Comments (0)

By Dan Bailey, September 8, 2010 10:47 am

Nikon P7000 digital point and shoot camera with full manual control

Outdoor and photography enthusiasts, photo bloggers, expedition athletes and dedicated Nikon have been watching the Coolpix line evolve during the past few years, but until now, they didn’t really have any options for a full featured point and shoot with an optical viewfinder. Those days are now history.

Yesterday Nikon announced the release of their brand new, top of the line point and shoot camera, the Coolpix P7000. Designed as a high-end, top of the line, prosumer digital camera for those photographers who are looking to go beyond a traditional compact point and shoot, but who still don’t want to step up to a full DLSR, the P7000 offers photo enthusiasts and advanced amateurs a compact camera with a high resolution sensor and full manual control.

Previously, photographers looking for a full sized, full featured point and shoot hand only one real option, the Canon G11. Ok, maybe two if you throw in the Panasonic Lumix. With the P7000, Nikon has not only stepped up to the plate and served up a worthy competitor, they’ve hit one out of the park with this offering.

P7000 features include:

• 10.1 megapixel CCD sensor
• 1280 x 720 HD video with zoom and stereo recording
• Dual control dials
• Nikkor ED glass and a lens range that’s equivalent to a 28-200mm
• 3-inch ultra high resolution Clear Dot LCD display.
• Electronic Horizon Indicator
• 5-way VR image stabilization system
• Nikon’s EXPEED C2 image processing engine
• ISO speeds of up to 6400 at full resolution

Since the camera has not yet been released, we can only speculate on it’s performance, but with RAW shooting capabilities, full manual, as well as a host of auto modes that offer wide creative control, the P7000 seems like an excellent choice for any photographer who is looking to expand their photographic opportunities. The P7000 also has a hot shoe that allows the camera to work seamlessly with a Nikon Speedlight like the SB-900.

Pros will no doubt find the P7000 a great shooting alternative in situations where a full sized DSLR may not be practical. It also seems like the perfect camera for photographers who are looking to take their photography to the next level, but do not have the budget or space for a larger body and multiple lenses.

At only 1.3 fps, it won’t do pro action sports as well as a DSLR, but with it’s high quality wide angle zoom lens, exposure compensation and bracketing, white balance adjustment, it will no doubt produce beautiful landscape and people images. And being relatively compact, it’s perfect for outdoor and travel photography, or just taking with you and capturing the snapshots and fun images of file while you hike, ride your mountain bike, ski and explore the outdoors.

The Nikon P7000 will be available in late September for $499. You can read more info and preorder the P7000 at Amazon.

You can also view Nikon’s official P7000 web page here.

Back view of the Nikon P7000 with 10.1 megapixel digital sensor

Comments (2)

By Dan Bailey, September 2, 2010 1:42 pm

I learned a great deal about photography by reading books when I first started out. I used to spend hours on rainy Saturdays at the Boston Public Library in the photography section, poring over books on composition, technique and lighting like they were tomes that held the secret of life. I some ways they were, since my life and livelihood has now become inexorably intertwined with photography.

Although I gathered useful and interesting information from just about every book that I’ve ever picked up over the years, there are three books on outdoor photography that have influenced me more than any others. As far as I’m concerned these are the best books on the subject and I’d highly recommend them to anyone who likes to shoot photos of nature and the outdoors.

1. Mountain Light: In Search of the Dynamic Landscape, by Galen Rowell

A true visionary, Galen Rowell was, without a doubt, the father of the modern day adventure and outdoor photographer. He paved the way for every one of us who are out there tramping around the world, climbing mountains, and exploring the rugged natural places on the planet with our cameras and making a living at it. We owe it all to him. Even after his passing over ten years ago, his work continues to inspire countless photographers, travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.

His book, Mountain Light, which was first published by The Sierra Club in 1986, is considered the bible for outdoor, mountain and adventure photographers. It features 80 of his most well known images, accompanied by technical and compositional information, as well as introspective notes about the circumstances and ideas behind each of his shots. He details his methods and approach for a number of different subject types, including mountain landscapes, nature, adventure and expedition imagery and cultural travel photography. If I could only have one book on photography, it would be this one.

Sadly, Mountain Light is currently out of print. If you can find a used copy, grab it and hold onto it as if it were gold. His most recent book, Galen Rowell, A Retrospective, is also a wonderfully inspiring book to any photographer, and it contains reproductions of many of the same images that appear in Mountain Light.

2. John Shaw’s Nature Photographer’s Field Guide

John Shaw is an expert on teaching photography and his books are packed with useful information, as well as gorgeous imagery. His Nature Photography Field Guide is filled with creative methods, technical tips and equipment recommendations that will help any photographer improve their ability to create beautiful and striking images of nature and the outdoors.

He details how and when to apply the different techniques and methods that are essential to working with outdoor subjects in a variety of situations and natural settings.

Unlike some photographers to teach in a very “preachy, I know best” style, John explains concepts and photographic methods in a very down to earth and conversational way. He presents the information in a way that makes you really learn and appreciate the technical and artistic craft of photography.

John Shaw actually has a number of books out there about nature photography, and I’d recommend any of them. However, this book brings together a great all around combination of methods, tips and subject matter.

3. Understanding Exposure, by Bryan Peterson

Geared towards the serious amateur photographer who is already comfortable shooting photos in a variety of settings, Bryan Peterson’s bestselling book, Understanding Exposure teaches you how to deal with light and capture more dramatic and creative images.

Since photography is all about light, learning how to master it is an essential concept towards becoming a better, more successful photographer. Bryan is indeed a master, and whether it be side light, back light or overcast, he shows you how to make the most of any situation and how to use it effectively to capture your subject matter in the (no pun intended) best light possible.

He also helps you get a solid handle on the technical aspects of exposure, camera settings, f-stops, apertures, ISO, color temperature, focal lengths and other aspects of photography, that are not always entirely understood.

The book is filled with full color examples as well as exercises that you can do to help improve your photography and master the concepts that he explains. Understanding Exposure is a great and worthwhile learning tool for any photographer and one of the most popular and enduring books ever written on the subject.

Comments (2)

By Dan Bailey, July 23, 2010 9:00 am

I’m introducing a brand new feature on the site today, The Outdoor Photography Forum.

It’s a place for outdoor photographers, pro and amateur alike, to talk shop and discuss technique, ask questions, review and recommend gear and share knowledge about the creativity, craft and business of outdoor photography.

It’s a place where you can find out what camera, tripods, bags, software and computer gear other photographers are using, share tips and creative ideas and hear about ways that others shooters are making imagery or how they’re navigating the photo industry and making money with their photography.

You can also share your own images on the site. Whether you shoot nature, travel, sports and action, landscapes, people, events or portraits, the forum is a place where you can show off your outdoor imagery, ask for comments and critiques, get feedback or just display your photos for others to see.

The Outdoor Photography Forum is a place where you can learn and be part of a community of other photographers. Of course, we have to build it first. Being a brand new forum, the walls are a little bit bare right now. I need your help to get this thing going, so head on over to the message board, join the forum and post a topic. Ask a question, share a tip, post a quick review of a piece of gear that you use or share a recent image. Write anything that’s related to outdoor photography. Be brave. Be one of the first ones to post.

Also, let other photographers know about the site. Share, Tweet and Digg it. Post a link on your Facebook Page. With some effort and social networking, we can turn this forum into a great resource for us as outdoor image makers. I look forward to seeing it grow.

Enter the Outdoor Photography Forum

Comments (0)

By Dan Bailey, July 9, 2010 8:50 am

During a photo shoot for an Alaska Tourism client, I photographed Surprise Glacier, which terminates into Harriman Fjord, in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It’s an impressive glacier that frequently calves off huge chunks of ice into the bay.

A scene like this is tailor made for a panorama. After stitching together five individual shots using Adobe Photoshop’s Photomerge command, I exported the final panorama with the Zoomify effect, which really shows all the detail in the ice.

Click here to see the Zoomfiy version.

Surprise Glacier, Harriman Fjord, Prince William Sound, Alaska

Comments (3)

By Dan Bailey, June 28, 2010 12:53 pm

I was recently hired by a client to shoot photos for an article they are running about Denali National Park, with the emphasis on getting a great aerial shot of Denali (Mt. McKinley) for the cover.

After discussing specifics and time frames, I started tracking the weather, which can be extremely finicky in the summertime. One statistic I saw showed that the mountain is only visible for an average of four days in the month of June. Denali rises so high above the surrounding landscape that it literally makes its own weather. Wind currents hitting the sides of the mountain area forced upwards, and in the process the air cools and condenses into clouds. Since warm air holds more moisture than cold air, there are just way more clouds that surround the mountain in the summer.

Spotting a short but promising window of opportunity last weekend, I drove up to the park entrance, caught a camper bus out to Kantishna and parked myself out there a the west end of the park until the weather cleared. I spent three days day hiking in the park, tromping around the tundra and hoofing it up and down the wide open gravel river bars, all the while capturing landscapes and animal shots for the article.

Eventually, on Sunday evening, after a day of building moisture and towering cumulous clouds, the sky let loose with all its moisture. By 8:00PM, the mountain came out and revealed itself in all it’s grandeur. I caught the bus back to Kantishna and scheduled an air taxi flight for 10:00PM. Shoot on!

Shooting from a doors-off Cessna 206

We went down to the airstrip, where they were prepping the Cessna 206 for the photo flight and removing both passenger doors for maximum visibility and clarity. With me in the back seat secured by seat belt that was duct taped closed for added safety, we took off underneath a rainbow from the clearing storm, turned south and climbed to nearly 13,000 feet.

For the next hour, the pilot made circles and followed my direction as I looked for the best angles and shot aerials of Denali and the rest of the Alaska Range out of the open door. I used a Nikon D700 and a D300, with 17mm, 24mm and 50mm lenses. Above 10,000 feet, the late evening sky was perfectly clear and the moon was out, making for near perfect photography conditions. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to take off two hours later in order to get the best evening light. However, due to pilot duty hour regulations, this wasn’t possible, since my pilot had been flying since early that morning.

Overall, the assignment went off without a hitch, except that on my way out of the park on Tuesday morning, my shuttle bus drove off without me at one of the rest stops. Of course, my packs and all my camera gear (and full memory cards!) were still on the bus, and after I managed to catch a new bus, it took me the rest of the day to track down all of my stuff.

Very special thanks to all the great folks at Kantishna Air Taxi and the Skyline Lodge- great pilots, great people and a wonderful place to stay. I highly recommend them for lodging and/or flightseeing on the North side of the Park.

More photos to follow.

Comments (0)

By Dan Bailey, June 24, 2010 11:02 am

Aerial photo of Denali (Mt. McKinley), Alaska

Here’s an teaser image that I shot as part of an assignment for a client this past week in Denali National Park. I’ll post more images and an account of the shoot soon, so stay tuned!

Comments (0)

By Dan Bailey, March 29, 2010 12:08 pm

Last week I had the opportunity to shoot some aerial photos while flying over the Ruth Glacier, which lies in the heart of the Alaska Range inside Denali National Park. The Ruth contains some of Alaska’s most impressive peaks, and on a clear day, the views are absolutely stunning.

The Moose's Tooth, Ruth Glacier, Alaska

The Summit of Denali, seen from the Ruth Glacier, Alaska

The Gargoyle, Ruth Gorge, Alaska

Don Sheldon Mountain House, Ruth Amphitheater, Alaska

Peak at the End of the Ruth Gorge, Alaska

Flying Through the Ruth Gorge, Alaska

Comments (1)

By Dan Bailey, February 22, 2010 9:16 am

The wind drags a whisp of gray clouds over the summit, shielding it from my view. The sky above shifts from the black of night to the cobalt blue of early morning. At 4:30 A.M., sunrise is still a few minutes away, although the alpenglow of pre-dawn has come and gone, briefly lighting the surrounding peaks like candles in a chapel altar. Soon, they will glow with the orange rays of first light.

Since the mountain was not visible from my camp, I hiked for an hour in the dark, the beam of my headlamp illuminating the path over rocks and ice. Now I sit anxiously beside the trail. My camera is fastened to a tripod within arms reach, aimed and focused, filled with a fresh roll of Fuji slide film. There are 5 more rolls in my pack, I hope that’s enough. Looking around, I can see sharp Himalayan spires thrusting into the sky in all directions, but my attention is commanded towards the one that rises 12,000-feet above the glacier in front of me, higher than all the rest. If luck is with me this morning,the clouds will drift past before the sun breaks the horizon, and I’ll capture a full view of K2 when the first light hits.

At 28,250-feet, K2 is second only to Mt. Everest in height. In sheer majesty, though, it is second to none. It stands alone at the end of the Goldwin Austin Glacier in Northern Pakistan; a fortress of rock, encircled by a moat of glaciers which isolate it from it’s nieghbors. Gasherbrum IV, Broad Peak, Mustagh Tower soar toward the cold sky within view of the pyramid giant, but K2 dwarfs them all, leaving them to pay homage to the King of the Karakoram Range.

K2 is also second to none in danger, challenged each year by scores of climbers who test their physical limits and luck by trying for it’s summit. Because of it’s technical difficulty and extreme elevation, K2 is cosidered to be the hardest climb in the world. Of all those who attemt to reach the top, few succeed. Others die, but most turn back, defeated. The mountain swats at them like flies, trying to shake them loose with avalanches, violent storms, and the life threatening effects of altitude sickniss. In a matter of days, Accute Mountain Sickness can reduce a strong climber to a delerious victim, racked with debilitating coughing fits. The potential for danger increases when storms rage for days, preventing a retreat. If the victim doesn’t descend, the mountain will claim another life without remorse.

Unlike the Himalayas of Nepal, K2 is not visible from any inhabited place. It’s approach requires a rugged 75-mile trek up the Baltoro Glacier; 7 days from the nearest village. It was first mapped as part of the Great Trigonometric Survey of India in 1856, and noted randomly as Karakoram Peak #2. Since no local name could ever be found, it’s numerical designation stuck, and remains as the mountian’s only official name.

The first atttemp to climb K2 was in 1902 and led by English occult figure Aleister Crowley. The team never even reached 22,000-feet before turning back when a member developed Pulmonary Edema.

In 1909, Prince Luigi Amedeo of Savoy, also known as the Duke of the Abruzzi, organized an expedition that would become the model for future big mountain expeditions. Unfortunately, his elaborate planning and logistics got him no higher than 19,600-feet. A member of his team declared that K2 was unclimable due to its fierce conditions and countless obstacles.

This proved to be true for the next 45 years. 3 American expeditions all failed in 1938, 1939, and 1953 respectively. The 1939 expedition was frought with tragedy with four members being lost during the attempt.

Finally, in 1954, K2’s elusive summit was reached by 2 Italians, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagnoni. At last the Karakoram King was subdued, but only for a brief moment. The Pakistani Government closed the region to further exploration for the next 20 years.

When the ban was lifted in 1975, the much publicized American expedition obtained the first permits, but failed miserably. Since then, a number of teams have succeeded in summitting K2, but it remains the ultimate mountaineering challenge.

For me, it is a photographic challenge, for I have travelled a long way to get within sight. While I wait for the sunrise, I think about the climbers who are camped on it’s flanks, braving extreme temperatures and altitude.

As if my wishes are granted, the clouds drift away and the sharp summit pokes through. When the first ray of light splashes on it’s eastern face, I jump behind my camera and fire off an entire roll. After reloading, I continue to shoot as the light creeps downward, turning the cloud bank into an orange stripe. The electronic whirr of my Nikon’s motor drive shatters the silence, and with light and sound, a new day dawns in the King’s icy domain.

Comments (0)

By Dan Bailey, December 30, 2009 1:26 pm

Wintertime photography often requires some very specialized equipment and methods. I’m not talking about the ways that you keep your lithium battery packs warm or how you deal with condensation and ice on your lenses, I’m simply referring to the gear that keeps you warm and dry.

Plain and simple, keeping your body comfortable in cold weather will allow you to create better imagery, because instead of shivering uncontrollably or worrying about how to get the blood back into your hands and feet, you’ll be free to focus on your subject and the process of photography.

Although everyone will have their own setup, I’ll go from head to toe with my gear and let you know what works for me. Hopefully it will give you some ideas about how not to freeze when you’re outside with your camera this winter.

Head: Everyone knows that you lose most of your body heat through an uncovered head, so wearing a good hat is key to keeping warm. A jacket with a hood will help keep out the wind as well.

Face: Fact- cameras are made of metal and plastic. Fact- photography usually involves placing these items against your face. Take it from me, when outside temperatures are below freezing, and especially when they’re in the neighborhood of 0-degrees and below, putting a cold camera body against the bare skin of your nose and cheek is an easy way to give yourself frostbite. I learned this the hard way last year when I frost nipped the end of my nose while shooting some landscapes at 10-below.

Obviously, the easiest way to avoid this is to cover your face with a balaclava or neoprene face mask. I’ve used both types and which one works best is usually a matter of preference, and/or how cold it is outside. If you find yourself shooting outside without one of these this winter, you can always try to hold the camera back a millimeter or two away from your nose, or use the Live View feature to view your scene on the camera’s LCD screen.

Body: This is an easy one. Wear a jacket. Bundle up. If you’re shooting static subject such as landscapes or portraits, a big puffy down or fiberfill jacket is your best bet. If you’re actively photographing outdoor sports such as skiing, then dress appropriately for the specific activity. Dress in layers and make use of high tech synthetic and wool fabrics that are made by many of the outdoor clothing companies like Patagonia, Smartwool, Mountain Hardwear, Ibex, etc…

Hands: Keeping your hands and fingers warm while still retaining the dexterity needed to manipulate the camera controls can be tricky in wintertime. I’ve used chemical hand heater packs made by Grabber for years. They fit right inside your gloves or mittens and provide an easy way for you to warm up after using bare hands for short periods to adjust camera controls. Try to find handwear that is not so bulky that it won’t let you feel and press the shutter button. Fingerless gloves that fit inside bigger mittens work well, as well as lobster claw mitts that separate the index finger from the rest of your hand.

Feet: Winter photography often means tromping around for hours in deep snow. Lord knows we have plenty of that up here in Alaska! In the past I’ve used mountain boots and gaiters to keep the snow out. Insulated boots from Sorel and Kamic work great as well.

Lately, though, I’ve been rather excited about my Neos Explorers. Neos makes insulated (and non insulated) waterproof overshoes that go right over your regular shoes or boots. My Explorers are insulated and keep my feet dry and warm down to 20-below, and offer the versatility of wearing regular my street shoes underneath, which can be handy if you’re going in and out and don’t want to carry an extra pair of bulky boots. They work really well for cold weather bike riding here in Anchorage, which is typically how I get around. In fact, Neos are the choice for many of the ultra-winter and fat-tire bike riders here in Alaska.

They also work well for winter aviation, since they pack light and go on and off easily and pack light and they were perfect for that winter ski-flying photo shoot that I did last week (see previous post). They not great on ice, but they do have a STABILicers version of the Explorer if you need the extra traction.

No matter what you shoot, winter offers wonderful opportunities for outdoor photography. With all the great gear that’s available, don’t let the weather keep you from getting outside and creating some great images this year! And since it bears repeating, remember to keep that cold camera back away from your nose!

Comments (1)

By Dan Bailey, December 14, 2009 2:00 pm

The short winter days in Alaska yield some great light for photography. Here are some shots from Turnagain Pass, Alaska.

To see more from this shoot, visit the Fresh Page on my website.