Bald Eagle The SCREAMIN' EAGLE

Bald Eagle The SCREAMIN' EAGLE (Hailiaeetus leucocephalus, Pygarge a tete blanche, BAEA) Kachemak Bay (near Homer), Alaska ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS 1DXS Mark III, 500mm f/4 L IS USM and Canon 2X and 1.4X Tele-converters II. ISO 400, f/13 @ 1/400s Manual. PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION HERE.

Here's an old favorite from my 2009 Eagles Galore Photo Tour. Posting today, as I prepare for my back-to-back Saint Paul Island and Coastal Brown Bear Boat charter in Alaska.

To me, apart from the incredible detail in this image, I really like the way we can see all of that detail in the mouth. I avoided the deep shadows of harsh light by working on an overcast day (with snow changing to rain and sleet), and avoided using a flash (which would have also created some pretty strong and distracting shadows). My collapsible 22" white reflector did a fantastic job of illuminating the inside of the Eagle's mouth (I won't mention the brand, just get the cheapest one available; the bigger it is, the softer the light).

Manual Mode for More Creative Control

Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus, Petite Nyctale) with sprinkle of snow and Meadow Vole (Field Mouse) Lunch. Ontario. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 70-200 F2.8 IS II @180mm. ISO 800, 1/100s F8 Manual. Hand held.580EXII Flash manual mode. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus, Petite Nyctale) Portrait. Ontario. Image Copyright ©Christopher Dodds All Rights Reserved. Canon EOS-1D MKIV, 70-200 F2.8 IS II @200mm with 1.4X Teleconverter. ISO 800, 1/80s F7.1 Manual. Hand held. Full Frame. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE A PRINT or LICENSE IMAGE FOR PUBLICATION.

Choose Manual Mode for MORE Creative Control

If you frequent this blog or my website, then you most probably know that I use MANUAL MODE most often; I expose for the ambient light and focus on making pleasing images. There is another compelling reason to choose manual mode; it makes the photographer (you) think about the three variables that lead to the correct exposure (ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture). What is their relation to the image you are trying to make: Are you photographing a landscape and do you need a large depth of field? A bird in flight and do you need to freeze the action? would you rather create a blur? A bird on a perch and do you want a shallow depth of field? Will changing the ISO help me to achieve the desired result? I find that most photographers in my workshops who use anything other than manual mode are completely unaware of all that is available to them. If you find yourself always choosing aperture priority, shutter priority or program mode, then give manual mode a try next time you get out with your camera.