Sandhill Crane landing in a dust storm

The last day of my Better than Bosque Workshop in New Mexico last December was overcast and extremely windy. Thousands of Sandhill Cranes landed before us as the afternoon progressed, making an incredible chorus of their rolling, trumpeting calls. As they foraged for freshly cut corn and preened, they disturbed quite a lot of dust, which acted as an ethereal diffuser at ground level. During the last few minutes of light, the sun tried to appear through the clearing cloud cover in the west; much like smoke, dust filters out part of the light spectrum and changes the colour temperature of the light. I love the resulting warm light and painterly quality of this image.

Sandhill Crane landing in duststorm (Grus canadenis, Grue du Canada, SACR) from my Better than Bosque workshop. Ladd S. Gordon Wildlife Management Area, New Mexico, USA. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 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.

“Your workshop (Best of Bosque) was wonderful - you chose a beautiful setting, and I sincerely appreciate your time and effort in putting together a great photographic experience. I learned so much from you over the course of the week, including an understanding of histograms, exposure, shutter speed and how various settings interact to achieve the effects we are trying to create. I appreciated your kindness and patience, and regular checking of my histograms, feedback, and answering any and all of my questions! I have some unexpectedly great photos, including sharp ones of the cranes in silhouette against the setting sun!!!”

— Marsha Lomis Ontario, Canada

Atlantic Puffin flying with a mouth full of fish and more Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop Kudos

“The “Puffins Galore” workshop is an amazing experience that I highly recommend without hesitation. To observe and photograph Puffins from first thing in the morning to the end of the day is truly a gift. Chis is a wonderful teacher, giving easy to understand instruction with visible results—my photographic skills improved each day. The location in the Mingan Archipelago is breathtaking and the staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. Our chef Jenny was incredible! DO NOT MISS THIS EXPERIENCE!!”

— Suzanne Kavic | New York, USA Deluxe Puffins Galore 2024

Here are group photos of the five happy and wonderful groups. The last-minute cancellations are missing from the pictures: Delwyn booked two back-to-back trips (Entry visa delays), David and Wipada (hurricane Debbie flight cancellations), and David and Deborah (illness).

Peter, Susan, Caleb, Ursula, Me, Marion, Tina, and Laurie.

Randy, Me, Carl, Leigh and Belinda.

Victoria, Kara, Elizabeth, John, Gary, Suzanne, Me and Laura.

Me, Pablo, Suize, Dennis and Raymond.

Chuck, Louise, Connie, Me, André, John and René.

Atlantic Puffin Flying with Fish at Sunrise

Special thanks to all my clients (friends) who made my five back-to-back Deluxe Puffins Galore workshops successful. We had fantastic weather, exceptional photography, and more Puffins with fish than usual, all mixed with lots of learning and good times. Did I mention the food? Smile!

“I had a spectacular time! It is a once-in-a-lifetime, wonderful adventure with Chris on Ile Aux Peroquets, a tiny island paradise! I was able to get up-close shots of Puffins as well as many in-flight shots of these comical birds. I also learned about proper exposure! Fields of wildflowers, gourmet food and comfy accommodations were the finishing touches on this unique, cool workshop!

Thank you so much!”

— Kara Mason | New York, USA | Deluxe Puffins Galore Workshop 2024

On the morning of August 9, 2024, we all waited patiently. The fog magically lifted as the sun projected its magical golden rays at sunrise. This is the first frame from that morning session:

Atlantic Puffin flying with fish at sunrise (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.

Atlantic Puffin over wildflowers & Kudos

I just received the best text:

My friends and I are nearly full-time workshop participants. We love being guided around the world, photographing wildlife with experts and other like-minded people. Finding and travelling with Chris Dodds, however, was a special gift. He TRULY knows the areas in which his workshops are held. He knows the people, the wildlife, and their behaviour. And, of course, he knows photography and how to teach. Now when I’m shooting, I’m channelling Chris and what he’s taught me. - Linda Scher - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (Winter Snowy Owls 2023, Songbirds of Pelee 2023 & Deluxe Atlantic Puffins 2023)

Northern Parula

Northern Parulas can be difficult to see and photograph as they rapidly flit and hop primarily through the upper levels of the forest and subcanopy, but during migration they also forage in the understory. We had a few moments with this species during my recently concluded SONGBIRDS OF PELEE WORKSHOP.

“Thanks again Chris for an amazing week! Lots of photo ops, great teachings and wonderful company! Now I just need to go through the thousands of photos I took, and then...decide which of your workshops to do next!!!”

— Louise Bertrand (Quebec, Canada) Songbirds of Pelee workshop May, 2023

Joe Norton Eagles Galore Testimonial

“I have finally been able to make time to sit down to thank Christopher Dodds for a wonderful Bald Eagle Photography Trek on Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska this past March, 2023! What a glorious, wonderful trip this was. I can highly recommend this if you are a fan of Bald Eagles and Photography. I have been fortunate to capture images of Bald Eagles across the “lower 48”, but never have I had an experience with eagles like this! One again, Chris’s experience and knowledge about wildlife and bird photography, as well as about our target subject, the majestic Bald Eagle, made this an experience I will never forget. He is a highly professional photography trek leader, with a constant aim of not stressing our target wildlife as well as a focus on the safety and well being of his trek participants. As this trek involved travelling twice a day across Kachemak Bay to various shore landings via “water taxi” (think miniature landing craft with bow ramps) on sometimes steep rocky shores, this was paramount to ensure neither participant nor photography equipment went swimming. As a no longer young photographer with what might be considered some mobility limitations, I remain highly appreciative of the support and assistance of Chris, our boat captain and his mate in this regard. The weather gods smiled on us this trip and gave us fantastic dawns, sunrises and afternoons with wonderful light. In addition, we never found ourselves without Eagles to photograph. I came home with a more than large portfolio of outstanding images of Eagles flying, diving, chasing, striking fish, twisting, turning, flipping and even “posing for portraits”! It is only recently that I have trekked with Christopher Dodds, this being my second trip with him. My highest recommendation is that I will be looking forward to trekking with Chis again.”

— Joe Norton Illinois, USA

Osprey in flight in golden light

We had an epic time with fantastic light, weather, ospreys and ospreys with fish during both of my Ospreys Galore workshops on Lake Blue Cypress in Florida. It was fantastic to be out on the lake with some new and some old friends.

“Hi Chris, Thank you for the magical photography experience on Lake Blue Cypress. The opportunity to witness and capture images of this annual ritual of the osprey life cycle was truly a privilege. The setting and expertise of you and the captain were perfection, with the weather and wind in remarkable compliance for the ideal opportunities for memories of a lifetime. Thank you again for putting together this wonderful experience. Honestly, I am in awe of the photos that came out of my camera— you set me up for success! Thank you so much for this!”

— Marsha Lomis (Ontario, Canada)

More Snowy Owl workshop kudos

Images copyright and courtesy Dave Christopher.

“I wanted to take a moment and let you know how much I appreciated your Snowy Owl workshop last week (Jan 23-27, 2023). You impressed me with your intimate knowledge of the owls. You knew where they would be, and what they were going to do before they did it. And you were right! I also appreciated your vast knowledge of photography and your willingness to share as needed. I enjoyed the conversation in the van, the humor and your attempt at singing (not the best but great effort!).

But first and foremost, I judge a photography workshop on the number of “wall hanger” photos I get. I can honestly say that I’ve never come home from a workshop with more keeper photos than this one. I’m attaching 3 photos from the week that I like a lot, but could easily attach another 15+ that I like equally as well. My home photo gallery will be greatly enhanced!

Thanks Chris, for a great week! I’ll definitely be doing more of your workshops in the future!”

— Dave Christopher USA (January 23-27, 2023 Owl Workshop)

Snowy Owl Workshop Testimonials

Snowy Owl images copyright and courtesy of Joe Norton

“I just returned home from a trip to Ontario, Canada with Christopher Dodds to look for and photograph Snowy Owls. The weather was cold and snowy, but not necessarily Snowy Owl cold, so I was worried that the Snowy Owls might be thin on the ground. Christopher Dodds deserves kudos and my thanks! He led our photo trek and put me (and the others in the party I joined) in position to see, watch, track and photograph Snowy Owls. I was able to capture wonderful images of Snowy Owls at rest, in flight, on the hunt, on the ground in the fields, in blowing snow! Outstanding photographic results for me, better than I anticipated. From the get go it was obvious that Christopher Dodds knows his Snowy Owls and wildlife photography. He is an excellent photography trek leader, knowledgeable, personable, professional and helpful to me and the others in our group at every turn. I am impressed with Christopher as a photography trek leader, particularly as his focus was on his clients at all times, and the well being of the Owls. He ensured that we did everything possible to not stress or disturb the Owls in their habitat. Of particular note Christopher is not a photography trek leader who spends his time with his own camera, taking his own photographs. He spent all his time with us locating Owls, coaching us, helping us with our equipment and camera settings, and letting us know what to expect and when to expect an Owl to fly, in what direction, and when. What an outstanding experience! Thank you, Christopher. I hope to enjoy another trek with you soon.”

— Joe Norton - USA (Jan. 23-27, 2023 workshop)

“I enjoyed the experience and appreciate your vast knowledge of birds and the respect you have for birds & nature!
I was pleased to see you not bait birds and at no time did we flush birds or approach them in an unethical way just for good photos.”

— Deb Bryk - USA (Feb. 13-17, 2023 workshop)

Snowy Owl Fire Flight

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

Amazingly, there is still one spot left due to last minute cancellation:

Sandhill Crane Banking

Another Sandhill Crane from my recent Best of Bosque workshop. This was made at my favourite spot along the north loop of the reserve; I just love the background!

Kudos:

“Your workshop (Best of Bosque Dec. 2022) was wonderful - you chose a beautiful setting, and I sincerely appreciate your time and effort in putting together a great photographic experience. I learned so much from you over the course of the week, including an understanding of histograms, exposure, shutter speed and how various settings interact to achieve the effects we are trying to create. I appreciated your kindness and patience, and regular checking of my histograms, feedback, and answering any and all of my questions! I have some unexpectedly great photos, including sharp ones of the cranes in silhouette against the setting sun!!!”

— Marsha Lomis Ontario, Canada

Join me at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico for my Dec. 5-9 workshop. LEARN MORE HERE.

Join me at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico for my Dec. 5-9 workshop. LEARN MORE HERE.

Atlantic puffin Singing Praise

Puffin singing praise:

I found Chris via the strong images on his web site.

Having now taken two of his photo workshops, I have seen a significant improvement in my images due to improved capture and post processing techniques. Having taken many other wildlife photo workshops, Chris stands out for his top notch instruction. His workshops provide many excellent photo opportunities.

If you are serious about your photography and want to get better, Chris can help you in many ways. He is willing and able to explain what he is doing and why he is doing it. He emphasizes not only the vision but also the execution in the field and the post processing.

It was fun shooting with and learning from Chris. I give a hearty recommendation to anyone considering a photo workshop with Chris, a recommendation I plan to follow.

Carl Zanoni Connecticut, USA

I want to thank you again for one of the best photo workshops I have ever attended. The trip to Northern Quebec to photo Puffins was truly an adventure. I was very impressed with the planning you put into ever aspect of the tour. Everything ran smoothly and the opportunity to photograph these amazing birds was an experience I will not soon forget. I also appreciate the time you spent with each of us to make sure we got the best possible result from whatever equipment we were using. Your technique for reducing noise while maximizing detail when shooting at high ISO's was particularly helpful. No one had ever explained the science behind this and now it makes a lot of sense. This trip was everything I had hoped for and I look forward to joining you again in the future.

Chuck Raines Camarillo, California

Atlantic puffin with fish Vertical

Kudos:

My teenage son (an avid youth nature photographer) and I just came back from Chris' Puffin trip. We had a day of pouring rain, a day of cloud cover and a day of sunshine and Chris gave practical advice on how to get great images no matter what the weather. Chris is skilled at meeting each photographer where they are as he gives individual customized attention out in the field. Chris uses a variety of teaching strategies (including great metaphors!) to make complex information concrete and understandable. My son came back with incredible images - puffin portraits in beautiful golden light, puffins and razorbills with fish in flight, beautiful groupings, single puffins in grass, flowers and rocky cliffs. He also came back with a wealth of tips, tools and strategies. And amidst all of the superb photography instruction and individualized attention, there was also lots of camaraderie and great stories. Chris is not only an excellent teacher but an outstanding host. Can't wait for our next Chris Dodds adventure!

- Deborah & Christopher Graham Ontario | Canada

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

Snowy Owl Topside Bank

“Chris, the Owl Trip was fantastic.

Chris led our Canadian photography adventure trip for Snowy Owl photography. He showed an excellent knowledge of local geography and territory habitat for the owls, and brought them into range with a safe approach away from roads in an ethical and responsible manner. Chris’ awareness of both light and wind kept the owls in front of us, resulting in some fantastic images. His willingness to offer technical advice and solutions was appreciated by all participants in the workshop.”

— Thomas D Knoop - New Jersey, USA

Snowy Owl Workshop Kudos

“The shot is 20” x 50”. We are so pleased.

I hope the Snowy Owl workshops after ours were half as good ours. You must have had a lot of snow. We were very lucky.

I still can’t believe we were 5 men; 2 Germans, 1 Brit, 1 Kuwaiti and me, the lone Canadian. They travelled extensively to see Snowies and we were thrilled every morning and afternoon that we went out to shoot these magnificent creatures.”

— John L. Block Montréal, Québec, Canada

Great Gray Owls Courtship

Great Grey Owls Courtship (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) 2005 Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. 120mm ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/1,600s

Here's one from 2005 that seems like a lifetime ago! After making about 80 images, I just had to step back from the camera and watch; the interaction was amazing! There is still a couple of spots left for my otherwise sold-out Winter Owl Workshops in January. This winter is already proving to be the start of a great winter for Owls :)

The very best photo trip I have ever joined!

What can I say? Your Winter Owl Photo Tour was an absolute sensory overload of owls, knowledge and fun! A smashing success! I have to say this was the very best photo trip I have ever joined (and I have joined many). It was an EPIC adventure, and it was a huge success; with your help, I managed to pull off an incredible portfolio of Owl images that was miles better than I could have imagined! Just like your stated goal; I can attest to the fact that the single most important objectives for you as the leader is for your clients to achieve an EPIC portfolio that you would have been proud to call your own, and for everyone to learn. Mission accomplished, my friend…many fold. I would have been thrilled with just one of the hundreds of EPIC images that I created under your wise guidance. You will see me again on another workshop soon. I can offer anyone considering this trip the following advice: DO IT! You won’t regret it. Chris works extremely hard for you to get the very best images; images that will impress everyone. He’s fun and eager to teach anyone, regardless of their abilities. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Peter Frost London | England

Bald Eagle Trophy in Golden Light

American Bald Eagle Trophy in Golden Light (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 640, f/2.8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure.

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

White-rumped Sandpiper

White-rumped Sandpiper (Calidris fuscicollis, Bécasseau à croupion blanc, WRSA) Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens  with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @1,200mm ISO 2,500, f/8 @ 1/1,600s Manual exposure. Full Frame.

A White-rumped Sandpiper photographed foraging in the seaweed with my Sony a9, Sony 600mm f/4 and 2X Teleconverter from my recent PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE WORKSHOP.

KUDOS:

My wife and I have taken two trips with Chris Dodds, Eagles in Homer, Alaska (EAGLES GALORE), and Puffins in Quebec (PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE EDITION), and both trips have produced a portfolio of epic photos.

The first trip to photograph Eagles was well-organized: transportation was outlined, a meeting place was established, and we received  suggestions as to equipment, clothing, weather, and what to expect well in advance. Chris had arranged our lodging, and upon arrival, we have a short briefing on what to expect during the course of the workshop. Transportation to the site was supplied, and to say the location and the subject was excellent is an understatement.
At times, we had forty-plus eagles overhead. Chris provided suggestions as to camera settings and provided whatever guidance was required during the shoot. Chris is very helpful and a fountain of knowledge of photography, but he doesn’t push it on you. And his head was never in the viewfinder of our cameras; he photographed, but never gave the feeling that he was on a shoot and his clients were just along for the ride.

The second trip was to Quebec to photograph Puffins. Again, the workshop was well-organized as outlined above: transportation to the site was suggested along with places to spend the previous night as we were to meet in a remote area with meager places to spend the night and dine. Boat transportation to the site was provided, and at times the puffins seemed to swarm. Chris gave us pointers on shooting small, fast-flying birds as well as the equipment necessary for closeup portrait of shy little subjects.

My wife and I have travelled all over the world, and Chris stands out among the many professional photographers we have been with. He is low key, has a good sense of humour (humour, in Canada) has a great knowledge of photography which he will share with any photographer in his groups, regardless of their experience level. We will certainly travel with Chris again.

Carl (and Cheryl) Shneider

Coastal Brown Bear Spring Cub

 

Coastal Brown Bear Spring Cub Standing (Ursus arctos) Hallo Bay, Katmai National Park, Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens  with Sony FE 2X Teleconverter @800mm ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/2,000s Manual exposure.

KUDOS:

Last week I finished editing my photos from the Alaska Bear Boat Trip, and I have lots of photos that I consider good.  After what I have learned in your workshops, I am very conservative to call a photo “good” but can report that I have many more good photos from the trip than I expected to get.

The photo opportunities in Katmai National Park were numerous, the weather was cooperative, and trips to shore resulted in excellent light.  You work hard to make your trips productive, informational, and an opportunity to improve one’s photography, and this trip was no exception.

The other participants were courteous and positive individuals with whom it was fun to share travel and photographic experiences.  As you know I have been on more than a dozen trips with you and often there are other repeat customers/photographers on the trips.  My experience is that the photographers who make multiple trips with you are always individuals with whom it is a pleasure to spend 3-7 days.  Many of these people are as interested in my photography as they are in their own, and frequently it is possible to learn from one another. These folks are friends by the end of the trip, and I look forward to seeing them again in the future.  The crew of the boat is helpful, the cook is experienced, the bear guide is knowledgeable, and the food is elegant.  It was amazing to eat so much good food on the boat considering the limited facilities and space in which to prepare the meals.

This trip is not inexpensive but is the most memorial trip which you offer.  The success of my photography from this trip is a result of the specific organization of this trip but also from the invaluable photographic expertise that I have gotten from your trips in this past.  I have and do recommend your trips to other photographers as a fun way to spend time and improve their photography.  You have helped me become a better photographer and I am happy to call you “friend”.   Best wishes to you and your wife, Julie.

Dennis