Northern Gannets

A Pair of Northern Gannets exchange nesting material at the Bonaventure Island Gannetry during my Gannets Galore workshop. This pair had built a nest on a rock, and the vegetation kept getting blown away; perhaps next year, they will return and make a mud bowl nest like all other Gannet pairs.

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 250, f/7.1 @ 1/1,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Northern Gannets Lovers

Sitting quietly and observing a colony of Northern Gannets interact is a magical gift. On a foggy morning in a sea of white, I picked out this loving couple with my telephoto lens, gently greeting one another after the closest bird returned from a fishing trip at sea. These beautiful birds pair for life (with frequent “out-of-nest” encounters - smile). Each season, they travel hundreds of miles to come together like long-lost lovers, to rekindle their commitment to one another before nesting. This was photographed in Eastern Quebec during my recent Gannets Galore and so much more workshops. I have pre-visualized this image for over a decade and come close several times, but the isolated subjects, eye contact and ethereal, diffused, low-contrast light make this one special for me; a favourite from the trip!

Northern Gannets Fencing (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 1,250, f/6.3 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Razorbill Last Call in Golden Light

Everyone joins my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins (and so much more) workshops for the Puffins, but the Razorbills are so beautiful and elegant. Often called the Penguins of the North, Razorbills are only found in the Atlantic Ocean.

Razorbill Last Call in Golden Light (Alca torda, Petit Pingouin, RAZO) from my Deluxe Puffins Galore Lighthouse Island Workshop Adventure. Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony 1.4X teleconverter (@840mm) ISO 1,600, f/5.6 @ 1/4,000s Manual exposure. Full Frame Image.

Atlantic Puffin landing with fish at first light

On the first morning of the first Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more Workshops last July 29, 2023, we were all on the beach well before the 04:43 sunrise. The Puffins were already streaming into their burrows with loads of fish for their growing Pufflings directly in front of us. It was dark, and a layer of fog threatened our golden light. The fog lifted by about 05:05, and this is one of a sequence of images made at 05:11 - our morning was a good one :)

Atlantic Puffin landing with fish at first light (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 Alpha 1 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 600mm f/4 G Master OSS Lens with Sony FE 1.4X Teleconverter @840mm. ISO 5,000, f/5.6 @ 1/3,200s Manual exposure. Full frame image.

Atlantic puffin silhouette

We were treated to some pretty spectacular sunsets during my five back-to-back Deluxe Puffins Galore workshops. This one was made in camera and then I pulled the blacks and added contrast in Photoshop.

Atlantic puffin silhouette

Last minute opportunity for my Deluxe Atlantic Puffins Galore and so much more workshop

There is only one room left for my recently announced August 10-13, 2022 Deluxe Atlantic Puffins and so much more workshop. If you want to master birds in flight photography and create a complete portfolio of Atlantic puffin images, then this is the trip for you.

July 29 to August 1 SOLD OUT

August 1 to 4 SOLD OUT

August 4 to 7 SOLD OUT

August 7 to 10 SOLD OUT

August 10 to 13 ONLY ONE ROOM LEFT!

Owl Photography Workshop Openings

There are a few last-minute cancellations for my Winter Owl Workshops. The season is off to an epic start with loads of owls arriving for the winter over the last few weeks. Learn more about my Snowy Owl Workshops HERE.

Snowy Winter Owl Safari Workshop Testimonial

I recently attended the snowy owls workshop with Christopher Dodds and had an amazing experience. Not only was I extremely impressed with Chris' knowledge and expertise in photography but also how he really cared about the shots we got. He made sure that everyone in the groups had the shots they wanted and that we all experienced success. His knowledge of cameras and photography is phenomenal. I have never met anyone who is a knowledgeable in photography as he is. He was able to answer any and every question and always explained the reasons behind his recommendations to make sure we learned as much as possible. The instruction didn't stop after shooting in the field. I learned so much in the Photoshop and Nik Software post-processing session that took my photography to a whole other level. The small group atmosphere was great as we were able to blend in with nature ensuring that the owls and other wildlife were not disturbed resulting in great shots every time. Chris made sure each of us were able to develop our skills at our own pace. The experience and the results were more that I could have asked for. I would definitely recommend Christopher Dodds workshops to anyone who is looking to improve their photography skills and learn from a real pro.

Fred Lemire - Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

Please do stop-by and have a look at my workshops; I work tirelessly to ensure my SMALL GROUPS (Maximum 6 participants) have the best photographic learning and photographic opportunities in the industry. Forget the large groups of 10,12 or more photographers & the missed opportunities they offer by just their very group size. No egos and I'm not happy unless you are producing images that I would love to have in my portfolio.

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.

Northern Hawk Owl

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

It's not too late!

Great Grey Owl (Strix nebulosa, Chouette Lapone, GGOW) Ontario, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless camera & Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens @220mm ISO 800, f/2.8 @ 1/2,500s Manual exposure. Full Frame.

It's not too late!

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 :)

KUDOS

Being a female on my first photo safari, I had some apprehensions before joining Chris on his acclaimed Winter Snowy Owl Safari.  I worried about safety, that I wasn't a good enough photographer for someone with Chris's acclaim, and that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the group on treks. My fears subsided on Day One, and I knew this would be a week I would never forget.  With the small group size, Chris was able to give each member the level of instruction they needed.  Beyond having great opportunities for owl pictures, I learned helpful things about owl behaviour, owl spotting techniques, operating the camera, processing images,  best clothing and gear for winter, and things like the "Dodds duffel toss" that help prevent injuries while putting my camera backpack on.
Chris has an extensive knowledge of exposure theory. He is a patient teacher, skilled in helping his participants gain a deep understanding of this critical element of photography. He demonstrated why it is important to capture as much detail as possible for the best possible print, then showed us how to accomplish it. During the week of ever changing light, he kept checking our work to make sure we were getting the best possible results.
I usually learn from books and enjoy photography as a solitary pursuit, but I enjoyed the camaraderie of this group experience and received many tips on world travel. The photo safari gave me time to immerse myself in photography and nature.  I'm already planning my next safari with Chris.

Karen Miller Pennsylvania, USA

 Thanks, Karen! To learn more about my workshops CLICK HERE.

Wood Duck FIREWOOD

Wood Duck FIREWOOD (Aix sponsa, Canard branchu, WODU) 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 400, f/8 @ 1/1,600s Manual exposure. Full Frame.

Here's a Wood Duck with brilliant fall foliage reflecting in the water. Mother Nature put on a spectacular foliage show and the weather was spectacular. Just before the light hit the foliage and the show began, the only other photographer there packed-up and left because there was only one Drake Wood Duck. I'm glad I stayed :)

KUDOS

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

Thanks, Carl! To learn more about my workshops CLICK HERE.

Semipalmated Plover with shrimp

Semipalmated Plover with a Shrimp (Charadrius semipalmatus, Pluvier semipalmé, SEPL) 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 4,000, f/8 @ 1/1,600s Manual exposure. Full Frame.

Here's a Semipalmated Plover with a shrip at the absolute minimum focusing distance from my recent PUFFINS GALORE DELUXE WORKSHOP. We had a great time with shorebirds on the seaweed covered rocks at low tide.

Razorbill and Puffin Silhouette

Atlantic Puffin & Razorbill SILHOUETTE (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU, Alca torda, Petit Pingouin, RAZO). From my DELUXE PUFFIN WORKSHOP 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 with 1.4X Tele-extender @ 560mm. Full frame image. ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/2,500s Manual exposure mode.

As I was carefully tracking the Razorbill with my camera vertically, when I got photobombed by an Atlantic Puffin :) 

Atlantic puffin SILHOUETTE

Atlantic Puffin SILHOUETTE (Fratercula arctica, Macareux moine, ATPU). From my DELUXE PUFFIN WORKSHOP 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 with 1.4X Tele-extender @ 560mm. Full frame image. ISO 1,600, f/8 @ 1/4,000s Manual exposure mode.

Common Murre FROZEN

Common Murre FROZEN (Uria aalge, guillemot marmette, COMU) From a Zodiac Hurricane 733 during my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island at Parc National de l'île Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Quebec, Canada. 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 6400, f/8 @ 1/5,000s Manual exposure mode.

Black and White Portrait of a Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet B&W PORTRAIT (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA) From my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island at Parc National de l'île Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS @ 400mm and minimum focusing distance. Full frame image. ISO 800, f/5.6 @ 1/4,000s Manual exposure mode.

Gannets Galore Workshop Last Minute Openings

Northern Gannet with Seaweed (Morus bassanus, Fou de Bassan, NOGA) From my Gannets Galore Workshop on Bonaventure Island at Parc National de l'île Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, Quebec, Canada. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds. Sony Alpha a9 Mirrorless Camera & Sony FE100-400 F4.5-5.6 G Master OSS @ 164mm. Full frame image (top to bottom; left and right cropped to square aspect ratio). ISO 640, f/5.6 @ 1/4,000s Manual exposure mode.

Two last minute openings

I have two last minute cancellations/openings for my Gannets Galore workshop on Bonaventure Island at Percé, Quebec from June 5 to 7, 2018 due to sudden illness. This is a last minute opportunity for what I feel to be the very best workshop to improve and perfect your bird photography skills! Includes daily four hour Zodiac excursion under the colony and all the Gannets you can imagine at the very best place to photograph them in the world. One of the true natural spectacles in the world! Read more & sign-up: CLICK HERE.

Savannah Sparrow with Caterpillar Mind the Background

Savannah Sparrow with Caterpillar (Passerculus sandwichensis, Bruand des prés, SASP) 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. ISO 640, f/8 @ 1/640s Manual exposure mode.

Mind the background

Aside from getting close to your subject, one of the more difficult things to accomplish is aligning the subject with the light source (The Sun) and a pleasing background. All too often I see photographers fill albums of photos of the same subject with the same backgrounds. The key to achieving a complete portfolio of a particular subject is to include many backgrounds and poses. Here I carefully manoeuvred myself so the sundried seaweed on the rocks below at low tide became my background of choice.

Atlantic Puffin Portrait a la Sony a9 and Sony 100-400 G Master Lens

Atlantic Puffin PORTRAIT (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 400, f/16 @ 1/200s Manual exposure mode.

VERO

I have download the new media sharing app Vero; It's kind of like Instagram, but without the advertining. Anyway, I am learning the ropes and do hope you join my network at VERO. I don't seem to be able to locate a specific URL which would point to my page, so please do search for me, Christopher Dodds, and join my network to see what all the fuss is about:

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!

Well, it looks like I get to spend another two weeks living the dream in Puffin Paradise again this year. By popular demand, I have just announced another back-to-back Deluxe Puffin Workshop from August 7 to 10. If you like Puffins and Razorbills, and like the fairytale-like dreamy idea of living on a small island in a newly restored lighthouse eating gourmet food while being surrounded by hundreds of Puffins and Razorbills, then this is the workshop for you.

This truly is a dream location and the Puffins and Razorbills get really close; so close, in fact, that my favourite lens there is the Sony 100-400mm G Master lens.  We get close enough for headshots, portraits and full-frame flight shots with fish in their beaks all at 400mm.

The long days in Eastern Canada ensure plenty of time with these comical seabirds, and we are on the island and on site ready for the golden light and action.

Please CLICK HERE to learn more about my August 7-10 Atlantic Puffin and Razorbill Workshop. This is your invitation to Puffin Paradise!