American Bald Eagle SINGING (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) from my BALD EAGLE WORKSHOP in Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless camera & Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @600mm f/7.1 ISO 1,250 @ 1/5,000s.
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.
American Bald Eagle STORMFLIGHT (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) from my BALD EAGLE WORKSHOP in Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless camera & Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens @298mm f/6.3 ISO 2,500 @ 1/5,000s.
An image from an epic day during my last Bald Eagle Workshop in Alaska. I love photographing on overcast days, especially when there is a fresh blanket of snow to reflect the ambient light and illuminate the underside of dark bards like the Eagle here. The big problem is all of the resulting images have bright white backgrounds (if you expose the subject correctly) without much (if any) detail in the sky. To solve the problem, and make the image resemble what we saw with our eyes, I replaced the white sky in the image with a separate image of the sky in Photoshop. The resulting composite image has loads of visual impact.
American Bald Eagle PREDAWN CALL (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) from my BALD EAGLE WORKSHOP in Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©2005 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. 500mm f/4 ISO 400, f/4 @ 1/250s Manual exposure.
Here’s another Bald Eagle image from way back in 2005. I remember just how cold and windy it was on the Homer Spit that day; everyone else was hiding inside the hotel, and by noon the police had closed the spit because the waves at high tide were washing over the road and leaving boulders it their wake. I was out before dawn and found this Eagle on a sheltered perch behind a huge and ugly oil or gas tank (the kind you would expect to see at a refinery). It didn’t look like there would be much light, but I knew this was the best opportunity, and decided to stick with it. I made several images during the brief predawn storm light that morning; this one is a favorite.
I have one opening on my March 5-9, 2020 Eagles Galore trip due to cancellation. Learn more HERE.
American Bald Eagle REFLECTION 2 (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) from my BALD EAGLE WORKSHOP in Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©2005 Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. 100-400mm @ 180mm ISO 400, f/8 @ 1/200s Manual exposure.
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!
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.
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.
American Bald Eagle ICE FISHING from my recent 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 @200mm ISO 500, f/5.6 @ 1/4,000s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
Here's a fun one from my recent Bald Eagle Workshop. I have some secret, and out of the way, spots where I head as fast as possible once it snows; the dark, flat water really makes the snowflakes pop. It's not a bad place to be when there is no snow and the light is nice too ;)
Freeze Frame
The image is made with Canon's new 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS II USM lens and my 1DX. Talk about a sweet and versatile lens! I keep finding myself going on about just how sharp and quick the lens is, that I forget to remind you all that techinique and practice both play a major roll in the final product. In keeping with my mantra; I used a shutter speed of 1/4,000 of a second to be sure to freeze every detail of the Eagle's wings, and any motion I may have made with the lens while following the Eagle's flight path. Like a windmill blade, slow movement of my lens results in a really fast movement at the distance where you are focused. Always ensure you have enough shutter speed to freeze movement and extract every ounce of detail from your images. A good start is 1/3,200 of a second and 1/4,000 or 1/5,000 is even better!
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
American Bald Eagle FISHING DREAMS (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 300mm F2.8 L IS USM with Jobu L-Bracket Hand Held ISO 2,000, f/2.8 @ 1/3,200s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
He's an Eagle fishing in a rather dreamy snowfall from my Bald Eagle Workshop last March. If you would like to have the opportunity to learn the skill set to reliably get the shot timed, framed and exposed properly, then do consider joining me for the adventure of a lifetime. I'm never completely satisfied until you get the images I would be proud to call my own. Only a few seats left! For more information or to sign-up, CLICK HERE
On Monday September 9th, 2013, I had the pleasure of making my third presentation to the Montreal Camera Club; my first visit there since becoming a Canon Northern Explorer of Light. It was truly a great evening for me to meet-up with some old and talented friends.
Last night (Sept. 9, 2013) Christopher Dodds was our guest speaker at The Montreal Camera Club's opening meeting of our 2013-14 season. The club over the years has had many guest speakers, but last night was something extra special. We had a full house and for a little over 2 hours everyone was just hanging on to every word that was spoken and in awe of every images that was shown. I can't ever remember all the people in the hall being so quiet. It is a tribute to Christopher and his speaking ability and the way he shares his knowledge of photography and the equipment he uses. It was a great evening I wish everyone could have been there.
Thank you Canon Canada for making all this possible. I am sure that I won't be the only one to tell you that you have a gem on your Canon Northern Explorer of Light team in Christopher Dodds.
Thank you once again.
John Zimmerman Past President, Montreal Camera Club
American Bald Eagle MAJESTY (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 300mm F2.8 L IS USM with Jobu L-Bracket Hand Held ISO 1,250, f/2.8 @ 1/3,200s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
Another Bald Eagle image from my epic Bald Eagle Photography Workshop in Alaska this past March. Seats are selling quickly for 2014, so I've added another session; limited space is available from March 12-16, 2014 and March 17-21, 2014. This truly is the very best Alaska has to offer and we spend more time out on the water than anyone else. Do consider joining this opportunity to photograph hundreds of Eagles fishing within 300mm lens working distance. This is only for those who love high volume opportuniies and shooting at a furious pace!
I'm thrilled to announce yeat another series of Canon Northern Explorers of Light seminars at Photo Service in Montreal (222, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Vieux-Montréal near Métro Place-d'Armes). They are sponsored by the Canon Northern Explorers of Light program and are free to attend. Each session will be about two hours long and I will cover a huge amount of tips and techniques in French. This is an awesome way to learn the tips & techinques I use every day in the field - all for free (thanks Canon). Click the link below to register:
American Bald Eagle WINTER DREAMSAPE (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 300mm F2.8 L IS USM with Jobu L-Bracket Hand Held ISO 2,000, f/2.8 @ 1/3,200s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
Here's another Bald Eagle fishing image from my EPIC Bald Eagle Photography Workshop/Safari in March. Yet again, the conditions were some of the very best Eagle photography on the planet. Looking at the results from everyone who joined the workshop; I'd have to say I achieved my goal of making sure everyone went home with images I would be proud to call my own. My years of experience there put us all in the right place at the right time and Mother Nature gracefully co-operated and added a sprinkle of icing sugar every now and than when it snowed. Join me in March 2014 for my Bald Eagle Photography Workshop / Safari - there's still a few spots up for grabs.
Canon 600mm f/4 L IS USM II with TravelCoat and Hoodie Lens Cap by LensCoat & replacment foot by Jobu Designs (use coupon code NATURE at the Jobu store to save 15%)©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 85mm f/1.2 L USM with Jobu L-Bracket Hand Held ISO 1,000, f/2.8 @ 1/125s Manual mode.
I travel an awful lot with camera gear and have seen everything while clearing airport security. Although I have never had anything broken by the airport security agents, I have seen my share of big lenses take tumbles while they have opened my camera bag in awkward positions. Once, I saw my 500 f/4 IS L USM almost hit the floor while they were swabbing my open camera bag; the agent flipped the cover closed and turned the bag over to swab the harness without zipping it closed. When I lunged forward and caught my lens ... well, you can imagine the outcome was a little over-the-top with guns out of holsters. Both my lens and I survived the ordeal when everyone realized what had happened; phew!
I have only just recently discovered the TravelCoat by LensCoat and am now comforted knowing my expensive lenses are protected so very well for so very little. The TravelCoat for my 600mm f/4 L IS USM II is only US$64.99. Well designed, custom fit and made of 3mm thick closed cell neoprene, the TravelCoat is a tiny investment to protect your ulta expensive lenses. Once in the field, the TravelCoat stows nicely in my camera bag and my LensCoat and Hoodie Lens Cap take-over the job of protecting my lens when I'm out & about.
Do consider suporting this site and purchase your TravelCoat, LensCoat and Hoodie Lens Cap by clicking on this banner:
American Bald Eagle Fishing Silhouette (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DX, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM @ 300mm with Jobu L-Bracket Hand Held ISO 1,000, f/5.6 @ 1/1,250s Manual mode. Click HERE to order a print or license image for publication.
We had a blast photographing hundreds of Bald Eagles that were fishing along the shores of Kenai Peninsula National Park in Kachemak Bay during my recent Bald Eagle Photo Tour. The flat water and amazing light produced some incredible silhouettes for everyone. The trip was a huge success and my many years of leading small groups there had us in the right place at the right time every time. My March 2014 Bald Eagle Photo Tour details are on-line and live; do consider joining me for what is always a photographic trip of a liftime for all who attend.
I am thrilled and honoured to officially become the very first CANON NORTHERN EXPLORER OF LIGHT. Canon Canada has now issued a press release outlining the program, it's other members and launching their new Canon Pro website. Congratulations go out to Canon and all of the others who received the great honour!
New program and website inspire amateur photographers to shoot like the pros.
PRESS RELEASE: MISSISSAUGA, ON, 17 April 2013 - Canon Canada Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions celebrating its 40th anniversary, announced today the launch of the Northern Explorers of Light program and its accompanying website www.canon.ca/pro. The Northern Explorers of Light are a prestigious group of seven Canadian imaging professionals who serve as ambassadors for the Canon brand and share their photographic passions and technical expertise with aspiring photographers.
The Northern Explorers of Light program is an extension of Canon USA’s popular Explorers of Light program, created in the mid-1990s. The new Northern members join the ranks of more than 50 Explorers whose specialties and styles span a wide range of photographic disciplines including photojournalism, travel and wildlife photography, portraiture, and television and film production. The Explorers’ use of Canon EOS photographic equipment allows them to capture stunning images in unrivalled clarity and detail. Many Explorers also use Canon’s large format printers and high-resolution REALiS projectors to produce and display their art. The Northern Explorers of Light will share their knowledge and enthusiasm with Canadians through workshops, speaking engagements, appearances at industry events, and social media outreach.
“The Northern Explorers of Light are some of the most gifted and influential imaging professionals in Canada,” said Ian Macfarlane, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group and Market Development Group, Canon Canada. “This program provides a unique resource for creativity and inspiration among photo enthusiasts, giving them access to the unsurpassed talent and skill of Canada’s elite photographers, and allowing them to improve their own techniques.”
The seven Northern Explorers of Light are:
• Todd Korol Calgary, AB
• John Lehmann Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Patrick Nichols – Toronto, ON
• Camille Fortin Bensler and Chadwick Bensler (JONETSU STUDIOS) - Vancouver, BC
• Ed O’Neil – Toronto, ON
• Christopher Dodds – Huntingdon, Quebec.
To support the program, Canon Canada is also launching www.canon.ca/pro, the online home of the Northern Explorers of Light and a forum for interactive discovery and discussion about photography. Targeted to curious and aspiring photographers and cinematographers, the site showcases the Northern Explorers and the tools they use to produce their work. Visitors can browse photo galleries and read articles written by the Northern Explorers about the stories behind some of their most iconic images. The site also features technical information about the professional Canon EOS equipment used to capture and display the photos and videos.
For more information on the Northern Explorers of Light, please visit www.canon.ca/pro