Mac users can use my image as their desktop on the new OS - Lion

Click on image to view the full size.

With the release of Apple's new operating system (Lion) mac users can now use one of my photographs as their desktop. Apple has called the image "forest in mist". It can be found under desktop pictures in the desktop and screensaver dialog box. Isn't that cool?! :)

Related post : http://nikhilbahl.blogspot.com/2011/04/apple-lion-and-i.html

Upcoming Workshops and classes:

July 30 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)

September 24 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)

October 6-9 - West Virginia Fall Workshop (Davis, WV)

October 22-23 - Autumn at Great Falls Workshop (VA/MD)

November 18-20 - Chincoteague Island Workshop (VA)

View full 2011 workshop schedule...

Take the photo now and focus later!!!

My auto focus misfired causing the birds to be rendered out of focus.
It would be nice to bring them back into focus.

No, that's not a typo. It's just a new technology! The new Lytro camera let's you take the photograph without worrying about where you have focused. Once the image is downloaded to the computer you can then pick the part of the image you want in focus. Unbelievable, isn't it? This technology should be available to us very soon. Apparently it will be available at a consumer (not professional) price point.

If you thought software had changed everything, think again.  This will makes it so much easier to capture the fleeting moment. Not to mention the boon it would be for macro photographers. On workshops, you won't believe how many people ask me where they should focus. To think that I might not get asked that question again simply blows my mind.

The purists will beat this technology down but with technology the choice is simple; embrace it now or embrace it later. One thing is for sure, this will get the Nikon's and the Canon's thinking.

To read more about this technology and the Lytro camera follow this link - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/22/technology/22camera.html?_r=3&hp

Make sure you click on the flower image on the left (page 2), follow the instructions and watch the magic.

I would love to hear what you think of this new technology.

Upcoming Workshops and classes:

July 23 - Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Field Session (Washington D.C.)

July 30 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)

September 24 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)

October 6-9 - West Virginia Fall Workshop (Davis, WV)

October 22-23 - Autumn at Great Falls Workshop (VA/MD)

November 18-20 - Chincoteague Island Workshop (VA)

View full 2011 workshop schedule...

New images from Lower Antelope Canyon

A new portfolio of images from Lower Antelope Canyon in Arizona has been posted on my website. http://www.nikhilbahl.com/photography_portfolios_gallery.html
My last 2 visits to the Southwest have been memorable. I expect to have more images to share from the Southwest and my 2 recent trips to Florida. Stay tuned!

Upcoming Workshops and classes:

July 23 - Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Field Session (Washington D.C.)

July 30 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)

September 24 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)

October 6-9 - West Virginia Fall Workshop (Davis, WV)

October 22-23 - Autumn at Great Falls Workshop (VA/MD)

November 18-20 - Chincoteague Island Workshop (VA)

View full 2011 workshop schedule...

Chincoteague Workshop Report

Last week I lead 4 day workshop at Chincoteague Island. We had had great weather after an overcast evening shoot the first day. Even though it was overcast the group enjoyed getting within touching distance of the Chincoteague ponies. A couple of quick passing showers later we decided to go for a group dinner. After that every field trip we made over the next 3 days was filled with good opportunities. 

Great Egret Landing

This was one of those opportunities. Generally Great Egrets use a stealthy approach to get to their prey. However, this egret really performed for us. It pranced and jumped around for almost 45 minutes. I made sure everyone photographed it for a little while. Some moved to photograph other birds. That's when I pulled out my camera for about 5 minutes and let off a few bursts to capture the action. I was quite pleased to get this image from a 5 minute shoot. Several of the participants came away with gorgeous photos that I saw in the feedback sessions.

Apple, Lion and I

Autumn Tree Tops, Shenandoah National Park, VA. 

Last November I was contacted by a photo producer from Apple. They were interested in 6 of my images for possible use as a desktop and/or screensaver for their new OS called Lion. My first thought was that this could be another internet scam that would somehow involve me giving some money. Then I read the email again. It seemed genuine. It so happened that one of my clients husband works for Apple and he was able to confirm that the person contacting me was actually an employee. Now I was excited! While I have licensed images before, this was a high profile client. I provided JPG's of all the images they had requested to see. A couple of months later I heard back. They were interested in seeing large version of one of my images. So I provided another JPG. A couple of months later they wanted to see the largest size JPG. Seems like they were really interested in this image. I provided the full size JPG. And a couple of weeks ago they contacted me to purchase the image for a desktop and/or screensaver option. The paperwork was done last week and the sale is complete.

When you upgrade to Lion this fall or buy a new mac once the new OS is released, look for my image (the one above) and make it your background :)

Upcoming Workshops and classes:

April 23 - Spring Flowers Workshop (VA)
April 28-May 1 - Chincoteague Island Workshop (VA)
July 16 - Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Field Session (Washington D.C.)

July 30 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)
September 24 - Digital Nature Photography One-day Workshop (Chincoteague Island, VA)
October 6-9 - West Virginia Fall Workshop (Davis, WV)
October 22-23 - Autumn at Great Falls Workshop (VA/MD)
November 18-20 - Chincoteague Island Workshop (VA)

View full 2011 workshop schedule...

Lower Antelope Canyon

One of the hardest things to do in photography is to come away with an unusual photograph from locations that have been photographed to death. While the unusual photograph may be hard to find, with a little effort and creativity you can try and come away with something that is (at least) different.

Lower Antelope Canyon in Arizona is a classic example. We see so many images from there. The one thing I have found people consistently do, is oversaturate their images from this location. Don't get me wrong, that may be their interpretation and that is the way they choose to present their artwork. I respect that. The point I am making is this gives the wrong impression to people who have not visited the location. The colors are pretty amazing and depending on the angle of the sun and how bright it is, the reflected light in the canyon can be unbelievable.

Cormorants in the fog

Last week I was in Florida doing some bird photography. I made over 6,000 photographs of various species of birds and a few landscapes. Don't be taken aback by the number. When photographing wildlife it is quite common to come away with a large number of photographs. Between anticipating the action and shooting in burst mode the number climbs rather quickly.

When presented with a foggy morning I have a tendency to go into landscape mode. This is generally a good idea as birds don't let you get too close. Thus, may not be visible through the fog. But not it Florida! This is because the birds are more habituated to humans and allow us to approach a lot closer.