Do not waste your hard earned money

Probably most of you are going to relate to this article published on the FStoppers page, talking about those items that any new photographer buys and how they are often a waste of money.

 

Spectacular Sunrise

There is something magical about those quiet moments just after dawn, when the first rays of sunlight break through the trees and paint everything with a warm golden glow. This scene stopped me in my tracks. The soft light filtered through the moss draped branches, highlighting the textures of the old oaks and the path ahead.

I took this photo on a peaceful morning walk, when the air was still cool and the world seemed to wake up slowly. The golden light touching the leaves and tree trunks reminded me why I love photographing nature. It is not just about the scenery, but the feeling of calm and wonder that comes with it.

Sunrises like this one are fleeting, lasting only a few minutes before the light changes completely. But that is what makes them special, a gentle reminder to slow down, look around, and appreciate the beauty that nature offers every day.

As I approach 12 years of photographing wildlife and landscapes, moments like this remind me how rewarding it is to keep exploring, learning, and capturing the quiet beauty of the natural world.

Would you take the shot?

The popular wisdom among photographers says that the best results are achieved when you are at eye level with your subject. Avoid taking shots from a higher position, as the distance between your subject and the background becomes smaller and the image will not appear as attractive as when photographed at eye level.

But when you are shooting wildlife, you do not have many options. It is either take the shot or miss it. So, if you see a bird like the one in the picture above, would you capture the moment or let the opportunity that nature has given you slip away?

My opinion? I never waste an opportunity.

I wouldn’t consider the picture above to be bad, and here’s why:

Moment and Expression: You captured the bird mid-call, with its beak open and feathers slightly ruffled; that’s a dynamic, storytelling moment that adds life to the image. Those moments are hard to predict and even harder to catch sharply.

Lighting: The morning light beautifully enhances the bird’s black plumage, revealing the subtle iridescent tones and the red-and-yellow markings on the wings. That detail often gets lost in harsh or flat light.

Composition: The placement of the bird slightly off-center works well. The surrounding lily pads and reflections add a natural context without overwhelming the subject.

Depth and Contrast: Even though the photo is taken from slightly above (which some would avoid), the depth created by the water texture and lily pads makes it visually engaging.

So, even if it’s not “eye-level,” this image works because of its emotion, timing, and natural composition. In wildlife photography, the story often outweighs textbook composition rules — and this photo tells a strong one.

The best picture from last weekend

Migration has finally reached Florida. This weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph some of our visitors, and without a doubt, this one stands out as my favorite. 

This is why I like this picture.

Natural storytelling: The way the birds gather feels social, almost like a quiet conversation among them;  something that adds emotion and life to a wildlife scene.

Lighting: The gentle backlighting highlights the texture of the feathers and creates a soft rim of light, something that’s very rewarding to capture in wildlife photography.

Composition: The diagonal line of the fence leads the viewer’s eyes through the frame naturally, and the spacing of the birds feels balanced without being staged.

Mood: The background bokeh and warm tones give the photo a sense of calm and morning serenity; the kind of peaceful moment photographers wait for.

It’s the kind of image that shows not just wildlife, but also connection and atmosphere.

Two Reels from the Strike Fest

 Here are two reels I created using pictures taken at the event.

The power that Karate gives you is a big responsibility

Karate is not just about kicks, punches, and self-defense. It’s a discipline that builds strength, confidence, and focus — but with that power comes responsibility. Every student must understand that the true spirit of Karate lies in respect, humility, and self-control.

The power that Karate gives you should never be used to intimidate or harm others. Instead, it should be used to protect, to stay calm under pressure, and to inspire others through example. A Karateka who misuses their skills becomes a bully — and that goes against everything the martial art stands for.

Remember: your Sensei teaches you to be strong, but also to be kind. Use your power wisely, always with respect and integrity, both inside and outside the dojo.

Done editing the last Karate Competition

All photos are available now at my Flickr page in two albums (here and here). Like usual, feel free to use these pictures crediting my work, of course. After all, that is the only payment I'm asking for. 

Liam's surprised me with this jump.

After editing for over three days, I feel both exhausted and fulfilled. Each photo evokes cherished memories from the competition—moments that I’ll never forget. 

Our 3 grandsons performed well, but the most important part, even more important than any medal, is the fact that they enjoyed it. They came home tiered but happy. After all, competing is for making friends and having fun, even when few may think about it like a business and forget that bullying and low instincts do not have a place in the dojo. 

There’s no price to put on a child’s smile. 

Busy editing pictures from the last event

 Okay, the title says it all. I’ve been editing pictures from the last event, but I have little time to write some lines for this blog. 

Here is one of those pictures.

The only thing that I hate from this picture is that he was not facing me! 

Last weekend

 Last weekend, I had the opportunity to shoot the USA Sport Karate Strike Fest in Bradenton, Florida. And what better way to capture the essence of this event than through this photograph?

 

Canon R6 Settings: Wildlife Photography vs. Sports Photography

Many of you have probably heard me mention changing the settings on my Canon R6 to suit my needs when shooting either wildlife or sports. This article explains why and How. 

 

The Canon R6 is a versatile camera capable of handling almost any situation — from the quiet patience of wildlife photography to the fast-paced action of sports. While both genres rely on speed, precision, and timing, the way you configure your camera can make a big difference in your results. Here’s a closer look at how the settings for wildlife photography differ from those used for sports.

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1. Shutter Speed: Controlling the Action

Wildlife Photography:
In wildlife photography, your shutter speed depends largely on the subject. A perched bird or a resting animal allows for slower speeds — around 1/500s to 1/1000s — especially if you’re using a telephoto lens with image stabilization. However, for birds in flight or fast-moving animals, go up to 1/2000s or faster to freeze motion cleanly.

Sports Photography:
Sports require consistently high shutter speeds because the action is continuous and unpredictable. A good baseline is 1/1000s to 1/2000s, though you might go even faster for sports like soccer, basketball, or tennis. The key is freezing the peak of motion — the ball in midair or the player at full sprint.

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2. Autofocus: Tracking Your Subject

Wildlife Photography:
Wildlife subjects can appear and move unpredictably. The Canon R6’s Animal Eye Detection AF is a game-changer for this. Activate Servo AF and select the Animal Detection option in the AF menu. Using the Whole Area AF mode works well since the camera can automatically detect and track the subject’s eyes or head across the frame.

Sports Photography:
For sports, switch to People Detection under the same Servo AF mode. The R6 does a great job identifying and tracking players, even when they’re wearing helmets or moving rapidly. You can also use Zone AF or Expanded AF Area for slightly more control, particularly if the scene is crowded, or you want to keep focus on a specific player.

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3. Drive Mode: Continuous Shooting

Wildlife Photography:
Wildlife moments are fleeting — the flap of a wing or a sudden glance can make or break a shot. The High-Speed Continuous+ mode (up to 20 fps with the electronic shutter) helps you capture multiple frames per second, giving you more choices later. However, be mindful of buffer limits and the need for fast SD cards.

Sports Photography:
The same burst mode applies here, but you’ll often hold down the shutter longer during plays. To avoid filling your memory card too quickly, consider shooting shorter bursts. Use mechanical shutter (up to 12 fps) if you’re under artificial lighting to avoid banding, which can sometimes appear with electronic shutters.

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4. ISO and Aperture: Balancing Light and Depth

Wildlife Photography:
Lighting in nature is unpredictable. You may shoot in the soft glow of sunrise or the harsh contrast of midday. Keep your aperture wide (f/4 to f/6.3) to let in more light and blur the background, isolating your subject. For ISO, use Auto ISO with a cap around 3200–6400 to maintain quality without excessive noise.

Sports Photography:
Indoor or evening sports often push ISO higher. Don’t hesitate to go up to ISO 6400 or even 10,000 if needed — the R6 handles noise well. Aperture depends on the sport and your lens, but f/2.8–f/4 is ideal to freeze motion while maintaining enough depth of field to keep the athlete sharp.

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5. Metering and White Balance

Wildlife Photography:
Use Evaluative Metering for balanced exposure in complex lighting (like sunlight filtering through trees). For white balance, Auto WB generally works well, but if you’re shooting during golden hour, switch to Daylight or manually set Kelvin temperature for warmer tones.

Sports Photography:
Lighting in stadiums and gyms can be tricky. Stick with Evaluative Metering but check your histogram often. For indoor events, manually set the White Balance to match the lighting (e.g., Fluorescent or custom Kelvin value) to avoid color casts.

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6. Other Helpful Settings

• Image Stabilization (IBIS): Keep it on for wildlife handheld shots, but turn it off when using a tripod or monopod for sports.

• Back Button Focus: Assign AF-ON to your thumb for both genres — it’s invaluable for separating focus from the shutter.

• Silent Shutter: Great for wildlife to avoid disturbing animals, but not ideal for sports under flickering lights.

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Final Thoughts

Both wildlife and sports photography demand quick reactions and precise control, but they differ in rhythm. Wildlife photography is about patience — waiting for the right moment and blending into the environment. Sports photography is about anticipation — predicting the play before it happens.

The Canon R6 excels in both worlds, but success comes from understanding your subject and adjusting your settings accordingly. Whether you’re tracking a heron taking flight or a player scoring the winning goal, the right setup ensures you never miss the moment.

 

Street Photography: Capturing the Pulse of Everyday Life

Street photography is one of the most authentic and compelling genres of photography. It thrives in the rawness of real life, showing us the unscripted moments that often pass by unnoticed. Far from being just snapshots of busy streets, it is a powerful form of visual storytelling that documents culture, society, and the human experience.

 

What Is Street Photography?

At its core, street photography is the art of capturing candid moments in public spaces. It’s not limited to streets—parks, markets, public transportation, or any place where people go about their daily routines can become the stage. The defining characteristic is authenticity: the scenes are unposed and often fleeting, revealing something genuine about the world as it is.

While many think of street photography as being primarily about people, it can also focus on the environment—architecture, light, shadow, and even the absence of human presence. What matters is that the image reflects a slice of real life in a public setting.

 

Why Street Photography Exists

Street photography arose alongside the development of portable cameras in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As photographers moved out of studios and into the streets, they began to document the world around them in a way that was immediate and unfiltered.

It exists because of the enduring human desire to observe and record society as it evolves. Unlike staged or commercial photography, street photography doesn’t aim to sell a product or portray an ideal. Instead, it strives to capture reality—sometimes gritty, sometimes beautiful, often surprising.

Famous pioneers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Vivian Maier, and Garry Winogrand showed that the ordinary moments of everyday life could carry profound meaning. Their work continues to inspire photographers who want to preserve the cultural and emotional essence of a time and place.

 

Goals Behind Street Photography

The goals of street photography can be as varied as the photographers themselves, but a few common themes include:

• Documenting Society: Street photography provides a visual record of daily life, capturing the style, habits, and interactions of people in specific places and times.

• Telling Stories: A single candid photograph can tell a powerful story—about joy, struggle, connection, or solitude.

• Exploring Humanity: By observing people in unguarded moments, photographers reveal universal emotions and experiences.

• Finding Beauty in the Ordinary: Street photographers often highlight patterns, light, and geometry in urban environments that most of us overlook.

• Preserving Culture: Over time, these photographs become historical documents, showing how communities, architecture, and customs change.

 

The Art and the Challenge

Street photography demands more than technical skill. It requires patience, curiosity, and sometimes courage. Photographers often work discreetly, blending into the crowd to capture unposed moments without disrupting them.

Ethics also play a crucial role. Respecting privacy, avoiding exploitation, and understanding the laws around photographing in public spaces are all part of being a responsible street photographer.

 

Why It Matters Today

In an era dominated by curated social media images, street photography stands out as a reminder of reality. It grounds us in the present moment, offering honest glimpses of how people live, interact, and adapt to their surroundings.

Street photography not only documents the world—it connects us to it. By pausing to observe life as it unfolds, photographers help us appreciate the richness of everyday existence.

 

Use the Sun

In this image, the morning sunlight streams through the fan-shaped fronds of a native palmetto, illuminating it in a vivid green glow. Slender vines and tender leaves climb over the broad palm leaf, their delicate outlines catching the backlight and casting intricate shadows. The dark, softly blurred forest background makes the bright foliage stand out even more, highlighting the natural patterns and textures. It’s a striking example of how light can transform an ordinary forest scene into a moment of vibrant contrast and detail.

 

 

A 100 watt flash

Godox is selling the Godox V100, that’s a 100-watt! Nice, but be prepared to pay over $300 for it.

Now, why is so good to have a 100-watts flash? I'll let you this video explaining why. 

 

During last weekend

  Something is going on, and I do not know what it is. There are no birds in my favorite park. So I'm walking around the trails, taking pictures of whatever I see that catches my imagination. Like this black racer. 

Or this beautiful landscape. 

Even here in Florida, colors are shifting to fall hues. You do not need a camera to capture all this beauty. Look at this picture that I took with my iPhone.

With a little bit of post-editing, this picture ends looking as good as the one above that I took using my Canon R6. 

If you want to know my recommended gear, head to this page where I tell you what you can buy without any doubts. All that gear will just work. 

Getting Everything in Focus in a Landscape Photograph

This is not a simple task, even when you set your aperture as high as possible for the given lighting conditions. In such situations, one effective solution is photo stacking. This video explains how to do it.

 

I have to confess that I don’t have the temperament to use this technique. I don’t carry a tripod, and without one, stacking most likely won’t work.

If you are in the market for any photography gear, please visit my recommended gear page. Buying through my links will help me maintain this blog.

Yet another video about the invisible black background

Many people believe that to achieve a black background in your photos, you need to buy a black backdrop. That’s one way to do it, but there’s another method that costs nothing. This video will show you how.

 

Luminar Neo for editing portraits

Luminar Neo, a user-friendly photo editing software, enables photographers to effortlessly edit portraits in just a few seconds. In this three-minute video, I showcase the software’s capabilities. 

Bokeh, a matter of opinion

 Bokeh (from the Japanese blur or haze) refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in a photograph. It’s not about how blurred the background is (that’s simply “shallow depth of field”) but rather how that blur looks — whether it’s smooth and pleasing or harsh and distracting.

Camera NewB just posted a video exploring this important photography concept in today’s world. I highly recommend checking it out.

 

One thing is what I think and...

 One thing is what I think about my pictures, and another thing is what people think of them. 

 The above is a mosaic created by Flickr with the most popular pictures taken by me according to Flickr users. You can enjoy this mosaic, visiting this page and scrolling all the way down to the bottom.