Atlantic Puffin flying with fish against golden cliffs

Christopher Dodds August 20, 2024

It takes a minute for the dust to settle before we can fully appreciate everything we witness and experience. Looking back through the memories of my recently completed five sold-out, back-to-back Deluxe Atlantic Puffin workshops, I can’t help but feel somewhat overwhelmed by them. There are those moments frozen in time by my camera, but there are also the moments standing on the beach before sunrise, waiting for the imagess to emerge from the scene. It’s not only about the images! I keep thinking about new friendships and when a client starts to understand a new technique or theory or, perhaps, realizes that exposure theory may be simpler than they thought. That’s what makes me happy!

“The Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshop Photo Tour was fantastic! The island is remote, and Chris helped me with some complex travel arrangements. The location is beautiful, away from other people getting in your shots. There are many photo ops on the island, many razerbills, gulls, and my favorite, 1,000s of puffins. We were able to shoot them on land, taking off, flying, and bringing back fish. Not only is Chris an internationally renowned wildlife photographer, he is an incredible teacher. He assessed each of our photography skills and worked with us at our level, answering questions and making suggestions. We were able to shoot several times each day. He would walk around the island and let us know if there were spots that were especially good, helping us find the best opportunities. We stayed in the lightkeepers inn, which was very nice. Our French chef was fantastic, and prepared meals with several options. I especially liked the eggs Benedict and salmon. I would strongly recommend this tour to photographers at any level, beginner to advanced. Thank you Chris! ”

— Victoria Steelman | Iowa, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

**Atlantic Puffin flying with fish against golden cliffs** (*Fratercula arctica*, Macareux moine, ATPU) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony A9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm. ISO 12,800, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Northern Gannets Nest Building

Christopher Dodds June 24, 2024

This pair of Northern Gannets attempted to build their nest with fresh vegetation on a rock, but it kept getting blown away. This image was made the only time I saw the birds pointed toward me during the six days I was there for my Gannets Galore and so much more workshops; it lasted only a fraction of a second…

**Northern Gannets Nest Building** (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA) from my GANNETS GALORE WORKSHOP at Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Sony Alpha a9 III Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens & Sony 1.4X Tele-extender @840mm. ISO 320, f/8 @ 1/80s Manual exposure. Almost full frame image (slightly cropped top to 4 x 5 aspect ratio).

Northern Gannets Lovebirds

Christopher Dodds June 16, 2024

A pair of Northern Gannets “fencing” during my Gannets Galore and so much more workshops in Quebec. After one mate returns to the nest (in this case, the super clean one on the right), Gannets greet each other by facing each other, often touching, calling, and shaking heads side to side as their bills clack together (fencing; think sword-fighting a la “on guard”), bowing, and finally preening each other’s necks.

While I often strive to isolate the subject using a longer focal length, I chose not to increase my reach by switching to the 2X tele-extender after realizing that I love the added interest of the second, out-of-focus pair of Gannets in the lower right-hand corner.