A lot of people ask me how I can stand living through our Alaska winters. I tell them if you can get a couple winter outdoor hobbies it is easy. I love to cross-country ski and last year we adopted a Siberian Husky into our family. That makes it even more fun. My wife's twin sister is a recreational dog musher and we enjoy outings with her and her dogs. On this excursion, we had 2 dog sleds, a pair of skis, 4 Siberians and a black lab. Click on any photo for larger view.
Donner waiting patiently
Donner waiting not so patiently
My wife(in the back) with her twin sister
My lovely wife with Blue
Found a pair of moose in our yard when we got home
This was my first time skijoring with two dogs. I borrowed Totem to help Donner pull...what fun.I included a one minute video from my point and shoot camera. You will see why I don't carry my 5D outside of my backpack at the end.
This is one of my favorite moose images. I show these three moose coming out of the woods as I drove past them. I had not seen a car for miles so we were pretty alone. Fortunately, I had my camera with my 100-400mm lens right next to me in the truck. I jumped out and snapped several photos as they crossed the road. I was worried about the direction of the sun from behind them, but I like the back-lit effect of this photo.
You don't have to go far to find a moose, but they can disappear in a hurry like these did. Other times, I will find a couple moose bedding down in my backyard...only in Alaska!
I just uploaded 20 moose images to my Zenfolio account here. Click on photo for larger view.
I was scheduled to fly out in a helicopter Friday morning, but weather kept us grounded. As I was heading north in my daily commute between Anchorage and Wasilla, I was blown away by the light on the mountains from the sunrise. I stopped a couple times to snap a shot. I have always known my commute has to be one of the most beautiful in the world and wanted to share it. These are the mountains I see every day. Click on photo for larger view. Click on photo for larger view. Click on photo for larger view. Click on photo for larger view. Click on photo for larger view.
I love waterfalls! I love the challenge of getting that smooth silky look of flowing water. When the weather is bad, I look for a waterfall. This is Salmon Creek Falls just outside of Juneau, Alaska. If you can make it outside of the tourist season, you might be the only one there. I have shot these falls several times and never ran across a single person.
I decided to play with Photomatix settings on this one and like the way it turned out.
Using backlight can be challenging, but when used correctly it can add depth to your photos.
The sun adds some backlight and depth to this musher
You can also use the sun for the classic silhouette
Used a flash behind and above my nephew and girlfriend to separate them from the background
Backlighting is a very effective way to separate your subject from the background. Your camera will try to underexpose though so you have to play with your metering. Try spot metering and exposure compensation the next time you have a difficult shot.
Took photos of dog mushing during 2 days of competition. The lighting conditions on the trail were very poor. On the second day, I decided to bring my flash equipment. I have a Canon 580 EXii, and 2 Canon 430 EXii. I trigger these with a Canon STE2 on my hotshoe. I let ETTL figure out my flash exposure.
Click on photo for larger view.
First Day Lighting (no flash)
Second day, 580ex ii camera right, 430 exii camera left
My setup
Next time I will bring some light modifiers to throw more light. I just recently moved up to the Canon ETTL system from a completely manual off camera flash system. I am really liking it and hope to do more soon.
My sister-in-law competed in the 4 dog mushing category at Montana Creek last weekend. They also had some 2 dog and 1 dog skijoring races. I wish my Siberian Husky would pull like these dogs.
Click on photo for larger view. Montana Creek Mushing Click on photo for larger view. Montana Creek Mushing Click on photo for larger view. My sister-in-law's team Click on photo for larger view. Montana Creek Mushing Click on photo for larger view. Montana Creek Mushing Click on photo for larger view. Montana Creek Mushing Click on photo for larger view. Montana Creek Mushing
I traveled to Seattle a couple weeks ago on business and was able to bring my 17 year old daughter. My family lives in the area so I travel there quite a bit. We got there during a record cold snap...got down to single digits...whimps!! I did not get a lot a photo ops until the last day when I took my daughter across the sound on the ferry and we walked to the Space Needle. These are the photos:
This shot was taken from the top of the Space Needle. Click on photo for larger view. Washington State Ferry
Mount Rainer and Quest Field from the Space Needle Click on photo for larger view. Seattle, Washington From the Space Needle as the sun sets
Click on photo for larger view. Seattle Mount Rainier with Seattle in the foreground
Click on photo for larger view. Seattle
My daughter on the ferry with Seattle in the background. I had her stand in the spotlight from the ferry's upper deck. Did not have to get my flash out. Talk about off camera lighting! Click on photo for larger view. Onboard the ferry
The ferry coming into the Bainbridge Island Dock Click on photo for larger view. Ferry
Seattle Tacoma Airport . 3 image HDR. Click on photo for larger view. SeaTac Airport
View of Seattle from the ferry. Click on photo for larger view. Seattle
My wife and I own a Siberian Husky and enjoy taking him out on hikes, walks and runs. This winter we will be skijoring more. I have done some skijoring years ago when I lived in Fairbanks, but have not skied with a dog since moving to Wasilla. I have tried to include some scenic photos from the trail. These were taken with a point and shoot camera. Since this was the first time Donner and I were skiing together I did not want to take a chance with my 5D. I included a short video to show what fun it is to skijor.
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Onboard the ferry
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