“Capturing Alaska”
with Wayde Carroll






Adjusting to a cold, cloudy, rainy, Alaskan summer!



   If you don’t live in Alaska or check the nations weather regularly you may not know that we haven’t had much of a summer this year. I think we’ve had only one day that’s been over 70 degrees F and only a handful of days that have blessed us with glorious sunshine. We’ve had record precipitation and the snow hasn’t left the peaks. In fact I saw a new dusting just this afternoon!
  This hasn’t dampened my love of Alaska in the slightest. In fact, one of the things that thrills me about living here is that the weather is completely unpredictable. It makes it seem, well, wild. Typically we get a wonderful mixture of sunny, overcast, rainy, and blustery days that is really wonderful for a photographer because certain subjects look better under certain light. If you don’t like the type of light on a subject one day your sure to have an opportunity for another quality very soon. The light this summer hasn’t varied too much. So, I’ve had to keep my focus on subjects that work well in the ever present soft, dim, light this summer has given me.
 One of the more difficult types of images in these conditions is the grand landscape. Including much bland, white, sky is usually an image killer. Thus, I’ve been aiming my camera down and tight, focusing on subjects that are rendered beautiful by the soft box quality light and the color saturating rains.
 I’ve posted several images from recent weeks that I really like. A good lesson in all this is you can find wonderful images no matter what the conditions are. You just have to get out there. Don’t let the weather stop you- within reason of course!
  A few creative notes on what’s posted:

1) Macro photography is great in overcast light. You lose the harsh contrast of a sunny scene.
2) Often foul weather adds a wonderful drama to an image such as the image of the loons on the lake and the pano in Denali National Park.
3) Details of flora and fauna are especially flattering under soft light.
4) A note on the bear images. Same bear, different angles. You can see the dramatic difference achieved by just moving around and working the scene. Also, don’t let rain stop you!
5) When I’m on a trip I find it hard to put my camera away so if the weather is putting a damper on things, poor visibility etc., I start looking where I usually wouldn’t and having fun with more unusual images such as the person above me on the Alaska Railroad car.
6) Lastly, sharing the outdoors with friends and family makes for special memories and images. The last is of my favorite guy in the world, my son Jack.