We covered Botswana safari photography from 2022, his recent Australia and New Zealand trip, and fell down the rabbit hole of underwater photography - specifically why lighting underwater is such a beast. No script. No agenda. Just two photographers swapping stories and solving problems. Next Thursday is Thanksgiving here in the US. We're still running C&C for anyone who wants to show up. Some of the best conversations happen when you'd least expect them. Bring your coffee. Bring your questions. Or just bring yourself.

Ever wondered how to turn your photography hobby into a captivating portfolio? It starts with embracing your unique perspective and capturing what truly excites you. Begin by selecting a theme that resonates with you—be it vibrant street scenes, serene landscapes, or candid portraits. Focus on consistency in style and quality, and don't shy away from including a mix of shots that highlight your versatility. As you curate your collection, regularly seek feedback from fellow photographers or online communities. Constructive criticism can be invaluable in refining your skills and enhancing your portfolio. Remember, each photo is a piece of your story, so let your passion shine through every shot. The journey from hobbyist to artist is a rewarding one, filled with growth and discovery. What's your next step towards building an impressive portfolio?

We spent 30 minutes going deep on lenses, aperture, bokeh, and how to manage your backgrounds so they work for you instead of against you. No recording. No slides. Just coffee and cameras. That's the deal - show up and we'll make it count, whether it's 1 person or 20. Next week, same time. Bring your coffee, bring your questions.

Walter recently asked about our most memorable story shots. One of the drivers of "story" in nature/animal photography is moments of interaction. While a "bird on a stick" can make an amazing & compelling capture, especially in judged image competition, the nature story they're often looking for comes from the interactions of the nature subjects. Either with others of their species (feeding, nesting, etc.) or with other species (fighting, co-existing, etc.) that tells a bit about how the animals behave - helping you learn a bit about the animals from the image. While I have many shots of such interactions, I think the one that leaps out at me as the most instantly interesting story image is this one I made down at the Parker River National Wildlife Preserve. The coyotes were being rather active that year, and while out watching for birds with my tripod & long lens, we noticed that there were a couple of coyotes out in the grass (pretty far out), eating something they had caught. I stayed and watched for about 10+ minutes, when one got up to walk away, taking a little something with them for later.

It was tricky getting this reflection just right, selecting the correct lens to get the lighthouse to fill multiple glass panes, instead of just one, and adjusting the exposure to capture the refleciton and not the interior. Another challenge was to frame the picture so the window frame was not chopped off.