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.

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.

 

 

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.

 

Some thoughts about wildlife photography

 One of the things that inspires me about wildlife photography is that, no matter how many times you return to the same location, you never know what you’ll encounter. Even if you’re simply photographing the landscape, the same scene will never look exactly the same.

Click on the picture to truly appreciate the details of this landscape. It was a beautiful morning, and although I’ve captured this view many times before, none compare to this one, with the fog gently draping part of the scene.

The next picture is a vertical panorama. I walked into a scene that truly stunned me with its beauty. I had to step back to find the right spot for the composition I envisioned. Knowing my zoom lens—designed for wildlife—wouldn’t capture the entire view in a single frame, I decided to take several shots along the vertical axis to capture the full landscape.

 Is not it beautiful?

Did you know...

Some plants bloom during the bird migration season, as if nature knew exactly what was needed and worked like a precise clock. For example, the firespike flower blooms in Florida around September—right when hummingbird migration is at its peak.

Firespike (Odontonema tubaeforme).

Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding on a firespike.  

 

can you guess the ISO?

Photographing a Sport Event in a hotel conference room is challenging and often results in high ISOs. Can you guess the ISO in this picture?

 1/32000! Tools like DXO PureRaw, Topaz Photo and Adobe LrC perform miracles cleaning these pictures.

What is the most difficult shot you’ve taken?

Good question. In general, birds in flight are difficult—especially small birds that tend to fly very fast. Swallows are particularly challenging, so that would be my first choice.

Another difficult shot is that of a flying dragonfly.

Of course, hummingbirds should be included on this list. Their erratic flight patterns make them very hard to capture. You have to wait until they hover near a flower.

 

Why I Sometimes Use Flash in Photography

His eyes look alive!

Many people worry that flash makes photos look harsh or unnatural. In reality, when used properly, flash is a tool that helps me enhance the natural light, not overpower it.

• Comfort first: Always use diffused or bounced flash so it feels soft and doesn’t distract.

• Better quality: Flash helps reduce graininess in dark settings and keeps colors true to life.

• Brighter eyes: A touch of flash adds a natural sparkle to the eyes, making them look more alive and vibrant.

• Natural look: My goal is for the photos to look authentic, warm, and natural—often you won’t even notice I used flash.

In short, flash is just one of many tools I use to make sure photos look their absolute best in any situation.

As an important note, always check Venue rules: If a location doesn’t allow flash, respect those guidelines and rely on low-light techniques. 

It's hard to notice that I used a flash in this photo.

 

An Iconic picture

Of all the pictures I took at the last karate competition, one impacted me the most.

 

But why? 

This picture has a powerful visual impact because of the way it captures intensity, focus, and presence in a single frame.

• Expression & Emotion: The young martial artist’s face is locked in concentration and determination. His gaze is sharp and unwavering, which immediately draws the viewer in. That expression gives the photo emotional weight—it’s not just a boy in uniform, it’s a competitor embodying strength and resolve.

• Body Language: The stance is strong and commanding. Holding the bo staff with confidence, his posture communicates readiness and discipline. It tells a story of practice, respect, and the seriousness of the moment.

• Contrast & Setting: Against the softer, blurred background of spectators and the hotel conference setting, he stands out crisply in his white gi and hakama. That separation enhances the sense of focus—not just his, but ours as viewers.

• Impact on the Viewer: What makes this image impactful is that it feels iconic—a moment frozen where youth, tradition, and determination intersect. You don’t just see a karate student; you see the spirit of martial arts captured in one decisive moment.

In short: The picture is impactful because it communicates strength, discipline, and determination in a way that feels larger than the moment itself.

Fountain of Youth, a magic place

Visiting Saint Augustine is like stepping back in time to an old Spanish city, and don’t be surprised if you encounter a few pirates along the way, mock-shooting at you.

Weapon demonstration at Fountain of Youth.

 

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine, established in 1904, commemorates the legendary spring said to restore youth. It highlights the early Spanish settlement founded in 1565, the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the U.S. Visitors can explore exhibits on Native American and Spanish history, see reconstructed 16th-century settlements, and stroll through gardens where peacocks roam freely. 

Ponce de León statue. 

 Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer and conquistador, best known for leading the first European expedition to Florida in 1513 and for his legendary search for the Fountain of Youth.

 

Cannon shooting demonstration.

At the Fountain of Youth, history and nature intertwine. Stroll among ancient ruins, wandering peacocks, and lush gardens, and let the past come alive around you—an experience that lingers long after you leave.

 

Sometimes what you see is not what it is

I thought that I was seeing a hummingbird flying around some flowers, and it was not until I checked the picture using the zoom feature that I noticed that it was not a bird; it was a Banded Sphinx Moth. It is usually a night flyer, but every now and then, you can spot one early in the morning feeding on flowers. With its powerful wings and bird-like hovering, it’s easy to mistake it for a tiny hummingbird. 

A rare and magical sight to start the day! 

Do you charge for photography sessions?

Short answer: Photography is both a hobby and a part-time job for me. I love nature photography and capturing events, especially those of our grandsons. While I often share photos for free, I also offer my services to those who want something more private or tailored to their needs.

Photography is more than just clicking a button — it’s an investment of time, skill, and professional equipment. The cameras and lenses I use cost thousands of dollars, and I continually upgrade, maintain, and insure this gear to deliver the best possible results. Along with editing software, storage, and the hours spent preparing and perfecting each session, these costs ensure you receive high-quality photos that truly capture your moments.

This is why I charge for photo sessions — so I can keep creating professional images while covering the real costs behind the art.

You can find the list price and FAQs here.

More than 80 thousands pictures

Just something to think about:

If you like my pictures, keep in mind that it took me over 80,000 shots to reach the level you see today — and that’s not even counting the 20,000 to 30,000 photos I deleted because they weren’t good enough.

If you don’t like my pictures or my style, remember that even after 80,000 photos, I’m still learning.

Practice, practice and more practice.

  

I'm ready for my next adventure: short nature videos.

Extreme macro

Sometimes people do things just because they can, not because it’s the best way to. This is one of those cases. 

Statues

I absolutely love capturing the essence of statues, especially those that evoke the grandeur of the Roman era. 

Another favorite from last weekend

I knew this would happen—after a long weekend and 300 photos later, picking a favorite feels impossible!
But hey, here’s another one I really like. Who says you can’t have more than one favorite, right?

Shooting Indoor Events

Shooting indoor events comes with its own set of challenges. You have to consider that these events often take place in large rooms with poor lighting. In such cases, having a good “fast” lens is probably more important than having a high-end camera—but how fast is fast enough?

In my opinion, f/2.8 is the sweet spot. You might think that going with f/1.8 or even faster would help more, but it usually doesn't. That's because most of the time, you're shooting with a zoom lens—and aside from the fact that zoom lenses with an f/1.8 aperture are practically nonexistent, such a wide aperture results in a very shallow depth of field. This increases the chances of getting out-of-focus shots, especially when photographing multiple people performing at the same time.

An f/2.8 aperture gives you a better balance—more of the scene stays in focus, which is particularly useful when you're capturing groups of people on stage.

Considering all of this, I love bringing my old Canon EF 70-200mm L lens to these events. (If you can afford the RF version—even better! Otherwise look at the used market where you can find very affordable options for good quality glass).

A full-frame camera is a must—and if it performs well in low light, even better. In my case, I use the Canon R6 Mark I, but the R6 Mark II or the R3 would also work very well. All of them are well known for handling low-light conditions exceptionally.

The photos in this article were taken during a recent event in a church, and my ISO ranged between 2500 and 4000. This range can easily be cleaned up using most post-processing applications available today. In my case, I used DxO PureRaw, and I have to confess—this software has freed me from worrying about shooting at high ISOs, even as high as 12,800 or more.

Shot at 12800 in a very dark room without flash.

For Sharpening I use Topaz Photo AI. Recent features added to this software such as Face Recovering help a lot to achieve the highest quality in your pictures. 

As you can see, post-editing is just as important as having a good lens and a quality camera. Most of the time, you’ll spend twice as long editing your photos as you did actually shooting the event. Of course, if you're a professional sports photographer, you may not have that luxury—so having the best gear possible becomes essential.

In conclusion, taking great photos is not an easy task. When you see photographers charging a high price for covering an event, consider the cost of their gear, the software they use, and the hours spent on post-processing. If someone is offering extremely low prices, chances are they’re not investing the time or tools needed to deliver high-quality images. You get what you pay for. 

For new photographers, lenses are more important than cameras and post editing can fix the lack of quality you may get from your cheap lens and camera. A good lens and camera will save you time in post processing.

Look around

Take a moment to look around when you're at home. I'm sure you'll discover great photo opportunities in the small details we often miss—simply because they're woven into our everyday lives.

Why I do not use burst mode?

To be honest, it's not that I don’t use burst mode—it’s just that it doesn’t give me the same satisfaction as capturing a photo with a single click. Sure, when you shoot 15 to 30 frames per second, you're almost guaranteed to end up with at least one good image out of 100. But if you stop to think about the fact that you needed 100 shots just to pick one, to me, it feels a bit like cheating. The funny part is that even with burst mode, you can still end up without a single good photo—and a memory card full of junk to sort through at the end of the day.

Yes, I do use burst mode when photographing birds in flight, because it increases the odds of getting one perfectly in focus. The same goes for sports photography—it’s nearly impossible to capture the exact peak moment of the action in just one click, and also have it perfectly sharp.

Captured using a burst at 1/2500. ISO 12800. 

But even so, it doesn’t give me the same pleasure. To me, it’s like bringing a machine gun to a hunt. Where’s the fun in that? One bullet, one kill. I treat photography the same way: one click, one perfect photo.

And speaking of hunting—if hunters would trade their guns for cameras, oh God, we’d be living in a perfect world.

Captured using one click.

I enjoy watching dozens of videos from other wildlife photographers, and whenever I hear the rapid-fire sound of burst mode, I can’t help but smile and think, no wonder they end up with such great shots.

But for me, the joy I get from a single, intentional click would be lost if I had to sort through hundreds of images just to find one good one. I feel that when you press the shutter once—when you really feel the moment—you remember it forever. But with burst mode, it’s easy to forget the exact instant it happened, buried among so many frames.

Burst mode just isn’t for me.