scottyphotography

Valleyfield/Les Cedres Bridge Construction

2011-12-17T14:35:00.000-08:00

Part of the Nouvelle Autoroute 30 project.

Aerial Photography in Action

2011-12-17T09:08:00.000-08:00

Here's an illustrative video on the processes involved in using the heli-cam.

Enjoy!

Kathryn Spirit from HeliCam

2011-12-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

The controversial dismantling of the Kathryn Spirit (154m in length) in Beauharnois, Quebec. The estimated height of the aircraft was 135m (442ft).

http://www.infosuroit.com/epave-du-kathryn-spirit-a-beauharnois-anne-quach-presse-ottawa/

Feature on Rob Galbraith website

2011-11-17T17:53:00.000-08:00

Check out this article on Scott at the authoritative website Rob Galbraith DPI!

DSLR Carrying Helicopter Complete!

2011-11-04T22:14:00.001-07:00

This fully stabilized helicopter allows the photographer to compose from the ground via a video downlink of the camera's "live view" mode.

New Venture: Aerial Photography!

2011-10-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

The images shown below were taken with the smaller helicopter. The new, larger helicopter on the left has yet to be flown but sports the following advantages:

-video downlink and a two axis gimbal whereby a camera operator can compose and shoot through live view on an LCD on the ground. The gimbal moves in two axis.

-Powerful enough to carry a full-size DSLR

Ranger Rick Cover Feature!

2011-10-16T13:25:00.001-07:00

This is a first for me. Despite being a children's magazine, Ranger Rick is, in fact, a rather prestigious publication for a natural history photographer to be featured.

Cover Feature in Summer OPC

2011-06-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Check out my cover feature in the current issue of Outdoor Photography Canada!

Osprey Cover Feature in Nature Sauvage!

2011-06-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

Check out my cover feature in Quebec natural history magazine Nature Sauvage!

Western Canada Book Tour Schedule!

2011-05-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Presentation Topic: High Speed and Camera Trap Wildlife Photography

In this unique presentation, freelance wildlife photographer and writer Scott Linstead will discuss his philosophy on creating wildlife imagery. Although Scott stradles both the traditional and high-tech camps in his photographic endeavours, the technical, biological and ethical subtleties of high speed and camera trap photography will be examined in particular. Get a peek behind the curtain at the massive technical undertakings of his most published images and hear a firsthand account on the realities of publishing natural history photography for a living.

Vancouver

Presentation and Book Signing

May 4th, 7pm

Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Vancouver, BC

Presentation and Book Signing

May 5th, 7:30pm

Lion's Gate Camera Club, Vancouver, BC

Saskatoon

Book Signing

May 7th, 1:00pm

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Saskatoon, SK

Presentation and Signing

May 9th, 7:30pm

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Saskatoon, SK

Winnipeg

Book Signing

May 11th, 11:00am

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Winnipeg, MB

Book Signing

May 12th, 11:00am

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Winnipeg, MB

Presentation and Signing

May 12th, 7:30pm

McNally Robinson Booksellers, Winnipeg, MB

Toronto

Presentation

May 15th, 11:30am

Henry's Photographic, Video and Digital Imaging Show, Toronto, ON

NANPA 2011 Highlights

2011-03-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

The NANPA summit for 2011 has come and gone. I joined John Nicol, engineer for Highspeedflash, at the UK company's kiosk. As so many serious amateurs and pros try to extract free hardware from companies in exchange for promises of "exposure", I was very pleased to have have solidified my association with HighSpeedFlash through a critical sale. A client who had witnessed the marvels of HighSpeedFlash's Pro Unit at one of my workshops showed up at the kiosk at purchased two Pro units. I feel that this tangible result of my promotional efforts lends some credibility to my status as a figure in the world of high speed wildlife photography.

Recognition from NGS editor

Karine Aigner, senior photo editor at National Geographic Kids, gave a presentation called "How to Get My Attention". It was a pragmatic look at what not to do when submitting photographic material to a world class publication. Karine looked at her own images, tearing them apart in search of faults, both technical and qualitative. She then presented series of three images addressing the same subject. Three images of elephants shown in order of increasing subjective quality illustrated the superiority of one image over another in terms of lighting, pose, perspective, lens choice and even shutter speed. Aigner wanted us to be able to evaluate our own images relative to what already exists on the market; showing an editor a solid 7.5/10 is meaningless if an abundance of 9/10s are already available at the major agencies.

So, with the non-sugar-coated nature of this presentation in mind, when the time came for Karine to show us a few images that she felt were beyond reproach, I was elated that the first image displayed was my osprey-catches-trout shot from the front cover of my book Decisive Moments. A subdued, collective gasp from the crowd was the icing on the cake, Although it is barely audible in the cellphone video below.

Northern Hawk Owl

2011-01-18T16:22:00.001-08:00

Once again, a northern hawk owl has taken up residence in southern Quebec for the winter. My passion for such subjects has diminished over the years as I have redirected my work away from avian subjects. Still, under certain circumstances, I can be convinced to revisit a classic subject. Any owl image is elevated by snow flakes. And when it comes to telephoto lenses and their strong isolation effect, I enjoy two-tone backgrounds that can be suggestive of habitat. In this case, the dark conifers on the top half of the background serve a secondary purpose of highlighting the snowflakes.

Decisive Moments in local paper

2011-01-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

Article in Le Soleil

Osprey in Canadian Geographic

2010-12-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

I am a bit late posting this, but my osprey image (the one from the cover of my new book) is in the December issue of Canadian Geographic.

For next year, CG have asked me to produce a full feature on a less-celebrated Canadian wildlife subject.

Special Guest at Book Signing: Roy Ramsay

2010-11-25T18:39:00.000-08:00

Roy Ramsay, editor of Outdoor Photography Canada Magazine, will be on hand at the Decisive Moments book signing to mingle and chat about outdoor photography. OPC is Canada's leading photography magazine and meeting Roy in person can definitely do no harm to the career of Canada's up-and-coming photographers!

Roy will only be attending the Saturday (4th of December) event, so clear your schedule to get a chance to chat candidly with this Canadian publication maverick!

Decisive Moments Book Signing!‏

2010-11-23T10:37:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone,

The time has finally come for my new book to make its way into the world! To accommodate everyone's busy schedule at this time of the year, we will be hosting two signing events on consecutive evenings.

We invite you to join Scott and Stephanie on whichever evening suits you. You can expect good food and good conversation with folks sharing mutual interest in the arts, photography and nature. Feel free to extend this invitation to anyone else that you feel might be interested.

Signing Events Time/Place

December 3rd and 4th (Friday and Saturday)
7:00pm
at
Le Bouquin D'Occasion
233 D'Anjou
Chateauguay, Quebec
Canada
J6J2R3

Hope to see you there!

Scott Linstead

Popular Photography Magazine review Decisive Moments

2010-11-17T17:15:00.000-08:00

Senior editor of Popular Photography Magazine, Peter Kolonia has reviewed Decisive Moments.

2011 Phototrap Workshops

2010-11-15T14:10:00.000-08:00

The 2011 workshop schedule is up!

Here are some images taken by Scott as well as former clients.

Kari Post Reviews my book; now available at Naturescapes.net!

2010-11-12T19:48:00.000-08:00

Kari Post wrote a flattering review of Decisive Moments to coincide with the book's availability for purchase on the premiere nature photography website Naturescapes.net. Her insights on what distinguishes Decisive Moments conceptually from countless other photography books are clear and accurate.

Cardinal Jumping Spider

2010-11-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Here's another, tinier spider in a similar jump pose as the last one. When this juvenile spider molted, it went from a drab brown to these spectacular colors. It is common to not really know exactly what the species is until it has molted closer to its adult coloration and markings.

Enjoy!

Apache Jumping Spider

2010-11-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

Apache Jumping Spider: A relatively easy shot. The really good jumper images are reserved for the pages of the book....

Neil Losin Reviews My Book!

2010-11-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

Neil Losin, PhD candidate at UCLA, photographer, filmaker and all-around talented dude, wrote a glowing review of my book Decisive Moments.

Chameleon Photo Wins AEP Award!

2010-10-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

The image below has done surprisingly well in a number of publications. Recently, it was voted Best Photograph by AEP. That means that the photo was judged as best in all children's publications for 2009 including National Geographic Kids, Weekly Reader, Scholastic, and Highlights for Children.

For those of you who are not fully aware of the significance of having one's images appear in Ranger Rick magazine, it is considered as one of the greatest showcases for world-class images in North America. Yes, it is a children's magazine. Nonetheless, it is one of the highest paying natural history clients that a photographer can have.

PS -- The image and how it was accomplished are in Decisive Moments.

"SLURRRRP! Chameleon Photo"
Ranger Rick Magazine
National Wildlife Federation

Scott's Book Pre-Order!

2010-09-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

That's right! I am publishing my first book! Read more about it here!

The official publication date will be in mid December, but some preliminary, signed copies will be available to die-hard fans in early November. Preliminary copies will also be available for the book signing events that I will be hosting in early November. Pre-order customers also benefit from 10% off!

Reserve your signed copy here!

What people are saying about Decisive Moments

“Scott's macro work, especially the jumping spiders, is absolutely spectacular. It's always exciting to see new talent and I'm certain this young man is just getting started.”

—Daniel J. Cox

“In nature the decisive moment is often a moment of life and death, where predator and prey meet. A lot of photographers try to catch that instant with their camera. Where many try, Scott Linstead succeeds and he brings us a glimpse into the natural world that we seldom get to see up close. Linstead's images tell the story of the struggle for survival in those fractions of a second when it's actually happening.”

—Chistopher Robinson
Editor, Outdoor Photographer Magazine

“Most coffee table books are strictly spectator experiences. This one doesn't just make you ooh and ahh -- though it does that -- it invites you to jump in and tells you how to create your own action nature photographs. It's a participatory coffee table book. A coffee table and photo blind book.”

—Annie Gottlieb
Copy Chief, Natural History Magazine

"Scott brings a generous spirit of humor, intelligence and a refreshing modesty to this collection of nature stories and photographs"

—Susan McElhinney
Photo Editor, Ranger Rick magazine.

Secret book preview image added for the "Delete Me! We're Top Banana, Grape Beyond Compear!" gang.

First Impressions on Microflash Pro

2010-08-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

Recently, UPS showed up at my door with a large box. After a few signatures I was taking my new Microflash Pro out of the packaging to gaze upon it in reverence. Is it big? Yes. Try to imagine a front loader VCR (remember those things that played VHS tapes?) that is 2 or 3 inches shorter from left to right.

The Microflash Pro dwarfing my D300

For those of you not familiar with high speed photography you may be wondering why such a flash is needed. Speedlights are much smaller and generally more convenient, right? And if they don't provide the amount of light that is required, there are plenty of big Metz and studio strobes out there with very impressive guide numbers, right? So why a specialized flash?

The answer is the need for speed AND power. Speedlights can have very fast durations but can only do so when set on rather low light outputs. A fair work around is bringing these flashes very close to the scene. But then there's the problem of light modifiers that eat up their share of photons such as the softbox. Studio strobes put out larger quantities of light but they generally accomplish this by keeping their bulbs lit for longer periods of time, often in the order of 1/1000".

So, to have a lot of light in a very short duration requires a different beast entirely. It means dangerously high voltages and currents and large capacitors to store this energy. A new standard of safety engineering needs to be applied if such a unit is to be distributed to consumers. Is the VCR-like sizing of the Pro's flash head a necessity based on physics? Yes. Much in the same way that you need a very large gasoline engine if you require 500lb-ft of torque and 500hp. The Pro provides about the same amount of light that two Nikon SB-800s could provide at full power. But, instead of delivering that light over 1/1000 of a second, the Pro gets it done in an astonishingly fast 1/28000 of a second.

Speed and Power allow the Pro to be placed away from the subject

Even with the light modifying softbox attached, the Pro can be withdrawn comfortably away from the area in front of the lens, hence leaving plenty of space in that normally cramped area for infrared beam emitters and receivers as well as other bits of hardware typically associated with high-speed photography. I can typically operate my high speed sets at f22, iso200 and have regular Nikon speedlights take care of the secondary lighting such as backlighting and the lighting of artificial backgrounds. I get by quite well with only one Pro flash head providing the primary lighting for the scene.

The external battery has the same feel as the flash head of the Pro: think "military hardware"

As the subjects get smaller and faster, as is the case with insects in flight, the speedlights no longer provide the light that is needed to properly expose the scene without compromising iso or depth of field. In the past I have used speedlights at 1/16 power (1/10000 of a second) for many applications where this speed was sufficient. I came to realize that the speedlights were insufficient when 1/32 power (1/17000") was barely enough to freeze my insect subjects and I needed to bring the flashes within inches of the subject in order to illuminate them properly.

Zero Lag Applications?

A perhaps unforeseen benefit of the immense power of the Pro is the ability to simulate a near-zero shutter lag in the studio environment. By limiting the ambient light in the studio the high speed photographer can afford to hold the camera shutter open for a second or two in anticipation of the action without affecting the exposure. This can only be accomplished if the aperture is stopped down to f16 or f22 (already a requirement for other reasons such as DOF) and low iso sensitivities. The Pro can be triggered directly by any tripwire system such as the StopShot or the Phototrap, both of which I use extensively. Since flashes respond much faster than camera shutters (in the order of millionths of a second as opposed to the hundredths of a second required for the mechanical shutter of a DSLR to open) the photographer can come as close to the zero lag ideal as possible.

A most demanding of situations: The subject approaches the camera and is traveling over a very short distance. The infrared beam or laser beam that triggers the camera cannot be repositioned to accommodate the lag in this case because the distance traveled by the subject is too short.

How, exactly, is the above image achieved, you ask? Find out in my new book, due out later this year. Keep an eye out for a pre-orders page!

More info on this company's products here

Spots Remain for September Bat Workshop in AZ!

2010-07-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

There is one spot in block 3 and block 4 has two spots available. Come and check out one of the most unique and reasonably priced photo workshops around.

Included is a copy of my manual (regularly priced at $75USD + shipping)

HighSpeedFlash.com

2010-07-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

The arrival of a specialized high-speed flash system from a company in the UK draws near! I am anxious to find out what new heights to which my imagery might be elevated by HighSpeedFlash.com's very unique products.

High Speed Flash, a subsidiary of First Light Lamps, is perhaps the first company to manufacture a truly accessible flash aimed squarely at the tremendous speed and power requirements of high speed photography. The demands of this kind of photography translate to higher voltages and currents that need to be dealt with to a higher safety engineering standard than normal flash units. This, combined with the very specific market for such a product, has kept a reasonable alternative to the current, rather rag-tag offerings, outside of the interest of flash manufacturers.

The two products are the Pro and the Ultra. The Pro is ideal for wildlife photographers who need the speed available at the low-power range of a conventional speedlight (around 1/30000") but with the power output that is equal or greater a conventional unit at max output. In other words, the Pro provides more light in 1/28000" than a Nikon or Canon flash can in 1/1000".

The Ultra has an extremely fast duration of 1/111111" and is intended for ballistic photography. The higher speed of this unit is also useful for the very fastest of wildlife applications including, for instance, the lateral jump of a grasshopper.

Once my unit arrives I will be posting my experiences and hopefully some supporting imagery! Exciting times for high speed photographers!

High Speed Feature goes Viral

2010-07-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

What started out as a feature in a UK newspaper has gone viral and is now present what appears to be dozens of newspapers around the world, both in print and online. Here are some examples including MSNBC. Other countries where variations on the feature appear include Germany, Switzerland and Brazil.

6th Place and $11000 in ICF Pro Tour!

2010-07-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

38: Days in Texas
4 to 5: rattlesnakes encountered per day
1: number of geckos gone missing in trailer
1: number of pubic haires found inside fridge door of trailer
2: black widow spiders living in terrariums on my kitchen table
27: average daily temp during the month of April
9: length in miles of drive to get out of ranch
30000: acres of land on ranch
5: days of straight rain leading to complete vehicular immobility
1: number of deer mice greeting me next to my pillow in the middle of the night
7: number of $500 images in top 100 of contest
50: percentage of $11000 winning that goes to the land owner

So, the results have been published. I was one spot away from where I thought I might be satisfied (top 5). Here are some selected images, now free of the publication ban:

Jumper Jumping Close-Up

2010-07-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

This is a heavy crop, maybe 70 or 80%. But I think it holds up quite well and it illustrates the challenge of pre-focusing so that the eyes are in the focal plane for a spider that is about 7/16" in length (leg tip to tip).

D300, 35mm f2.0, pk-11a extension tube, 4 flashes, Phototrap (flashes tripped directly, shutter open in bulb)f16, 1/250, flashes at 1/32 power (1/17000"), iso 640

As far as I know, there are no spider jumping shots in existence that show the very anthropomorphic eyes facing the camera.

Enjoy!

Jumper Jumping

2010-07-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

Notice how the male's chelicerae are shiny green/blue. You can also see the "safety line" web trailing behind him.

I am getting closer to regular success with this sort of image. Once the technicals are worked and are more reliable, the sets will become more elaborate and captivating.

Enjoy!

A colorful female in a similar pose and no safety line

Red Fox Kits

2010-07-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

I was tipped off to a location where 5 little guys and gals have been hanging out.

All shot full frame with the Nikon D3 and 300mm f2.8G VR... a very versatile combo!

Enjoy!

Can a Spider be Cute?

2010-07-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

Arachnophobia is SO 25 years ago! While this little female jumper is still young, her eyes will be proportionally larger. She is hiding amongst the petals of the flower I introduced her to. The ambient lighting is low and she thinks it is bed time.

D300, 36mm Kenko e. tube, 2 sb-800s in a soft box, Sigma 150mm macro

14 images stacked in Helicon Focus (get it cheaper from ME!)

Another spider stacked using Helicon Focus

2010-07-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

Regal Jumping Spider (female orange form)

This little gal is one of my best performers. If you look closely, you can see the iridescent magenta chelicerae just below the eyes.

stacked in Helicon Focus from 14 images

D300, Kenko extension tube, 150mm macro, 2 sb-800s in softbox

Helicon Soft and Image Stacking

2010-06-29T14:16:00.001-07:00

While I wait for certain bits of hardware to arrive so that I may carry on with my jumping spider project, I thought it would be interesting to supplement the action images of the jumpers with some static images. Like it or not, shallow depth of field is something that must be endured and managed in macro or close-up photography. I thought it might make for a refreshing change if some of the static images were "stacked". Image stacking is a process where several images of a subject are merged together digitally to create a single image with the desired depth of field. The image in the ad below was created by stacking 8 images of the jumping spider. The difficult part: merging the images together in Phototshop, etc., is taken care of by this dedicated software.

If you are interested in this software, go take a look around their site for more info. Then, come back here and buy it from me at a 15% discount!

Helicon Lite (One Year License)

Helicon Lite (Unlimited License)

Helicon Pro (One Year License)

Helicon Pro (Unlimited License)

Helicon Pro X64 (Unlimited License)

Images from Arizona and Newfoundland

2010-06-14T19:44:00.001-07:00

Here are a few images from the Arizona Bats and Owls Workshop which was followed immediately by the Outdoor Photography Canada Puffin Workshop.

A second Bat Workshop is coming up in September.

Enjoy!

Red Morph Regal Jumping Spider

2010-06-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

This image represents the beginnings of what I hope will be a definitive series of jumping spiders. My summer project will include the "bold jumper" (phidippus audax) and the "regal jumper" (phidippus regius). The series will focus on action and story-telling imagery. I hope to cover all the natural history of the jumper along with predator-prey, courtship-mating and everything in between. The resulting imagery should be world class.

Enjoy!

"The females of this Floridian species exist as grey morph and red morph. The males are black and look almost identical to the well-photographed "bold jumper" species which is often seen in the south Texas photography contests. Many of the existing jump shots of jumping spiders are of the left-to-right variety, effectively hiding the huge, inquisitive eyes. This shot was painstakingly designed to show the jumping behavior as well as the big eyes. The distance across the gap is less than one inch. Flash output is no greater than 1/32 to keep the effective shutter speed at about 1/17000. D300, Sigma 150mm macro, 4 SB-800 flashes (2 in softbox, 1 backlit, one head-on for catchlights), Phototrap"

Jumping Spider

2010-05-19T20:41:00.001-07:00

I have been finding these little guys all over the apartment lately. So, I decided to do a set-up and see what I could come up with. There are a number of technical challenges including having to trip the flashes directly instead of the camera shutter in order to reduce the lag time of the ultra-brief jump.

Wanna win a Sigma 10-20mm....

2010-05-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

...and a bunch of other cool prizes?

Check out the Outdoor Photography Canada Spring Photo Contest!

Only $15CDN to enter! Non pro photogs only!

Another Arizona Bat Workshop!

2010-05-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

click on the banner for more info

"Fishing Wild" magazine from Australia

2010-05-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

A few of my images appear in the current issue of this highly unique travel/sports fishing magazine from down under. Col and Karen Roberts place a strong emphasis on quality imagery and photography as applied to fishing in their home-grown publication.

Having just received a copy this week, I am just thrilled with the quality of this publication!

"Decisive Moment Photography" feature in June issue of Outdoor Photographer

2010-05-03T15:09:00.000-07:00

Check out my full-length feature in the June issue of Outdoor Photographer!

Nature Sauvage front cover among Quebec's Top Ten of 2009!

2010-05-03T15:06:00.001-07:00

My 'great grey owl in snowstorm' image that appeared on the cover of the winter issue of Nature Sauvage is currently in the running for Cover of the Year in the Magazines Quebec Grand Prix 2010!

New Arizona Material

2010-03-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

Just got back from AZ on Friday night where I ran the bat workshop for clients from NY State, Florida and the UK, just in time to welcome distinguished hummingbird photographer and Neurologist, Dr. Juan Bahamon to my Montreal Phototrap workshop. At the end of the week, I am off to the IFC Pro Tour. That's the good kind of busy....

Arizona Bats and More! New Workshop Announced! (FULL)

2010-02-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

Do you want to join Scott Linstead to photograph bats in flight at the same spot where I made this Popular Photography image? (March 2010 issue)

Click Here for Official Workshop Page

-Spend a few days with wildlife photographer Scott Linstead and Phototrap designer Bill Forbes in the Arizona Desert!

-Spend your days shooting Arizona wildlife at the state's greatest photography hot spot!

-Spend your nights shooting various bat species in flight!

$499USD per day (we recommend a minimum of two days)

Lodging Included in Green Valley, AZ

Complimentary Transportation from Tucson Airport

Complimentary Transportation to and from your Hotel

All you will need is a DSLR with a pop-up flash (or your own hot-shoe flash) and a lens in the range of 70-300mm

Canon or Nikon system only!

Contact: 514-295-6243

s_linste@hotmail.com

Northern Hawk Owl

2010-02-13T09:52:00.000-08:00

I am not a big fan of working a subject that already has a lot of public attention, since the results are often compromised. These images are no exception and they do not get me especially excited. Furthermore, I don't think I'm a big fan of the hawk owl. It just doesn't do a lot for me, visually. Nonetheless, I present my best efforts given the circumstances.

Scott

Arizona Bat in March Issue of Popular Photography!

2010-02-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest Popular Photography to see a full page of my best-selling bat shot!

Jesus Lizards Re-Visited

2010-02-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

I never get tired of this fascinating species! This image is part of an exercise in my Phototrap workshop to show participants how to set up their flashes and the in-camera white balance in such a way so as to light the scene with mixed color temperatures. Notice how the lighting on the lizard is quite warm, like late-day sunlight. But, the reflected sky on the water's surface is still blue.

Consider the following: Let's say you are shooting a scene at 4pm. The scene is a cornfield, rich in reds and yellows. The blue sky is also included in the composition. If you try to warm the scene to enhance the reds and yellows by raising the color temperature in-camera, this will compromise the blues of the sky. The warmer white balance will render the blues and cyans of the sky subdued. The camera is effectively treating the sky as just another tangible object in the scene that is reflecting the light of the sun. In reality, the sky is more accurately thought of as an independent light source. A shaded area on a sunny day is actually bathed in the rather cool light as it is lit by the sky light and not by the direct rays of the sun.

Understanding how real-life scenes tend to include multiple color temperature light sources allows the photographer to light their studio set-ups in a more realistic manner. This is accomplished by using gels to warm certain flashes in this multi-flash setup, keeping the in-camera white balance relatively cool.

Angry Pete Dropped My 500mm

2010-01-23T12:32:00.000-08:00

When a friend of mine, Angry Pete, opened the hatch of his Honda Pilot, he didn't heed the advice of countless flight attendants. The contents had shifted and the bag holding my 500mm f4 af-s II, D300 and tc-17e (retail value over $10000) rolled out into the parking lot of the park we were visiting to photograph a kestrel.

Let's see how well my camera insurance comes through....

500mm mount damage

Nikon D300 body damage

tc-17e teleconverter mount damage

American Kestrel

2010-01-21T17:17:00.000-08:00

Once I thought I could handle almost any subject in flight. I have pretty decent skills and equipment for shooting action, but this tiny falcon proved to be almost too much for me. In the end, having produced almost no decent images, I resorted to a primitive, pre-focusing technique to produce this photograph. What was not so primitive was the 1/8000 of a second that I was able to obtain, using the D3, to freeze the action in overcast conditions and while not panning with the subject. iso3200, f2.8..... I also set the D3 in "DX" mode which makes the frame smaller but increases the frame rate from 9fps to 11fps.

Enjoy!

Scott

Osprey Image in Natural History Magazine

2010-01-19T20:34:00.001-08:00

My lead osprey image seems to be gaining popularity all the time. It appears as a double page spread this month in Natural History Magazine in the coveted "Natural Moment" column. The Natural Moment is a 3-page column that appears in every issue and is written by Erin Espelie.

The image is available for purchase in a variety of sizes and formats, with or without frame from Fine Art America.

Baby Chameleons at Workshop

2010-01-14T09:21:00.000-08:00

These little guys are the stars of the show!

Phototrap Manual Price Reduced!

2010-01-11T09:03:00.000-08:00

The Phototrap Manual is now priced at $75USD plus shipping!

Latest From Arizona

2010-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

This is some new material from Arizona. Nothing ground-breaking here, but some decent coverage of some favorite species. I tried to get some low-to-the-ground, wide-angle perspective on a few things to show the desert environment.

Enjoy!

The Wildlife Photographer's Guide to High-Speed Tripwire Photography Using the Phototrap

2009-12-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

I am now taking orders for the English version of the manual. This book is an economical alternative to attending the workshops. All the theory and tricks that are covered in the lecture portion of the workshop are included here. Purchase of the manual entitles the client to technical support by telephone (long distance fees may apply) Also, clients who have bought the book and decide to attend the workshop at later date will receive a $75CDN rebate.

-English Version, 35 pages, spiral bound: $75USD plus shipping

-French Version(COMING SOON), 35 pages, spiral bound: $75USD plus shipping

1.) Lighting

1.1) creative flash positioning
1.2) directional lighting
1.3) duration considerations for action
1.4) color temperature
1.4.1) white balance
1.4.2) blue sky and mixed color temperatures
1.5) light modifiers
1.6) water reflections
1.7) supporting hardware suggestions

2.) Setting

2.1) artificial backgrounds
2.2) mixing artificial and natural background elements for depth
2.3) natural lighting
2.4) mixed lighting considerations
2.5) geographic accuracy

3.) Sensor Placement and Calibration

3.1) direct versus Reflect mode
3.2) angular orientation’s effect on sensitivity
3.3) focus calibration and the pendulum method
3.4) the ‘black cotton’ trick

4.) Set-up examples

4.1) “A to B” subjects: the Basilisk
4.2) insects in flight
4.3) hummingbird at flower
4.4) saw whet leaving cavity

The Only Tasteful Gift in the Room

2009-12-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

Do you have to buy a gift for one of those 'who's my Santa' gigs at the Christmas office party? Give the only tasteful gift in the room, a print of one of Scott's wildlife images! They start at only $37USD!

When Ordering from my online gallery at FineArtAmerica.com, you may notice that the largest print format that I sell (36" on the longest side) has been reduced in price by $50USD.

Check my gallery and try the 'frame selection' feature that gives you an idea of how a given frame will look before you order it!

Scott

Phototrap Workshops Taking Off!

2009-12-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

The Montreal area workshops are filling up nicely and the client demand seems to be re-shaping the product somewhat. Many busy professionals from around the US who are also serious amateur photographers are requesting private weekends one-on-one. So, I am now booking private dates on request throughout 2010. I will be adding another 4 person workshop in Montreal shortly, so stay tuned. Surprisingly, the Toronto area workshops have not been quite as successful in terms of interest, so they are currently at risk of cancellation.

Here is the current pricing structure (old pricing applies for 7 more days, till midnight December 21st):

4-person(max) workshop weekend including lunch(2) with Phototrap: $1199CDN/person

4-person(max) workshop weekend including lunch(2) without Phototrap: $799CDN/person

Private, one-on-one workshop weekend including lunch(2) with Phototrap: $1399CDN

Private, one-on-one workshop weekend including lunch(2) without Phototrap: $999CDN

Phototrap for Canon or Nikon system: $525CDN(shipping included)

COMING SOON!

The definitive Phototrap Manual for Wildlife Photographers

Don't want to travel and spend the money on the workshop? Buy the manual outlining all the theory and set-ups covered in the workshop!

Shipped anywhere in Canada and the lower 50 for $150CDN! (shipping included)

Each hard copy shipped is numbered and entitles the client to technical support by telephone (long distance fees may apply)

Scott

Wild Barred Owls!

2009-12-03T19:32:00.001-08:00

Today John Belanger and I drove 5 hours each way to find these barred owls. The low light was no match for the Nikon D3 combined with the 300 f2.8. Still, I was really at the limit of what parameters I am comfortable with; even for the D3. Most of the action shots were done at 1/1000, f2.8, iso2000.

Enjoy!

Nature Sauvage Front Cover!

2009-11-30T09:35:00.000-08:00

I was excited this morning to receive a request to invoice a handful of images for the latest Nature Sauvage. One of the shots used was labeled as 'Page 1". Evidently, Page 1 means the cover for this particular magazine! What a thrill! Nature Sauvage sets the very highest standard for Quebec natural history publications. It seems that their editorial staff choose the images that appear in the magazine based on the visual impact of the images and not any other secondary considerations. ;)

Day Into Night

2009-11-29T12:21:00.000-08:00

One of the coolest things about the red-eyed tree frog that is not often captured in still imagery is the amazing transition that they make from sleeping/camouflaged mode into the state of wakefulness. This is a first try at capturing this transition.

Creative lighting with speedlights in the studio environment is just one facet of what will be covered in my Phototrap Workshop.

2010 PHOTOTRAP WORKSHOP launched!

2009-11-27T19:01:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

I am very excited to announce this new workshop series!

"Take a workshop, take home a PHOTOTRAP!"

"This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the dynamic world of tripwire photography AND acquire the specialized equipment at a lower price than that offered by the manufacturer! Scott will pass on to you all his years of experience on how to light captive set-ups to look natural using speedlights and how to capture fleeting action that would otherwise be impossible with conventional photographic techniques. The skills that you will acquire in Scott's studio will be directly applicable to wild species. "

Osprey on Front Cover

2009-11-21T13:04:00.000-08:00

An image from the Finland osprey series is on the front cover of the December issue of Nature Friend magazine. Nature Friend is a superb, children's publication rooted in family values and is a supporter of home schooling.

A Week of Freebie Requests

2009-11-14T11:09:00.000-08:00

Here's something just for entertainement value. They are actual requests for image use from this past week. The funny thing about "The Very Big" case is that the gov't agency in question did have the budget to hire a third party to undertake this promotional campaign, just not for the single image around which the campaign would be based. :D

The Very Small

Them: "I received some grant money to installa permanent sign, such as you would find at a State or National park.Unfortunately there is no money in the budget for imagery."

Me: "Thanks for your inquiry. It is essential that I produce revenue for any andall usages of my work. That being said, the beauty of the rights managedsales model is that the small application pays the small fee. You couldhave full resolution files for all the images you mentioned for a one timefee of $100. Keep in mind that the principle of the time value of money appliesuniversally. Finding equivalent quality from a serious amatuer at nomonetary cost is possible, but at the expense of your time. Same dayresponse and quality of service are generaly not associated with the seriousamatuer who is often pre-occupied with a day job. I would be happy to provide those to you under the above terms."

Them: "Thanks for your response. I certainly understand the need to producerevenue and you make good a good point about my own time. I will keep yourterms in mind as I move forward."

The Very Big

Them: "As discussed over the phone we are interested in the following image for an upcoming campaign for the ********"

Them: "Again, the ******** is a government agency and would not have a large purse for image purchase. If you are interested it would most-likely more be for the recognition and portfolio than a financial gain."

Them: "It is not a large campaign for them, it will be around a 4-week campaign. As it looks now (however the marketing plan is always changing) a rough estimate would be: 3 magazines inserts, 4 large scale banners, some transit shelter ads, 8 newsprint insertions and possibly a :05 or :07 V tag"

Me: "If obtained through a stock agency, the usage described would command a conservative estimate of $1500~$2000. Now I realize that government agencies have limited budgets and as such I am very open to negotiation. But I am not in the position to provide such usage without monetary compensation."

Them: "It turns out that the ******** is going with another image and will not be moving forward with yours.
Thanks for your time"

New Saw-Whet Owl Images

2009-11-12T17:12:00.000-08:00

I have been on the road for the past few days photographing saw-whet owls. Here is quick process job on one of the better shots from the shoot. These little guys have always been a fav of mine. Imagine an owl the size of a rolled up pair of wool socks. So photogenic...

Scott

WILD Halloween Issue Front Cover

2009-11-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

Here is one of my Arizona bat images on the front cover of WILD magazine. This is a children's magazine published by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.

Prints for Sale: reasonably priced, uncomplicated ordering!

2009-10-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

Prints of Scott's images are now available through Fine Art America. You can choose the size of your print and whether you want it framed and matted or just rolled in a tube. You can also choose where you want the print shipped by UPS. Payment is easy through Paypal and all major credit cards.

I am just starting to get images up on the gallery, so if there's a particular image that you'd like to see up there for sale, let me know and I'll upload it.

Scott

Coming Soon! A reasonable, safe and efficient way to buy prints of Scott's images!

2009-10-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

Print sales are a rather small part of my business. But, occasionally, someone will see a shot of mine in a magazine and they will want to give it as a gift. Some people want just the print, others want something framed. Ultimately, I am not really equipped to respond to these demands and come away with any sense of satisfaction. The client's interest often diminishes I think that once they realize that the transaction is not an easy one. So, I have been searching for an online gallery that can sell my work as prints in a number of sizes, with or without matting and framin and take care of the shipping as well.

I feel that once the potential client doesn't have to worry about some guy (me) printing stuff in his basement and getting around to mailing it off, they may be more inclined to buy (since a transaction of this nature is much more reliable and familiar -- unlike contacting someone on a private email address and Paypal-ing money to a stranger, etc.).

Once the gallery is up and running, I will post the link here as well as on my website.

Scott

Presentation to Montreal Zoological Society

2009-10-17T11:08:00.001-07:00

Scott will be giving a presentation to the Montreal Zoological Society on Tuesday October 20th, 2009. This will be Scott's third presentation to the society in as many years.

Publication News

2009-10-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

A feature on the Finland osprey series will appear in a major North American magazine in the December issue. Also in December, the image below will appear as the front cover of a North American children's magazine.

OPC Fall Issue on Newsstands

2009-09-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

The fall issue of Outdoor Photography Canada is currently on the newsstands. This issue, my regular column features part 1 of a two-part series on flight photography. Check it out!

Also, fellow OPC columinst Kelly Funk has the front cover this issue as well as a superb feature on the isolated Grizzly bear hotspot, the Khutzeymateen Valley. When I first started in photography as an amateur I would hang on Kelly's every word when he appeared on the short-lived TV series Nikon Wildlife Expeditions.

A few more Finland Osprey

2009-09-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

My earlier post on this trip showcased my two very favorite images. But I would have been reasonably satisfied with any one of these if I had never got the "money" shots.

Enjoy!

A Few Covers from 2009

2009-09-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

These two are probably the most noteworthy front covers published so far this year. Truth be told, I strive for the cover shot as a matter of philosophy. I believe in the stand-alone image that conveys universal impact to the viewer, regardless of their interests or place in the world. I still maintain that the images that I produce on yearly basis that approach this ideal are numbered in the dozens.

National Geographic Junior, Feb. 2009

Outdoor Photography Canada, Spring 2009

Bats in Flight to be Published

2009-09-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

It looks like two of my bat-in-flight images, much like the one below,

will be published in the Halloween issue of two magazines for young people. I am happy to see these unique images find a home. They were shot at Bill Forbes' pond south of Tucson Arizona using the amazing Phototrap camera trigger as well as 4 camera flashes.

Bill Forbes to Assist at ICF Pro Tour

2009-09-09T18:38:00.001-07:00

Bill Forbes, inventor and manufacturer of the Phototrap high speed photographic trigger system, has volunteered to be my photographic assistant during the ICF Pro Tour in April 2010. Bill's extensive knowledge and creativity in the domain of photographic set-ups is second to none. I am relieved to have such a skilled individual step forward to help out in this highly competitive contest, where having a competent assistant can make a world of difference.

2010 ICF Pro Tour

2009-09-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

"the world's richest nature photography tournament, featuring international nature photographers randomly teamed with regional landowners"

Barn Owl "rejecting" owl pellet (ewwww...)

Yup, I will be competing in the ICF Pro Tour again in 2010. Back in 2008, I came in 9th place with a portfolio that featured strong bird coverage, but I displayed a rather ho-hum performance in the four other categories. Still, above and beyond the prize money for 9th place, I also placed 7 of my images in the top 100 of contest, bringing my total winnings above that of the 8th place photographer. This is consistent with what has always been my photographic work ethic: low quantity, high quality.

A link to my profile at the ICF site.

http://www.imagesforconservation.org/scott-linstead

With way more tools in my photographic toolbox and perhaps a better work ethic (slightly), I hope to place higher in 2010. We'll see...

One of the "Top 100 in Contest" 2008 ICF Pro Tour, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (wild), South Texas

Osprey in Finland

2009-09-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

As promised in the last entry, I am uploading a few of the best images from four days spent in a hide shooting osprey in Finland. All the images were shot with the blisteringly fast combination of the Nikon D3 camera and the 300mm f2.8 lens. I'm a big fan of the head-on perspective in raptor photography and the equipment did not disappoint despite this most demanding of auto-focusing challenges.

Here's a brief video showing the perspective from the hide. What you are seeing is two aborted dives followed by one complete dive with the osprey flying away from the hide.

Inaugural Blogural

2009-08-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

This is an odd time to start a blog as I am currently between projects. I have just wrapped up my second try at the "Jesus Christ Lizard" project. This was a studio effort to capture the unique ability of this special creature to run on the surface of water.

My wife, Stephanie, and I are preparing for a trip to Europe. The photographic highlight of this trip is four days that will be spent with well-known UK photographer Miguel Lasa at what is arguably the best spot in the world to photograph osprey catching fish.

Hopefully the coming weeks will produce some world class osprey images! For now, I leave you with the one decent image that I have of this spectacular phenomenon.