I want to remind you about my Action Photography Workshop that’s coming up on Feb 23-24 here in Anchorage. We’ll be photographing the world championship sprint dog sled races that are held during that weekend, and I’ll be on location to give you personal tips and guidance as you shoot. Then, the next day, we’ll look at your photos and talk about ways to improve and dial in your gear and technique when shooting fast breaking subjects. You can find out more info about the workshop here:

 

 

I realize that most of my readers don’t live in Alaska, so I can understand if you won’t be able to make it up my Anchorage workshop this month. If you don’t live here, you can take advantage of my online photography lessons and personal reviews that I offer. 

 

I teach a number of online photography courses at The Compelling Image, which offers total fully interactive workshops for people of all levels and interests, as well as total flexibility for learning at your own pace. TCI students receive personal critiques and comments on your assignments, as well as a forum to discuss your lessons and ask me anything you want. If there are multiple people signed up, you can also discuss the lesson and compare notes online with fellow students, which adds to the learning synergy. 

 

Here are the course that I teach at TCI

 

▪ Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography

▪ Photography with Telephoto Lenses

▪ Travel Photography

▪ Stunning Photographs with Camera RAW

 

In addition, I do a Photography Portfolio Review, which lets you upload up to 10 images that I’ll look at and then discuss with you during a skype conversation. we’ll go over your strengths as a photographer, and help identify areas that need improvement and how to get where you want to be as a shooter. 

 

You can also sign up for my Pro Photo Critique, which lets you upload up to 3 images, which I’ll critique and review via email. This is a more affordable option if you just want a quick analysis of your work.

 

Why do I think I can help you become a better photographer? Because in addition to shooting professionally for sixteen hears, I’ve been teaching and writing about photography for even longer. And, I used to work as a professional photo editor for a stock photo agency in Boston. 

 

The Compelling Image has a money back guarantee, so if you’re not satisfied with the course, or for whatever reason, my teaching style is just not a good fit for you, you’ll get your money back. Try it out- sign up for a course and give your photography a jump start!

 

 

When I first started shooting photos back in the early 90s, I used to spend hours studying the works of accomplished landscape and outdoor photographers. One of my favorites was William Neill, who after thirty years of living and photographing in Yosemite, is still going strong and creating beautiful imagery. I’ve long been inspired by William’s work, and I just found out that he’s published a number of ebooks.

 

I’ve been looking through a couple of his titles lately, including Meditations in Monochrome, which is a beautiful collection of black and white photos that is sure to remind you of Ansel Adams. If you’re into b/w landscape and nature photography, you‘ll definitely want to check this book out. 

 

There’s also William Neill’s Yosemite, which features about 50 incredible landscape photos and then details the behind the scenes and shooting info for each shot. I think that any time you can get into the mind of the photographer and see what he or she was thinking at the time of the shot, you can learn a lot.

 

Anyway, check out Williamn’s books, I think that you’ll be impressed. He’s got a couple more as well, and you can also pick up his entire 4-book collection for a special price. If only they had eBooks when I first started over twenty years ago!

 

 

As I write this, my new Nikon 70-200mm f/4G VR lens is on the UPS truck making its way to my house. In fact, by the time you read this, I might already have it! I got to see and try out this lens last fall, and now I finally pulled the trigger. It’s lighter and considerably less expensive than the 80-200 f/2.8 version, but it’s still an AF-S lens with ED elements and Nano Crystal Coating, which means that it’s pro glass. You give up one full stop, but in bright light, and with the new VR, that’s not much of a tradeoff.

 

I’ll be writing a review soon, but I’d say that if you’re looking for a telephoto zoom, you should seriously consider this lens, especially if you want to save on weight and price. Yea, I know- you Canon people have had a lens like this for years, the EF 70-200 f/4 IS USM. You can check out Michael Russell’s review of this lens that he wrote on my blog awhile back.

 

 

Don’t forget, as one of my subscribers, you can take advantage of great deals on Lowepro backs and camera bags. Simply click through to the Lowepro site and use discount code LP20 in your shopping cart, and you'll save 20% off on any product. (US customers only.) 

 

Thanks for reading and keep enjoying winter! As always, don't forget to share this newsletter with your other photographer friends. 

 

Take care- Dan