N'Ice Ice Baby

As a 25 year Michigander, I often get the question when traveling "Where are you from?"  I already know their response when I say with a smile "Michigan".  Usually it's one of these:

"Wow, it's cold up there!" 

"Too cold and gray for me in the winter"                          

                                                             "I hear the summers are beautiful, but short."

Who needs a movie when we have more than 50 shades of gray between November and April?  Let's start by saying, yes it's cold in the winter in Michigan.  We have winters that you can sink your teeth in to. 

Blue Ice in Mackinaw City, Michigan by Sheen Watkins

Our ice is nice.  Actually, it's more than nice.  Our ice rivals abstract sculptures.  Our ice is rich with color, texture and depth. 

A trip to Mackinaw City, Michigan during the ice breaking season offered caverns of rich, blue ice formations and blocks.

I grew up in the sunbelt in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.  I happily thrived in the sunshine and heat.  When I moved to Michigan to marry my husband, neither of us realized if or how I would adapt to the cold and gray. 

Icy Slates at Sunrise in Northport, Michigan by Sheen Watkins

What I learned is with that the right gear and initiative, I see how Mother Nature adorns Michigan winters with works of art. 

You just have to go and explore.  

The iced tiles at sunrise in Northport, Michigan on the bay side of Lake Michigan lasted one day.

The evening before it was one big ice plate. 

Anticipating a potential shift from the forecast gale force winds, the alarm was set for oh-dark-thirty. 

Overnight, the winds picked up and the waves and conditions turned plates into formations that looked like slate tiles.  The sunrise brought a  color convergence of warm and cool.  24 hours later, they were gone.

Look for the less ventured view. 

Iced Cactus, Frankfort, Michigan by Sheen Watkins

On land, ice lasts a little bit longer in a given state. 

One of our most famous lighthouses, Point Betsie gets a lot of paparazzi with her stoic stance in the face of Michigan winters. 

I initially went to shoot the iconic beauty. 

Instead, a hike around the lighthouse uncovered a field of glistening iced 'cactus'. 

Don't let the gray get in the way!

For the many days that we don't see the sun, ice still  floats through the elements.

Frazil Ice by Sheen Watkins

Frazil ice, is a collection of soft, needle shaped ice crystals that form when the mist and water cool quickly.  From afar, the water looked like a film was on the surface.  A closer look revealed iced pancakes floating and shifting in the wavy waters.

Ice blocks by  Sheen Watkins

Note:  When photographing icy conditions, always use caution. 

Ice is slippery, sharp, can be thin in unexpected places. 

Take a partner.

Wear warm clothes.

Have the right foot gear (spikes are good!) and be careful. 

Carry your gear in a backpack when hiking.  If you fall with your gear you may be more worried about protecting your camera than you. 

No shot is worth putting yourself in danger.

Venturing out in the lower part of Northern Michigan in winter is definitely worth donning layers of clothing in winter. 

Oh yes, our summers are lovely too.

Happy shooting!

"Photographer" Does that Title Define You or Me?

It's normal to describe ourselves using titles.   Maybe, potentially, we use titles because, describing what we do is easier than sharing who we are.

You may be a wife, a mother,  a husband, a father, a manager, a teacher, an executive, a clerk, an artist or a doctor.  Pick one, or add one to the list.

For years, I've been in corporate America and enjoy it immensely today.  I work for an organization with a legacy reputation built on ethics, quality and integrity. Their values reflect mine, and I hope that mine in turn reflects theirs.  But while working for that company is a big part of me, my title doesn't completely define or describe who I am.

Lake Michigan Sunset by Sheen Watkins

Our passions,  how we look at life, how we handle the good, the great, the fun, the hard, the sad and the horrific show who we are.

With each experience, our 'who we really are' continues to evolve.

Photography was just something I had always wanted to try.  I had no idea that once a camera was in my hands that my eyes and dreams would change so dramatically.

Photography has been an epiphany, a passion and a way of connecting and sharing nature with the world, or realistically, those who are interested.

Initially photography was taking images of nature, with birds being front and center.  Each day that I have a camera in my hands, I feel a deeper connection with who I am and what I believe:

Time and experiences in nature and travel are not a given but a gift.  I am grateful for the privilege to combine nature gift's with the art of photography.

A favorite subject, the Snowy Owl by Sheen Watkins

I believe that nature's gifts should be cherished, shared and protected for future generations.  To grow as an artist and photographer,  is a continuous and joyous journey.  My photography time consists of being in the field is both exploring nature followed by post processing to share my personal eye with others. 

It isn't a one-shot moment and then moving on to the next subject. 

Each image that makes it to the light of day is a result of many photographs of the same subject taken from different angles using different settings.  Trial and error is a constant.  Then it's finding the 'one' image to process and bring to life on a computer screen or print.

Abstract of Forest or the Trees by Sheen Watkins

The other side of photography is not as easy or fun.  There's an element of guilt and self-centeredness. 

Photography is costly.

True, the gear expensive.   It's the investment of time in the field, time in thought, time in learning that can take it's toll on family and those close who don't share the same interest.

Time in the field is time away from family.  Many photographers have more than one job to support their livelihoods. 

Time immersed in learning is time distracted from those that are close and want to be with you.

Fall Monarch with Artistic Edits by Sheen Watkins

Finding the balance between the love of being in the field, the solo time of creating versus spending time with those that are your heart and soul is hard.

Our passions require sacrifices of ourselves and patience from those we hold most dear.

Every day, photographers share and display images and imagery that entices the eye and some may even stir the soul of a viewer. 

There is a ton of hard and diligent work.  The carrying of heavy equipment.  The unpredictability of the subject.  Dealing with nature's elements.  Studying post processing tools and techniques.

Behind each image is an artist, sharing their eye, their connection with that brief second of time. 

So if someone says that 'she's a nature photographer,'  I'm very comfortable being defined by that title.

Happy Shooting!






.

Rain~Snow~Ice~Heat: Just Go!

Fort Lauderdale Summer Sunrise by Sheen Watkins

I have never taken a good nature photo from my couch.

I have never photographed a unique, amazing sunrise or sunset from the kitchen table or when hitting the snooze button.

If it's cold and snowy - being huddled under the blankets won't give me anything to work on in post processing.  If it's hot and steamy, staying in the air conditioned house only brings an artificial chill.

The message is simple:  "go"

It's frigid and cold outside?  Wear layers and warm clothes.  Protect your camera.  Then go.

It's foggy, hazy, and humid?  Wear water resistant clothing, have cleaners and drying cloths for your gear.  Then go.

You're commitments ran over and you may miss your optimal light?  Just go anyway.

It's stormy, unpredictable and not what you planned?  Go with your plan or find another subject.

Autumn in the Lofoten Islands, Norway by Sheen Watkins

Our photography time is creative time.  If you're an outdoor, nature or wildlife photographer, many of our excursions are solo.  Photography moments are wonderful escapes into ourselves where we get the opportunity to translate what we see using our unique eye and perspective.

The more I go, the better and more satisfied I am with my work.  I mentioned the  "Iced Teeth" image below in an earlier blog.  This was taken on an mid morning walk in frigid conditions on Lake Michigan.

Iced Teeth by Sheen Watkins

Wearing layers, sturdy, non-slip shoes and bringing a partner as the area was a bit treacherous.  The elements, the textures, the chill all led to a shoot I'll always remember.  Plus, I have the evidence to prove how crazy photographers can be. 

Within days, these formations melted and shifted.  Those shapes and textures are forever gone in nature.   However, they will be preserved in my images and memory for a very long time.

So let's embrace tomorrow and "go."

A Photographer's Sight: The Forest or the Trees?

What does a photographer see?  What is it about a subject or moment that one photographer may stop, pause and shoot and another doesn't notice?

Sheen's Nature Photography

How many times have you used the phrase  "you can't see the forest for the trees"?  In the images above and below, I chose to not see either.  Instead, I was moved by the array of green tints and shades,  soft lines and a wash of shapes.  

How this photo was made:  I stood in a shady setting with no sunlight streaming through. When I pressed the shutter, I gently moved the camera vertically while the shutter was open.  A one second shutter speed is optimal when using this technique.  Settings:  1 second shutter speed, f/16, ISO 100

Sheen's Nature Photography

Walk into an art gallery, museum or go to a multitude of artists' websites and you'll see many perspectives of the same subjects.  Some may be an accurate representation of the image itself, others may take creative liberty and add another layer of artistry.

As in the photo below, I applied dramatic post processing adjustments in Lightroom to modify reality.  These adjustments included contrast, clarity and increased hue intensity.

Sheen's Nature Photography

By seeing through the unique eyes of other artists- painting, drawing, photography, dance -  our own eyes can learn new techniques and ideas of communicating our subjects.

Happy Shooting!

It's A Small, Mushroom World in the Woods

Tall One by Sheen's Nature Photography

The sights and sounds of fall in the midwest build each day.  Days get shorter, nights grow longer.  Warm days are tinged with a hint of cool.

Ever changing greens merge into yellows.  Cool
mornings with floating mist melt into golden hour sunshine.

In the woods, there's another small world that's loaded with color, texture and purpose.

Mushrooms, fungi, toadstools emerge in a variety of shapes, colors and locations.  They glow, they hide, they cover and also stand alone.

A recent weekend spent up in the Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan was perfectly timed.   Mushrooms were everywhere!

Tall, short, skinny and stumpy. Bright, dull and somewhere in between.

Muted browns and vibrant oranges glowed against dark shades while tall brights popped out of nondescript ground cover.

Just Glow by Sheen's Nature Photography

When hiking in wooded areas, instead of looking up, look down along tree stumps, dry leaves and crevices in tree trunks.

It's a Small World by Sheen's Nature Photography

A tiny world awaits.

Happy Shooting!

What do Neil Diamond & Northern Michigan Have in Common? Cherry, Cherry!

It's an early, sunny morning in Leelanau County, Michigan and the camera and tripod are in tow.  Temperatures are a cool sixty degrees.  The fields are filled with flowers and a light, fading fog continues to disappear along the drive to my destination.

The orchard awaits.

Brimming with Cherries by Sheen's Nature Photography

Brimming with beautiful, ripe fruit the orchard shimmers in the sun.  A multitude of sparrows, blue jays and robins all sing overhead.

Sweet Treat by Sheen's Nature Photography

Yet, the song that I keep hearing is a childhood favorite, "Cherry, Cherry" by Neil Diamond.

Cherry Baby!

Standing in the middle of a cherry orchard among the cheeriest of cherry red fruits definitely "Move's Me, Baby" and inspires an extra sense of happiness into my work.

So while I'll probably never meet Neil, his song added a little extra joy as I photographed and yes, tasted some of the juiciest cherries I've ever experienced.

And if he ever makes it to Leelanau County in August, I hope he gets to indulge in one of Michigan's purest treats.

Who knows, it may inspire another great song!

Happy Shooting (and singing)!

Proper Preening....Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Crane Preens by Sheen's Nature Photography

The sights of summer are in full glory. Flowers are in bloom, the heat has finally arrived for a few days here in Michigan.  Trail hikes occur almost every weekend.

A highlight of this state is our Sandhill Cranes. Flocks of thousands congregate in open fields and
marshy woodland areas.

While photographing a Sandhill, a heavy beating noise whooshed in from behind.  The pounding sounded like deer running through the forest.  It was the wingbeats of another Sandhill as he flew in to greet the two walking on the trail.

This past Saturday a preening Sandhill enjoyed the early morning sunshine.   He (or she) will be heading south for the winter in late fall.

Until then, another a forty five minute drive for a hike in the woods to see this huge, majestic bird again is on the horizon.

Happy Shooting!



 

It's Time….

A few weeks ago, I wrote "Is it a Resolution or a Delightful Journey?"   The intent was to describe many of our experiences in making resolutions happen.   It's past mid January. It's time to assess if our 2014 Resolution has taken hold.

After that article, I received questions in my Facebook page Sheen's Nature Photography. They centered on my 'what my resolutions are for this year' and my favorite, 'did I have and complete my resolutions for 2013?'

Let's start with the latter question as my 2013 goal was broad with a few specifics.

The overarching desire was to grow as a photographer as I had started in the spring of 2012.  I also wanted to capture images of various wildlife.  One in particular, the Snowy Owl.

Tundra's Ghost, the Snowy Owl by Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 5100, 55-300mm

On a snowy, very cold wintry day, I along with some dear friends went out in the Northern Michigan elements to capture this ethereal, ghostly and magnificent owl.

We weren't lucky by chance, we made luck happen.  I live by the rule, "I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it." (quote by Thomas Jefferson)  We had a plan, did our research, drove hours to our destination and worked the area.  A resolution accomplished.

The Ethereal, Ghost Owl by Sheen's Nature Photography
Nikon 600, 70-300mm

Growth came by reading ebooks (see list below), linking up with Facebook photography pages and reading blogs from photographers.

A local nature photography workshop offered new tips and contacts.  A vacation in Nags Head, North Carolina created an opportunity to work with a local, professional landscape photographer Dan Waters. 

Nags Head Pier at Sunrise
Nikon 600, 14 - 24mm

The outcome is the personal satisfaction of seeing my photography evolve.

What's on the horizon for 2014?

• Travels to new locations:  Smokey Mountains, Tennessee and working on Costa Rica
• Capturing images of 'life birds':  Snow Bunting and the Lapland Longspur, next weekend
• Adventures to specific locations for new subjects:  Austin, TX for bluebonnets in the spring
• Establishing relationships with local businesses?  February, more to follow
• Making the business official:  Yes in January! Thanks to Legal Zoom my official LLC paperwork is due to arrive this week.  

There are many articles, theories that indicate that it takes 21 days to make a habit. However, it doesn't matter what the articles say.  What matters is what we really want to do and if we choose to make it happen.

Happy Shooting!

Books:  (available through Amazon or the artists websites)
Improve Your Wildlife Photography, Jim Harmer
Better Birds: A Photographer's Guide, Steve Dimock
How to Photography Landscapes Like a Pro, Steve Rutherford
Mastering Exposure in Digital Photography, Stephen Hockman
8 Types of Natural Light, Anne McKinnell
Creative Photography Techniques, 20 Tips for Stronger Images, Dan Bailey
Earth and Light Digital Media books by Richard Bernabe available through his site