This presentation by Canon Explorer of Light Chas Glatzer is guided by his underlying belief that success in any photographic discipline is largely characterized by the ability to see and understand the quality, quantity and other physical properties of light and how they relate to your subject and capture medium. Chas will give you the knowledge and tools to take control of your imagery and produce wildlife photographs that are a cut above. Emphasis will be placed on five key ingredients that are paramount to producing successful images: 

1. Knowing the fundamentals
2. Familiarity with your equipment
3. Being proactive
4. Knowing your subject
5. Knowing your way around the digital darkroom

Chas will share his thought processes and techniques used in making successful images in the field. This includes a proactive methodology that is guaranteed to forever change the way you approach photography. The faster you are able to assess the conditions as presented and employ the tools and techniques necessary to render the image, the more likely you will accomplish your goal.

Metering and exposure will be covered in depth. You’ll learn how and when to use the various metering patterns and exposure modes to generate optimum results. The advantages and detriments of Manual vs. Automatic exposure modes will be covered at length. The objective is to instill a firm understanding of the fundamentals of metering and exposure, so you can quickly make informed decisions in the field and come away with the envisioned image regardless of the lighting circumstance. The ultimate goal is to put creative control back into the hands of the photographer.

Today’s digital cameras are sophisticated and complex with many advanced features and custom functions at your disposal. Chas will discuss camera settings that are useful for wildlife photography. Plus, he’ll touch on tips and techniques for handling your gear in the field including advice for shooting in inclement weather.

Creating wild life images with visual impact requires more than just technical proficiency with your camera. We’ll discuss the visual skills needed such as simplifying the scene, subject placement, eliminating distractions, shooting angle, orientation of the light source, choosing foregrounds and backgrounds, and the use of compositional elements like leading lines, diagonals, negative space, balance, and symmetry. In addition, he’ll look at how an understanding of animal behavior can better allow you to approach wildlife and to capture the decisive moment. In the digital world, proper use of post-processing tools is a critical ingredient to creating a visually stunning. The post-production techniques illustrated in the talk will change the way you expose and think about capturing images in-camera. 

Questions will be welcomed and encouraged. You’ll walk away from this program with a renewed sense of confidence and a new mindset that will enable you to consistently produce creative, well exposed, and provocative story telling images.

This is a Virtual Presentation using Zoom. Registration is required and there is a capacity limit set by Zoom. Connection information will be sent in your registration confirmation email and in a reminder email.  After the capacity is reached a waiting list will be started.  If openings become available a day or two before the presentation, people on the waiting list will be given an opportunity to register on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Once the meeting has started an email with connection information will be sent to people on the waiting list if the actual number of participants is below capacity.