Robert OToole Photography
  • Travel report

  • Aug20

    3 Comments

    Brown Bear Tour Report

    Posted in: Alaska, Travel report, Workshops, brown bear

    Leading three groups of happy and enthusiastic photographers around my favorite corners of Alaska over a span of three weeks was really a pleasure for me, and it makes me feel thankful that I am able to do this for a living.  All of the groups had plenty of opportunities to make superb images as these trips were made during the very best time of the year. Its very rewarding to see the images that my participants were able to create. One of the tour highlights was that I co-led the last trip with Arthur Morris (take a look at his blog: http://www.birdsasart-blog.com/).

    Example

    Thankfully I was able to place my group in just the right safe position to see these two adult bears spar for quite a long time. We were able to photograph some amazing interaction between these two. Hallo Bay, Katmai NP, Alaska. NIKON D300s and AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR lens + TC-14E 1.4x II, 1/1250 sec at F5.6, manual metering on zero, ISO 800. Image Copyright 2011 Robert OToole Photography.

    The range and amount of action that we were able to see and photograph was astounding. Spring cubs nursing (see the first image below) and a second year cub attacking an adult bear (with mother there for back up) over a freshly caught salmon, more than once! Adult bears sparring was always very interesting and an amazing experience to be able to photograph. We even had close ups of a recently mated sea otter pair feeding (the male will steal food from the female), grooming, and playing. Some of our people in out group had some lucky beach-combing finds. I feel the luckiest finding a sperm whale tooth! I will post more info on that story here next week.

    Example

    The experience of photographing these two tiny cubs nursing made our day. Bright white at birth the collars still visible on these two spring cubs. Kukak Bay, Katmai NP, Alaska.  . NIKON D300s and AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR lens + TC-14E 1.4x II, 1/500 sec at F5.6, manual metering on zero, ISO 450. Image Copyright 2011 Robert OToole Photography.

    This was an amazing tour series from start to finish and it was hard to leave but I am already looking forward to next July! One of the main reasons we are so successful is timing and experience. My trips are planned around the action, weather and tides to maximize our opportunities to make great images. If you have ever wanted to join us now is the time to act. One of the two 2012 trips is already sold out so please let me know as soon as you can that you would like to join me in 2012 so you wont be disappointed.  If you cannot make it next summer I have confirmed 2013 dates so let me know if you want to join us, you won’t regret it.

    Example

    My friend Jana Bogdanova on her first trip to Alaska. This is one my favorite places on earth. Hallo Bay, Katmai NP,  Alaska, Canon PowerShot S95 at 6mm, 1/1003 sec at F5.6, Aperture Priority, flash, ISO 200. Image Copyright 2011 Robert OToole Photography.

    Example

    During July and August you can expect to see the pinks (above) and chum running and bears fishing. Usually a bear will stop and scan for other bears before eating his catch.  Kukak Bay, Katmai NP, Alaska. NIKON D300s and AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR lens + TC-14E 1.4x II, 1/1250 sec at F5.6, manual metering on zero, ISO 250. Image Copyright 2011 Robert OToole Photography.

    All content (including text, design, photos, layout, and graphics) are copyright © 2011 Robert OToole. All rights reserved.

  • Feb21

    No Comments

    Exploring Greece

    Posted in: Europe, Greece, Travel report

    My exploratory trip to scout for opportunities to photograph Dalmatian Pelicans in northern Greece was very successful.  The opportunities there in fact were even better than I hoped for, sometimes unbelievably good!

    Example

    Dalmatian Pelican in full breeding colors, Lake Kerkini Greece, NIKON D700 and SIGMA  50-500 mm APO OS HSM lens @ 210mm, 1/1250 sec at F8, manual metering, no flash, ISO 1000. Subject distance: 14.1 m. Image Copyright 2011 Robert OToole / Robert OToole Photography.

    For this trip I brought my entire lens arsenal and a couple of new lenses on loan from Sigma USA. By favorite camera lens combination by far was a Nikon D700 and Sigma 50-500 EX OS HSM lens (thanks to a loan from Sigma USA). I used my standard setting for birds in flight, Manual mode, 1/1250th of a second at F8. My ISO settings ranged from 200 to 2000. The quality of this Sigma 10X stabilized zoom was surprisingly good and if you are interested, look for a field report on the 50-500 coming soon.

    Example

    Dalmatian Pelican portrait, Lake Kerkini Greece, NIKON D700 and SIGMA  50-500 mm APO OS HSM lens @ 290mm, 1/640 sec at F8, manual metering, no flash, ISO 500. Subject distance: 2.82 m. Image Copyright 2011 Robert OToole / Robert OToole Photography.

    I have to thank my friend Bence Mate and his assistant Casaba which I photographed with over the first couple of days, and for the special help and assistance from the lake management authority there. The trip was made to scout locations for an exploratory IPT/workshop that will be led by Arthur Morris and I next week. I will be posting a full workshop report and details for a 2012 workshop soon.

    Interestingly Bence was photographing almost exclusively with his Nikon D300 and 10 mm fisheye lens in a custom remote controlled underwater housing featuring 10 inch monitor, over and under port with three topside and one underwater flash units. The results were amazing, like a fish swimming inside the birds bill open bill and others were made from the inside looking out of the bill with the lens inside the bill. Hopefully Bence will let me share some of his images in the future. I work with Bence with my Hungary bird workshops in May each year.

  • Mar26

    6 Comments

    Midway Atoll

    Posted in: Travel report, Workshops

    These are some of my favorite images made on a recent trip to Midway Atoll.

    Earlier this month I was invited by Arthur Morris to join him on Midway Atoll as a co-leader of one of his Instructional Photo Tours. Once I arrived I felt lucky to have the opportunity to experience the place. Thanks again Artie!

    Example

    Short-tailed Albatross, Sand Island, Midway Atoll, NIKON D700 and Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR with Nikon TC-17E II 1.7x Teleconverter, hand held, 1/1250 sec at F8, manual metering, flash off, ISO 1600. Image Copyright 2010 Robert OToole / Robert OToole Photography.

    Midway is like a photographic dream. Most of the three million birds there pay no attention to humans and are not bothered at all being photographed so they go about normal behavior as if you are invisible. I could spend a lot of time there. If you have an opportunity to visit there I would recommend it. The weather was surprisingly pleasant with low humidity, the ocean colors were unreal and the birds were unbelievable.

    Example

    Laysan Albatross beach landing, Sand Island, Midway Atoll, NIKON D700 and Sigma 70-200 F2.8, hand held, 1/1600 sec at F5.6, manual metering, flash off, ISO 400. Image Copyright 2010 Robert OToole / Robert OToole Photography

    As usual Artie’s IPT was full interesting and pleasant people so it was a pleasure spend time with everyone and help out teaching and leading when I could. Everyone had a great time and I enjoyed every minute.
    Visit my gallery on this site to see more of Midway :
    http://www.robertotoole.com/galleries/midway/

    Example

    Laysan Albatross riding a wave updraft, Sand Island, Midway Atoll, NIKON D700 and Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR with Nikon TC-14E II 1.4x Teleconverter, hand held, 1/1250 sec at F8, manual metering, flash off, ISO 640. Image Copyright 2010 Robert OToole / Robert OToole Photography.

    During my time there I spent a few minutes with my Panasonic LX-3 point and shoot recording short clips of some of the most interesting albatross behavior. I have had such good feedback from people about these I will be recording at least some video during all my future trips and workshops.

    Here are three clips, hope you enjoy them.

    Laysan Courtship from Robert OToole on Vimeo.

    Albatross Runway, Midway from Robert OToole on Vimeo.

    Black-footed Albatross Midway Atoll from Robert OToole on Vimeo.

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