There is one spot left for my otherwise sold-out Bald Eagle Workshops due to cancellation. This is a great opportunity to join the very best trip to bring home a complete portfolio of Bald Eagle images from a single trip. Join me March 5-9, 2020 in Homer Alaska!
Gannets Galore
One of the highlights of my year is always my annual Gannets Galore workshop on Bonaventure Island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence every June. Seabird colonies are always my favourite to visit, as the activity at a big colony like Bonaventure Island (about 58,000 breeding pairs) can be somewhat overwhelming. Particularly so when it's windy and easy for the Gannets to take-off; there can be 10,000 Gannets flying around at any given time!
The Gannets love brings seaweed back to their mate when they return to the nest. It's always fun to photograph the Gannets landing; more so when they are delivering a load of seaweed.
As for workshops, Bonaventure Island is THE place to learn all about bird photography; from Birds in flight, portraits, behaviour and all of the required technical expertise to become a technically and artistically proficient bird photographer. The included early morning Zodiac boat excursions will round out your portfolio with other species and the exciting action of diving Gannets.
Learn more about my Gannets Galore workshop HERE.
Happy New Year
American Bald Eagle SNOWGLOBE (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) from my BALD EAGLE WORKSHOP in Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year (and decade) ahead! Safe and adventurous travel with golden light and epic images ahead for all!
It's not too late to start the year right and learn how to consistently make awesome images, and bring home a pretty impressive portfolio while you are at it. There are a few last minute openings:
January 20-24 & January 27 to 31, 2020 Winter Snowy Owl workshops. Click HERE to learn more and sign-up.
March 10-14, 2020 Bald Eagles Galore in Homer, Alaska. Cligh HERE to learn more and sign-up.
Bald Eagle Shadow Huntress
American Bald Eagle SHADOW HUNTRESS (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) from my BALD EAGLE WORKSHOP in Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens ISO 4,000, f/4 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.
On the third day of my first group of Bald Eagle photo tours the conditions were perfect for my friend and our captain Dave to navigate into one of my favorite back coves in Kachemak Bay. Thanks to Dave for being a loyal friend and a professional mariner who works tirelessly to keep us in the heart of the action while keeping us all safe!
It was dark and overcast with still water and the action was non-stop! I have tried this sort of "backlit in the shadow" fishing shot before, but the other camera brand I used always let me down. Now armed with the Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master prime lens with the Sony a9 I had so many razor sharp images that it was hard to choose what to keep! Learn more about why it can focus so quickly with its linear movement HERE.
Join me in Alaska Eagle Heaven next March for my annual Eagle extraviganza. Get more information and sign-up HERE.
Great Grey Owl Portrait a la Sony a9 and 400mm f/2.8 G Master lens with 2X teleconverter
Great Grey Owl PORTRAIT (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE 400 f/2.8 GM OSS with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter ISO 3,200, F5.6 @ 1/3,200s Manual Exposure mode. Join me for my winter owl workshops this January/February to learn More CLICK HERE.
In case you missed it, I wrote a mini-review of the new Sony FE 400 f/2.8 GM OSS in a recent blog post HERE.
Here's a portrait of a Great Grey Owl with the Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE 400 f/2.8 GM OSS with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter. It has been rather wet and rainy lately. The dehaze filter in Photoshop worked well to negate the heavy rain and ground fog which kept most people inside - smile.
Join me for my winter owl workshops this January/February to learn More CLICK HERE.
Bald Eagle Photography Workshop
American Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) from my Bald Eagle Workshop in Kachemak Bay, Alaska ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS @ 271mm ISO 2,500, F5.6 1/5,000s Manual mode.
Here's another one from my Bald Eagle Photo Tour in Alaska last March. Both workshops in March 2019 were sold out, but I have just had a couple cancel, leaving two spots open. Learn more about my March 10-14 Bald Eagle Photo Tour HERE.
Bald Eagle Photo Tour
American Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Pygargue à tête blanche, BAEA) from my Bald Eagle Workshop in Kachemak Bay, Alaska ©Christopher Dodds Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS @ 192mm ISO 2,500, F5.6 1/5,000s Manual mode.
Here's one from my Bald Eagle Photo Tour in Alaska last March. Both workshops in March 2019 were sold out, but I have just had a couple cancel, leaving two spots open. Learn more about my March 10-14, 2019 Bald Eagle Photo Tour HERE.
Tufted Puffin LANDING
Tufted Puffin Landing (Fratercula cirrhata, Macareux huppé, TUPU) Saint Paul Island, The Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea, Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS with 1.4X Tele-extender @ 560mm. Full frame image. ISO 10,000, f/8 @ 1/1,600s Manual exposure mode.
Gannets Galore Workshop Last Minute Openings
Two last minute openings
Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop August 7 to 10 Just Announced
Atlantic Puffin with SAND EELS (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU) From my DELUXE PUFFIN WORLKSHOP in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada, Réserve de parc national du Canada de l'Archipel-de-Mingan, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS @ 400mm @ minimum focusing distance. Full frame image (top to bottom; left and right cropped to square aspect ratio). ISO 640, f/5.6 @ 1/640s Manual exposure mode.
Puffins Galore Deluxe Edition just announced August 7-10!
Bald Eagle Workshop Update and Used Canon Equipment
Bald Eagle GRAVITY from my Bald Eagle Photographic Expedition (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. 400mm ISO 4,000 f/5.6 @ 1/2,500s Full Frame, shot vertical in manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
March 5-9 & 10-14, 2018 Eagles Galore Workshop Space available
Join me, Christopher Dodds, for an Epic Eagle adventure in Alaska. This five day Eagle photography workshop is designed for all levels of photographer to come home with an awesome portfolio of Eagle images and a deep understanding of the fundamentals of bird photography. Don't delay! Space is limited. Learn more HERE.
There are a lot of photographers to choose from when deciding to take a workshop. I had come across Christopher Dodds Photography on Facebook and really like his photographs. I read about Chris’s workshops. They all sounded well organized and he has years of experience going to various places.
I love Alaska and had been dreaming of taking an Eagle photography workshop and decided to sign up with Chris. I am so glad I chose Chris for a lot of reasons. The workshop was very well organized. Chris provides the attendees with a list of suggested clothing to be sure you are comfortable in the Alaskan winter weather. He provided us with a list of suggested equipment so that we knew exactly what was needed to get the kind of photos posted on his workshop page. The group was limited to 5 attendees, so we each had ample opportunity to get feedback and suggestions from Chris. Chris is extremely knowledgable about Kachemak Bay and knows where to go to get the best shots depending on the wind and the weather, and whether there is sun or snow. Chris uses the same boat and captain for this workshop, so the captain knows exactly what Chris wants to do and how to get us into those best areas…. Chris believes in safety above all else, but snow, sleet and rain did not keep us from going out. In fact, it made for some great photos depicting the Alaskan winter eagle environment. It was an amazing trip and I got a lot of great photos. I would definitely choose Chris for another birding workshop as he is dedicated to doing everything he can to make sure you come home with lots of amazing photographs! Thanks, Chris, for a fantastic workshop and wonderful adventure!
Jessica Duke Eagle Nest, NM, USA
USED CANON GEAR FOR SALE
It is really quite amazing to be part of what seems like a revolution! It seems like friends and clients are switching to Sony on a daily basis. Here is an updated list of my gear for sale, followed by some offered by friends. Shoot me an email chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com if you are interested in buying or making an offer on anything.
- SOLD: Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x
- SOLD: Canon EF 85mm f/1.2 L II USM Telephoto Lens
- SOLD: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Zoom Lens (Version I)
- SOLD: Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6L IS USM Lens
- SOLD: Canon Speedlight 580EX II Flash
- SOLD: Canon 1.4X Teleconverter III
- SOLD: Canon 2X Teleconverter III
- SOLD: Canon 1DXI US$2,500 Shutter: 85k. (2 batt.) 7/10 condition (some wear, CF door sticks)
- SOLD: Canon 1DXII
- SOLD: 600mmII
- SOLD: Canon 100-400II
- Canon 70-200II 2.8 US$1,500
- SOLD: Canon 24-70II 2.8
- SPLD: Canon 1.4 III
- Canon 2.0III US$300 real tree lens coat
- Canon 1DX US$2,500.00 Shutter 100K
- Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Lens with Internal 1.4x US$8,000.00
- Canon 180mm Macro US$600.00
- Canon 8-15mm US$700.00
Thank You Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Great Grey Owl SOLITUDE (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) Gatineau, Quebec ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. 244mm ISO 3,200s, f/5.6 @ 1/2,500s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Peace, Joy & Love
To everyone who visited this blog or my Facebook page, attended a workshop, safari, seminar or lecture, purchased a print or licensed an image: Thank you for making 2017 my best year yet. I am so very lucky and grateful!
Snowy Owl Photo Tour Last Minute Openings
Snowy Owl MORNING GLORY (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. 300mm ISO 3,200, f/2.8 @ 1/2,000s Manual. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.
Snowy Owl Photo Tour Last Minute Openings
There are two last minute openings for my January 29 to February 2, 2018 Snowy Owl Workshop. Don't miss out on what is looking like an epic season ahead. Read more about the workshop and sign-up for my Jan. 29 - Feb. 2, 2018 winter Snowy Owl Workshop HERE.
Chris Dodds knows how to do a workshop!
I had the pleasure of attending Chris' Snowy Owl Workshop this past January. To be honest, I did not know much about Chris before the trip. All I knew was the quality of his images on his website and that I wanted Snowy owl pictures. Needless to say, Chris met and exceeded my expectations. He goes over and above to get you in the right place at the right time to capture the best images possible. Having been on numerous workshops around the world with various leaders, I can say Chris worked harder than most..... He also made sure that we were in position to get a variety of images and not just 1000 photos of the same animal behavior. Chris knows his birds and what they are going to do next(as much as humanly possible). He teaches in a way that things make sense. I was getting frustrated with my photography before this trip. I was able to get great shots before the workshop but felt that the percentage of great shots to missed shots needed to be better. Chris explained ways to change a few of my bad habits in a way that no one else ever did. I have tried manual exposure in the past but never got comfortable with it but after a day or two with Chris it clicked in my mind and my images improved and percentage of keepers went up.
If you get a chance to go on a workshop with Chris I would highly recommend it. I know I will again.
Rick Susi Orlando, FL, USA
They are back Snowy Owl a la Sony a9
Snowy Owl GEAR DOWN (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Southwestern Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS and Sony 1.4X 560mm. Almost full frame image. ISO 1,000 f/8 @ 1/2,500s Manual exposure mode. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.
They are back!
There have been numerous reports of Snowy Owls arriving over the past week. I was out running errands with my wife, Julie, on Monday and we saw three without trying. I went out with my New Sony gear this morning and quickly found one perched on a stop sign. I think we are headed into a great owl season this winter!
There are still a few spots available for my Winter Owl Workshops. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE about my WINTER OWL WORKSHOPS.
The Sony a9 and Sony 100-400 G Master lens continue to impress! I grabbed this image out the passenger window of my truck as it took off when I approached (I removed the top of the Stop sign from the image). The autofocus immediately locked-on, and every frame in the sequence of 12 images I took was razor sharp; Gone are the days of quickly eliminating 30-35% of images captured in a burst because they were not razor sharp!
Bald Eagle LIGHT DANCER
American Bald Eagle LIGHT DANCER from my Bald Eagle Photographic Expedition (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 IS II USM @220mm ISO 1,000 f/5.6 @ 1/4,000s shot vertical in manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
Here's another Bald Eagle form my recent workshops in Alaska. Do consider joining me next Eagles Galore Photo Tour from March 5-9, 2018. This is one of the most exciting workshops I offer. Based in Homer, Alaska, we will focus on making an epic portfolio of Bald Eagle images! Be sure to learn more about my March 5-9, 2018 Eagles Galore Photo Workshop HERE and be sure to read my testimonials found HERE.
- I have more experience with the Eagles in Homer than anyone else.
- We have unprecedented access to the Eagles.
- We spend more time out with the Eagles than anyone else.
- We get off the boat to photograph; no sea sickness and much better low angles of view.
- Smaller groups (maximum 5 participants per trip).
- I work very hard to ensure you return with an epic portfolio of Eagle images and learn a ton!
KUDOS:
I recently returned from Chris’s Eagle Workshop in Homer Alaska. Over the years, I have traveled extensively and can say without hesitating that this was the best trip I’ve ever been on. Chris is a very cordial but no nonsense guy. Everything about the trip was organized to the max. I’ve been photographing wildlife for 35 years and thought I had a pretty good idea about how to do it so I wasn’t expecting to learn a whole lot that was new. Wrong! Over the years, other “professionals” had encouraged me to shoot in aperture priority or auto ISO. When Chris told us he was going to teach us to set our camera exposures manually, I thought that sounded like a lot of unnecessary effort. That notion turned out to be false. If you attend this workshop and don’t already shoot in manual mode, your life will be changed. The exposures of the photos I took are spot on and better than any I have ever achieved.
In addition to the new material I learned, the “eagle shooting” was beyond anything one could ever imagine. It was both action packed and challenging. Our group was only five people and Chris bent over backward to make sure that each of us got the best photos of our lives. Even though I had substantial problems with my equipment, I now have more killer eagle photos than I could have ever hoped for. If you want an informative and fun packed trip, I encourage you to sign up for this or any of Chris’s workshops. I have signed up again for next year’s Eagle Workshop, in spite of my truck load of eagle photos, which I believe tells the whole story.
Ron Brown Colorado USA
Northern Pintail
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta, Canard Pilet, NOPI) Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, USA ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 600mm f/4 L IS II USM & 2X III Tele-converter. ISO 640, F8 1/2,500s Manual Mode. Full Frame. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
Here's a Northern Pintail from my Better than Bosque workshop last December. I'm about to lead my sold-out workshop there and have added the dates for next year to my workshop page HERE.
KUDOS:
Your Better than Bosque trip was a real eye-opener for me. I thought I had a handle on my photographic techniques, and thought I was at the top of my game. Wow, was I wrong! I had no idea how much I would learn from you when I decided to sign-up; I thought you would show us your secret spots and that would justify the tuition for me. I made a great friend, learned more than I could have imagined and got the best images I have ever made (thousands of them). Thank you for an EPIC trip. I will be back for another of your amazing workshops soon.
Chris Smith England
Snowy Owl FIRE FLIGHT
Snowy Owl FIRE FLIGHT (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 600mm f/4 L IS II USM. ISO 3,200, f/5.6 @ 1/1,250s Manual. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.
More Kudos: Chris Dodds knows how to do a workshop!
I had the pleasure of attending Chris' Snowy Owl Workshop this past January. To be honest, I did not know much about Chris before the trip. All I knew was the quality of his images on his website and that I wanted Snowy owl pictures. Needless to say, Chris met and exceeded my expectations. He goes over and above to get you in the right place at the right time to capture the best images possible. Having been on numerous workshops around the world with various leaders, I can say Chris worked harder than most..... He also made sure that we were in position to get a variety of images and not just 1000 photos of the same animal behavior. Chris knows his birds and what they are going to do next (as much as humanly possible). He teaches in a way that things make sense. I was getting frustrated with my photography before this trip. I was able to get great shots before the workshop but felt that the percentage of great shots to missed shots needed to be better. Chris explained ways to change a few of my bad habits in a way that no one else ever did. I have tried manual exposure in the past but never got comfortable with it but after a day or two with Chris it clicked in my mind and my images improved and percentage of keepers went up.
If you get a chance to go on a workshop with Chris I would highly recommend it. I know I will again.
Rick Susi Orlando, FL, USA
Learn more about my Snowy Winter Owl Workshops HERE.
Great Gray Owl FROSTED FLAKES
Great Gray Owl FROSTED FLAKES (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) Ottawa, Ontario ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS Canon EOS 1DX, 500mm F4 L IS, Tripod & Jobu Jr. 3 ISO 1,600s, f/5.6 @ 1/1,600s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
KUDOS:
With health issues and possessing few skills in tracking birds in flight, I headed to Montreal with a good share of trepidation about having any success on the Winter Owl Safari. Chris Dodds is not only a master photographer, but I soon discovered that he is an incredible leader and instructor who is quick to give suggestions, share his vast knowledge and patiently answer any question. As a result, I was successfully capturing more and more action shots each session as the days went by. Chris went out of his way to make sure each one of his clients was safe and as comfortable as possible in the extreme conditions in which we were photographing. Aware of my health issues, he was continually monitoring me to make sure that I wasn't over doing it. Chris is fun to work with and is spoken very highly of by the landowners who he deals with, which in turn, makes many private tracts of land where the owls are located accessible to him and his groups. He seemingly has an inexhaustible level of energy that ensures that his clients will have the most productive experience humanly possible. Returning home with many stunning photographs and memories of such a delightful experience, I am looking forward to the time when I can do another one of Chris Dodd's workshops with great anticipation.
John Michael Fuller Duanesburg | NY
Learn more about my Snowy Winter Owl Workshops HERE.
Snowy Owl Warm and Fuzzy
Snowy Owl WARM & FLUFFY (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, SNOW) Ontario, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 600mm f/4 L IS II USM and 2X III. ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/1,250s Manual. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.
A Snowy Owl basking in the very last drops of sweet light on a very cold winter's night.
Kudos:
I just wanted to thank you for the time we spent with you on your Snowy Winter Owl Workshop. I felt that I really learned a great deal that will be of benefit to me in the future. I was extremely pleased with my photographs and look forward to seeing you again. You pushed me outside my comfort zone in exposure and that elevated my images to a higher level!
James Whittle Great Falls, Montana, USA
Learn more about my Snowy Winter Owl Workshops HERE.
Bald Eagle Silhouette II
American Bald Eagle SILHOUETTE II (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, EF 200-400mm F4 L IS USM @400mm. ISO 400, f/5.6 @ 1/4,000s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
KUDOS:
There are a lot of photographers to choose from when deciding to take a workshop. I had come across Christopher Dodds Photography on Facebook and really like his photographs. I read about Chris’s workshops. They all sounded well organized and he has years of experience going to various places.
I love Alaska and had been dreaming of taking an Eagle photography workshop and decided to sign up with Chris. I am so glad I chose Chris for a lot of reasons. The workshop was very well organized. Chris provides the attendees with a list of suggested clothing to be sure you are comfortable in the Alaskan winter weather. He provided us with a list of suggested equipment so that we knew exactly what was needed to get the kind of photos posted on his workshop page. The group was limited to 5 attendees, so we each had ample opportunity to get feedback and suggestions from Chris. Chris is extremely knowledgable about Kachemak Bay and knows where to go to get the best shots depending on the wind and the weather, and whether there is sun or snow. Chris uses the same boat and captain for this workshop, so the captain knows exactly what Chris wants to do and how to get us into those best areas…. Chris believes in safety above all else, but snow, sleet and rain did not keep us from going out. In fact, it made for some great photos depicting the Alaskan winter eagle environment. It was an amazing trip and I got a lot of great photos and learned so much! I would definitely choose Chris for another birding workshop as he is dedicated to doing everything he can to make sure you come home with lots of amazing photographs! Thanks, Chris, for a fantastic workshop and wonderful adventure!
Jessica Duke Eagle Nest, NM, USA
Learn more about my Bald Eagle Workshops HERE.