[john michael white]

I’ll throw up a few wildlife/non fly fishing related images as well.  Again, like Matt said, Zach if you and Phil want to keep things fly fishing related only, or feel these images are too many to include, feel free to delete this post.

Cover

TOC’s

[john michael white]

Since my images above were posted on the original thread from this past June, which did not specify covers, here are a few verticals that are the best I have so far that might be suitable.  I’ve added two new TOC possibilities as well.  Links to larger images are below each picture.

http://www.johnmwhitephotography.com/img/v4/p199521868-5.jpg

http://www.johnmwhitephotography.com/img/v3/p108954761-5.jpg

http://www.johnmwhitephotography.com/img/v6/p154826536-5.jpg

In the interest of full disclosure, the following two pictures were a joint effort with my wife.  I set the camera settings, and did the post processing, and handed the camera to my wife while I fished and she took the two pictures below:

http://www.johnmwhitephotography.com/img/v5/p178656017-5.jpg

http://www.johnmwhitephotography.com/img/v5/p793301293-4.jpg

[john michael white]

Grant,

Another really handy feature when adjusting white balance is to use the Kelvin feature (in DPP or other RAW converter).  If you shoot in RAW, you can go back after the fact and adjust the white balance using the Kelvin slider until it looks spot on.  I try to pick the correct WB setting in camera when I shoot, but I always go back in processing and adjust the Kelvin slider to make sure it is exactly the way I saw it.  

Your camera may also have a Kelvin WB setting that allows you to set the white balance in camera to a specific Kelvin temperature.  If you have time, you can take a few shots and adjust the Kelvin temperature setting in camera until it looks good on your screen – if you will be shooting in consistent light.  That should get you close.  If you don’t have time, just pick the closest WB setting to your conditions (daylight, shade, cloudy, etc.) and then fine tune in post with the Kelvin slider.

Of course, if you have conflicting Kelvin light sources, as Ben mentioned about the last image, this may not help you much.  I am guessing that the conflicting Kelvin issues might have come from having your camera set to Auto WB, and maybe having part of the bird in sunlight and the rest in a shadow?  The head and front patch of feathers in the lower right look warm/natural, but the rest of the feathers in the background of the frame have a blueish cast to them.  So maybe the background was in shade and the foreground in sun?  The more I look at the image, it appears that it was not shot with flash, just ambient light (no sparkle or catchlight in the duck’s eye and the water droplets, and maybe the warm sunlight is hitting the head from camera right but the rest of the body is picking up a bluiesh cast from light reflected off nearby water???  Keep in mind that nearby reflectors can reflect light that is the color of the object reflecting it.  

You could try to move the subject into one consistent light source if using natural light, and/or if applicable to the situation when using a flash, try putting a gel on your flash to make it match the ambient light source temperature if that makes sense?

[john michael white]

Grant,

PS elements won’t let you work with a RAW file, you’ll need a RAW converter to do that.

[john michael white]

Really cool shots.

[john michael white]

Will,

Estrus urine is not to be put on *you* ;D

[john michael white]

Here in Central Texas, there are two excellent mom and pop fly shops in my city (Austin), one big box store a few miles south of town (Cabelas), two other mom and pop stores on the Guadalupe (our trout river) which is about 55 miles away.

[john michael white]

Wow.

[john michael white]

http://www.clearcreek.net/gb_highlandville_rolling_duffle.asp

I have an older version that I got about 4 years ago.

[john michael white]

Thanks for the explanation John!

[john michael white]

Very cool and informative trip report.

[john michael white]

David,

How do you calibrate lenses?

[john michael white]

I love my Dakine Sequence.

I also have a Sequence that’s worked out great for me.

An added bonus to the zipper configuration – when travelling in sketchy/crowded areas it’s impossible for someone to get into your pack while you have it on.  A friend had a lens stolen out of a backpack in a crowded bus station a couple of years ago – the thief just unzipped the pack and grabbed what was on top.

The Naneu Pro pack I have also has this feature.

[john michael white]

If you’re looking for a long range big game rifle (for out west), you can’t go wrong with the Remington Model 700 (pick your caliber of choice).

[john michael white]

I started bowhunting again this fall, after a 9 year break.  

Two weeks ago I had a nice 8 point buck walk right towards me (head on) but didn’t have a good shot angle before it went behind brush (and I had already decided it wasn’t big enough, as I am still after a nice shoulder mount).  Now, I am kind of worried whether or not I will get a good oppurtunity…  At the end of December, if I see it again, it may be a shooter  ;D.

But I am waiting for a chance at one of two bigger deer I have been told are in the area – and a hunting weekend we have scheduled at a friend’s ranch in December, where I have seen some trail cam pics of some nice racks.  Problem there, I will most likely be hunting off the ground with my bow, and using natural cover.  Maybe I’ll give in to temptation and use the .30-06, but I really want to get this shoulder mount with the bow.

If nothing else, I am enjoying the time in the treestand, and it was really cool to see that buck pass right under me, followed by a spike, and both never knew I was there.  Also had a red tailed hawk I was watching fly straight towards me in the stand and turn in front of me at about 10 yards or so.  Add gorgeous evening light.  It has been good to be back hunting again.

And if I don’t get that shoulder mount this year, there’s always next season.

Matt – you should send that woodcock picture in to Gray’s with a photo essay.  I have seen a lot of stuff done on woodcock in there, and that is a great pic!

[john michael white]

Buzz – just to clarify, the Bob Krist Book you were talking about is the one further down the page on his site called Secrets of Lighting on Location , right?

[john michael white]

Buzz,

I think I am mostly interested in using available ambient light (with or without mixing artificial light), location lighting with a minimalist approach, and the characteristics of light (maybe from a more scientific/physics point of view?).  

Currently, I have one speed light.  In the future, I would like to have a second that can be used as a slave, with a pocket wizard type setup.  I’m interested in how to use studio lighting, but honestly, I don’t know if I will ever be doing that.  Using natural light, in combination with one or more speed lights is probably all I will be doing for the foreseeable future.

[john michael white]

Thanks guys.  

Dusty – Yeah, I love Joe McNally’s images.  I have read his book The Moment It Clicks, and definitely want to read his new one, The Hot Shoe Diaries.  I have also read a little on his blog from time to time.  

David, I am really interested in the Chimera 3 Dimensional Contrast video you suggested.

I checked out the Roto Vision book as well Chad. Thanks.

So far, aside from Joe McNally’s first book, I have also been making my way through Minimalist Lighting by Kirk Tuck.  And a back in the spring, I was reading Lighting 101 on the Strobist blog.

Keep the recommendations coming!

[john michael white]

Grant,

Next time you are in the area, you should check out the Guadalupe tailwater below Canyon Dam for rainbows.

[john michael white]

Mark – No problem at all.

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