There are few things makes my blood boil however lately that list seems to be growing at an alarming rate. A recent 60 Minutes program exposed how Congressmen who belong to any kind of specialized committee are then privy to massive amounts of information way in advance of the general public. In turn these Committee Members can leverage this inside information in stocks trades or real estate investments . Actually the list goes on how Congressional Committee members can use this information for their own personal gain where as you or I would be jailed for insider trading. So I ask in all earnest, should law makers be exempt from the law of the land? A recent Stanford University study spear headed by Peter Schweizer revealed how many Congressional Members have amassed small fortunes because of this privileged insider information. Members of Congress have no corporate responsibilities and there is no law preventing them from taking advantage of this insider information. This begs the question how dedicated can one be to the public let alone the sanctity of the country if this is allowed to continue? Are our chief laws makers acting on the public good and their oath of office? Many Americans believe their actions are being tainted by greed for their own benefit and not that of the country. See this for yourself by clicking here http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7388130n. When lawmakers, legislative bodies and elected officials are so far removed from the laws of the land, we have effectively created a separate privileged society who seem to be incapable of make decisions that are unbiased or self serving. If the Congress and the Senate had the same health plan We The People have , we would not continue to hear the kind horror stories where hard working American families loose their homes simply because of spiraling health care costs and corporate greed of the insurance and pharmaceutical industry.
Latest
Fine Art America
Many fellow photographers and artist have recommended Fine Art America as a way artist can market and sell their work via the world wide web. The print on demand feature offered my a premium membership affords an array of printing services to any potential customer with no additional expense to the artist. In fact the artist earns a percentage for each and every print of their work that is sold.The search feature allows art buyers to search through the massive array of art in Fine Art Americas database. A typical search with any combination of words,subject matter or style can be used. Here are some an examples of search results.
A Nature Photography Primer
People often ask me what camera gear do you use for your nature photography? For those who plan on taking the plunge to nature photography I would highly recommend purchasing a digital single lens reflex camera. This will allow you to choose from a system of lenses that will work for the subject and environment you of your choice. Choose one of the Major brands by going into a local camera shop and try more than one on for size. The camera should feel comfortable in your hand. All the major controls should be easily reached by the flick of a dial or rotation of a wheel without too much trouble of effort on your part. Avoid purchasing an SLR body with a plastic lens mount even if it takes you out of your price range. Remember you are purchasing into a system and there is a strong likely hood in time you will want to upgrade to a better lens. Specialty lenses that are well suited for photographing subjects from great distances can be a lot heftier in size and weight. Over time a heavier lens could compromise a plastic metal lens mount.
So which brand should I choose? Some cameras and lenses are better suited for outdoor work. Try to thinks ahead, what kind of shooting will you be doing. If your subjects will mostly be birds you will be out shooting in all types of weather. A weather resistant body will allow you to shoot in varied conditions and in my opinion would be a smart move regardless of your subject. Keep in mind equipment is not the answer to everything. The most valuable asset a Nature Photographer can have at their disposal is the power of observation.
Humbug you might exclaim. What on earth do you mean power of observation? If you had the best camera gear in the world but no idea how to observe your subject, the camera gear would be useless. The art of observation is crucial, know and observe your subject in its natural environment. Be sure to have a basic idea of your subjects biology. Being forearmed can save you countless hours in the field so be prepared. Know the pattern of behavior of your subject, this comes from observing it in the field. Pay particular attention to observe food sources that may be specific to your area. In my opinion there is a certain Zen to Nature Photography. One must respect the subject and environment they wish to photograph. Those who merely pursue Nature Photography from a technological or mechanical approach perform a disservice to their subjects and the environment.
Ten Nature Photography Tips That Will Separate You From the Pack
In the past few months many articles have been written on the subject of Wildlife and Nature Photography. I intend to fill in some of proverbial gaps in an effort to shed some light on some concepts that could save your bacon in the field. In my recently published Ezine article “A Nature photographer Primer” I dedicated a portion on The Art of Observation and it’s crucial role in Nature Photography.
Some of you may be content with back yard photographs of birds’ flowers and bugs near or around your home. Then again some of you may in fact yearn to take their photography to another level by photographing Wildlife subjects in national parks, preserves or in wilderness areas. Realize as soon as you strap you camera gear on you bear a responsibility for the safety of your subject and others who are also enjoying earth’s abundance. The funny thing is I have know a few people who ignored this concept only to find out later the universe does not forget those who ignore this principal.
Remember learn as much about your intended subject as you can. If you hit a road block speak with a biologist who is an expert on the species you intended to photograph. When a wildlife subject feels threatened or irritated by a Photographer, it poses a danger for the subject and the photographer.
Several years ago while my wife and I visited Yellowstone National Park. I had struck up a conversation with a Park Ranger over dinner. The Ranger had initially commented about my camera gear, within a short time we were chatting away. The Ranger spoke of a recent incident where a photographer evidently got too close to a large male buffalo. It seems the novice photographer was so caught up with the capturing of his images he failed to notice his flash was stressing the buffalo.
The end result was a novice photographer being hauled into an emergency room several puncture wounds and broken ribs. Wildlife that experiences obtrusive and stressful human encounters can continue to be a problem down the road for everyone. The bottom line is even experts can be taken by surprise.
Take the case of Michio Hoshino an experienced wildlife photographer who was photographing grizzly bears in Kamchatka Peninsula in Eastern Russia. Hoshino had plenty of experience with bears and was a first class photographer and outdoorsmen. He was attacked and killed by a grizzly as he slept in his tent. This tragic loss is a sober reminder of how unpredictable predatory wildlife can be even with years of experience under your belt.
- Always carry pepper spray in bear country.
- Never approach an animal carcass, as it is likely a food cache.
- Watch for signs of stress in you subject, ears flattened out or bristling of fur.
- Avoid approaching bird of prey nests as you could cause nest failure.
- Huffing of breath spells trouble with many species of wildlife.
- Always plan ahead, if are unfamiliar with the terrain or area hire a guide.
- Observe patterns of behavior.
- Observe and take note of indigenous food sources of your subject.
- Remember no shot is worth risking the well being or safety of any wildlife subject.
- Make as little impact on the environment as possible.
Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited, all material is copyrighted © 2010. You can find out more about me and see examples of my work at http://www.lanenatureimages.com
I’ll take an extra portion of common sense please
It really does seem like the white house and the federal government has their heads up their keister when it comes to the handing of the Gulf oil disaster. BP has proven they are incapable of running an oil rig safely so why on earth would any moron expect them to be able to plug the spill. It’s time for Uncle Sam to step up to the plate and pool all it’s resources to find a solution to plug the spill while BP foots the bill. There are many US companies that have offered to help only to find they are being stymied by the Feds. Lets not forget to mention other nations that have offered their assistance only to be turned away by red tape. I can’t speak for anyone else but I gotta tell you nothing buts a bigger fire under my ass than bureaucratic red tape at the expense of an entire ecosystem.
Some opening thoughts
Every time I open a newspaper or turn on the television and hear the day’s news my concern grows about the direction we are heading in as a nation and culture. The current financial meltdown we are experiencing really brings into focus the state of the American Corporate Business model. There is an old saying “the apple does not fall too far from the tree.” If this is true, are we becoming a culture of liars? Is our only concern the proverbial bottom line? Has the cost of doing business as usual lobotomized our conscience and sense of social responsibility? Is mother the earth reacting to our irresponsibility in the form of global warming? It is time we stay true to our creed as a nation and a culture by backing up our highest held beliefs with action. Recently I looked into opening a CD with Ally bank, the more that I looked into the bank and it’s history the more murky the water got. It seems the bank changed its name in May from GMAC financial Services to Ally Bank. Talk about re branding huh? The challenges consumers faced who were lucky purchasers GM cars and trucks is not easily forgotten, lo and behold comes corporate re branding. Does anyone but me have a problem with this, not to mention the taxpayer dollars being poured into tidy venture seems like betting on a race horse whose carrying a limestone jockey. Speaking of CD’s, the only CD that comes to my mind is the one that has that tune, “She got the gold mine I got the Shaft”.
