Sunday, September 30, 2012

"Ghosts of the Past"


American Elk - Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado


This image represents the many herds of elk that once roamed the mountains and valleys of Rocky Mountain National Park. While elk can still be found in the Park, thanks to the Park’s Elk Management Plan, their numbers are but a ghost of bygone days.

According to a reputable source, well over 1,000 elk have been shot and killed, both inside and outside Park boundaries, pursuant to this Plan. In addition, much of their food source has been fenced off forcing large numbers of elk to leave the Park - also a part of their Management Plan. Unfortunately, it does not end there. The implementation of elk contraception has also reduced the numbers of elk in the park.

A Rocky Mountain National Park brochure printed in August, 1991, reported the following elk numbers, “As many as 4,500 elk in summer may dwindle to 1,500 during winter . . .” A current statement on the Park’s website has this to say,“Concentrations of 3,200 elk in summer may dwindle to 1,000 during winter as elk migrate to lower elevations and move to areas outside the park.” Based on their own count, it’s easy to see that elk numbers are down.

I spoke with a gentleman during the elk rut in 2011, who commented that his little six year old daughter wanted so badly to see some elk, but so far in the two days they had been there had seen none.
 Does Park management not know that millions of visitors come to Rocky each year in anticipation of seeing herds of wild elk? Imagine the affect this will ultimately have on the local economy, which is already not the best.

As a photographer, it is bad enough to find fewer elk when I go into the Park, but now I have to contend with fences in the background.

We must speak out and let Park Service personnel know that we are watching.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

"Moraine Park Coyote"


Coyote  -  Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

I made this image last week in Moraine Park while guiding Alan Montgomery from Texas. Earlier this week, Lori and I conducted our annual Colorado Fall Wildlife photography workshop in Rocky Mountain National Park. I will be posting images from this workshop as soon as I find time to process them. Right now, I'm preparing for our Wildlife & Photoshop workshop/seminar, which starts tomorrow.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

NANPA Road Show Colorado


This is what Road Show participants can expect to see.

The Colorado NANPA Road Show is only a week away and Mother Nature is cooperating. Aspen trees are once again working their fall magic. The mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park are being transformed into blankets of gold, as the sound of bugling bull elk fill the valleys.

As host for this event, I will be sharing many of the techniques I have learned over the years photographing our wild brothers and sisters.

Here’s what’s in store for you . . .

In Search of the Winning Image
One of the things I have learned is what it takes to consistently produce a winning image. During the Road Show, I will reveal the biggest stumbling block photographers face in this process. Not only will I show you how to eliminate it, I will also show examples.

The Digital Darkroom: Making of a Symphony
Ansel Adams said, "The negative is the equivalent of the composer's score, and the print the performance." This takes us to step two in producing a winning image. During this segment you will learn the equivalent Photoshop techniques that Adams used in his chemical darkroom to transform negatives into a performance. Using a few simple techniques that I will reveal, you will be able to transform those digital files into performance masterpieces.

The Power of Photography: Using Your Photos to Safeguard Life on Planet Earth
It is my belief that we, as nature photographers, have a responsibility to protect the biodiversity of planet Earth and the integrity of its natural ecosystems. In this segment, you will learn how to use your images to create visually based programs to educate peopl and further the protection of our wild brothers and sisters.


That’s not all. There’s more. An entire segment will be devoted to . . .
Critiquing on the Wild Side
This portion of the Road Show will feature image critiquing that's fun, revealing, and perhaps even inspiring as participant's images are digitally projected and critiqued for everyone's benefit. Each participant will bring a selection of three images, preferably featuring wildlife subjects, stored on a memory stick, for this session.


Click on the following link for details and to register:

Whatever you do, don’t miss this special event.
Sign up today!