Joe and Mary Ann McDonald's

Wildlife Photography

April 2003

Tip of the Month

The Nature Photographer's Network, NPN

Recently, while doing some research on digital photography I stumbled upon the Nature Photographer's Network, http://www.naturephotographers.net/, which had several excellent articles, including many by George Lepp's Photoshop guru, Tim Grey, and some others by Matt Hagadorn -- all of which were excellent, informative, and free to download. Quite a service.

Photographer friends of our's have spoken about NPN on numerous occasions, but because of our travel schedule, and my usual disinterest in surfing the net -- I usually do not have the time. But an unlikely turn of events directed me to the NPN site for help -- which I received, and while at the site I had the opportunity to navigate completely through the site. It was an awesome tour that was, as much as anything else, extremely humbling!

The NPN has forums for discussion and galleries where images by members are posted, commented upon, and critiqued. The images posted are usually as good as anything published in a field guide, and MANY are full-page magazine quality, or covers. It is an awesome, inspiring, motivational, and, as I said, a humbling experience, and absolutely fun, too, to see all the great shots.

There are galleries on birds, man and nature, wildlife, scenics, and more, and forums offering comments and advice on a variety of topics. The forums are very carefully monitored so that they are upbeat and constructive -- so there's none of the nonsense of character assasinations and bad-mouthing that can be seen on some forums (so I've been told!). A membership in NPN is $39, which allows viewers access to the galleries and forums, although articles and other information is free to any surfer. However, the $39 fee is well worth the price -- with one warning:

I think you could get addicted to this site! There are so many good things to see, you'll be tempted to visit the site daily. I could spend a great deal of time describing the site in more detail but instead, hit my link and check it out for yourself. It's definitely worth your time!

Our Past Photo Tips of the Month:

 DIGITAL  EQUIPMENT  ADVICE  TRAVEL  WILDLLIFE  FIELD TIPS

  DIGITAL- Digital Birding

 DIGITAL -Shoot for the Future

  
DIGITAL-Shoot for the Future, Part II

 DIGITAL Photographing scenes with extreme exposure values
   

 Protecting your long lens from SAND, the pleasures of beach photography

 How do we protect our gear from dust, and carry our gear when on safari
 The Ultimate Flash Bracket
  Specular highlights and the flashing frog  Using TTL flash with Hummingbirds  Testing your Flash's Aim
Maximum Depth of Field and Hyperfocal Distance - they're not neccessrily the same thing!  If you see it, it's too late -- a lesson in anticipation  How do you shoot the Moon?
  Low level tripod work  A great depth of field guide  Wimberley 400 and 600mm IS plate
  Take a Workshop First   Luck, what is it?  Don't take in baby wild animals

  Airline Carry-On Luggage -Let your concerns be heard!

 Disconnect -- travel precautions
 Wildlife Portraiture

 Obey the Rules
The Ti Chi Stalk
Photographing Critically Endangered Sites  

 The Sibley Bird Guides

 Removing Cactus Spines

 Drying out boots with newspaper

Contact us by e-mail: hoothollow@acsworld.net

Or FAX us at: (717) 543-6423.

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