Essays and Inspiration Category Archive

Photographing Beauty in Ugly Places

Wildlife photography is usually associated with breathtaking natural beauty, the soothing silence of forest groves, or the fresh scent of meadow flowers. But today's article is about something completely different. I want to show you that beautiful wildlife photos can be taken in a completely different environment - in the...

Photography: The Search for Ephemeral Worlds

The other day, I tried to list everything that contributes to a good photo. What are the crucial ingredients? High on the list were two things: thinking actively about composition in the field, and deliberate and careful post-processing. But what sustains the activity of going and taking those photos in...

One Day, I Found a Dancing Star in the Woods

With my backpack loaded with equipment, I entered the woods. Normally, there, I would be photographing roe deer. However, my goal this time was different: to photograph the Dog’s-Tooth-Violet (Erythronium dens-canis) so as to highlight the elegant shape and colorful nuances of this beautiful flower.

Finding a Photographic Style in Nature Photography

In nature photography – where the image is unlikely to be prepared, posed, or lit by the photographer – one’s unique personal style may be less apparent than, say, in a studio portrait. A photographer cannot claim full responsibility for results that heavily depend on natural conditions, right? Well, I disagree.

Photographing and Enjoying Alberta’s Nose Hill Park

It's an abrupt transition, going from the tropics of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to the sparse plains of Alberta over ten thousand kilometers away, especially when that transition also goes from the Austral summer to the Boreal winter. This transition is one of landscapes, wildlife, and ecology, and it is...

The Chimborazo Hillstar: A High-Altitude Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are commonly thought of as a typical tropical bird family. And for the most part, this perception is accurate - of the 363 species of hummingbirds, the vast majority thrive in tropical environments. But some species inhabit such extreme habitats that few would expect to find tiny, fragile hummingbirds...

How to Beat Imposter Syndrome as a Photographer

Imposter syndrome is a common psychological phenomenon that causes people to doubt their abilities and feel fake, despite their successes and skills. It can profoundly impact a photographer’s journey and progress. Today, I’ll explore practical strategies to deal with impostor syndrome and improve your confidence as a photographer.

Double Rarity: A Strange Bird Doing a Strange Thing

Perhaps every nature photographer dreams of capturing some rarity in nature – be it a unique or rare animal or some seldom-seen behavior. Ideally, of course, both at once. I recently published an article that focuses on a rare color variation in birds. Today’s short post has something even more unusual.