiful individual attention and to allow the group to move from location to location in the park without difficulty. If interested in joining us for one or both days, please contact us right away for more information and to reserve your spot! Please note that our workshops are targeted at SLR users – digital or film.

For more information, please see this link. For questions or to register, please contact us right away! Registrants will receive complete itinerary, details of the day, packing list, and a list of recommended nearby hotels, prior to the event.

As always, thanks for your interest in the Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshop Series. See you in the Field!

Recently, I visited one of my favorite “soul places,” a beautiful local park with a lovely natural pond area.  The pond is full of frogs of several varieties, including very large bullfrogs.  Located over part of the pond, are some covered, tiered benches on a platform – the platform is sort of a dock over the water, and the tiered benches are not unlike those in a (very) small sports stadium.

This location is an extremely peaceful place: there are few visitors most days, and the sounds are merely those of the water, of course the frogs, insects, and birds. It’s one of those places that is fabulous to reflect, to think, to be inspired by nature, or perhaps to share quiet time or even mark a special occasion with someone special.

Recently, I’ve been inspired to refer to the tiered benches at the pond as “The Frog Bleachers.”  Here’s a recent image created there, which I call simply “View from the Frog Bleachers.” Enjoy!

Hey nature photographers! Join me for a full day of nature photography field education, while we photograph summer prairie wildflowers, plants, insects and other fauna, and the classic Midwest prairie landscape!  June 18 in beautiful rural Central Iowa!

This workshop meets early-morning (before sunrise!) at one of my favorite “hidden gem” locations for amazing Midwest summer prairie  photography.  The focus will be on macro, nature “portraits,” and prairie landscape images.

The objective of this workshop is to help photographers build solid field macro and landscape photography techniques.  We’ll photograph wildflowers such as Purple Coneflower, Prairie Phlox, Prairie Blazing Star, Blue Vervain, White Campion, and numerous others [*see note].  Likewise, in the morning, opportunities to photograph dew-laden insects will likely abound.  We’ll photograph the classic summer prairie, and oak savannah natural landscapes.  Additionally, those who photograph birds may want to bring their bird lens, as well – finches and other prairie birds are common here.

The exact location of this Workshop will be chosen from among my favorite “hidden gem” prairie locations in beautiful rural Story or Marshall County, depending on local conditions and wildflower blossoms the week of the event.  Exact meeting location and maps will be emailed to participants prior to the event.  Both locations are within 45 minutes of Des Moines.

Please note that the prospective locations we will work may be drenched with summer dew in the morning, and contain a few hazards like burrs and mosquitos – come prepared with comfortable hiking shoes/boots and long pants (or rubber hunting boots), long sleeves, a sun hat, rain gear, and insect repellant!

[*note: there is no guarantee that we'll be able to photograph each of these wildflower species, but all are regularly found at these locations during this general timeframe.  Actual blossoms the week of our workshop, of course, will depend on local conditions which vary year-to-year]

Timing

For the Summer Prairie workshop, depending on the location from which you are arriving, you may wish to either meet in Ames and carpool to the event, or meet at the workshop location.  Both options will be available to you with details worked out prior to the event.  We will shoot and explore nature photography technique throughout the day.  As with most nature photography, the best shooting times are morning and late-afternoon/evening; the middle of the day will be used for discussion, hands-on education, and technique practice.

What to bring

Photo Gear: A Digital SLR camera, normal- , wide-angle, and telephoto- lenses, and a dedicated macro lens if you have one!  A sturdy tripod and plenty of media cards for a full day of shooting are also essential.  If you do not own a tripod, you will want one, but please contact me before purchasing one!

Appropriate clothing and safety gear: dress in layers. You’ll probably want long pants and long sleeves due to brush, bugs, and burrs part of the day.  Hiking boots or rubber hunting boots (we will be off-trail much/most of the time, and the prairie floor can be very wet).  Bug spray.  A hat.  Sunblock.  Plenty of water.

Some snacks and bottled water will be provided. An option will be available to pre-order a fantastic boxed lunch at nominal cost.

Workshop Cost

$99 per person

See the Workshop Series overview information here, and contact me for complete information and registration materials!

In past years, this workshop has filled quickly, and the date is fast approaching – register now to reserve your spot!

Questions?

Email Mark

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your interest in the Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshop Series!  See you in the Field!

Rapid at Bond Falls

On Saturday, June 4, 1:00-3:30pm I’ll be offering my popular Intro to Digital SLR Photography Workshop at Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave, in downtown Ames.

Whether you’re new to SLR photography or an experienced shooter who wants to improve your technique, this fast-paced, hands-on workshop will help.  We’ll alternate between classroom discussion and several “shooting stations” where you’ll practice new skills.

Complete details and registration for this 2.5-hour workshop are available on the Octagon website, here.  Advance registration is required, so sign up now to reserve your spot!

I’m pleased to announce a great lineup of workshops for 2011!  The Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshops are designed to be affordable, fun, hands-on educational one-day photography field events delivered at “hidden gem” locations here in the Upper Midwest!  This year, we’re going to stay close to home and host these events at small but fabulous locations for highly productive nature photography!  You don’t have to travel to the National Parks and stand in line with throngs of other photographers to obtain fantastic nature images!

Whether you’re a novice with your first DSLR, or an experience shooter, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your nature photography skills with these very hands-on instructional workshops, while you capture great images in the field.

As a former college professor, I have carefully developed a curriculum for each workshop to maximize your learning.  Group size is small so that I can work with you to build your skills in the field, and to help you attain publication- or exhibit-quality nature images.  During these workshops, I do not photograph other than to demonstrate technique. Rather, I spend 100% of my time helping workshop participants to develop strong field photography technique.

Dates and Locations for 2011

Saturday, May 7 ~ Spring Wildflowers and Landscapes, Central Iowa (Story County)

• Macro, Spring Wildflower, & Landscape photography

Saturday, June 18 ~ The Summer Prairie, Central Iowa (Story or Marshall County)

• Macro, Summer Wildflower, & Landscape photography

Saturday, October 15 ~ Autumn Color I, Wildcat Den State Park near Muscatine, Iowa

• Fall color & Landscape Photography

Sunday, October 23 ~ Autumn Color II, Ledges State Park, near Boone, Iowa

• Fall color & Landscape Photography

November 19-20 ~ Migrating Birds & Landscapes, DeSoto Bend National Wildlife Reserve, near Omaha, Nebraska

• Bird & Landscape Photography
• Desoto Bend NWR is a migratory stop for over 500,000 snow geese and other migrating birds each year at this time, including Bald Eagles.

The one-day workshops are a very full day of photography!  We’ll meet before sunrise and photograph well into the morning.  We’ll break from shooting in the middle of the day for group discussions and lunch, and will work on nature photography techniques again in the afternoon, shooting into the evening.  The exact location for the May and June Workshops will depend on local conditions a day or two before the event, for the most productive day possible!

The two-day event at DeSoto Bend NWR will include two full days of shooting, and an evening image critique on Saturday.

At each workshop, we’ll be completely immersed in photography during the entire event.  A robust handout will be provided, focused on topics covered.  This allows you to focus on your hands-on shooting rather than trying to take notes in the field.

Costs

~ one-day Field Workshops – $99 per person

~ two-day Field Workshops – $99 per person each day, or $169 for the full two-day event

These prices are for Workshop registration only, and do not include meals, transportation, or hotels.  Nearby, reasonably-priced, comfortable hotels will be recommeded for photographers traveling to the area.  High-quality, gourmet boxed lunches are available for pre-order purchase at nominal cost, with your registration.  Snacks, bottled water, and soft drinks are provided throughout the day of the events.

Registration

Class sizes are kept small and these workshops fill fast - so please register soon to reserve your spot!  For registration materials, simply email us and we’ll forward complete registration information!

Questions?

Email Mark

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your interest in the Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshop Series!  See you in the Field!

Prairie Phlox, Iowa

Join me in the field for a full day of nature photography field education, while we photograph wildflowers and landscapes in a lush, Midwest forest setting!

This workshop meets early-morning (before sunrise!)  in Ames, Iowa, and travels ~20 minutes to one of my favorite “hidden gem” locations for fabulous Midwest spring wildflower photography.

The objective of this workshop is to help photographers build solid field macro and landscape photography techniques.  We’ll photograph wildflowers such as Dutchman’s Breeches, Bloodroot, Wild Ginger, Rue Anemone, Spring Beauty, Hepatica, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, May Apple, Sweet William, and Trout Lily [*see note].  Landscape photography opportunities also abound at the workshop location.  Additionally, those who photograph birds may want to bring their bird lens, as well – kingfishers and several other bird species are frequently active at the location of this workshop.

The exact location of this Workshop will be chosen from among my favorite “hidden gem” forest locations in beautiful rural Story County, depending on local conditions and wildflower blossoms the week of the event.  Exact meeting location and maps will be emailed to participants prior to the event.

Please note that the prospective locations we will work, each require some fairly moderate hiking, possibly including a stream crossing to get to the best Virginia Bluebell locations. You’ll want to see and photograph the Bluebells, but come prepared with comfortable hiking shoes/boots or rubber hunting boots!

[*note: there is no guarantee that we'll be able to photograph each of these wildflower species, but all are regularly found here during this timeframe.  Actual blossoms the week of our workshop, of course, will depend on local conditions which vary year-to-year]

Timing

We’ll meet pre-dawn on the edge of Ames, Iowa, and carpool to the workshop location about 20 minutes away.  We will shoot and explore nature photography technique throughout the day, into the evening.  As with most nature photography, the best shooting times are morning and late-afternoon/evening; the middle of the day will be used for discussion, hands-on education, and technique practice.

What to bring

Photo Gear: A Digital SLR camera, normal- , wide-angle, and telephoto- lenses, and a dedicated macro lens if you have one!  A sturdy tripod and plenty of media cards for a full day of shooting are also essential.

Appropriate clothing and safety gear: dress in layers. You’ll probably want long pants and long sleeves due to brush, bugs, and possibly poison ivy in areas.  Hiking boots or rubber hunting boots (we will be off-trail much/most of the time, and the forest floor can be very wet).  Bug spray.  A hat.  Sunblock.  Plenty of water.

Workshop Cost

$99 per person

See the Workshop Series overview information here, and contact me for complete information and registration materials!

In past years, this workshop has filled quickly, and the date is fast approaching – register now to reserve your spot!

Questions?

Email Mark

Thanks for reading, and thanks for your interest in the Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshop Series!  See you in the Field!

Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshop

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Start with five stunning models, two amazing hairstylists, a make-up wizard, and a costume stylist with a degree in Art History.  Add an awesome palette of make-up, a wall covered with dresses, and the most fabulous shoes known to man woman Des Moines.  Finally, add a little jewelry and shake it all up in a well-equipped studio. What do you get?  An absolute blast of an afternoon!   And a stunning portfolio of glamorous photos, as well!

Thanks much to our lovely models Jayme, Jessica, Joanna, Kelli, and Terra, and to the talented artists Thomas, Meghan, and Aurilla from New Impressions Salon, for a fabulous model event this week at Ikonix Studio in Des Moines. Enjoy the photos!

After a hiatus in 2010, the Midwest Nature Photography Field Workshop Series returns in 2011.  I’m finalizing dates and locations, to be announced soon.  Photographers, clean those lenses and order that ballhead you’ve been wanting!  We have some great locations in store.  Watch here for my updates and the full schedule!

Liz, a personal trainer in Minneapolis, recently contacted me to have some new headshots made for her business.  She wanted to emphasize her athleticism and strength in a studio look, and she was great fun to work with. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Since recently I’ve been asked about my studio set-up rather frequently, here’s some info for the photographers reading…

I made these photos with a traditional 3-light portrait setup using three Profoto Compact 600R studio lights on Liz:

• Main light in a 4×6′ Photoflex LightDome softbox, camera right
• Fill light in a 2×3′ Photoflex LightDome softbox, camera left
• Hair light in a small Photoflex Halfdome strip box with grid, behind and left, at lowest setting

I also added a Profoto Compact 300R with grid at low power to light the background (a 10′ white seamless) with fall-off.  And since I continue to be asked, these days I photograph in the studio primarily with the same gear I use for my nature and landscape photography – in this case, a Nikon D3 and 70-200 f/2.8VR lens.  (In the old days I primarily used 35mm gear in the field, and Rolleiflex 6000-series medium format SLRs in the studio; I do still have my favorite Rolleiflex, a 6001 Professional, but it hasn’t seen the light of…studio…in quite some time).  I use PocketWizard Plus II’s to control my Profoto Compacts, which all have built-in PocketWizards of their own (that’s the “R” in the model name – for Radio-controlled).

After we completed her personal training images, Liz asked if we could shoot some fashion in a dress her mom had recently sent her from Kenya.  Stay tuned for that…next post!