Friday, August 28, 2015

Nature Photography: A Practical Approach by Mike Trahan

Do you wonder if you can take gorgeous nature photos such as you've seen done by others?  Do you want to improve your shots further?  You can!

But where do you start and how do you do it? We'll walk through the various genres of nature photography and give you practical suggestions on technique, settings, equipment, plus where and when to go out.

Our session will be oriented to the beginning/intermediate through advanced photographer.  We won't just be showing pretty pictures.  This will be a high content, practical session although it still will be an overview given the time we'll have.

What are the genres we're talking about?

Well, there's birds and wildlife.
All of these warblers and songbirds plus more come through our area in the spring and fall.  One of the best spots, although not the only one, to find and photograph them is easily reached right in Chicago, the Magic Hedge at Montrose Harbor.

How about landscapes:
O.k., o.k.  Mt. Rainier isn't in the Midwest.  But Volo Bog northwest of Chicago is.  So if you don't want to travel far, all is not lost.

Flowers and plants:  Like this chicory, a common roadside plant.


Bugs!  (Butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, and other cute little invertebrates plus some not so cute ones.)

When you get down to it, photography is a great excuse to get out and enjoy nature which then enriches your life.  So join us at CAPS-Chicago Area Photographic School on November 21st and 22nd at Elgin Community College.  Check out the Caps homepage at:  Home



Mike Trahan has been a birder and nature lover for over thirty five years.  He's a member of a nature -only CACCA club, Riverwoods Nature Photographic Society and another CACCA club, the Lake County Camera Club, where he's a past president.  He's won honors at the club, CACCA, and PSA nature levels as well as various Midwest awards such as first place winner for eagle photos from the Stewards of the Upper Mississippi, grand prize winner for Visit Lake County, and first place winner for the Ottawa National Forest.  Mike really enjoys photography, nature, and sharing what he's learned with you!

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