Tomorrow Isn't Just Another Day

Another Michigan wintry weekend of unpredictable lighting conditions created havoc on 'what to photograph.'  Or did it?

Instead of being frustrated in the field, yesterday's gray, non-existent lighting made it easy to stay inside and update my website www.sheensnaturephotography.com.

Sweet, hungry Titmouse
Nikon 7100, Sigma 150-500, f/8, ISO 250 1/640 sec

What-to-do in bad lighting advice came from a nature photography workshop led by Steve Gettle.   I used the time to update watermarks on 80% of my images in the site.

Today presented wonderful lighting on the melting snow with a pale blue canopy overhead.

Unfortunately, nothing extraordinary was captured. Nothing had inspired me.

The icy path at Cranbrook Academy's campus was treacherous.  A nearby trail that I enjoy photographing had icy brown patches, no luck there.  Thankfully, the the Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center in Troy, Michigan provided some feisty bird activity on their feeders.  

Still, this was not how I envisioned the day.  The reality was I had no vision for the day and that was the problem!  I wasted precious photography time.

Baby It's Cold Outside
Nikon 7100, 150-500 f/8 ISO 250 1/100 sec

When I consider my most fruitful adventures in the field, they are the ones I had mentally pictured prior to the actual day.  Nothing time consuming other than internally composing the subjects, image, the look and the feel I wanted to capture.

Knowing the weather conditions, the timing, location of the sun and moonrise is also important.  It takes about 30 seconds to view both apps: Yahoo Weather  and The Photographer's Ephemeris.

A  basic plan and the right tools can make a difference in your creativity, productivity and emotional satisfaction.  Then any deviation from that plan is based on unplanned, awesome photographic opportunities.

And when the conditions aren't optimal?  Use this time to work on your websites, overdue edits and most important, creating a mental plan for your next journey.

Happy Shooting!

'Endeering' & Enduring Moments

What did your work day look like on the second Tuesday in December?  Do you remember who you met with and what was discussed?

When was the last time you were out in the field with your camera or just out on a hike?  Do you remember who joined you?  Did you experience a natural 'chill pill'?

A Deer Moment by Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 7100, 150-500 Sigma,  ISO 250, f/9, 1/160 sec

More than likely you could clearly recall the second set of questions versus the first. It is important to make sure we spend our precious free time engaged with what we hold dear.

As a nature photographer, time spent amongst nature and behind the camera is not only enjoyable but grounding.  When looking at wildlife, birds, flowers and fauna for extended periods of time, our normal daily grind fades into a different world.  This world is filled with sounds, colors and emotions that bring reality to our souls.

In most areas, even large cities, four season nature photography escapes are not that far away.  Within a few miles of my home town of Birmingham, Michigan, nature centers, metro parks and nature trails with abundance of wildlife are within driving distance.

Deer Friends by Sheen's Nature Photography

Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center in Troy has multiple hiking trails providing up close viewing of deer, over 200 species of birds, streams with fish and woodlands.

A bit further east you'll find Stony Creek Metropark.  Diverse in it's offerings, you can golf, run, bike and fish.  Additionally, this park hosts nature trails that meander through woods, fields, across streams and around lakes.  Wildlife viewing, birdwatching (they just had their first eaglet born to a Bald Eagle family this past summer) and wildflowers are just a 'wait and see' moment away.

To the west is Kensington Metro Park  which has sprawling acres of wooded, hilly terrain that surrounds Kent Lake.  Wildlife and waterfowl are anything but scarce.

Deer Conversing with Nature by Sheen's Nature Photography
All deer images captured at the Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center

To find local parks and wildlife viewing go to your favorite browser and type in Wildlife Viewing near your town.  Then after a little planning,  grab your gear and go.

The next time you've had a "Worked Hard for the Money" day or week, don't let a "Baby It's Cold Outside" mindset stop you.  Reality, enduring memories and mother nature await.  HAPPY SHOOTING!