Last weekend, I spent some time visiting the local botanical garden and a local park. From these two photo sessions, here are some of the pictures:
I have started creating slideshows of my photo shoots, and here is one I made using pictures from the botanical garden.
Last weekend was a wildlife weekend. Here are some of the pictures I captured:
 |
| Duck In Flight |
A motorcycle rider passed by, and I couldn’t resist capturing some shots.
Wildlife Photography and Environmental Photography overlap in some ways but have distinct focuses:
If you’re shooting a Carolina Wren perched on a branch, that’s wildlife photography. If you frame the wren against a deforested background to highlight habitat loss, that’s environmental photography.
This family came to an event dressed as the late 1800s and made me smile. Can you guess why?
Last Saturday, I participated in an event celebrating the 182nd anniversary of Hernando County. Many attendees wore historical costumes, making it a great opportunity for photography.
I took to the event the Tamron 28-300 EF, It’s a very convenient lens because it covers a wide focal range. However, that comes at a price—photos aren’t as sharp as those taken with my Canon L lenses. Still, as you can see, the images have enough detail to satisfy any photographer. At one point, I had to remove the battery from my Canon R6 because the camera became unresponsive—something that occasionally happens when using this lens. Keep that in mind. You can enjoy the rest of the pictures from this event at Flickr.
On Sunday, I returned to wildlife photography and captured this beautiful shot of a Carolina Wren. It perched nearby, delighting me with its lovely song.
 |
| Taken using a Canon R6 and EF100-400 Mk2 with 1.4ext. |
That’s the subject of a recent article published by The Photographer.
 |
| Conquering the top of the world! |
According to Google AI: "Art is a creative expression that can be a physical object, experience, or skill. It can be beautiful, thought-provoking, or emotional. Art can be created through a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, music, dance, and photography."
Google AI goes deeper by saying that photography is an art because:
It's a creative endeavor that uses skill and imagination It can evoke feelings and memories It can be used to express thoughts and emotions It can be used to research the world and our place in it
Do I think that photography is an art?
Putting modesty aside, yes, I do. What do you think?
According to this tweet, this is a new Guinness record.
New record: Deepest underwater model photoshoot - 49.80 m (163.38 ft)
Hear from photographer Steven Haining on the logistics of choreographing a shoot nearly 50 meters deep underwater.
There’s no doubt in my mind that photography plays a vital role in documenting history—perhaps even more so than video. While browsing Flickr for street photography, I came across an album created by Eran Horn, an amateur photographer from Israel.
Through his lens, he has captured the unfolding events surrounding the potential liberation of prisoners held by Hamas.
His black-and-white photographs are truly remarkable, conveying the deep sadness and dramatic intensity of the moment with profound impact.
 |
| Photo by Eran Horn. |
This weekend I shot a kid soccer game and here is one of the pictures that I liked from the event.
When shooting soccer, I set my R6 to Shutter Speed Priority at 1/1250 to freeze the action and avoid motion blur. I leave the ISO on Auto to stay focused on the game without the distraction of adjusting ISO manually.
I chose the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L Mk II lens because it provides the reach I need when the action is happening far down the field, while still allowing me to capture shots when the players get closer. Another option could have been my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L, but I find its range too short for this type of event.
I definitely enjoy shooting sports events. It’s the perfect combination of watching the game while doing what I love: photography.
I joined Flickr in 2006. At the beginning this platform served me as the media used to hold pictures that I used in my blogs relative to Ultra Mobile PCs. Later on I started to use it as a backup for my photography hobby. Today I noticed that I have reached the milestone of more than 70,000 pictures in this platform!
 |
| According to Flickr Statistics, this is the most voted picture from my Profile. |
I wouldn’t trade my camera for an iPhone, even though I use my iPhone occasionally. The image quality from a DSLR or mirrorless camera is unmatched. That said, if your iPhone is all you have with you, don’t hesitate to use it. For inspiration, here’s someone (Michael Shl) who has traveled to over 40 countries, capturing incredible photos with whatever version of the iPhone he owned at the time.
 |
| Picture by Michael Shl. |
While I’m primarily a wildlife photographer, I also enjoy doing event photography, including public events, birthdays, and sports. For these occasions, I adopt a casual style, capturing what most would consider candid moments. My subjects aren’t posed; they’re simply going about their lives, and I’m there as a witness, preserving those authentic moments.
I love this approach because it feels natural, and I dislike asking people—especially kids—to pose. More often than not, they end up standing stiffly in what I call the "penguin pose," accompanied by a forced, "Terminator-style" smile.
However, there’s one type of photography that intimidates me: newborn baby photography. While I’ve taken pictures of my grandsons when they were little, those were more personal than professional.
To me, newborn baby photography requires an immense amount of patience and a nurturing touch that I feel is often best exemplified by women. This video beautifully illustrates what I mean.
As a wedding photographer, you need to be prepared for anything. Outdoor events, in particular, pose unique challenges since you have little control over the weather. If the couple decides to proceed with the ceremony despite unfavorable conditions, it’s your responsibility to adapt and carry on with your work. And this is what happened at this event.
 |
| Courtesy of People. |
This weekend I visited a local zoo and here are some of the pictures I took there.
 |
| Florida Mountain Lion. This picture was taking through a glass, in post edition haze was eliminated and contrast increased. |
 |
| Florida Fox Squirrel, Juvenile. This is an example of shooting through a chain-link fence. When you position the camera close enough to the fence, it becomes almost invisible in the image, allowing you to focus on the subject beyond. |
 |
| Florida Coyote. Another example of shooting through a chain fence. The coyote eyes were edited to make them the central point of the picture. |
Taking photos at a zoo can be a rewarding experience, offering the opportunity to practice wildlife photography in a controlled environment. Here are some tips to enhance your results:
1. Plan Your Visit
Timing: Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when animals are more active and lighting is softer.
Weather: Overcast days are ideal for even lighting without harsh shadows.
Research: Check feeding times or special animal demonstrations for action shots.
2. Bring the Right Gear
Lens Choice: Use a zoom lens (I used for this pictures my R6 with EF100-400L Mk2). For the wide angle shots I used an iPhone 16 Pro.
Camera Settings:
Filters: A polarizing filter can help reduce reflections on glass.
3. Work with Composition
4. Overcome Challenges
Fencing:
Use a wide aperture and position the lens close to the fence to make it disappear in the background.
Align the lens with gaps in the fencing.
Glass Enclosures:
Avoid reflections by shooting at an angle and placing the lens close to the glass.
Clean the glass with a microfiber cloth if allowed.
Crowds: Be patient and shoot when the crowd clears.
5. Capture Behavior and Details
Photograph animals interacting, eating, or playing for dynamic shots.
Focus on unique features like textures of fur, scales, or feathers.
6. Be Respectful
Avoid using flash, as it can disturb animals.
Respect barriers and zoo rules to ensure your safety and the well-being of the animals.
7. Post-Processing
Edit your photos to enhance contrast, correct color, and crop out distracting elements.
Use noise reduction tools if you had to shoot at high ISO.
Forums are a tremendous source of information and, in some cases, even more helpful than YouTube for learning about photography and cameras. Maybe I’m just old school, preferring to read rather than watch tutorials. Recently, I’ve been following a thread on RF Shooters where we’ve been diving deep into discussions about Canon’s autofocus system and its various options.
The other day, I posted here about a photographer based in Portland who takes pictures of strangers. He records his encounters on video, which also showcase the photos he takes. His work has gained significant attention, even leading to a feature article about him on CNN.
Ryan Daniel had no prior professional photography experience when he decided to buy his first camera.
But within six months of roaming the streets of Portland, Oregon — and with the help of a few online tutorials — Daniel developed a surprisingly unique photographic style: capturing free portraits of strangers.
Under the alias Pale Blue Wave, Daniel launched an Instagram account several years ago to share his work with a wider audience. The 40-year-old grew his following from roughly 100 to more than half-a-million across his social media accounts.
 |
| Courtesy of Flickr. |
The "Afghan Girl" is one of the most iconic photographs in modern history, taken by photographer Steve McCurry in 1984. The image features Sharbat Gula, a young Afghan girl with piercing green eyes, who at the time was a refugee in Pakistan. McCurry captured her photograph in a refugee camp near Peshawar, and it was later published on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985. This cover image quickly became a symbol of the struggles faced by refugees during the Soviet-Afghan War and of the broader human impact of conflict.
Gula’s intense gaze and the contrasting colors of her red scarf and green eyes create a visually arresting image, full of emotion and depth. Her expression, both haunting and defiant, conveys the hardship and resilience of those caught in war zones, particularly women and children. McCurry himself did not know the girl’s name when he captured her portrait, and she remained anonymous for many years. In 2002, after a long search, McCurry and a National Geographic team were able to locate her, confirming her identity through iris recognition technology.
The "Afghan Girl" photograph has since become a powerful cultural symbol, highlighting the plight of refugees around the world. Sharbat Gula’s story, marked by struggle and resilience, continues to resonate today, reminding us of the human cost of conflict. The photograph also raises important questions about privacy, representation, and the ethics of photojournalism, as Gula’s life was significantly impacted by the fame of her image—a reality she didn’t anticipate.
