The Beauty of Natural Light

"Naturally" how we create images is very much a personal issue.

Many photographers who enjoy nature photography use artificial lighting, and enjoy the detail brought out by this technique. Personally, I never us any flash for nature. I did try it once, and failed miserably!

Learning to work with the available light is a skill, much the same as using artificial light., either system is difficult and takes a lot of practice to do well.

With my guests on the tours I host, we engage in such discussions, concerning what is "best", when there is no best. If you are happy with your images, nothing else matters. When they here me suggest that a flashed image looks "plastic", the blood begins to boil!

My comments are always in humor, and I hope that everyone would not take my opinions personally. We all have different goals with our imaging, the key is to enjoy the process.

rjb

Violet Sabrewing in Flight
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/4000s f/4.0 at 280.0mm iso640

Scintillant Hummingbird
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/8000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

055

Just the right Angle

For a clean background! Positioning the camera is the key to capturing smooth backgrounds in the right light. A good distance behind this bird, with a grass lawn about 60 yards away helped this image and bird shine. The Green violetear is very common in Costa Rica, thanks to the beauty of nature.
No flash ever used in my wildlife photography.

A few more edits here... http://raymondbarlow.smugmug.com/Costa-Rica-Tours/i-DwWXsPS

Green Violetear
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1600s f/4.0 at 360.0mm iso640

Yellow and Green

Colour is a big deal in nature photography, we all look for the drama!

This silver-throated tanager takes this concept to the max. these colours just seem to be the "natural" match. One of the smallest tanagers I have seen in Costa Rica, but also a very friendly and approachable bird. We keep a good distance for most of the birds at this location, then move in for a shot during last light.

Lots more editing to do as I have a back-log of workshop images to review and edit, hard to keep up!

Thanks for looking!


Silver-throated Tanager
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/125s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

To my most wonderful family.

Daisy and Maria, my wife and daughter are the answer to all of my dreams. This image is dedicated to them, their amazing support to me
and this business is incredible. The two pink flowers in the background remind me of how sweet and caring they are, with me, all of the time.

Everything I do is for Daisy, and my sweet Maria.

Thanks to everyone who shares, clicks, +1's, comments on my images, I am a very lucky person.


Green Crown Brilliant Juvenile
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1250s f/4.0 at 380.0mm iso1600

054

Green Nature

Preparing for a tour in Costa Rica can be an enjoyable experience, hiking in the back woods with an expert guide is good fun.

When I cross paths with 3 male and 2 female resplendent quetzals, I look at the situation and analyze the amount of luck involved. How fortunate can one be? Nature is real, nature is beauty. The appreciation for such an amazing experience is beyond these tiny black dots, making a poor attempt to convey my thoughts.

Aside from all that, a bird with beautiful environment, sweet light, and an awesome angle, un-imaginable. Then, on top of the above, at leat 10 minutes to get the shot... heart pumping, anxiety like crazy!!

Miss my family, wish they were here. I really appreciate the opportunity to share this experience with all of you!



Resplendent Quetzal
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

Colour in Flight

Presently hosting 2 tours in Costa Rica with wonderful guests, and beautiful weather. Hummingbird photography can be extremely challenging. Working with natural light is the key to creating images that look real, or at least as real as possible!

I will try to post a few more, time is limited. I start around 4 am, and finish about 9-9:30 at night! - these guys keep me busy, and such great fun hanging out and working with some of the best photographer I have known.

Green Crown Brilliant Juvenile
RJB Costa Rica Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2500s f/4.0 at 350.0mm iso1600

Great Gray Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
No bait used
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 300.0mm iso500

Blue Gray Tanager
RJB Costa Rica Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/80s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso320

050

Great Gray Owl Incoming
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
No bait used
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1600s f/4.0 at 380.0mm iso400

003

Snowy Owl re-edit
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
No bait used
Nikon D70 ,Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR AF
1/1250s f/5.6 at 400.0mm iso200

Elephant in the Serengeti
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/400s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso400

Kirks dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii)
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D ,Swarovski Telescope STX 65mm x 25 1200 mm
1/160s iso320 f11.5

052

Great Gray Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/4.0 at 380.0mm iso200

007

Saw-whet Owl
ray@raymondbarlow.com
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/13s f/8.0 at 200.0mm iso250

034

Lilac Breasted Roller in Tanzania
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D
Swarovski Telescope STX 25x 65mm - 1200 mm
1/320s iso320 f11.5

035

Elephants - Trunks Up
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D ,Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6
1/160s f/14.0 at 90.0mm iso320

040

Lion with a Kill
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/7.1 at 400.0mm iso320

Red-tailed Hawk Hunting
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/6400s f/4.0 at 290.0mm iso400

048

Snowy Owl Lift Off
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/4000s f/5.0 at 310.0mm iso320

Snowy Owl Landing
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 200.0mm iso500

049

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/6400s f/5.0 at 400.0mm iso400

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso200

Maria's Snowy Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Maria Barlow's first wild owl photo shoot with her Daddy!
Canon EOS 70D
Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6
1/2500s f/5.6 at 200.0mm iso500

Leopard in Tanzania
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Canon EOS 70D
Swarovski Telescope STX 65mm x 25 1200 mm
f 11.5 - 1/40s - iso400

Red-tailed Hawk with Lunch
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
No Bait used or needed
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/800s f/4.0 at 220.0mm iso1000

Snowy Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops

ray@raymondbarlow.com

No Bait used
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/640s f/4.0 at 350.0mm iso2000

047

Snowy Owl in Flight
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/5000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso250
No Bait used

046

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000
No bait used.

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/5000s f/4.0 at 360.0mm iso320
no bait used to produce this image

Snowy Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso800

Green Violetear in Flight
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 350.0mm iso1000

Snowy Owl in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso1000

Little Bee-eater
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
ray@raymondbarlow.com
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/400s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso320

Grey-headed Kingfisher in Tanzania
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/30s f/6.3 at 400.0mm iso400

Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/800s f/4.0 at 290.0mm iso2000

Coppery-headed Emerald in Flight
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/640s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso800

Coppery-headed Emerald in Flight
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso800

046

Green Violetear in Flight
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1000s f/4.0 at 350.0mm iso1000

Servo Cat in Tanzania
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/160s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso320

Male Wood Duck in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 330.0mm iso400

Cheetah
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/200s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso400

037

Wildebeest and Flamingos (re-edit)
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/4000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso400
http://www.raymondbarlow.com

Firey-throated Hummingbird
RJB Colours of Costa Rica Tour
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/640s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso400

045

Hooded Merganser in Flight
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/2000s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso500

Red-breasted Merganser
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Nikon D800 ,Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 ED-IF Ai-S
1/3200s f/4.0 at 400.0mm iso200

Vulture in Tanzania
RJB Tanzania, Africa Tours
Nikon D300 ,Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S VR
1/1000s f/5.6 at 200.0mm iso250

Eastern Screech Owl
RJB Wild Birds of Ontario Workshops
Canon EOS 70D
Swarovski Telescope STX 30 x 95mm - 1350 mm
1/200s f9.5 iso200