Capturing Alaska
with Wayde Carroll
Thinking Small in the big state!
Over the last month I've been leading groups of photographers to various places around Alaska. Not only do I get to meet some great people and amazing photographers but I also get to take some images myself during these trips.
In Alaska sometimes it's hard to stop looking at the "Big Picture". The landscape is so vast and dominating that it demands attention. Wildlife of course demands as much, or even more, observation. Our grand state offers up both readily and often. There are times though that neither are willing to show themselves. Low clouds and pouring rain can make both disappear from time to time. That's when I really start focusing on the smaller things around me.
Having a macro lens really opens up the photographer's world. Mountains and bears are thrilling to be sure but I find extreme pleasure in the never ending possibilities found in the foliage around me. Searching the flora I'm able to zero in on the things that make up the landscape as a whole. In these subjects I'm able to practice composition, selective focus, the use of color, rule of thirds etc. I can study the natural lighting, maybe add some fill flash or the warm glow from my gold reflector. All the things that make up a nice image, a nice composition. Alaska's wide varying terrain allow for unending exploration.
Going out after, or during, a rainfall makes for some especially compelling images. Water droplets add to the interest of the scene.
If you don't have a macro lens you can use your longest zoom lens to focus in closer to things you wouldn't normally use that lens for. The photos here were taking with macro lenses and a 70 - 200mm zoom lens.
When the weather turns foul or that animal disappears start looking on the ground or in the brush next to you. Once you focus in it's amazing the possibilities that arise.
