Summer 2009

Photo Display at Northeast Pennsylvania Credit Union

I am honored to have 12 of my wildlife photographs hanging on display at the Northeast Pennsylvania Credit Union in Stroudsburg, PA. Bill Weitzmann invited me to hang these photos in their rotating display for the next two months. All through August and September you can stop by and see these photographs.

Bill, my son James, and I spent a little over an hour on August 1st hanging these photographs. It was a pretty quick process compared to selecting the 12 photos from my entire collection. That process took much longer but I feel these photos are good representatives of my wildlife collection. These 12 select photos include Pennsylvania elk, deer, and birds from Chincoteague, Virginia.

The NEPA Credit union is located on 935 Clay Avenue, just across from the Monroe County Library on Chipperfield Drive. My photos are on display around the lobby and behind the tellers. Stop in if you get a chance and let me know what you think of these wildlife photographs.

Upcoming Elk Experience

There is still room for photographers to sign up for our Fall 2009 Pennsylvania Elk Photography Experience. The end of September is absolutely the best time of year to photograph the elk herd, especially the bulls as they fight for breeding rights. The bulls not only provide some amazing behavior that is so photogenic, but they also bugle, which sends an amazing scream down the mountain valleys. The sights and sounds are definitely something all wildlife photographers should experience!

This will be an unforgettable experience and provide plenty of opportunities for you to photograph the elk. We provide several photo outings each day and 3 workshops so you can learn how to get better wildlife photographs.

Check out our PA Elk Photo Experience web page and consider joining us on this wonderful trip. It will be an experience you will remember for a long time to come!

Website Visitors Break 2,000 Mark

My photography website hosted over 1,000 visitors in the month of March. Then in May new ground was broken as 2,285 visitors checked in! I am excited to see that my photographs and the content on my webpage have created such positive interest! The current month of August is looking to break new ground again and I will keep posting photo-related content that I hope many will find helpful. I appreciate you sharing my website with your friends and colleagues. This circle of friendship is growing and hopefully we are all learning more and more about photography.

My Favorite Link

DTownTV is a weekly podcase that was produced over the last 24 weeks. This short video podcast provided a lot of information for us Nikon shooters as well as some amazing tips on camera lenses and flash photography. You can check out their website and see firsthand what I am talking about and see for yourself why this is my favorite link. The hosts are revamping their endeavors and are planning on brining out a new and improved video podcast in about a month. Keep checking back to their website for more updated information.

Christmas Shopping Already?

Some people celebrate Christmas in July and it is never too early to start your Christmas shopping, is it?

This year I am pleased to announce that I can provide cards, bookmarks, calendars, and magnets that make for perfect Christmas gifts. Imagine someone receiving one of these items with the photograph of your son or grandson making an incredible play on the baseball diamond. Any of my photographs can be used on these items to create a special and unique Christmas gift.

These special gifts will be available for purchase on my website soon, so keep checking back.

Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk

I was honored to be the host of the Worldwide Photo Walk in Stroudsburg/East Stroudsbug this July as part of Scott Kelby's worldwide event. We had around 35 photographers join us as we walked through town taking photos.

We gathered at the Driebe Freight Station on Ann Street at 6pm. A few group photographs were snapped and we were on our way. We walked to the Monroe County Courthouse and then down Main Street, across the inter-borough bridge, up to East Stroudsburg University, and then finished the photo walk at Dansbury Depot. Many stayed to grab a bite to eat and share stories of our experience.

Thank you to all who signed up and participated in this event. It was great to get to meet you and learn some new photographic techniques. I thoroughly enjoyed being with you and hosting the Photo Walk. I am planning on leading this event next year, but keep checking out my website because I may be hosting another Photo Walk this fall. Anyone interested in joining us?

Equipment Update:

My newest equipment acquisition is a speedlight: the Nikon SB-900. This powerful unit can provide front light, fill light, and back light; and can even be adjusted from the camera when in the remote mode. I am still learning how to better use the speedlight for these different situations and am making some definite progress.

The SB-900 puts out a powerful amount of light which can be softened wtih the included diffuser. Colored filters and a small stand are also included in this purchase. I like it so much that I have plans on purchasing at least one more of these little yet powerful beauties. You can check out all the gear that's in my photography backpack by clicking here: photography equipment.

I also purchased purchased a Kirk L-Bracket for my Nikon D300. This amazing accessory allows the photographer to mount the camera on the tripod in either the horizontal or portrait position. In either position, the L-Bracket retains the same level of view which is handy for landscapes.

Perspectives change, that's for sure. Do you remember being a little boy or girl and having to look up at everyone? Many children cannot wait to grow up so they can see their parents, grandparents, and other adults eye to eye. Well, if perspectives change, then we can use this to our advantage photographically speaking. For example, let's say you have a pet that you are trying to photograph. Your pet is a dog that stands about 2 feet tall, when she is on all four legs. Think about the dog's 2-foot perspective. So why would you take a photograph of her from a 5 foot 7 inch perspective?

Your photograph will more likely come to life when you change the camera's perspective to reflect the perspective of this dog. This all sounds simple and perhaps even too obvious, but many people still stand up tall for each and every photograph they click. It boggles my mind. I know from the sports photography I do that getting down on my knees to gain a lower perspective helps tremendously.

Perspectives do change and if you are willing to change your camera's perspective you can be sure to capture more engaging and realistic shots!

Website: www.bobshankphotography.com

Email: bob@bobshankphotography.com

Summer will soon be fading into fall and the colors of the leaves will be changing. Keep your camera ready and try to find some time in your busy schedule to get out there with your camera.

I hope this e-newsletter helps inspire you to engage in some photographic activity. There is nothing quite like the view from the viewfinder.

Happy Shooting!

-Bob Shank