Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates it & Happy and safe holidays for everyone.

Great Gray Owl WINTER SQUALL & Private Winter Owl Workshops Announced

A wide-angle black & white view of a Great Gray Owl against dark storm clouds in Quebec, Canada. Despite working with a wide-angle lens (the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G OSS) at 28mm and choosing an aperture of f/16, the sky in the RAW file lacked the detail that I saw with my eyes. The solution was to replace the sky with Photoshop using the new Sky replacement feature that usually works surprisingly well.

Private one-on-one Winter Owl Workshops announced

Skip the Covid-19 Coronavirus risks and join me for a private one-on-one winter owl photo tour offered in January and February. The cost is $1,500.00/day plus expenses and sales tax. Includes guiding to the owls and as much instruction as you would like. Spots are filling quickly (currently booked up until Jan. 20), so make sure to reserve your day(s) soon!

Redhead & The Camera Store Sony Presentation Kudos

The Camera Store, in partnership with Sony Alpha Canada, was happy to host talented bird and nature photographer and educator, Chris Dodds for the virtual presentation, ​Bird & NaturePhotography with Sony Mirrorless Cameras​. As soon as the presentation started, the virtual chat was filling with excited and gracious messages. People from across Canada attended just to see Chris! With stories and photographs from coast to coast, he quickly made the audience feel connected, a tough feat during virtual events. Chris beautifully integrated the technical aspects of Sony Mirrorless Cameras while keeping the audience engaged and entertained with his stunning bird photography. It is easy to see why his workshops are so coveted. He has an amazing ability to make photographers of all photographic backgrounds feel talented, understood and excited to photograph! Chris encouraged everyone to ask questions and addressed them thoughtfully and honestly. He then made sure to stay late to make sure every single question was answered and every comment was acknowledged before the night was over. Thank you again, Chris, for presenting an amazing virtual event!

- Ryley Smith The Camera Store

B&W Harp Seal Pup Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM FE OSS Lens for sale

SOLD!

Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM FE OSS Lens for sale

I am selling a duplicate Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM FE OSS Lens that was purchased just before the pandemic hit to rent out to workshop clients but has remained unused (I did take it for a test spin to make sure it was working). So it is new in the box with everything that came with it (lens, lens foot, straps, instructions, plastic chest, and original cardboard box). Asking CAD$14,000.00 (US$10,750.00) or best offer. email chris@chrisdoddsphoto.com or call 514-945-6195.

Great Gray Owl PEEK-A-BOO

I love being in the woods looking for owls and I love feeling that something is watching me even more, as was the case here - smile.

The most remarkable moment with this Great Gray Owl was a group of about 14 birders who walked past me and the owl without even replying to my “hello”. No reply, eyes down as if they had already decided that they were not going to see an owl; so they didn’t get to see the owl :)

Great Gray Owl in November Sleet

Another recent Great Gray Owl image made with the incredibly versatile Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens as I zoomed out to 210mm. The Sony a9II eye autofocus locked onto the eyes immediately and tracked the owl with ease.

Rechargable hand warmer battery pack review

I accidentally found an incredible solution to my cold fingers from Raynaud’s Disease. The OCOOPA Fast-Charging 10,000mAh back-up battery and handwarmer with PD & QC 3.0 has three temperature settings and heats both sides of its excellent Ergonomic Design: The upper-wide, lower-narrow design is more suitable for grasping than the oval shape fits the natural curve of your palm and is anti-slip. The high-grade silicone oil surface coating is soft and delicate to the touch, and has superior thermal conductivity.

The OCOOPA handwarmer is built to last, with the hottest setting providing a powerful heat that lasts for nearly four hours on high, and more than 12 hours on the lowest setting. This durability ensures that you can rely on the OCOOPA handwarmer for long-lasting warmth, even in the most extreme conditions.

Recharging is super fast; I used an 18W USB wall charger, and charging a completely drained unit took three hours and 12 minutes.

The OCOOPA hand warmer is not just a solution for cold fingers. It's also an excellent power source and backup battery for your mirrorless camera and mobile phone. This versatility empowers you to stay connected and capture your outdoor adventures, all while keeping your hands warm and comfortable.

I now have four of these with me at all times while in the field: one for each loose-fitting mitten and two extra fully charged units as backups in case I accidentally forget to turn off or charge them. On the coldest days, I can use the two extras as heaters in the inside pockets of my parka.

Bald Eagle BW Over The Top Big Sky

Something a little different: A black & white conversion of a Bald Eagle cartwheeling as it dives against a stormy sky. While I do shoot extremely tight images packed with visual impact most of the time, I do always think about shooting loosely framed images which traditionally don’t do as well on social media, but make much more pleasing images for my walls.

Langara College Photography Program

I recently presented to the professional photographers program at Langara College for Sony of Canada. There was a great turn-out and the show went on well beyond the scheduled end with some great questions from the students. Here is some of the feedback:

Email:

The fact that nearly everyone stayed longer than was scheduled, and that some of them stayed for nearly an hour later is a testament to what a great presentation it was. The fact that you were on there for an hour longer than necessary says something about you as a person. From my own personal perspective, I go to so many of these presentations every year that I’ve almost completely stopped taking notes. Last night I actually took a few notes and more importantly, I was inspired to get back out with my long lenses. Thank you.

- Eric Stewart Instructor/Photography Chair Langara College

Group Chat:

Thank you Chris! I learnt a lot and plan to do more research on local birds here! - Catherine S



Amazing photos and useful info I learn a lot thanks. - Jas



I have to get going, thank you very much for the marvellous presentation! Lots of fantastic information and the images were absolutely breathtaking. Hope you have a fantastic rest of your evening! - Iulia Munteanu



Thank you Chris , it was amazing 👌🏼 - Tabatabaei



Thank you Chris for sharing your knowledge and remarkable photography. - Darren Bernaerdt



Thank you for a fantastic presentation! - cross



It’s wonderful to hear the stories behind your images. thanks for all the details. - Sara



Thank you for a great presentation Chris! - Tomo Tanaka


Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us, your work is absolutely incredible! - Sarah Fleming



Thanks very much, Chris beautiful images. Sorry I have to leave. Thanks Sony for sponsoring. - Catharine O'Brien-Bell



Thank you for this amazing presentation! I love all your images Chris, thank you for sharing! Great evening everyone! - Jessica Dávila



Thank you so much for sharing! Your work is absolutely stunning! - Lauren Eely



Much appreciated! Brilliant work. - Cody



thank you so much - Jas



Thank you Chris and LANGARA College for this great opportunity. - alejcim



Thank you Sony for sponsoring Chris -Tomo Tanaka



Thank you very much! This was so interesting and great to listen to!! I really enjoyed - Parker Shaw

Instagram:

Thank you. Excellent presentation. @clivecamm

I really enjoyed your Langara/Sony zoom today. I learned a lot. Your photos are inspiring. - @nancy.w.caldwell

This was a fantastic talk. Thanks for making it available! - @kissdust

Wicked fun way to relax after class, thank you @langaraphoto, @chrisdoddsphoto - @iuliamphotography

Langara College

The Professional Photography program at Langara College is a two-year diploma offering hands-on, comprehensive training that provides graduates with the skills to achieve success in a career in the photographic industry. Students have access to a wide range of specialized photographic equipment and are supported by faculty and staff representing a diverse range of experience. This program is intensive and provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio.

Students will apply technical and artistic skills to practical projects that are typical of the industry. Studio time is provided to complete the assignments and master the skills necessary to succeed in the photographic industry. This is further enhanced by field trips and regular visits from current industry professionals.

The continuing studies certificate program at Langara College is one of the largest, most comprehensive part-time photography programs in Canada. It is designed for all types of students, including beginner photographers, passionate hobbyists, and those interested in pursuing a career in professional photography. The instructors are working professionals who are committed to helping students refine their photography skills and foster creativity.

Bald Eagle Singing Praise

I have been busy making presentations to The Lakeshore Camera Club (Montreal) and the Club de photo de Boisbriand (Boisbriand). Sony of Canada has graciously sponsored these events and I have received a pile of great feedback!

Emails:

Thank-you for a wonderful evening!  Not only were the photos beautiful to see, but when you added the stories behind them that explained how they were taken, that added even more depth to them.  You added just the right amount of photography gear info, balanced with tips, and the wise advice for us to practice our technique.

On behalf of LCC, thank-you for the more than generous sharing of your time, and knowledge tonight.  I look forward to the day when I can meet you in person, but in the meantime, please add me to your mail list. - Stephen Shimizu

Hi Christopher, young lad!

It was a great pleasure last evening to cross your path again, young lad. Your presentation was fantastic, both with your awesome photos and your very instructive explanations. My only regret is that I had to leave the room at 22 h for personal reasons. A buddy of mine sent me an email this morning saying that the meeting ended at 23 h 15, which is exceptional.

I am a member of the Lakeshore Camera Club since 2008, and I can tell you that you’re among the TOP presenters that we have had over the years. One of your traits is that, notwithstanding the extreme quality of your images, you are very generous of your time and explanations.

I still have fond memories of our week together in Maine in 2010 as well as the trip itself, … (CHRIS: Moose Photography Workshop in Baxter State Park, Maine)

I thank you very so much, Christopher, and wish you many more fruitful and exciting years as a professional photographer. - Serge Gagné

Good morning Christopher,

That was an amazing, inspirational, educational and fun evening.

I was not expecting so much transfer of knowledge from last night. I made notes to go check some of my camera settings (newly acquired Nikon Z6 as I had Nikon lenses).

I am one of those awkward learners you were mentioning last night. I know I have to ask questions and get out to practice, practice, practice. You inspired me to go out more even in these times (alone). I do go out, yet I’m not playing/fully understanding my settings. So I got it last night. I understand the histogram which I use all the time, however, you added a new dimension that I don’t do, bringing the black to the middle to get the details while not blowing out the whites which I do often especially when I was in the Calanques in Southern France in the middle of the day.

Well, all this to say, from my perspective you have been the number 1 speaker/presenter so far this fall. We do have Freeman Paterson over the course of the year so that is no small comment. I guess it is different work and maybe my attraction to animals (not necessarily birds – probably because I’m not a good bird photographer) is what makes it more incredible.

Well, enough of the rambling, great evening and until our paths cross again.

Be safe. - Monique Pampel

Good morning Christopher,

Last evening I was a new member with L.C.C. "new member that joined the club an hour prior to your presentation"

I would like to express my sincere thanks for your great presentation last evening.

It was wonderful to listen to you sharing generously, being candid with information and tips as well as your experiences and anecdotes…….. - Jean-Louis Rousselle

From Facebook:

Fantastic presentation last night at the LCC. I loved it a lot. - Hans Kandert

From Instagram:

Thanks for an amazing presentation last night with Lakeshore CC. I learned a lot and will be trying your recommendations for exposing to the right of the histogram on my next outing. I have an A7II and a 70-300 G zoom. I also use a canon 24-105 from my old 5D Mk1 kit with the MC-11 adapter. I was interested to hear you are originally a "Northerner." I am also from the north of England, Buxton in the Peak District, and have been here since 1980. Take care. - Stephen Johnson

From the live chat:

World-class presentation! Thanks Fauna Chairs! - Ron Harper

Incredibly informative and fascinating presentation, Chris. thank you so much! - Marianna Armata

Those are amazing images. - Norm Horner

Thanks! Great Tips! - Walter Santelli

What a great tip. Thanks. - Norm Horner

Absolutely amazing images. - Eleen Webb

What a great presentation..Superb... - Muslim Harji

It's absolutely FANTASTIC, Chris! Very beautiful images and very instructive. Many, many thanks! - Serge Gagné

10 800 hours of practice, according to Malcolm Gladwell. It applies to The Beatles, concert pianists and wildlife photographers. - Norm Horner

great - Gabriel Berberian

Wow!!! Fantastic instruction, Chris!!! - Serge Gagné

Wow stunning. - Paula

so beautiful! - Min Qian

That Ile Bizard owl image is really stunning. - Norm Horner

All his owl photos are incredible. Lots of valuable info. - lorid

Amazing images and fantastic commentary and tips. Really appreciate Chris sharing his wealth of wisdom with the club. - Chris Kanters

Amazing presentation. Thank you Chris. - Ann Arial

Thanks to our Fauna Group for organizing this excellent evening with Chris Dodds. His images were amazing and his advice was great (for me, histograms). - Norm Horner

Very educational. Great presentation! - Walter Santelli

Wow! - Pierre Laviolette

Bravo! - Stewart Harding

Wow! Great presentation! - Elaine Chubry

So wonderful work and presentation and so clear explanations. I do not remember when I learned so much. Thanks Chris - Maria Korab-Laskowska

unbelievable! - Andreas Orfanos

Awesome presentation! - Marg Foley

Sensational! - Paula

Amazing! Thanks for the stories, too. - Ruth Boisvert-Blair

Excellent presentation, beautiful photos.Thanks. - Debbie Wright

Wonderful presentation. \\\\ - ry

excellent, merci, j'ai appris pleins de trucs - Jean-Marc Legentil

Terrific presentation. Thanks for sharing Chris - ry

Curious Harp Seal Pup

Facts About Harp Seals

1. Harp seals grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) long and weigh up to 300 pounds (136 kg).

2. Harp seals can live for an estimated 30 years.

3. Harp seal pups are born with long white fur that helps them absorb sunlight and stay warm while they’re still developing blubber. Pups shed their white fur after about three to four weeks old.

4. Harp seals are highly migratory and can travel more than 3,100 miles (4,989 km) roundtrip to feed.

5. Harp seals can stay underwater for at least 16 minutes at a time.

6. Harp seals Harp seals are named for the curved, black patch on their backs, which resembles a harp.1

7. Harp seals have a diverse diet, eating at least 67 species of fish and 70 species of invertebrates.

8. Harp seals prefer shallow water but can dive as deep as 1,312 feet (400 m).

9. Harp seals are the most abundant species of pinniped (seals, sea lions and walruses) in the northern hemisphere.

10. Aside from sharks, killer whales, and polar bears, the seals' worst enemies are human hunters.

Harp Seal Whitecoat Pup

The harp seal pup often has a yellow-white coat at birth due to staining from amniotic fluid, but after one to three days, the coat turns white and stays white for 2–3 weeks, until the first molt.

Harp Seal mother and pup HOWL

Dr. Jack Terhune studied seal communication at the University of New Brunswick and has measured the amplitude of seal calls. His research has shown that harp seals, often living in groups of up to 150, can alter the pitch of their calls so that each seal can be heard. Off the coast of Newfoundland, there are between 5.5 and 6.5 million harp seals in regular migration up and down the eastern seaboard. One seal’s call could be heard by 10,000 other seals at a range of two to four kilometers away, so the changes of pitch and frequency are important to avoid overlap.

Bald Eagle Winterscape

I’ve long been wary about joining a workshop with a “big name” pro. I’ve heard (and witnessed) a litany of workshop horrors, ranging from egomaniac leaders to unwieldy, unhappy groups. Plus, as a professional photographer, I did not think that I would learn much from a workshop. Indeed, I teach photography and postproduction.

Chris Dodds’ Eagles Galore workshop changed my mind. Although he is a supremely talented photographer, Chris is approachable and friendly, and he works tirelessly to make sure that everyone in the group has a fantastic experience. He limits the workshops to a small, manageable size. And, in spite of my I’m-a-professional-and-don’t-need-help attitude, I am a better photographer for having joined the workshop. After spending a week with Chris, my flight photography is materially improved. (Chris is an expert on the nuances of servo autofocus, for example.) Chris also taught several useful post-production techniques that I now use routinely in my workflow.

The true measure of any photo trip, however, is the photos. Chris’ stated goal is for every workshop participant to go home with images that Chris would be proud to call his own. He means it. The eagle photography was fantastic. I came home with several dozen “portfolio grade” images, plus thousands of strong shots. Indeed, the single biggest complaint from my fellow workshop participants is the number of eagle shots that they had to sort through when they got home.

I’ve already registered for another workshop with Chris.

Andrew Kelley Denver, Colorado USA

Bald Eagle LOCK-ON

“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

Save the date! I will be hosting a presentation at The Camera Store sponsored by Sony of Canada on Dec. 9, 2020 at 19:00 MST. The event is free and open to all. Register HERE.

The Camera Store and Sony Presents Bird & Nature Photography with Sony Mirrorless Cameras

I am looking forward to a whole bunch of virtual presentations in the near future. Join me at The Camera Store on December 9 for a virtual presentation sponsored by Sony of Canada.

Bald Eagle

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

Bald Eagle fishing in golden light

“Chris, Thanks for another great photo adventure to Alaska during your Eagles of Alaska photograpic Expedition!!!!!!
This is the third trip with you and they keep getting better. Always challenging. Always easy-going. Always taking my photography forward. (Take a look at my site for a few new pictures from Alaska.) Your instruction is the best I've experience in taking these kinds of trips. You always seem to know where to put us in the absolute best place. Top Notch!!!! Can't wait till the next one.....wherever that might be. Thanks again!!!!!!!”

— Jeff Moore Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA

Bald Eagle

The Versatility of the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens for bird/wildlife photographers is hard to beat! This image was made at 200mm which is where I reset the lens after each flight sequence so that I wouldn’t clip wings when the next Eagle flew-in or took-off. My LAST POST (Bald Eagle Singing) is a portrait with the same lens at 600mm. The edge-to-edge sharpness is incredible and the value is off the charts.

Bald Eagle Singing

ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ki-ker is as close as I can describe the song of the Bald Eagle. Always sends shivers down my spine. and I never tire of it.

The biggest mistake most people make when trying to photograph singing birds is not using a fast enough shutter speed; those mandibles don’t stop moving!

The second biggest mistake is framing the image too tight. Eagles usually move their head while calling; often, but not always, stretching out toward the sky, so be ready to rotate your camera to vertical.