Wild Arctic Photography - Part I

This is Part I.  Click here to watch Part II - Waterfalls, Polar Bear Cubs and Arctic FoxI venture to the far north with Mckay Photography Academy and Poseidon Expeditions. We cruise the waters of Svalbard, Norway looking for Polar bears and finding amazing scenery!https://youtu.be/Xyi9zkr30O0The Poseidon Expedition crew was awesome, the ship the M/V Sea Spirit was comfortable and packed full of nice little touches including the 24/7 cookies and coffee bar. There was also a regular bar but I was more interested in the cookies :) A full tour of the ship is in part 2.   I am full of praise, the knowledge, and friendliness of the guides and the crew was just fantastic. See all our locations in part II.

GEAR LIST

Sony a7RIIISony 100-400 GMSony 1.4x TeleconverterSony 2.0x TeleconverterCanon 24-70 f/2.8 USM L IISigma MC-11 Adapter82mm CPL FilterPanasonic GH5Panasonic 12-35Panasonic 45-200Mavic ProQuiet PropsDrone Float SystemPolar Pro ND Filters for Mavic ProPlatypod SystemBuddiesman CF TripodOutex Waterproof housingHave questions about the gear? Send me an email toby@photorec.tvSee it all on KIT.com

A few of my favorite photos (Follow me on Instagram for more)

[gallery columns="4" ids="18572,18573,18574,18575,18576,18577,18578,18579,18580,18581,18582,18583,18584,18585"]

Location List

  Have questions about the trip? Send me an email toby@photorec.tv

Grand Teton National Park Photography Adventure

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ts4wAlKRcWe just spent a fantastic week photographing with Animals of Montana and the beautiful landscapes of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park - Scenery, wildlife and photo tips all packed into this trip report from some of the most beautiful landscapes of North America!Cover Photo from Ryan B - http://www.ryanbarnesfoto.comThank you very much to those trip participants that shared photos with me - You can see more of their work atAdi V - https://www.facebook.com/adivaxmanTim L - https://www.instagram.com/designlucasphotos/Vince T - https://www.instagram.com/bytesofcreativity/Ryan B - http://www.ryanbarnesfoto.comKate M - https://www.instagram.com/kmcaptured/David N - https://www.instagram.com/newbold_d/Follow me on Instagram Filmed withPanasonic GH5Sony A7RII Thank you to the sponsors that made the trip and prize package so awesome!!Round-trip airfare from anywhere in the USA and Accommodations on the trip provided by McKaylive.comMindshift Gear 36L UltraLight BackpackSpider Holster Kit & Spider Holster Hand StrapMeFOTO GlobeTrotter Air Travel Tripod$300 Gear Credit to LensProToGo$500 Gift Card to B&H PhotoOne year subscription to Photorec.tv Silver plan membership

Croatia

We will return to Croatia for a photo tour - This tour will likely sell out quickly. Add your name to the pre-notice list to be notified when it opens for sign up.   Please notify me of the next Croatia Tourhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz4JRlKer2g&feature=youtu.beComplete List of gear - GH5, DJI Mavic (and more)Itinerary and Photos -We started our Journey in Trogir- a fascinating old town with twisting alleyways and a medieval castle that protected the harbor.
 Our Guide - Tanya Jucik Braculj was awesome - contact her to arrange any type of fantastic trip in and around Croatia - tanja.jukicb@gmail.com        

Photo Mish Mash EP71: Film is Better

Iceland Travel Photography - Gear Report

August 5th to 17th I traveled across Iceland with  McKay Photography Academy - below is my in-progress packing list.Note - There is still one spot available for next jan/feb trip to New Zealand - join us in New Zealand for what I am sure will be an amazing trip!Watch all the Vlogs/ Travel Videos from Icelandhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUDLze8PsRsCamera GearThink Tank Airport Takeoff Rolling Backpack - http://bit.ly/thinktankairportNot loaded with Iceland gear

Cameras

Sony a7 R II - http://bit.ly/Sonya7Rm2Canon 5DS R - http://bit.ly/Canon5DSrOlympus Tough 860 - http://bhpho.to/1RKgrh7 (interested in time lapse mode and having a waterproof camera)

Lenses & Adapters -

I plan to use most of my Canon lenses on the Sony via Metabones adapter.Sony 28mm prime f/2 (49mm) - http://bit.ly/sonyFE28mmSony 16mm Fisheye Conversion Lens for FE 28mm f/2 Lens - http://bit.ly/sony16mmadaptMetabones Canon EF Lens to Sony E-Mount Camera Lens Mount Adapter Mark IV - http://bit.ly/metabonesIVCanon 24-70 f/2.8 (82mm) - http://bhpho.to/1GwoT7WCanon 70-200 f/2.8 (77mm) - http://bhpho.to/1fhJ040Canon 16-35 F/4 IS (77mm) - http://bit.ly/PRTVcanon16-35f4

Accessories

Lee Filters SystemLEE Filters Adapter Ring - 82mm - for Wide Angle Lenses http://bhpho.to/1Lqbg24LEE Filters Adapter Ring - 77mm - for Wide Angle Lenses http://bhpho.to/1gM0F4ZLEE Filters Foundation Kit (Standard 4x4", 4x6" Filter Holder)  http://bhpho.to/1Ki0qeuLEE Filters 100 x 100mm Big Stopper 3.0 Neutral Density Filter http://bhpho.to/1MFsVQCLEE Filters 100 x 100mm Little Stopper 1.8 Neutral Density Filter 150  http://bhpho.to/1GyNx7UCPL filters - 77 and 82 sizes.Feisol Tripod - My ReviewArca SwissFotga Universal Quick Release Plate L Bracket -Pedco Mini Tripod- http://bhpho.to/1Ouj1CBAudio capture - Zoom H4n with two wired Lav Mics for vlog and guests on vlog (more about audio) NEVER USED (Rode Lav + did all the work)OtherLG G4 - Still enjoying the easy manual control of my phone camera! (my review)Rode Lav + - http://bhpho.to/1KhT4Ye (better vlog audio)  

Steve's Iceland Gear

I am not the only photographer headed to Iceland. Steve Scurich from Steve Scurich Photography will also be on the trip. I came across his gear list on Facebook and thought I should take a moment to share with you all.Steve Scurich Photography www.stevescurich.comWorking from left to right-

  • 2 Beats headphones,
  • 15" Apple Retina laptop
  • lightweight North Face gloves
  • Induro A114 tripod with a Really Right Stuff B-55 ball head
  • Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite
  • Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II L lens
  • Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens
  • Canon 24mm f/3.5 TS/E L lens
  • Canon 5D Mark III body
  • Canon 60D body
  • Peak Designs versatile strapsMed Rocket Blaster
  • Gary Fong v5 flash diffuser
  • 500GB LaCie Rugged back up drive
  • 1TB LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt back up drive
  • filter adapter ring 82-77
  • 3 Canon LP-E6 batteries
  • US to Euro plug adapter
  • Canon wireless flash trigger
  • 3 sets of Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries with Panasonic charger
  • 2 Canon LP-E6 battery chargers
  • extra Canon 5D Mark III eye-cup
  • various cables
  • business cards
  • Hoya Pro-ND 82mm 9-Stop filter
  • 4 Lexar CF 16GB memory cards
  • 2 Lexar SD 16GB memory cards
  • 3 SanDisk SD 16GB memory cards
  • Canon cable trigger for 60D
  • 64GB flash drive
  • LowePro memory card case
  • 3 microfiber cleaning cloths
  • various allen wrenches,
  • 2 accessory bags
  • lens cleaning solution
  • lens cleaning wipes
  • small flashlight
  • pen+highlighter
  • lens brush with blower
  • Swiss Army case for point/shoot camera
  • Think Tank TurnStyle 20 Sling Bag
  • Lexar memory card reader
  • Canon G9 point/shoot camera
  • G9 battery charger
  • Oakley Holbrook sunglasses
  • 2 passports

Here it is all packed in his ClikElite Pro Expressimage1 (1)Quite the list!  You can see more of Steve's work at Steve Scurich Photography in Santa Barbara, CA.

Photo Mish Mash EP 66

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ78yrICP7k

Sponsors:

McKay Photo Academy - Join us in New Zealand SquareSpace - Make/share a Squarespace photo portfolio and win a Mefoto Tripod - Watch the show for more details.  Make your portfolio here  | Submit Portfolios herehttp://photorec.tv/giveaway - getting bigger and bigger! Instagram Challenge Winners | More about the Instagram Challenges

Show Notes:

Interesting lenses in History - http://petapixel.com/2015/07/20/10-of-the-most-interesting-lenses-in-the-history-of-photography/Why it is important to invest the time to learn how to use a “proper” camera (PhotoRec!) - http://petapixel.com/2015/07/20/bride-upset-after-cheap-camera-leaves-her-with-bad-honeymoon-photos/New 35mm 1.4L from Canon rumored to cost ~ double the Sigma Art -http://www.canonrumors.com/2015/07/canon-ef-35mm-f1-4l-ii-pricing-information-cr2/Virtually free Fuji X-Pro 1 (Older camera that sells for $799) + (xf 35mm $599 + xf 27mm $449) = Bundle price of $948 for a savings of over $1000 with accessories - Buy at AdoramaLightroom Dashboard Can Help You Visualize Your Photography Habits - Crashes with my catalog.GoPro Hero4 Session Teardown - The new GoPro is impossible to fix yourself, the last one you could at least swap the battery and etc. GoPro Hero3 Teardown in comparison, you can actually replace the parts https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/GoPro+Hero3+Teardown/12457WORLD’S SMALLEST MICRO 4/3 CAMERA WILL GIVE GOPRO A RUN FOR ITS MONEYTaylor Swift Revises Photo Contract After Backlash from MediaCalifornia Bill Allows Firefighters to Knock Drones Out of the Sky Rapid Fire News: GoPro Mobile Editing App Coming: http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/21/9012483/gopro-app-edit-share-summerInstagram Search now on Desktop: http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/20/9003521/instagram-web-searchReview of Sigma 24-35 f/2: http://mpex-experience.com/2015/07/20/mpex-review-of-the-sigma-24-35-f2-dg-hsm-art-lens/New Zoom - maybe replacement of the 24-70 f/2.8 L?? http://www.canonrumors.com/2015/07/a-new-l-zoom-is-coming-cr2/Photo from SPACE - http://mashable.com/2015/07/21/david-malin-awards/

Tamron 150mm-600mm on location in Tanzania, Africa

Post by David McKay. PPA M. Photog, Cr. CPPElephant  ISO 800 F 6.3 640th SMarch of 2015 took myself, my wife Ally , and our McKay Photography Academy team to Tanzania to lead 3 ten day, back to back photography tours. Spending 32 days in this magnificent country was an experience I will never forget and I would count as one of the greatest photographic experiences to date in my life. In fact, it was one of the greatest experiences ever in my life as a whole! Fortunately, we are able to return in August of 2016 and I am incredibly excited to be returning and sharing this beautiful country, the people and of course photography opportunities and education with others!Spending this kind of time photographing wildlife and out in the “bush” requires a large amount of pre planning. When planning the photography aspect, of course gear in general, and lens choice becomes critical. There are many variables to consider especially as you are limited in weight restrictions on flights within the country. The idea of carrying all of your gear and choosing what you will want or need once there, is not possible.In choosing what I felt would be best for myself; I went with the new Tamron 150-600mm lens. Many of you seasoned photographers may be wondering, WHY? Why go with an off brand (I shoot Canon) lens with a maximum aperture of f/5.0- f/6.3? Why not choose a faster lens, with better glass, and with tried and true results?David with Tamron 150-600 Lens in TanzaniaHere is what I found in a nutshell, I am extremely happy with this lens for what it has to offer. Here’s why.

  • Remarkably affordable. At a price of just over $1000, you get a decent lens that works great for wildlife and sports photography in most light.
  • 150mm-600mm range. With a range like this, you can get 95% of the wildlife shots you need from your Range Rover vehicle. Whether wildlife is in close or at a distance, this range gets you what you need on Safari!
  • Weight. Weighing in at just 4.3lbs, this became crucial when carrying gear and on flights. Also great that you can hand hold if need be and actually get away with the shots!
  • Quality. Ok, so this is where it really has to matter. No this lens is NOT the Buy the Canon 400mm 2.8 for the low, LOW price of $9,999 in quality. Yet, it is not 35lbs nor $9,999! In my experience, this lens did everything I needed it to and more. I honestly was blown away at the results for the price. I did not expect it to be as good as it is. Sure, it is not a low light lens. Nor is it the fastest in focusing, but it handles well, it offers great quality ( especially at 500mm or less) , has Vibration Reduction, and captured 98% of all images I shot in 32 days on Safari! About the only wildlife that was difficult to capture at reasonable ISO, was Monkeys in trees in low light. Other than that, I am very happy with the results. I did find that at 600mm it was not quite as sharp but still very acceptable.

On safari, my wife Ally shot with the Buy the Canon 100mm-400mm Mark II from B&H and the results were great from that lens. Although she could not get the reach of the 600mm, she was able to crop in for what she needed and this lens was very sharp and also faster focusing. BUT, it comes at twice the price. I still preferred the Tamron for my images especially when I needed that extra reach. One of our clients shot the Buy Sigma 150mm-500mm from B&H. This lens is heavier and as we compared, we found this lens to be the least sharp in our results. It is also more expensive.So in the end, for price, weight, quality, and focal distances, this lens was excellent. Would I use the Canon 400mm fixed 2.8 if available? Absolutely! However, this lens is not meant to compete with that nor should it. This lens does exactly what it is supposed to all at a price that is very affordable for what you get. Tamron has a winner here for someone on a budget and looking for a good lens with a great focal length. 

Ready to go on an African Wildlife Safari?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUpt4fQM3uwJOIN US for the trip of a lifetime! In August of 2016 we will return to Tanzania. We are leading two tours and the first is sold out. The second has 2 spots left! Join David and Ally McKay and McKay Photography Academy as we photograph the action of the Great Migration Mara River Crossing as thousands of Wildebeest and Zebra cross the crocodile filled river. We will be scouting and photographing TONS of wildlife including Lions, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephants, Hippo and more. Also we will be visiting the local Maasai for a cultural experience.We work to give you the most amazing photographic safari available with a 5 to 1 client/instructor ratio, private specially equipped for viewing and photography Range Rovers with a maximum of 4 people to vehicle, incredible camp accommodations with 5 star service, and serious hands on personalized instruction to ALL levels of photographers. No need to feel intimidated if you are a beginner. We have your back! The serious photographer will find they gain valuable experience from the McKay’s’ and their professional team. If you want adventure, this is a MUST do photographic tour!Learn more about the Tanzania trip and sign upLearn more about Mckay Photography Academy and other trips (US & International)Monkey  ISO 4000 F6.3 400th SCub eating ISO 800 F 5.6 1000 SHippos 2 ISO 800 F 5.6 5000th SHippos ISO 640 F 22 125th SLion  ISO 1250 F 6.3 6400th SElephant- Close-up ISO 400 F 5.6  320th S (1)Wildebeest  ISO 400 F 6.3  1250th S

Montana Vlog #4 Really, Really, Really Amazing

[embed]http://www.youtube.com/embed/NVE9D7bVyN0[/embed]We're back in our Vermont studio for this last video blog where we discuss our final thoughts about our trip to Montana with McKay Photography Academy.Toby and Christina talk about the favorite shots they captured, working with Animals of Montana and photographing Yellowstone in the winter.

Photo Mish Mash Ep 35 - JetLagged Podcast

We are back from Italy with an announcement, more discussion about the perfect travel camera, interview with photographer from space, delivering RAW files to clients and offering unlimited wedding coverage.Week in review:ITALY, ITALY, ITALYWhat camera did I use the most? And What lenses?News:Canon vows to hone on high-end camera market after earnings, sales drop due to smartphones http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/canon-earnings-sales-drop-due-smartphone-cameras-article-1.1989081Interview with astronaut Photographerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlxMX-YWNxU and watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFp9pndbSKMDiscussion:http://photocritic.org/wedding-photography-expectations/http://www.slrlounge.com/offer-unlimited-wedding-coverage/Reader Questions:https://www.facebook.com/Digital.Photo.Recommendations/photos/a.10150222907829855.334190.233048999854/10152834164274855/?type=1