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# Martin Belan

Nature, Travel, and Olympus Photography Blog

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## Posts

- [Panasonic Lumix GM-1 in 2026: First Impressions of a Truly Pocketable Micro Four Thirds Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2026/07/15/panasonic-lumix-gm-1-in-2026-first-impressions-of-a-truly-pocketable-micro-four-thirds-camera/) - When Panasonic introduced the Lumix GM-1 in 2013, it made a bold statement: an interchangeable lens camera didn’t have to be larger than a compact camera. More than a decade later, the GM-1 remains one of the smallest Micro Four Thirds cameras ever made. After spending time with it in Amish Country, Ohio and the
- [What I Like (and Don’t Like) About the Panasonic Lumix L10](https://martinbelan.com/2026/07/11/what-i-like-and-dont-like-about-the-panasonic-lumix-l10/) - When Panasonic announced the Lumix L10, most of the reviews came from photographers who had early access to pre-production or loaned cameras. Those reviews did an excellent job introducing the specifications and highlighting the new features. Rather than adding another launch review, I wanted to spend some time actually using the camera. After several weeks
- [Why the Olympus 12-100mm f/4 Lens Rarely Leaves My Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2026/07/08/why-the-olympus-12-100mm-f-4-lens-rarely-leaves-my-camera/) - Except when I’m specifically heading out to photograph birds and wildlife, there’s one lens that goes on every photography trip I take—the Olympus 12-100mm f/4 PRO. It has traveled with me through deserts, along rugged coastlines, into rain and snow, and across countless national parks. After years of use, it has become the lens I
- [How to Easily Create Your Own Photography Style with Lumix Lab’s Magic LUT](https://martinbelan.com/2026/07/01/how-to-easily-create-your-own-photography-style-with-lumix-labs-magic-lut/) - One of the most exciting and creative features on recent Panasonic cameras is the ability to create and use your own custom LUTs (Look Up Tables). While Panasonic includes several built-in LUTs, the real fun begins when you create one that reflects your own photography style. With the Magic LUT feature in the free Lumix
- [How to Customize the Panasonic Lumix L10 Quick Menu](https://martinbelan.com/2026/06/27/how-to-customize-the-panasonic-lumix-l10-quick-menu/) - One of the easiest ways to make the Panasonic Lumix L10 faster in the field is to customize the Quick Menu. The L10 has a deep menu system, but most photographers don’t want to dig through menus while the light is changing, a subject is moving, or a scene is coming together. The Quick Menu
- [How to Plan Dwarf 3 and Dwarf Mini Astrophotography Sessions in Stellarium](https://martinbelan.com/2026/06/23/how-to-plan-dwarf-3-and-dwarf-mini-astrophotography-sessions-in-stellarium/) - One of the most useful astrophotography planning tools I use isn’t attached to my telescope at all. Before setting up my Dwarf 3 or Dwarf Mini, I often spend a few minutes in Stellarium to answer several important questions: Is my target visible from my location? Will it clear nearby trees or buildings? How high
- [Mastering Multi-Aspect Ratio Shooting on the Panasonic LX100 II: Why It’s So Powerful](https://martinbelan.com/2026/06/17/mastering-multi-aspect-ratio-shooting-on-the-panasonic-lx100-ii-why-its-so-powerful/) - One of the most unique features of the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II is something many cameras still don’t implement as effectively: multi-aspect ratio shooting. Most cameras offer different aspect ratios, but they’re often buried in menus and typically just crop the image after capture. The LX100 II takes a different approach. Its sensor is designed
- [Leica D-Lux 8 vs Panasonic LX100 II: Same Sensor, Different Philosophy](https://martinbelan.com/2026/05/16/leica-d-lux-8-vs-panasonic-lx100-ii-same-sensor-different-philosophy/) - The Leica D-Lux 8 and Panasonic LX100 II are fascinating cameras because they approach photography from two very different philosophies—even though they are built on remarkably similar foundations. On paper, the Leica D-Lux 8 and Panasonic LX100 II share a lot: The same 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor The same Leica-branded 24–75mm equivalent f/1.7–2.8 lens
- [Panasonic Lumix LX100 II in 2026: Still Worth Buying Used?](https://martinbelan.com/2026/04/01/panasonic-lumix-lx100-ii-in-2026-still-worth-buying-used/) - Introduction — A Different Kind of Micro Four Thirds Camera I recently added a new Micro Four Thirds camera to my kit—but it’s probably not what you’d expect. Instead of the latest OM System body or a new release, I picked up a used, 7+ year old Panasonic Lumix LX100 II. With all the current interest in
- [Why My Teleconverter Suddenly Stopped Working (And the Simple Fix)](https://martinbelan.com/2026/06/13/why-my-teleconverter-suddenly-stopped-working-and-the-simple-fix/) - Wildlife photography rarely goes exactly as planned. During a recent trip to Badlands National Park and the Black Hills of South Dakota, I ran into a problem that had me convinced something was wrong with my camera gear. My teleconverter was behaving erratically, autofocus would suddenly stop working, and sometimes both the electronic viewfinder and
- [How to Create Multiple Exposures on OM System and Olympus Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2026/06/10/how-to-create-multiple-exposures-on-om-system-and-olympus-cameras/) - One of the more creative features hidden inside many OM System and Olympus cameras is Multiple Exposure mode. While most photographers think of multiple exposures as something that requires Photoshop or external editing software, Olympus has supported surprisingly powerful in-camera multiple exposure tools for years. OM System cameras include a surprisingly deep collection of creative
- [In the Age of Film Simulations and LUTs, Why I Like DxO FilmPack 8](https://martinbelan.com/2026/06/06/in-the-age-of-film-simulations-and-luts-why-i-like-dxo-filmpack-8/) - Film-inspired photography is everywhere right now. Fujifilm has built an entire ecosystem around Film Simulations. Panasonic is pushing Real Time LUTs and the Lumix Lab app. OM System introduced customizable Creative Recipes designed to encourage more creative JPEG shooting directly in-camera. And honestly, I completely understand the appeal. There’s something incredibly fun about creating a finished
- [Panasonic Lumix L10 vs Leica D-Lux 8: Two Different Approaches to the Premium Compact Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2026/06/03/panasonic-lumix-l10-vs-leica-d-lux-8-two-different-approaches-to-the-premium-compact-camera/) - With Panasonic officially announcing the new Lumix L10, photographers interested in premium compact cameras suddenly have a compelling new alternative to the Leica D-Lux 8. At first glance, the Panasonic Lumix L10 and Leica D-Lux 8 appear surprisingly similar. Both cameras feature: Compact rangefinder-style bodies Micro Four Thirds sensors Fast Leica-branded zoom lenses Dedicated aperture
- [Why Photographers Love Panasonic and Leica Multi-Aspect Ratio Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2026/05/27/why-photographers-love-panasonic-and-leica-multi-aspect-ratio-cameras/) - One of the most overlooked features on cameras like the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II, Panasonic Lumix L10, and Leica D-Lux 8 has very little to do with autofocus, megapixels, or video specifications. It’s the multi-aspect ratio system. At first glance, aspect ratios may not seem particularly exciting. Most cameras already allow photographers to switch between
- [OM System Bird & Wildlife Photography Settings: How to React Faster in the Field](https://martinbelan.com/2026/05/20/om-system-bird-wildlife-photography-settings-how-to-react-faster-in-the-field/) - Learn the essential OM System bird and wildlife photography settings for faster shooting. Improve reaction time, autofocus control, and field performance on OM-1, OM-3, and OM-5 cameras.
- [Panasonic Lumix L10 vs LX100 II: Finally A Modernized LX100](https://martinbelan.com/2026/05/12/panasonic-lumix-l10-vs-lx100-ii-finally-a-modernized-lx100/) - When Panasonic announced the new Lumix L10, my first thought was simple: This feels like the camera many Panasonic LX100 series fans have been waiting for. I’ve been shooting with the Panasonic LX100 II for quite a while and have written several articles about the camera because, even in 2026, it still offers something unique:
- [Neewer LT32 Travel Tripod Review (Field Test and Real-World Performance)](https://martinbelan.com/2026/05/09/neewer-lt32-travel-tripod-review-field-test-and-real-world-performance/) - When I travel for photography, I’m always balancing tripod stability against size and weight. On a recent trip to Monument Valley, I brought along the Neewer LT32 travel tripod to see how well it could handle real-world conditions. This wasn’t a controlled test. It was wind, dust, long days, and the kind of shooting that quickly
- [My Leica D-Lux 8 Customs Ordeal - And What You Can Learn from it](https://martinbelan.com/2025/06/20/my-leica-d-lux-8-customs-ordeal-and-what-you-can-learn-from-it/) - OM System / Olympus cameras have been my primary camera brand for well over a decade. I really love OM System cameras, their design, and especially their computational photography features. However, after a decade with OM System cameras, I was itching to try something new. While on a photography workshop, I got the opportunity to try a
- [Dwarf Lab Mega Stack Guide: How to Combine Multiple Nights for Better Astrophotography Images](https://martinbelan.com/2026/05/06/dwarf-lab-mega-stack-guide-how-to-combine-multiple-nights-for-better-astrophotography-images/) - One of my favorite features on Dwarf Lab smart telescopes is Mega Stack. For many astrophotographers, the biggest challenge is not learning the equipment—it’s finding enough clear skies and enough time to gather quality data. Mega Stack helps solve that problem by allowing you to combine imaging sessions captured across multiple nights into one final
- [OM System OM-3 Astro: What’s Actually New — And Is It Worth It?](https://martinbelan.com/2026/02/11/om-3-astro-whats-actually-new-and-is-it-worth-it/) - OM System’s new OM System OM-3 Astro is being marketed as a dedicated astrophotography version of its retro-styled mirrorless body. The promise is simple and exciting: richer nebula colors, better night-sky rendering, and astro-friendly tools built directly into the camera. But once you separate true hardware changes from software presets and existing OM System features, the picture becomes clearer —
- [Nature Photography with the OM System 40-150mm f/4 Pro Lens: Field Test Results](https://martinbelan.com/2024/07/07/nature-photography-with-the-om-system-40-150mm-f-4-pro-lens-field-test-results/) - I’ve owned the OM System 40-150mm f/4 Pro Lens for over 9 months now. I also own the Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 and the Olympus 40-150mm f/4-5.6 lenses. I’m finding that the longer I own the f/4 version of the 40-150, the more often it finds its way into my camera bag. In this blog, I
- [7 Reasons to Buy a Smart Telescope for Astrophotography](https://martinbelan.com/2026/02/25/7-reasons-to-buy-a-smart-telescope-for-astrophotography/) - I currently own both the Dwarf Mini and Dwarf 3 smart telescopes, and I’ve also shot astrophotography with a traditional full-sized rig in the past. While the large setup delivered great results, I eventually stopped using it because of the time commitment — hauling equipment outside, performing polar alignment, configuring guiding, and troubleshooting connections often
- [How to Customize Your Panasonic LX‑100 II Quick Menu for Faster Shooting](https://martinbelan.com/2026/04/18/how-to-customize-your-panasonic-lx‑100-ii-quick-menu-for-faster-shooting/) - Smart use of the Quick Menu (Q.Menu) is one of the simplest ways to speed up shooting with the Panasonic Lumix LX-100 II camera. The LX‑100 II has a rich menu system, but the Q‑Menu lets you quickly adjust your most frequently used settings without diving through pages of menus. This post walks you through why it’s worth customizing, how
- [How to Photograph Monument Valley: What Actually Matters in the Field](https://martinbelan.com/2026/04/29/how-to-photograph-monument-valley-what-actually-matters-in-the-field/) - Monument Valley is one of those places that almost feels unreal the first time you see it. Towering sandstone buttes rise from the desert floor, spaced far enough apart to feel isolated, yet close enough to create endless compositions. It’s iconic for a reason—but photographing it well takes more than just showing up with a
- [How to Photograph Lightning Using Live Composite on OM System Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2026/04/22/how-to-photograph-lightning-using-live-composite-on-om-system-cameras/) - Lightning photography has traditionally been a mix of timing and luck. Set a series of long exposures and hope a strike happens while the shutter is open. Live Composite changes that completely. On a recent trip to Texas, I used Live Composite to photograph thunderstorms rolling across the open prairie. Instead of guessing, I could watch
- [How to Photograph a Total Lunar Eclipse with a Dwarf Smart Astrophotography Telescope](https://martinbelan.com/2026/04/15/how-to-photograph-a-total-lunar-eclipse-with-a-dwarf-smart-astrophotography-telescope/) - Photographing a total lunar eclipse is one of the most rewarding experiences in astrophotography. Watching the Moon transition from bright white to deep red—and capturing every phase along the way—creates a unique opportunity for both single images and creative composites. For the total lunar eclipse on March 3rd, 2026, I photographed the event from the
- [Are Micro Four Thirds Lens Kits Still Smaller and Lighter Than Full Frame for Travel?](https://martinbelan.com/2026/04/07/are-micro-four-thirds-lens-kits-still-smaller-and-lighter-than-full-frame-for-travel/) - Introduction — Are Micro Four Thirds Lenses Really Smaller and Lighter? Micro Four Thirds has long been known as the smaller, lighter alternative to full frame—especially for travel photography. But is that still true today? Modern Micro Four Thirds PRO lenses aren’t as small as many people expect, and at the same time, full-frame mirrorless
- [DWARF Telescope EQ Mode Setup: Step-by-Step Guide for Deep Sky Astrophotography](https://martinbelan.com/2026/03/18/dwarf-telescope-eq-mode-setup-step-by-step-guide-for-deep-sky-astrophotography/) - Smart telescopes like the DWARF 3 and DWARF Mini have made deep sky astrophotography dramatically easier than traditional telescope rigs. Instead of hauling out heavy mounts, counterweights, and complex tracking systems, these compact telescopes combine automated pointing, tracking, and image stacking into a small portable system. To photograph deep sky objects such as nebulae, galaxies, and star
- [The Best Travel Case for the Dwarf Mini Smart Astrophotography Telescope](https://martinbelan.com/2026/03/27/the-best-travel-case-for-the-dwarf-mini-smart-astrophotography-telescope/) - One of the first things I noticed after getting the Dwarf Mini Smart Telescope was that—unlike the Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope—it doesn’t come with a case. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it does create a practical problem pretty quickly. The Dwarf Mini is designed to be portable, and for me, that means it needs to
- [OM System 8-25mm f/4 vs 7-14mm f/2.8: Which Ultra-Wide PRO Lens Is Right for You?](https://martinbelan.com/2026/03/25/om-system-8-25mm-f-4-vs-7-14mm-f-2-8-which-ultra-wide-pro-lens-is-right-for-you/) - Ultra-wide zoom lenses are some of the most useful tools in the OM System lineup, especially for landscape, travel, architecture, and night photography. Two lenses in particular often come up in conversation: the OM System 8-25mm f/4 PRO and the 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO. On paper, they look similar—both are weather-sealed, optically excellent, and designed for
- [How to Build a Bird Photography Life List (Free Checklist Template with 700+ Species)](https://martinbelan.com/2026/03/11/how-to-build-a-bird-photography-life-list-free-checklist-template-with-700-species/) - Many birders keep a life list of species they’ve seen. As photographers, though, our goal is different. Seeing a bird and successfully photographing it are two very different accomplishments. One might happen in seconds with binoculars; the other often requires planning, travel, patience, and the right conditions. Over time, I began keeping a personal life
- [Top Places to Photograph in Joshua Tree National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2026/03/04/top-places-to-photograph-in-joshua-tree-national-park/) - Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most visually distinctive landscapes in the American west. What makes it special for photographers is the contrast between two worlds: surreal granite boulder piles and spiky Joshua tree forests in the higher elevations, and wide, open Mojave desert scenes with big skies and minimalist compositions at lower
- [The Most Overlooked macOS Tool for Organizing Travel Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2026/02/18/the-most-overlooked-macos-tool-for-organizing-travel-photos/) - When I’m traveling for photography, I treat file organization as part of the trip—not something I “deal with later.” After long days shooting, unfamiliar locations, and multiple memory cards, the last thing I want when I get home is a pile of files named P1234567.ORF that all blur together. One of the simplest tools I
- [How to Shoot 1:1 Magnification with the Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens](https://martinbelan.com/2026/02/05/how-to-shoot-11-magnification-with-the-olympus-60mm-f-2-8-macro-lens/) - Macro photography can feel complicated. The moment you move from simple close-ups into true life-size shooting, you run into magnification ratios, razor-thin depth of field, and real focusing precision. The good news is that the right lens can make this level of photography far more manageable. Even though I also have the OM System 90mm
- [What Makes an Effective Infrared Black & White Photograph](https://martinbelan.com/2026/01/28/what-makes-an-effective-infrared-black-white-photograph/) - Not every infrared black & white photograph works, even though the medium itself is dramatic. Many images have glowing foliage and dark skies, yet still feel flat, confusing, or unfinished. The difference comes down to intent. Effective infrared photographs aren’t created by accident or by applying a filter after the fact—they result from recognizing scenes
- [How Infrared Black & White Differs From Traditional Black & White Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2026/01/21/how-infrared-black-white-differs-from-traditional-black-white-photography/) - Infrared black & white photography is often mistaken for a high-contrast version of traditional black & white. At a glance, the two can look similar—dramatic skies, strong tones, and an absence of color. But the resemblance is misleading. Traditional black & white simplifies the visible world, while infrared records an entirely different kind of light,
- [A Real World Field Test of the Laowa 7.5mm f/2 on Micro Four Thirds](https://martinbelan.com/2026/01/13/a-real-world-field-test-of-the-laowa-7-5mm-f-2-on-micro-four-thirds/) - What Works, What Doesn’t, and Where This Lens Excels Ultra-wide lenses tend to divide photographers. Some love the immersive, exaggerated perspective; others find them too extreme to use regularly. The Laowa 7.5mm f/2 for Micro Four Thirds sits squarely in that middle ground—highly specialized, but surprisingly compelling when used in the right situations. After carrying
- [One Lightroom Shortcut That Helps Me See in Black and White](https://martinbelan.com/2026/01/08/one-lightroom-shortcut-that-helps-me-see-in-black-and-white/) - Why I Always Hit the V Key When Editing in Adobe Lightroom Most photographers edit their images in color by default, which makes it surprisingly easy to overlook strong black-and-white opportunities. As a result, many compelling black-and-white photographs aren’t created—they’re simply missed during the editing process. Learning to see beyond color isn’t always intuitive, but one
- [Monochrome London: A Black & White Photography Tour with Tips for Capturing the City](https://martinbelan.com/2025/08/09/monochrome-london-a-black-white-photography-tour-with-tips-for-capturing-the-city/) - Why London Works So Well for Black and White Photography Black and white photography has a timeless power that strips a scene down to its essentials — light, shadow, shape, and texture. In the urban landscape, where distractions are everywhere, monochrome simplifies the chaos and draws attention to architecture, contrast, and mood. It emphasizes patterns
- [Overcoming the Challenges of Photographing Carlsbad Caverns National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2026/01/04/overcoming-the-challenges-of-photographing-carlsbad-caverns-national-park/) - Carlsbad Caverns National Park, located in southeastern New Mexico is an awe-inspiring place to visit, but it’s also one of the most challenging environments a photographer can face. Deep underground, light is scarce, contrast is extreme, and the sheer scale of the caverns is difficult to convey in a single frame—all while tripods are prohibited
- [Can You Travel for Photography With Only an iPad Mini?](https://martinbelan.com/2025/12/27/can-you-travel-for-photography-with-only-an-ipad-mini/) - I usually travel with my 14-inch MacBook Pro because it lets me do everything I need on a photography trip—backing up photos, editing, researching locations, answering emails, and even writing blog posts. But there are times when traveling light matters more than having every tool available. That’s when the question comes up: can you realistically
- [Why Flickr Could Be the Better Home for Photographers than Facebook or Instagram](https://martinbelan.com/2025/08/21/why-flickr-could-be-the-better-home-for-photographers-than-facebook-or-instagram/) - Many photographers are growing frustrated with Facebook and Instagram. What once felt like creative spaces to share art have become crowded with endless ads, algorithm-driven feeds, and even scams that put accounts at risk. Instead of focusing on photography, users often find themselves battling distractions or worrying about their content being overlooked. That’s why more
- [Beginner’s Guide to Computational Photography with OM System Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2025/08/13/beginners-guide-to-computational-photography-with-om-system-cameras/) - Computational photography uses advanced software and camera processing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in your images. With OM System cameras, these tools are built right in—making it easier than ever to capture scenes that would be challenging or impossible with traditional techniques. In this guide, we’ll explore what computational photography is, the powerful
- [After 10 Years, Snapseed Gets a Major Update with Version 3.0](https://martinbelan.com/2025/07/24/after-10-years-snapseed-gets-a-major-update-with-version-3-0/) - After nearly a decade of silence, Google has finally released Snapseed 3.0—a long-awaited update to one of the most beloved mobile photo editing apps. First launched in 2011 and last significantly updated in 2015, Snapseed has been a staple for photographers looking for powerful, on-the-go editing tools. With version 3.0, the app gets a complete
- [Focus Stacking Made Easy: Why Luminar Neo Is My Go-To Plugin](https://martinbelan.com/2025/07/12/focus-stacking-made-easy-why-luminar-neo-is-my-go-to-plugin/) - One of my favorite features of OM System / Olympus cameras is Focus Stacking. The best part of this feature is that the image stabilization in these cameras allows you to get great focus stacking results while handholding the camera. Lately though, I’ve been seeing ghosting in the stacked image generated by the camera. The stacking
- [Is the OM System OM-5 Mark II the Upgrade You’ve Been Waiting For?](https://martinbelan.com/2025/06/17/is-the-om-system-om-5-mark-ii-the-upgrade-youve-been-waiting-for/) - OM System just released the OM-5, Mark II camera. I have the OM-5, Mark I and love it as a small, every day carry and back up camera to my OM-1 Mark II. Do the upgrades in the OM-5, Mark II make it worth buying / upgrading? Let’s dig into the specifications and new features. Notable New
- [Creative Ideas and Tips for using OM System's Live ND Feature](https://martinbelan.com/2025/06/10/creative-ideas-and-tips-for-using-om-systems-live-nd-feature/) - Want to add motion and creativity to your photographs without carrying physical ND filters or using a tripod? The OM System Live ND feature lets you do just that—right in-camera. While Live ND is great for smoothing waterfalls, it also shines in street scenes, seascapes, windy landscapes, and abstract motion blur. In this post, you’ll
- [Photo Story: Bighorn Sheep Lambs Butting Heads](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/25/photo-story-bighorn-sheep-lambs-butting-heads-2/) - Even as lambs, Bighorn Sheep practice head butting. This is not just a game for the lambs. The head butting activity begins to establish rank within the group of sheep. Bighorn Sheep Lambs Butting Heads This photo was taken along the road between Mammoth and the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The Bighorn Sheep
- [Tree Burls at Olympic National Park - A Unique Photography Opportunity](https://martinbelan.com/2024/05/30/tree-burls-at-olympic-national-park-a-unique-photography-opportunity/) - Tree burls are fascinating, often gnarled growths that form on trees, resulting from a tree's response to stress or injury. These unique formations not only contribute to the tree's resilience but also offer striking and prized material for woodworkers and artisans. Tree burls are relatively uncommon, but not rare, occurring on a small percentage of
- [Is the Think Tank Airport Advantage the Best Way to Travel with the OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 Lens](https://martinbelan.com/2024/05/10/is-the-think-tank-airport-advantage-the-best-way-to-travel-with-the-om-system-150-400mm-f-4-5-lens/) - The OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 Lens is a terrific bird and wildlife photography lens. It has the sharpness of the Olympus 300mm f/4 lens with a huge focal length range of 150 – 500mm (300 – 1000mm full frame equivalent). The problem is that it is a large lens for the Micro Four Thirds system
- [Sweetwater Wetlands:  A Bird Photography Hotspot in Tucson, Arizona](https://martinbelan.com/2024/05/04/sweetwater-wetlands-a-bird-photography-hotspot-in-tucson-arizona/) - I left a few days early for a photography workshop in Sedona, Arizona. The plan was to photograph the beautiful desert landscapes and birds in Saguaro National Park. While the desert landscapes were beautiful in Saguaro National Park, I found the bird activity to be slow. I walked the trails for miles in both the
- [Putting OM System / Olympus Live ND to the Test at a Crowded Great Falls Park in Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/2024/04/11/putting-om-system-olympus-live-nd-to-the-test-at-a-crowded-great-falls-park-in-virginia/) - I was driving home from southern Maryland on a Sunday afternoon and decided to check out Great Falls Park and hopefully photograph the waterfalls. Great Falls Park is located in McClean, Virginia just 18 miles from Washington D.C., and is known for its beautiful, cascading waterfalls. The conditions were not great for waterfall photography. The
- [A Travel Photographer's Guide to Backing Up Your Photographs on Long Trips, and Short ones too](https://martinbelan.com/2024/04/06/a-travel-photographers-guide-to-backing-up-your-photographs-on-long-trips-and-short-ones-too/) - Taking a journey to faraway places and capturing unforgettable memories and stunning views with your camera is every travel photographer's dream. But amid the excitement of exploring new territories, the concern of losing those special moments you’ve captured is always there. That's why having a good backup plan is important to ensure your photos are
- [Capturing the Best Shots: Page, Arizona Photography Guide](https://martinbelan.com/2024/03/26/capturing-the-best-shots-page-arizona-photography-guide/) - Page is located in Northern Arizona, close to the Utah border. Page is not necessarily easy to get to; however, a variety of landscape photography gems are located in an around Page. This makes Page a perfect destination for a landscape photography vacation. In this blog, I’ll talk about the photo opportunities in and around
- [How the Multi Function Button Works on Olympus / OM System Cameras and Why You Should Use it](https://martinbelan.com/2024/03/19/how-the-multi-function-button-works-on-olympus-om-system-cameras-and-why-you-should-use-it/) - In this blog we are going to explore a useful feature of OM System / Olympus cameras that often flies under the radar: the Multi Function Button. No matter what type of photography you shoot, having quick access to key camera features is essential. The Multi Function feature allows you to customize a button for
- [Top Locations for Bird Photography in Everglades National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2024/03/12/top-locations-for-bird-photography-in-everglades-national-park/) - Everglades National Park in southern Florida is a huge 1.5 million acre area of diverse wilderness. The Everglades is famous for its wildlife, especially birds. In this blog, we'll explore bird photography in the Everglades. I spent several days scouting out the trails and best locations to photograph birds (and some wildlife) in Everglades National
- [Why Buy an Olympus OM-D E-M10 as a Backup or Second Camera?](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/14/why-buy-an-olympus-om-d-e-m10-as-a-backup-or-second-camera/) - The Olympus OM-D E-M10 is a really good mirrorless camera, but it is on the low end of the OM-D Camera line. So why would I buy an OM-D E-M10 as a second camera? Size and Price. The size of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 makes it a perfect second camera. With the Olympus 30mm f/3.5
- [Olympus OM-D E-M10 - The Take Everywhere Infrared Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2022/05/13/olympus-om-d-e-m10-the-take-everywhere-infrared-camera/) - I rarely go out only for Infrared photography. But I do like to take an infrared camera with me just in case I find a subject that works for infrared. In this blog, I’ll discuss the features of the Olympus OM-D E-M10 that make it suitable for Infrared, and share some photographs from my infrared
- [Capturing Nature and Architecture Through Photography in Dry Tortugas National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2024/03/07/capturing-nature-and-architecture-through-photography-in-dry-tortugas-national-park/) - Nestled in the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Dry Tortugas National Park is a gem for nature and architectural photographers. Home to Fort Jefferson and a vibrant array of marine life, this remote park is also a haven for bird photography enthusiasts. Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote National
- [OM System Announces a new 150-600mm f/5.0 – 6.3 lens.  Is it really a Sigma lens?](https://martinbelan.com/2024/01/30/om-system-announces-a-new-150-600mm-f-5-0-6-3-lens-is-it-really-a-sigma-lens/) - OM System recently announced a new M.Zuiko 150-600mm f/5.0 – 6.3 lens. This lens fills a void in OM Systems long telephoto line up providing a lower priced option for a long lens instead of the pricey OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 with a built in 1.25x Teleconverter. But is this new OM System lens really
- [OM System Announces Firmware Update for the OM-1 Mark I after Releasing the OM-1 Mark II](https://martinbelan.com/2024/02/21/om-system-announces-firmware-update-for-the-om-1-mark-i-after-releasing-the-om-1-mark-ii/) - Well, I was wrong in my blog on the announcement of the OM System OM-1 Mark II, that OM System would probably not update the firmware of the OM-1 1 with some of the new features of the OM-1 II. I’m glad I was wrong. While this update doesn’t have all the new features of
- [Nature Photographers: Should You Upgrade to the OM System OM-1 II Camera?](https://martinbelan.com/2024/02/02/nature-photographers-should-you-upgrade-to-the-om-system-om-1-ii-camera/) - OM System recently announced a second version of their flagship OM-1 camera. The new Mark II version of the OM-1 no longer has Olympus branding on the body. While the OM-1 II has the same 20MP Four Thirds Stacked CMOS Sensor and TruePic X processor, there is one new feature and numerous incremental updates that
- [My Wishlist for the OM System OM-5 Mark II to Make it a Better Bird and Wildlife Photography Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2024/02/16/my-wishlist-for-the-om-system-om-5-mark-ii-to-make-it-a-better-bird-and-wildlife-photography-camera/) - I purchased the OM System OM-5 as a backup camera for my photography travels. The camera has a small footprint and very light at .91 lbs / 414 grams and has many of the features of the OM-1 (Live ND, High Res Shot, Focus Stacking, Live Composite, etc.) The camera does really well as a
- [Keep your Hands Warm - Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer Review and Field Test](https://martinbelan.com/2024/02/07/keep-your-hands-warm-ocoopa-rechargeable-hand-warmer-review-and-field-test/) - Unless you live in the tropics, cold hands and fingers and inevitable for photographers and others who engage in outdoor activities in the winter. I used to buy disposable hand warmers, but those can get expensive if you use them enough, and they lose their potency over time. I also feel much better about the
- [OM System 150-400mm Unboxing and First Impressions](https://martinbelan.com/2023/08/17/om-system-om-150-400mm-unboxing-and-first-impressions/) - It’s taken a long time, but I finally received my OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 Pro Lens with a built in 1.2x teleconverter from OM Digital Solutions. In this blog, I’ll discuss the time it took to receive the lens, the shipping and packing, the unboxing, and my impressions of the lens after my first outing.
- [Should You Upgrade to the Olympus M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 Pro Lens for Bird and Wildlife Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/12/04/should-you-upgrade-to-the-olympus-m-zuiko-150-400mm-f-4-5-pro-lens-for-bird-and-wildlife-photography/) - I’m finally getting around to selling my old Canon DSLR gear at MPB. I’ve been using Olympus Micro Four Thirds photography gear since 2014, and I have been using it for all genres of photography (except deep sky astrophotography) for several years. I think I’m finally getting comfortable with OM Digital Solutions acquiring the Olympus
- [A Comprehensive Review of Selling Photography Equipment through MPB](https://martinbelan.com/2023/03/15/a-comprehensive-review-of-selling-photography-equipment-through-mpb/) - Are you looking to upgrade your photography equipment and wondering what to do with your old gear? One option is to sell it through MPB, a popular marketplace for buying and selling used photography gear. I recently decided to sell my used Canon equipment through MPB, and I was impressed with the experience. In this
- [Exploring the OM System 150-400mm f/4.5: A Hands-On Field Experience](https://martinbelan.com/2024/01/04/exploring-the-om-system-150-400mm-f-4-5-a-hands-on-field-experience/) - I’ve had the once hard to get OM System 150-400mm f/4.5 Pro Lens for 5 months now. In addition to local trips, I got the chance to really put the lens to the test at 2 National Wildlife Refuges (Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware and Bosque Del Apache in New Mexico). I took thousands of
- [Which OM System / Olympus 40-150mm Lens Should You Buy?](https://martinbelan.com/2023/11/06/which-om-system-olympus-40-150mm-lens-should-you-buy/) - OM Systems has three 40-150mm lenses in their lineup. Each lens has its own features and is at a different price point. So which lens should you get? Here are the choices: OM System / Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 PRO OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4.0 PROOlympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm F4.0-5.6 II Lens I
- [Capturing the Magic of Iceland using OM Systems / Olympus Gear](https://martinbelan.com/2023/09/25/capturing-the-magic-of-iceland-using-om-systems-olympus-gear/) - Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice. On this particular trip, it was also the land of rain and wind. On our 10 day trip around Iceland, it rained for 8 days. We also had quite a few days of high winds with gusts up to 50mph. So how did my OM
- [5 Essential Photography Locations to Explore on Minnesota's North Shore](https://martinbelan.com/2023/07/13/5-essential-photography-locations-to-explore-on-minnesotas-north-shore/) - The North Shore of Minnesota is situated along the shores of Lake Superior, this region has a variety of photo ops. From rugged cliffs and rocky landscapes to breathtaking waterfalls and pristine forests, the North Shore offers endless opportunities to capture the untouched beauty of the great outdoors. In this blog, I cover 5 locations
- [Capturing the Beauty of Voyageurs National Park through Infrared Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2023/06/22/capturing-the-beauty-of-voyageurs-national-park-through-infrared-photography/) - The best way to see and photograph Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota is by boat. 40% of Voyageurs National Park is water and a lot of the 60% land percentage is made up of islands. So, I hired a local guide to give me a tour of Voyageurs National Park with a focus on
- [How to Capture Bird Behavior with Olympus / OM System Pro Capture](https://martinbelan.com/2023/06/06/how-to-capture-bird-behavior-with-olympus-om-system-pro-capture/) - Photographing Birds from a blind can lead to some close, sharp images of birds. You can also witness and capture a variety of bird behaviors. Olympus / OM System Pro Capture can make it easy to capture and document bird behaviors. The images in this blog were taken with the OM System OM-1 and 300mm
- [Exploring the Landscapes of Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks with the OM System OM-1 and its Specialized Features](https://martinbelan.com/2023/05/20/exploring-the-landscapes-of-zion-and-bryce-canyon-national-parks-with-the-om-system-om-1-and-its-specialized-features/) - I recently returned from a photography expedition to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks have some beautiful landscape photography opportunities but the special features in OM System OM-1 camera make it easier to capture amazing photographs in these parks. Some of the OM-1 features that I used during the
- [Up Close and Personal: Bird Photography at La Lomita Wildlife Ranch](https://martinbelan.com/2023/04/08/up-close-and-personal-bird-photography-at-la-lomita-wildlife-ranch/) - Texas is a great location for birdwatching and bird photography due to its location and diverse habitats. Texas ranks as one of the top U.S. States for the total number of bird species observed. South Texas, in particular, is a bird photographer's paradise, offering a wide variety of bird species and habitats to explore. There
- [OM System 90mm Macro Unboxing, First Impressions, and Limitations](https://martinbelan.com/2023/02/26/om-system-90mm-macro-unboxing-first-impressions-and-limitations/) - OM Digital Solutions announced their new 90mm Pro Macro lens on February 8, 2023. There was a lot of speculation in the message boards and blog comments that the lens would be delayed due to high demand. I’m happy to say that my OM System 90mm Macro lens was delivered on February 23rd, just 2
- [OM System RM-WR1 Wireless Remote Control Review](https://martinbelan.com/2022/05/29/om-system-rm-wr1-wireless-remote-control-review/) - OM Digital Solutions released a new battery grip and a wireless remote control for the OM-1 camera. The new RM-WR1 Wireless Remote was made specifically for the OM-1 camera but still can be used with Olympus OM-D cameras with a remote cable port and the included cable. The RM-WR1 Remote Control also works wirelessly with
- [An Unbiased Evaluation of the OM System 90mm f3.5 Pro Macro Lens: Is it right for you?](https://martinbelan.com/2023/02/08/an-unbiased-evaluation-of-the-om-system-90mm-f3-5-pro-macro-lens-is-it-right-for-you/) - I have to admit that I had sticker shock when I saw the announcement for the OM System 90mm f3.5 Macro Lens. I had been excited about this lens ever since it showed up on then OM System’s Lens Roadmap. But at $1,499.99 this lens is almost 3 times the cost of the Olympus 60mm
- [Jasper-Pulaski Sandhill Crane Migration](https://martinbelan.com/2010/12/05/jasper-pulaksi-sandhill-crane-migration/) - Each November, tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrate to the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife area in Northwestern Indiana. Each evening thousands of these birds fly into the same field in the wildlife area and each morning thousands of birds fly out of the area to forage in the nearby corn fields. There is a
- [Southwest Florida Bird Photography - Venice Rookery](https://martinbelan.com/2011/03/12/southwest-florida-bird-photography-venice-rookery/) - We just returned from a short, yet productive photography trip to Southwest Florida in early March, 2011. We used Siesta Key near Sarasota as our home base. We visited the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples, the Venice Rookery, and Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. Next trip we plan on staying a little further south as the trip
- [Southwest Florida Bird Photography - Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary](https://martinbelan.com/2011/03/21/southwest-florida-bird-photography-corkscrew-swamp-sanctuary/) - Palm Warbler Winter Colors (Above Photo) The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary located near Naples, Florida is a terrific winter and early spring destination for bird watchers and bird photographers. Corkscrew Swamp has a 2.25 mile boardwalk the runs through marsh, wet prairie, and woodlands. There is also a shorter 1 mile loop for those that do
- [Photographing Bald Eagles on the Upper Mississippi River](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/05/photographing-bald-eagles-on-the-upper-mississippi-river/) - Each year Bald Eagles from the northern United States and Canada migrate to the Upper Mississippi River. These Bald Eagles congregate near the locks and dams on the river where the water is not frozen so the eagles can fish. One of my favorite dams to photograph Bald Eagles in the winter is Lock and
- [Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, Ohio – A place to Photograph Raptors](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/28/killdeer-plains-wildlife-area-ohio-a-place-to-photograph-raptors/) - Each fall and winter, raptors including hawks, eagles, and owls migrate to Killdeer Plain Wildlife Area in north central Ohio. This is a great location for bird and nature photographers and birders to see and photograph raptors. Killdeer plains is located about 8 miles south of Upper Sandusky, Ohio near the town of Harpster. It
- [Photographing the Great Blue Heron Rookery at Cuyahoga Valley National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/19/photographing-the-great-blue-heron-rookery-at-cuyahoga-valley-national-park/) - Photographing Great Blue Herons at a rookery provides many good photo opportunities. Photographs can be taken of the Great Blue Herons in flight, building their nests, courting, caring for their young, and squabbling with each other. The Herons begin arriving at the Bath Road Great Blue Heron Rookery in late February and Early March. The
- [Photographing the Spring Bird Migration at Magee Marsh](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/14/photographing-the-spring-bird-migration-at-magee-marsh/) - Magee Marsh in Northwest Ohio is a popular spot for both photographers and birders during for spring bird migration. Birders and photographers visit Magee Marsh from around the world during the spring bird migration. Yellow Warbler Magee Marsh is a swampy area along the shore of Lake Erie with abundant woodlands for migrating birds. Magee
- [Photographing Ducks at the Castalia Duck Pond](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/17/photographing-ducks-at-the-castalia-duck-pond/) - The Castalia Duck Pond is located in the center of the quaint little town of Castalia, Ohio. What attracts birders and nature photographers to the Castalia Duck Pond is the pond is that the pond is fed by artesian springs and remains free of ice in the winter. While other local bodies of water are frozen
- [Photography Opportunities at Excellence Punta Cana](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/04/photography-opportunities-at-excellence-punta-cana/) - Sunrise on the Beach at Excellence Punta Cana This is the 3rd and last post in a blog series about vacationing and photographing at the Excellence Punta Cana resort in the Dominican Republic. In this post, I discuss the photo opportunities at the Excellence resort. In order to keep the blog posts to a reasonable
- [The Birds of India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/25/the-birds-of-india/) - Green Bee Eater (Above Photo) India is known many things including famous monuments (Taj Mahal), palaces, cultural diversity across its many states, and spiritualism. In addition, India is also a terrific destination for birders and bird photographers. The preliminary results of the 2014 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) has shown that India has the largest
- [Try Cuyahoga Valley National Park for Photographing the Spring Bird Migration](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/29/try-cuyahoga-valley-national-park-for-photographing-the-spring-bird-migration/) - Pine Warbler (Above Photo) Each year in April and May, the spring bird migration travels through the state of Ohio. Thousands of warblers, orioles, thrushes, flycatchers and other songbirds migrate through the state. Magee Marsh is one of the well known hot spots for photographing and watching birds during the spring migration. But Magee Marsh
- [Photographing White Pelicans on the Mississippi River](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/03/photographing-white-pelicans-on-the-mississippi-river/) - Each year between Late March and August, hundreds of white pelicans migrate to the Mississippi River on the border of Illinois and Iowa. There are also plenty of Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and Cormorants to be photographed as well. Two of my favorite locations to photograph the white pelicans are the Fisherman's Corner South near
- [Bird Photography at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/03/bird-photography-at-j-n-ding-darling-national-wildlife-refuge/) - White-crowned Night Heron Reflection (Above Photograph) J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of the premier bird photography destinations in the United States. The Ding Darling refuge is located on Sanibel Island in Florida. The address for Ding Darling is 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel, Florida which is located right off the main road on
- [Bailey Tract Trails on Sanibel Island - A Great Place for Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/17/bailey-tract-trails-on-sanibel-island-a-great-place-for-nature-photography/) - The Bailey Tract trail on Sanibel Island is a part of J.W. Ding Darling National Wildlife Preserve. The Bailey Tract doesn't have the concentration of wildlife and birds that Wildlife Drive does, but it also doesn't have the concentration of people. I hiked the trails on Bailey Tract just after sunrise on a Friday morning
- [Bird Photography - Shady Hollow Road Rookery in Southwest, Florida](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/24/bird-photography-shady-hollow-road-rookery-in-southwest-florida/) - Corkscrew Swamp is a popular destination in Southwest Florida for both birders and bird photographers. But what many people don't know is that there is a bird rookery full of birds less than 8 miles from Corkscrew Swamp. Wood Stork Fishing (Above Image) Plus the Sleepy Hollow Rookery is right on the way back to
- [Photographing the Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral, Florida](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/31/photographing-the-burrowing-owls-of-cape-coral-florida/) - Cape Coral, Florida is famous for its Burrowing Owls. Cape Coral reportedly has over 2,500 burrowing owls located all over the city. Burrowing Owls of Cape Coral The city of Cape Coral has a Burrowing Owl Festival each year. The Burrowing Owls also draw a good amount of photographer and birder tourists to the community.
- [Florida Nature Photography - Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/14/florida-nature-photography-six-mile-cypress-slough-preserve/) - Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a 3,400 acre preserve located in Fort Myers, Florida. The preserve has 1.2 miles of boardwalk along a lake and thru a freshwater swamp. Six Mile Cypress Slough has a variety of birds and wildlife. I saw and photographed a variety of wading birds including up close views of
- [Bird Photography at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Florida](https://martinbelan.com/2015/07/29/bird-photography-at-corkscrew-swamp-sanctuary-florida-2/) - The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary located near Naples, Florida is a terrific winter and early spring destination for bird watchers and bird photographers. Corkscrew Swamp has a 2.25 mile boardwalk the runs through marsh, wet prairie, and woodlands. Palm Warbler, Winter Colors There is also a shorter 1 mile loop for those that do not want
- [A Thanksgiving Morning Bird Photo Walk in Cuyahoga Valley National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/12/10/a-thanksgiving-morning-bird-photo-walk-in-cuyahoga-valley-national-park/) - It was 45 degrees at sunrise with partly cloudy skies. This was quite unusual weather for Northeast Ohio at the end of November. With such nice weather, I couldn’t resist heading out for a photography walk before the holiday festivities. Downy Woodpecker in the Tall Grass I’ve always had good luck photographing birds at Cuyahoga
- [A Photography Drive through Big Cypress Preserve in Southwest Florida](https://martinbelan.com/2016/02/24/a-photography-drive-through-big-cypress-preserve-in-southwest-florida/) - We started out by visiting the Everglades National Park Gulf Coast Visitor Center. We were at Corkscrew Swamp earlier in the morning and decided to check out the western part of Everglades National Park. Most of the activities at the Everglades are water based and weren't available at the time we were visiting. From talking
- [Photographing birds at Tippecanoe Environmental Park in Port Charlotte](https://martinbelan.com/2016/03/09/photographing-birds-at-tippecanoe-environmental-park-in-port-charlotte/) - Tippecanoe Environmental Park has almost 7 miles of trails to hike for bird photography. The trails lead through scrub brush, flat woods, and also by several lakes. The trails are sand and dirt but easy enough to walk on. There are a couple entrances to the park which is located right behind several sports fields.
- [Photographing Shore Birds at Bunche Beach Preserve, Florida](https://martinbelan.com/2016/03/16/photographing-shore-birds-at-bunche-beach-preserve-florida/) - Bunche Beach Preserve is located just off of Sanibel Island at the end of John Morris Road in Fort Myers, Florida. Bunche Beach Preserve is well known for its shore birds. Ruddy Turnstone Like many of the birding locations in Florida that are known for shore birds and wading birds, there are more birds present
- [Hot Spots for Bird Photography in Southwest Florida](https://martinbelan.com/2016/04/06/hot-spots-for-bird-photography-in-southwest-florida/) - Southwest Florida is a known hot spot for bird photography. It’s an especially good place to photograph birds during the winter and spring migrations. Florida is a terrific location for wading birds, shore birds, migrating song birds, raptors, and even birds such as the Florida Scrub Jay or White-crowned Pigeon that are only found in
- [Birds in Flight Photography at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island](https://martinbelan.com/2016/04/13/birds-in-flight-photography-at-j-n-ding-darling-national-wildlife-refuge-sanibel-island/) - J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of my favorite places to photograph birds. I especially like to practice birds in flight photography at Ding Darling. What makes the Ding Darling so good for photographing birds in flight? One of the features of Ding Darling that makes it great for birds in flight photography
- [Blackwater NWR – A Great Spot for Bird and Wildlife Photographers](https://martinbelan.com/2021/05/01/blackwater-nwr-a-great-spot-for-bird-and-wildlife-photographers/) - Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a terrific destination for bird and wildlife photographers. The bird species vary by season but there is always something to photograph at Blackwater NWR. Blackwater is also a great location to photograph sunrises and sunsets so make sure to bring along your landscape lens. Blackwater NWR is located on
- [Photographing Birds and Wildlife at Bombay Hook NWR, Delaware](https://martinbelan.com/2022/04/16/photographing-birds-and-wildlife-at-bombay-hook-nwr-delaware/) - Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located 10 miles from Dover, Delaware near the town of Smyrna. Dover is a good place to stay with several hotels and multiple restaurants on the southern side of town on North Dupont Highway. Bombay Hook is only about 15 minutes from this area giving you quick access
- [Capturing the Beauty of Birds at Fort De Soto: A Bird Photography Guide](https://martinbelan.com/2023/02/23/capturing-the-beauty-of-birds-at-fort-de-soto-a-bird-photography-guide/) - Fort De Soto is a bird photography gem located on the Gulf of Mexico, just south of St. Petersburg, Florida. This park offers a variety of habitats, such as beaches, mangroves, marshes and hardwood hammocks, that are home to a wide range of birds, both migratory and residents. The park is renowned for its birdwatching
- [12 Must Have Tools for Planning Your Next Photography Adventure](https://martinbelan.com/2023/02/11/12-must-have-tools-for-planning-your-next-photography-adventure/) - Are you planning your next photography adventure? Whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist, having the right tools can make all the difference in capturing stunning images. In this blog post, we'll be sharing 12 must-have tools for planning your next photography adventure. So, pack your bags and get ready to travel to that
- [Capturing the Beauty of Florida's Birds with the OM System OM-1](https://martinbelan.com/2023/01/28/capturing-the-beauty-of-floridas-birds-with-the-om-system-om-1/) - This blog is dedicated to exploring the beauty of Florida's birds through the viewfinder of the OM System OM-1 camera. The OM-1 is a terrific camera among bird photographers for its compact size, computational photography features, and the m.Zuiko lens system. Florida is a great destination for bird photography due to its diverse range of
- [How to Use Custom Mode Settings on your Olympus OM-D Camera for Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/09/13/how-to-use-custom-mode-settings-on-your-olympus-om-d-camera-for-bird-photography/) - Several Olympus OM-D cameras have Custom Mode Settings on the Mode Dial on top of the camera. This makes it really easy to switch between different settings in your camera due to changing conditions. See the table at the bottom of the blog to see which Olympus OM-D cameras have Custom Mode settings. Custom modes
- [Field Test Results of the Olympus 100-400mm f/5.0 – 6.3 Telephoto Lens for Bird and Wildlife Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/01/14/field-test-results-of-the-olympus-100-400mm-f-5-0-6-3-telephoto-lens-for-bird-and-wildlife-photography/) - Olympus released the 100-400 f/5.0-6.3 lens in August 2020. Not including the Olympus 75-300mm lens, this is the most reasonably priced of the long telephoto bird and wildlife lenses in the Olympus lens line up. Olympus Long Telephoto Bird and Wildlife Lenses I took a long time to write this review as I wanted to
- [How I Set Up the OM System OM-1 for Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/04/03/how-i-set-up-the-om-system-om-1-for-nature-photography/) - The OM System OM-1 is a highly customizable camera. In fact, there may be too many options to customize which can cause you to forget what is assigned to what. More on how to help remember your customized settings later in the blog. In the OM-1, you can customize buttons, dials, fn Lever, custom modes,
- [Why is it So Difficult to Photograph Snowflakes? Plus Tips to Make it Easy](https://martinbelan.com/2022/02/12/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-photograph-snowflakes/) - Snowflakes are one of the most stunning and sought after winter macro photography subjects. Snowflakes are beautiful and like fingerprints, each one is different. Photographing snowflakes doesn’t have to be difficult. In this blog, I will give you tips to easily capture beautiful snowflake photographs. Why is it So Difficult to Photograph Snowflakes? Snowflakes are
- [Enjoy Your Photos More by Automatically Setting the Wallpaper on Your Mac, iPad and iPhone](https://martinbelan.com/2023/01/16/enjoy-your-photos-more-by-automatically-setting-the-wallpaper-on-your-mac-ipad-and-iphone/) - If you are like me, many of my favorite photographs are just sitting in my Lightroom catalog. I rarely go thru my favorite photos to enjoy them. I’ve recently set up my iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad, and iPhone to randomly set my wallpaper to my favorite photos. It’s quick and easy to do. In this
- [Improve the Productivity of Your Photo Processing in Lightroom and Photoshop with an Elgato Stream Deck](https://martinbelan.com/2022/12/31/improve-the-productivity-of-your-photo-processing-in-lightroom-and-photoshop-with-an-elgato-stream-deck/) - My son bought me an Elgato Stream Deck for Christmas. At first, I wasn’t sure what to do with it. After doing research and playing with it over the holidays, I not only improved the efficiency of my every day computer tasks, I also made my photo processing more productive as well. What is an
- [How Much OM System / Olympus Gear Can You Fit in a Pelican Air 1535 Case?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/12/10/how-much-om-system-olympus-gear-can-you-fit-in-a-pelican-air-1535-case/) - I had previously written a Blog on my experiences flying with my photography gear in a Pelican Air 1535 Case. I just realized that I published that blog back in 2018 when I was shooting with a combination of Olympus Micro Four Thirds and Canon Full Frame gear. Since that time, I must have flown
- [Pelican Air 1535 Review and Air Travel Experience](https://martinbelan.com/2018/11/17/pelican-air-1535-review-and-air-travel-experience/) - I purchased the Pelican Air 1535 Case with TrekPak Dividers for a photography trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. There was no airport close to the national park where larger jets flew into - only the Embraer RJ145s. I chose to fly into Dickinson, North Dakota on an Embraer RJ145 and figured there was at
- [Tips and Locations for Photographing the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/2022/11/22/tips-and-locations-for-photographing-the-blue-ridge-parkway-in-virginia/) - The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile long thoroughfare that connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountain National Parks. The Blue Ridge Parkway has a large variety of Photo Opportunities along the 469 mile stretch. It is an easy drive with no traffic lights and no commercial vehicles allowed. In 2 days, I drove the
- [Backcountry Journeys’ Kenai Peninsula Alaska Photo Tour Review](https://martinbelan.com/2022/07/06/backcountry-journeys-kenai-peninsula-alaska-photo-tour-review/) - I recently returned from a 7 day tour of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula by Backcountry Journeys (7 days is a bit misleading, day 1 consists of only a kickoff meeting and dinner). The tour covered a large portion of the Kenai Peninsula, included 2 boat tours to photograph marine wildlife and birds, and a bush plane
- [Using OM System / Olympus Computational Photography Features for Beach and Coastal Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/11/19/using-om-system-olympus-computational-photography-features-for-beach-and-coastal-photography/) - Olympus / OM System cameras have a variety of computational photography features built in the camera. With the advanced Image Stabilization in these cameras, many of these features can be used handheld. The amount of Image Stabilization will vary by camera model. Below is a table comparing Image Stabilization for the different Olympus / OM
- [Comparing the OM System OM-1, OM-5 and Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III.  Which One Should You Buy?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/10/26/comparing-the-om-system-om-1-om-5-and-olympus-om-d-e-m5-mark-iii-which-one-should-you-buy/) - After much anticipation and speculation, OM Digital Solutions has announced the release of the OM-5 the second new camera that the company has released since the acquisition of Olympus’ Imaging Division. Does the OM-5 stand up to the expectations? Is it worth buying / upgrading? Let’s dig into the specifications and features. Notable New Features
- [Photographing the Old Railroad Town of Thurmond, West Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/2019/06/29/photographing-thurmond-west-virginia/) - Thurmond is an old, mostly abandoned railroad town on the New River in West Virginia. The population of Thurmond was 5 in 2010. Surprisingly, Thurmond is an active Amtrak station. Some say that Thurmond is also a ghost town. What to Photograph At Thurmond? Thurmond is a terrific destination for photographers. Some of the more appealing
- [What to Photograph at Hocking Hills State Park](https://martinbelan.com/2019/12/31/what-to-photograph-at-hocking-hills-state-park/) - Hocking Hills is the most visited state park in Ohio and for good reason. There are numerous waterfalls, caves, miles of hiking trails, and other activities like canoeing and ziplining. So what’s in hocking hills for photographers? plenty! Below is a list of my favorite places to photograph in and around the park with some tips on
- [What to Photograph in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the Munising, Michigan Area in Only 48 Hours](https://martinbelan.com/2021/10/27/what-to-photograph-in-pictured-rocks-national-lakeshore-and-the-munising-michigan-area-in-only-48-hours/) - There are an abundance of things to photograph in Pictured Rock National Lakeshore and the Munising area. But, I had only 48 hours during the busy fall season to photograph this beautiful area. I managed to photograph almost everything on my list and even made a quick trip to Marquette. In this blog, I thought
- [Comparing the Olympus OM-1 (WOW Camera), OM-D E-M1 Mark III, and OM-D E-M1X.  Should You Upgrade to the OM-1?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/02/15/comparing-the-olympus-om-1-wow-camera-om-d-e-m1-mark-iii-and-om-d-e-m1x-should-you-upgrade-to-the-om-1/) - The new OM System / Olympus OM-1 (WOW Camera) has finally been announced. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III was released almost 2 years ago on February 28, 2020. I use both names (OM System & Olympus) in this blog since both names are on the front of the OM-1 camera. The OM-1 has a
- [OM System / Olympus OM-1 - What’s in the Box Surprises and First Impressions](https://martinbelan.com/2022/03/03/om-system-olympus-om-1-whats-in-the-box-surprises-and-first-impressions/) - I received my OM System OM-1 right on schedule in early March. I ordered my OM-1 through Adorama and it arrived quickly and was packed well. It’s also good news that OM Digital Solutions didn’t have any supply chain issues that other companies have had. The 2nd free BCX-1 battery is still on back order
- [Top Improvements of the OM System (Olympus) OM-1 Menu System](https://martinbelan.com/2022/03/06/top-improvements-of-the-om-system-olympus-om-1-menu-system/) - The menu system on the OM System OM-1 has been completely redesigned. A redesign of the Olympus OM-D menu system has been long overdue. The OM-1 now uses a horizontal tab user interface (UI) vs. the vertical tabs in the OM-D. The new menu system also has the features nicely divided into sub-menus. No more
- [Limitations of the High-Speed Sequential SH2 Mode in the OM System OM-1](https://martinbelan.com/2022/03/08/limitations-of-the-high-speed-sequential-sh2-mode-in-the-om-system-om-1/) - There has been a lot of publicity about the High-speed shooting modes on the OM System OM-1 camera. With the OM-1, OM Digital Solutions introduced two new high speed shooting modes SH1 and SH2. The SH1 shooting mode will shoot up to an amazing 120 frames per second (fps). In SH1 mode, the camera will
- [What You Can Customize on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, E-M1X, and OM Systems OM-1.  Is the OM-1 More Customizable?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/03/13/what-you-can-customize-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-mark-iii-e-m1x-and-om-systems-om-1-is-the-om-1-more-customizable/) - One the best features of Olympus OM-D / OM System cameras is their customizability. Almost all the buttons can be customized to different features. The E-M1X, E-M1 Mark III, and OM-1 have 4 Custom Modes on the Mode Dial. The Front and Rear Dial and the FN Lever can also be customized. What Can be
- [Testing the OM System OM-1’s Dog and Cat Subject Detection on Dog Action Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/03/27/testing-the-om-system-om-1s-dog-and-cat-subject-detection-on-dog-action-photography/) - It has been a long cold, wet winter here in the Midwest United States and my dog Sallie was ready to run and jump. Now that the back yard has dried out, it was a perfect time to test Dog and Cat Subject Detection on the OM System OM-1 camera. OM Digital Solutions introduced Dog
- [How to Use Bird Detection AF with Pro Capture on the OM System OM-1](https://martinbelan.com/2022/04/09/how-to-use-bird-detection-af-with-pro-capture-on-the-om-system-om-1/) - Pro Capture and Bird Detection AF aren’t new technologies introduced with the OM System OM-1 camera, but they have been improved and are more accessible in the OM-1. Combining Pro Capture and Bird Detection AF can lead to some incredible bird takeoff and action photographs. Pro Capture Pro Capture has been improved in the OM-1
- [Review of the OM System OM-1 for Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/04/25/review-of-the-om-system-om-1-for-bird-photography/) - I’ve spent the past few months field testing the OM System OM-1 camera for Bird Photography and in this blog, I’ll share my findings and opinions on the new flagship camera from OM Digital Solutions / Olympus. For the past several years, I’ve predominately used the Olympus OM-D E-M1X for photographing birds and I’ve thoroughly
- [Comparing the OM Systems OM-1 and Olympus OM-D E-M1X for Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/06/15/comparing-the-om-systems-om-1-and-olympus-om-d-e-m1x-for-bird-photography/) - The OM System OM-1 camera has been receiving a lot of positive press as a bird photography camera. The camera has a new Stacked BSI Live MOS Sensor and shooting modes with faster frames per second. I’ve been using the Olympus OM-D E-M1X for bird photography since its inception and it is a terrific bird
- [Putting the OM System OM-1 to the Test on a Photography Trip to Alaska](https://martinbelan.com/2022/07/23/putting-the-om-system-om-1-to-the-test-on-a-photography-trip-to-alaska/) - I went on a 6-day photography trip to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula using the OM System OM-1 as my primary camera. The trip included a mixture of landscape, bird, and wildlife photography. There were a couple challenging photography situations including 2 boats trips to photograph marine mammals and birds and, a bush plane flight with equipment
- [Photographing Bees with OM System OM-1 Pro Capture SH1 – Do you Really Need 120 Frames per Second?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/08/06/photographing-bees-with-om-system-om-1-pro-capture-sh1-do-you-really-need-120-frames-per-second/) - The OM System OM-1 has a super high 120 frames per second (fps) in SH1 mode. In SH1 mode, the camera does not autofocus in between frames. The OM-1 also has an SH2 mode that does focus in between frames, and has a still really fast 50 fps. However, there are certain limitations when shooting
- [What Bird and Wildlife Subjects work with OM Systems / Olympus Subject Detection AF?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/09/26/what-bird-and-wildlife-subjects-work-with-om-systems-olympus-subject-detection-af/) - Olympus first introduced Bird Detection AF with the OM-D E-M1X. OM Digital Solutions improved Bird Detection AF with the OM System OM-1 camera, and also added Subject Detection for Dogs and Cats. OM Digital Solutions has been consistent in their messaging that Subject Detection AF is only intended for those subjects that are named in
- [How to Find the Shutter Count on the OM System OM-1 Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2022/10/09/how-to-find-the-shutter-count-on-the-om-system-om-1-camera/) - Just like Olympus cameras, OM System Cameras like the OM-1 have a hidden menu that will display the number of shutter actuations taken on the camera. The OM-1 has the same 400,000 shutter rating as the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and the E-M1X. Below are the steps for finding the Shutter Count on OM
- [How to find the Shutter Actuation Count on the Olympus OM-D](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/26/how-to-find-the-shutter-actuation-count-on-the-olympus-om-d/) - Mirrorless Olympus cameras have a computerized focal-plane shutter unlike DSLRs that use a mirror that flips up prior to taking an exposure. The number of shutter count actuations is still important on these Olympus mirrorless cameras. Olympus rates the shutter life of the OM-D E-M5 camera at 100,000 shutter actuations. This means that after (or
- [How to use the OM System OI.Share App for Backyard Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/10/05/how-to-use-the-om-system-oi-share-app-for-backyard-bird-photography/) - OM Digital Solutions has a free OI.Share app that communicates wirelessly with your Olympus / OM System cameras. The App has Remote Control, Photo Import, Camera How To, basic Photo Editing, and Geotagging. The Olympus version of the OI.Share app is no longer functional. So, you will need to install the OM Digital Solutions version
- [Testing the Photoshop 2022 Object Selection Tool on a Variety of Nature Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2021/10/30/testing-the-photoshop-2023-object-finder-feature-on-a-variety-of-nature-photographs/) - Adobe has released an exciting new Object Selection Feature with their Photoshop CC 2022 release. This feature will automatically create selections on different objects in your photographs making it easy to individually edit these objects. There is also a new Mask All Objects feature under the Layer Menu that will automatically create Layer groups with
- [How to Use the Olympus / OM System Internal AF Limiter to Improve Your Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/09/12/how-to-use-the-olympus-om-system-internal-af-limiter-to-improve-your-bird-photography/) - The internal AF Limiter in Olympus / OM System cameras allows you to be much more precise in setting the focusing distance range than using the Focus Limiter Switch located on your M.Zuiko lenses. This allows the autofocus to work faster and can result in more keeper photographs. AF Limiter Menu Settings The menu location
- [8 Tips for Handheld Focus Stacking for Macro Photography on Olympus / OM System Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2022/08/27/8-tips-for-handheld-focus-stacking-for-macro-photography-on-olympus-om-system-cameras/) - Olympus and OM System cameras have terrific In Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) with the OM-1, E-M1 Mark III, and E-M1X having 7 stops of stabilization in the body. Olympus / OM Digital Solutions have also built multi-shot computational photography features that take advantage of the image stabilization while handholding the camera. The computational photography features
- [Quick Fix for Olympus M.Zuiko Lenses that Won’t Autofocus](https://martinbelan.com/2022/08/19/quick-fix-for-olympus-m-zuiko-lenses-that-wont-autofocus/) - I went out at sunrise for a bird photography hike at a local park. When adjusting the settings on my Olympus OM-D E-M1X for the lighting conditions, I noticed that the camera stayed in manual focus mode. I tried to change the settings in the Super Control Panel and checked the Manual Focus Clutch on
- [How to Use Live Time for Long Daytime Exposures on Olympus and OM System Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2022/08/11/how-to-use-live-time-for-long-daytime-exposures-on-olympus-and-om-system-cameras/) - Olympus and OM System cameras have 3 different modes for photographing long exposures: Live Bulb, Live Time, and Live Composite. A lot of times, these modes are used for night photography shooting fireworks, star trails, car tail lights, etc. On cloudy days, early mornings, late afternoons, these features can also be used for long exposures
- [Olympus / OM System Handheld Exposure Bracketing - A Useful Tool for your Landscape Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2022/06/19/olympus-om-system-handheld-exposure-bracketing-a-useful-tool-for-your-landscape-photography/) - One of the biggest benefits of photographing with Olympus / OM System cameras is the 7.5 stops of image stabilization you get when you pair the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III or E-M1X, or the OM System OM-1 camera with certain lenses with Sync IS like the Olympus m.zuiko 12-100mm f/4 lens. This excellent image
- [How to take Action Photographs of Your Dog with Your Olympus OM-D Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2021/06/14/how-to-take-action-photographs-of-your-dog-with-your-olympus-om-d-camera/) - I love taking photographs of my dog and like many proud dog parents, I post them on social media. These photos also provide a memory of your dog when they are no longer with us. We recently lost our Toy Fox Terrier after 15 years. Since we took so many photographs of her, we were
- [9 Tips for Photographing Badlands National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2022/06/04/9-tips-for-photographing-badlands-national-park/) - Badlands National Park is located in the southwestern part of South Dakota just south of I-90 near the town of Wall. Badlands is known for its unique, colorful rock formations and pinnacles. Badlands National Park is a prime location for landscape photographers, but there is plenty of wildlife in the park too. Badlands is a
- [8 Tips for Photographing the Spring Bird Migration](https://martinbelan.com/2022/05/01/8-tips-for-photographing-the-spring-bird-migration/) - Spring migration is one of the most exciting times of the year for bird photographers. With hundreds of bird species migrating from the south to the north, you never know what you’re going to see and photograph. After many years of photographing the Spring Bird Migration, I’ve assembled some tips to help get some keepers
- [How Well Does the Remove Powerlines Feature Work in Luminar Neo?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/02/20/how-well-does-the-remove-powerlines-feature-work-in-luminar-neo/) - One of the most time consuming and tedious tasks for landscape and street photographers is removing powerlines that are a distraction in your photographs. Skylum has introduced multiple AI features in Luminar Neo to make photo post processing faster and easier. One of those AI features introduced in Luminar Neo is Automatic Powerline Removal. Before
- [Photographing Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/2015/10/28/photographing-dark-hollow-falls-in-shenandoah-national-park-virginia/) - The hike to Dark Hollow Falls is one of the shortest waterfall hike in Shenandoah National Park. Dark Hollow Falls is a picturesque waterfall with a 70 foot drop. The trailhead for the falls is well marked at mile marker 50.7. Dark Hollow Falls The hike to the top of the falls is only 6/10th
- [Don't Let Mostly Cloudy Skies Stop You from Creating Beautiful Sunrise Photos - Shenandoah National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/11/04/dont-let-mostly-cloudy-skies-stop-you-from-creating-beautiful-sunrise-photos-shenandoah-national-park/) - I was up at 4:15am on my second day at Shenandoah National Park. I checked the weather and sure enough there was a rain shower heading toward the park right at sunrise. Tunnel Parking Overlook at Sunrise I delayed my trip to the park hoping that the sun would break through after the shower passed.
- [Testing the Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens with the Olympus 60mm and 30mm Macro Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/2020/09/21/testing-the-raynox-dcr-250-super-macro-lens-with-the-olympus-60mm-macro-lens/) - There are not a lot choices for a Micro Four Thirds macro lens with a greater than 1:1 magnification. The Olympus 60mm macro will give you up to a 1:1 magnification and the Olympus 30mm macro gives up to a 1.25:1 magnification with a very short focal length. The Raynox DCR-250 super macro lens will
- [Top Olympus OM-D Tips and Settings for Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/12/19/top-olympus-om-d-tips-and-settings-for-macro-photography/) - Olympus OM-D cameras are terrific for macro photography as the Micro Four Thirds sensor gives you more depth of field. Olympus also has two prime macro lenses ( 60mm f/2.8 and 30mm f/3.5) and a 100mm macro lens on their lens roadmap. There are also quite a few settings in the OM-D cameras that can
- [How to Create Clean, Non Distracting Backgrounds for your Macro Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2021/07/27/how-to-create-clean-non-distracting-backgrounds-for-your-macro-photographs/) - A clean, non distracting background is one of the most important compositional elements for macro photography. In fact, next to sharp subject, it is probably the most important. A distracting background can have stray objects such as unwanted leaves and stems, or bright colors that take away from the subject. A clean, simple background highlights
- [A Comparison of Flash and Diffuser Options for Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2021/08/14/a-comparison-of-flash-and-diffuser-options-for-macro-photography/) - There are quite a few options for using flash for macro photography. Over the past several years, I’ve tried several different flash and diffuser combinations for using flash for macro photography. So, which option is the best? Well, it depends. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish, how much you want to spend,
- [Workflow to go from Lightroom to Photoshop and Back and Not Lose Your Layers](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/18/how-to-roundtrip-from-adobe-lightroom-to-photoshop-and-not-lose-your-layers/) - Adobe Lightroom Classic is capable of storing the layers you create in Photoshop, you just need to be careful how you save and launch your images. First, I will discuss the different options to edit your files when round tripping to Photoshop and the implications of these options. Then I will tell you my workflow
- [How to Save a Layer Mask as a Separate File in Photoshop for use in the Future](https://martinbelan.com/2017/02/05/how-to-save-a-layer-mask-in-photoshop-for-future-use/) - Have you ever wanted to process a photo several times using different techniques that required creating a time consuming layer mask. You ended up not processing the photo again due to the time it takes to create the mask. Or maybe the photo didn’t turn out the way you wanted but you didn’t want to
- [Where to View and Photograph the Sunrise in Shenandoah National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/11/11/where-to-view-and-photograph-the-sunrise-in-shenandoah-national-park/) - Shenandoah National Park is a perfect destination for those of us who love to watch and photograph sunrises and sunsets. Skyline Drive is 109 miles long with 75 overlooks most of which face either east or west. Sunrise at Thorofare Mountain Overlook This blog discusses my favorite overlooks in Shenandoah National Park for viewing and
- [Photographing Rose River Falls in Shenandoah National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/11/18/photographing-rose-river-falls-in-shenandoah-national-park/) - Rose River Falls is a picturesque waterfall in Shenandoah National Park. After a rain, Rose River Falls can have 3 or 4 parallel flows. We arrived at Shenandoah National Park shortly after several days of rain, so we were treated to this beautiful triple flow at Rose River Falls. Rose River Falls - Shenandoah National
- [Topaz Texture Effects Overview and Fast Workflow](https://martinbelan.com/2015/12/01/topaz-texture-effects-overview-and-fast-workflow/) - Topaz Labs has released a new photo processing plugin called Topaz Texture Effects. But, this plugin might have been incorrectly named. Texture Effects doesn’t just add textures to your photographs, it has 14 other adjustment that makes Texture Effects a robust photo processing application. 3 Yellow Flowers - Created with Topaz Texture Effects Topaz Texture
- [iPad and iPhone Workaround for Unsupported RAW files in Gnarbox 2.0](https://martinbelan.com/2022/03/01/ipad-and-iphone-workaround-for-unsupported-raw-files-in-gnarbox-2-0/) - Gnarbox is way behind in supporting RAW files for new cameras. My Olympus OM-D E-M1X was released in February 2019 and its RAW format still is not supported. It also looks like these RAW file formats for new camera won’t be supported any time soon. The original founders and employees are no longer with the
- [How to Back Up, View, and Edit your Camera’s RAW files using the iPad while Traveling](https://martinbelan.com/2022/03/19/how-to-back-up-view-and-edit-your-cameras-raw-files-using-the-ipad-while-traveling/) - I previously used a Gnarbox to backup my files while traveling for photography. However, Gnarbox is years behind in updating their software for new RAW files. Shortly after publishing a blog with a workaround for using the Gnarbox with the iPad to view and edit RAW files, my Gnarbox hardware died. I set out to
- [The Oil Paint Filter is Back in Adobe Photoshop CC 2015](https://martinbelan.com/2016/01/06/the-oil-paint-filter-is-back-in-adobe-photoshop-cc-2015/) - Adobe removed the Oil Paint filter starting with Photoshop CC 2014 based on low usage and the cost to maintain the filter. The Photoshop community was not happy and was very vocal about the decision. Where is the Oil Paint Filter Located in Photoshop CC 2015? With 2015.1 release of Photoshop CC, Adobe added the
- [Comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M1, E-M5 Mark II, and E-M10 Mark II](https://martinbelan.com/2016/01/13/comparing-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-e-m5-mark-ii-and-e-m10-mark-ii/) - My original blog post on cmparing the Olympus OM-D E-M1, E-M5, and E-M10 has been one of my most popular posts. However, Olympus has been busy producing the E-M5 Mark II and the E-M10 Mark II. I currently own the Olympus OM-D E-M1 and the original E-M5. I've recently been interested in acquiring the Olympus
- [Testing In Camera HDR with the Olympus OM-D](https://martinbelan.com/2016/01/27/testing-in-camera-hdr-with-the-olympus-om-d/) - I don’t shoot a lot of HDR photographs. In fact many times when I use exposure bracketing, I only process one of the bracketed images. But, there are times when HDR is necessary to capture all the details in an image. An HDR photograph is useful when a photograph has a high dynamic range. Dynamic
- [What to Photograph on Sanibel Island, Florida](https://martinbelan.com/2016/03/02/what-to-photograph-on-sanibel-island-florida/) - Sanibel Island is a popular beach vacation spot for tourists. Miles of beaches, shelling, fishing, kayaking and miles of paved paths for bicycling are some of the attractions on Sanibel Island. Sanibel Island is also a great place for photographers. For those photographers traveling with families, you may be able to slip away for photography
- [Using Florida Nature Photography to Create Works of Art](https://martinbelan.com/2016/03/23/using-florida-nature-photography-to-create-works-of-art/) - I enjoy creating artwork using nature as my inspiration for the art. I’ve used photographs of flowers, leaves, tree bark, weeds, and ice just to name a few. Red Leaf ArtTaken at Bailey Track of Ding DarlingProcessed with Topaz Texture Effects Normally my nature photography is occurs while hiking the woods and fields of the
- [What Makes a Great Bird Photograph?  10 Tips That Will Make Your Images Stand Out](https://martinbelan.com/2021/03/01/what-makes-a-great-bird-photograph-10-things-that-will-make-your-images-stand-out/) - What makes a great bird photograph? What makes some bird photographs better than others? In this blog, I’ll discuss 10 things that will help you get great bird photographs. I’ve also included tips to incorporate each of these elements to help you improve your bird photography and create amazing bird photographs 10 Important Elements to
- [Using Olympus Pro Capture to Photograph Fishing Birds in Action](https://martinbelan.com/2021/09/23/using-olympus-pro-capture-to-photograph-fishing-birds-in-action/) - I use Olympus Pro Capture all the time to photograph Birds in Flight, especially for bird take offs. I also use it to capture bees and other insects in flight. But Olympus Pro Capture has many other uses. One of my latest projects is photographing Fishing Birds using Pro Capture. Pro Capture does a great
- [Elephant Making its Own Ice Cubes](https://martinbelan.com/2016/06/15/elephant-making-its-own-ice-cubes/) - While visiting the Honolulu Zoo on Waikiki Beach, I witnessed some interesting and intelligent behavior by elephants in the zoo. Elephant Making his own Ice Cubes - #1 The Zookeepers at the Honolulu Zoo give the elephants chunks of ice most likely to stay cool. We watched the elephants step on the ice to beak
- [Photographing the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail](https://martinbelan.com/2016/07/13/photographing-the-makapuu-point-lighthouse-trail/) - On the most eastern point of Oahu right off of Kalanianaole Highway, the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail provides some beautiful photo opportunities. I rank it high on the list for nature and landscape photographers visiting Oahu. The Hike to Makapu'u Point Lighthouse It’s a short 1 mile hike (one way) to the top on a
- [Gnarbox 2.0 - Lack of RAW Support for Olympus Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/11/11/gnarbox-2-0-lack-of-raw-support-for-olympus-cameras/) - I really like my Gnarbox 2.0 SSD for backing up my photographs while I’m traveling. It’s rugged and dependable, and I feel better having my photos backed up. I typically travel with an iPad Pro instead of a laptop so I was really excited that I could connect the Gnarbox to my iPad Pro and
- [Photographing the Pololu Valley Lookout on the Big Island of Hawaii](https://martinbelan.com/2016/08/10/photographing-the-pololu-valley-lookout-on-the-big-island-of-hawaii/) - The Pololu Valley Lookout is Literally at the end of the road in the north west part of the Big Island. It's about an hour and 25 minute drive from Kaiula-Kona. Cloudy Sunrise at the Pololu Overlook I left our hotel in Kaiula-Kona at 4:45am to reach the lookout around sunrise. About 10 miles away
- [My Micro Four Thirds Photography Kit for Traveling to Hawaii](https://martinbelan.com/2016/08/17/my-micro-four-thirds-photography-kit-for-traveling-to-hawaii/) - On a trip to Hawaii, I planned on doing a lot of hiking and a various types of photography, so I wanted to travel light. I was able to use my Olympus OM-D E-M1 and four lenses for my entire trip to Hawaii. Helicopter Shot of Koko Head Crater - Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens
- [An Aerial Tour of Oahu, Hawaii](https://martinbelan.com/2016/11/22/an-aerial-tour-of-oahu-hawaii/) - Drones are the latest craze in photography. Everyone seems to want to get in to drone photography. But regulations are getting stricter and restrictions are becoming more prevalent. Besides, it’s difficult to travel with a drone. On a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, I didn’t bring a drone. I took a 1 hour helicopter ride with
- [Should You Upgrade to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II?](https://martinbelan.com/2016/11/30/should-you-upgrade-to-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-mark-ii/) - Olympus recently announced its new flagship OM-D E-M1 Mark II camera. The new camera comes with a boat load of features. But it also comes with a significantly higher price than its predecessor. This blog examines the new features and whether you should upgrade to the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. A specification comparison
- [Photo Story:  What’s a Nene Goose?](https://martinbelan.com/2016/12/14/photo-story-whats-a-nene-goose/) - The Nene Goose which is also called the Hawaiian Goose is native to the state of Hawaii. The Nene is also the state bird of Hawaii. In the 1950s the goose was near extinction due to hunting by humans, cats, and mongoose. Today, the population is over 2,000 and can mainly be found on the
- [How to Clean a Camera Lens that has Rolled in the Mud](https://martinbelan.com/2019/01/07/how-to-clean-a-camera-lens-that-has-rolled-in-the-mud/) - It was early in the morning, we had just drove an hour and 15 minutes to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There was a storm with strong winds over night at the park. The porta potty was knocked over and the park had no electricity. Our goal was to photograph sunrise at
- [Wildlife Photography at Theodore Roosevelt National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2019/01/11/wildlife-photography-at-theodore-roosevelt-national-park/) - Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a relatively unknown national park located in North Dakota. The park is divided into two sections – the north and south units. I found the south unit to be better for wildlife than the north unit. The south unit’s main attraction is the wild horses which the north unit does not
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day - Fledgling Robin - 9/11/12](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/11/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-fledgling-robin-91112/) - Fledgling Robin Focal Length: 220 mm Aperture: f/5.6 Shutter Speed: 1/400 second ISO: 400 Each year the robins nest on the beams for my deck. I found this little guy hanging out in the yard.
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Cell #18 Mansfield Reformatory - 9/13/12](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/13/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-cell-18-mansfield-reformatory-91312/) - Cell #18 Mansfield Reformatory Focal Length: 13 mm Aperture: f/8 ISO: 200 3 shot HDR The Mansfield Reformatory closed in 1984. Scenes from the movies "Air Force One", "The Shawshank Redemption", and others were filmed at the prison. The prison has a reputation for being haunted. The Mansfield Reformatory is open to the public.
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone - 09/16/12](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/16/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-grand-prismatic-spring-yellowstone-091612/) - Grand Prismatic Spring Focal Length: 45 mm Aperture: f/11 ISO: 200 3 Shot HDR Grand Prismatic Spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. It is the largest hot spring in the United States. It is known for its brilliant blue, green, yellow, and orange colors. Related Blogs Yellowstone Top Photos
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Angry Eagle - 10/3/12](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/03/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-angry-eagle-10312/) - Angry Bald Eagle Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 280 mmAperture: f/5.6Shutter Speed: 1/500 SecondISO: 400 Bald Eagles are one of my favorite subjects to photograph. I love the emotion in this bald eagle's face and eyes. See my blogs listed below for more information on photographing bald eagles.See Previous Photos of
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Rainbow on the Lower Falls Yellowstone - 12/3/12](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/02/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-rainbow-on-the-lower-falls-yellowstone-12312/) - Rainbow on the Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park Focal Length: 150 mmAperture: f16.0ISO: 320Shutter Speed: 1/200 Related Blog PostsYellowstone Top Photos of Geothermal FeaturesYellowstone - Top Wildlife PhotosFight for Survival - Uinta Ground Squirrel and WeaselPhotographing Yellowstone - Landscapes
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Yellow Flowers Oil Painting Effect - 12/30/12](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/30/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-yellow-flowers-oil-painting-effect-123012/) - Yellow Flowers Oil Painting Effect Focal Length: 50 mmAperture: f4.5ISO: 320Shutter Speed: 1/1600 This oil painting effect was applied to the photo using Akvis Artwork software. Check out my review of Akvis Artwork and my step by step instructions on how to apply the oil painting effect using Akvis Artwork. Related PostsPhotographing Acadia National Park
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Vermont River Sunrise - 1/12/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/12/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-vermont-river-sunrise-11213/) - Vermont River Sunrise in Oil Focal Length: 28 mmAperture: f/10.0ISO: 100Shutter Speed: 1/200 A great way to spend a morning - sunrise on a Vermont river during the autumn colors. This was take on route 100B near Interstate 89. I processed this photo with the Oil Paint filter in Photoshop CS6. Related PostsBring your Photos
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Aerial Combat, Bald Eagle and Osprey Battle for a Fish - 1/26/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/26/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-aerial-combat-bald-eagle-and-osprey-battle-for-a-fish-12613/) - Aerial Combat, Bald Eagle and Osprey Battle for a Fish Focal Length: 500 mmAperture: f6.3ISO: 200Shutter Speed: 1/2500 Second I was photographing this Osprey with a fish when out of nowhere this bald eagle comes into the frame. The two collided in mid air and neither one of them got the fish. Related PostsWalking the
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Devil's Golf Course at Sunrise - Death Valley - 2/5/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/05/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-devils-golf-course-at-sunrise-death-valley-2513/) - Devil's Golf Course at Sunrise, Death Valley National Park Focal Length: 17 mmAperture: f/113 Exposure HDRISO: 320The Devil's Golf Course in Death Valley National Park is one of the most unique landscapes on earth. The Golf Course is full of large, rough, salt crystal formations that are difficult to walk on. It is even more
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Bald Eagle Close Up - 2/20/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/20/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-bald-eagle-close-up-022013/) - Bald Eagle Close Up Focal Length: 200 mmAperture: f4.5ISO: 400Shutter Speed: 1/2000 Second Related Blog PostsA Morning with a Juvenile Bald EaglePhotographing Bald Eagles on the Upper Mississippi RiverA Collection of Bald Eagles In Flight
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Bald Eagle Soaring with the Moon - 3/1/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/01/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-bald-eagle-soaring-with-the-moon-3113/) - Bald Eagle Soaring with the Moon Focal Length: 500 mmAperture: f4.5ISO: 1000Shutter Speed: 1/2000 Second The female Bald Eagle has a wing span of 79 - 90 inches. The smaller male Bald Eagle has a wingspan of 72 - 85 inches. Seeing a Bald Eagle soaring with their wings fully extended in the golden evening
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Sandpiper in the Golden Light - 3/4/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/04/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-sandpiper-in-the-golden-light-3413/) - Sandpiper in the Golden Light Focal Length: 300 mmAperture: f4.5ISO: 640Shutter Speed: 1/1250 Second This sandpiper photo was taken at Siesta Key Beach right before sunset. A tip for photographing shorebirds is to get down to their level. Related Blog PostsWalking the Towpath at CVNP – Tips for Wildlife and Bird PhotographyBird Silhouette Photography TipsSouthwest
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Black-Eyed Susan - 3/14/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/14/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-black-eyed-susan-31413/) - Black-Eyed Susan Focal Length: 100 mmAperture: f/8.0ISO: 400Shutter Speed: 1/30 Second Sometimes the best photographs might be right in your backyard. These Black-eyed Susans were growing on the side of my house. A couple tips for backyard flower photograph. 1. Watch your backgrounds. Try to keep them from being too busy.2. Work with shallow depth
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Hinckley Lake, Peaceful Sunrise - 4/11/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/11/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-hinckley-lake-peaceful-sunrise-41113/) - Hinckley Lake, Peaceful Sunrise Focal Length: 24 mmAperture: f/13ISO: 2503 Exposure HDR Beautiful sunrises can be right around the corner from you. Check out a local lake, meadow, or river at sunrise. You may be surprised at the results. You might not need to travel very far to get that sunrise shot. Related PostsPhotographing Vermont
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Bald Eagle In Flight Close Up - 4/18/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/18/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-bald-eagle-in-flight-close-up-41813/) - Bald Eagle in Flight Close Up Focal Length: 500 mmAperture: f4.5ISO: 500Shutter Speed: 1/2500 Second How an image is cropped is very important to the look and feel of the photograph. The crop cannot give the impression that the subject is cut off. Also, make sure that the crop follows good rules of composition such
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Red-Tailed Hawk Profile - 4/30/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/30/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-red-tailed-hawk-profile-43013/) - Red-Tailed Hawk Profile Focal Length: 200 mmAperture: f3.5ISO: 400Shutter Speed: 1/3200 Second The Red-Tailed Hawk is one of the most common raptors in North America. They are also a very wary bird. Sometimes only giving a photographer seconds to get the shot. Blinds can be very useful in photographing Red-Tails. Keep your camera ready at
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Roosevelt Arch - Yellowstone - 5/19/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/19/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-roosevelt-arch-yellowstone-51913/) - Roosevelt Arch, Yellowstone National Park Focal Length: 18 mmAperture: f/8.0ISO: 2003 Sequence HDR The Roosevelt Arch stands at the north entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The north entrance was the original entrance to the park. President Theodore Roosevelt placed the cornerstone of the arch and the arch was named after him. This HDR photo shows the arch
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Crying Angel, Lakeview Cemetery - 6/2/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/06/02/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-crying-angel-lakeview-cemetery-6213/) - Crying Angel, Lakeview Cemetery Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 65 mmAperture: f/8.0ISO: 200Shutter Speed 1/200 of a second This crying angel monument is located in Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. Years of exposure to the weather have left this angel looking like she is crying. The contrast and texture of this crying angel
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Sunset Over Seal Cove, Maine - 6/10/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/06/10/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-sunset-over-seal-cove-maine-61013/) - Sunset Over Seal Cove, Maine Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 46 mmAperture: f/8.0ISO: 2003 Sequence HDR Seal Cove is a small, quiet cove on the western side of Mount Desert Island, Maine. It is away from the crowds of Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor on the eastern side of the
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Mansfield Reformatory Cell - 7/9/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/09/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-mansfield-reformatory-cell-7913/) - Mansfield Reformatory Cell Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 14 mmAperture: f/8.0ISO: 2003 Shot HDR This photo was taken at the Mansfield Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. The Mansfield Reformatory has been used in several movies including Shawshank Redemption. The Mansfield reformatory is an excellent destination for photographers. Several of the cells have been set
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, New York City Sunrise from Newark Airport - 8/15/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/15/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-new-york-city-sunrise-from-newark-airport-81513/) - New York City Sunrise from Newark Airport Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 105 mmAperture: f/4.5ISO: 400Shutter Speed: 1/320 of a Second Always have your camera handy and be ready for the shot. I got this shot at Newark airport after a long international flight. At the end of the terminal was a
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Pink Stucco House, Mormon Row - 8/31/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/31/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-pink-stucco-house-mormon-row-83113/) - Pink Stucco House, Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 17 mmAperture: f/11ISO: 2003 Shot Sequence HDR Grand Teton National Park has some of the most scenic landscapes in the world. Mormon Row is a popular destination where original barns and cabins can be photographed with the
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Turnpike Bridge over Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 12/15/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/15/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-turnpike-bridge-over-cuyahoga-valley-national-park-121513/) - Turnpike Bridge Over Cuyahoga Valley National Park Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 18 mmAperture: f/8.0ISO: 320Shutter Speed: 1/500 of a Second There is a huge Ohio Turnpike Bridge that spans Cuyahoga Valley National Park. From the park, you can get a composition of showing the length of the massive bridge. It's fun
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Autumn Outside the Window, Vermont - 12/17/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/17/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-autumn-outside-the-window-vermont-121713/) - Autumn Outside the Window, Vermont Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 24 mmAperture: f/5.6ISO: 1000Shutter Speed: 1/8 of a Second This photo was taken at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. I saw this composition from inside one of the museum buildings. The color of the window glass provided a nice filter effect for the
- [Nature & Travel Photo of the Day, Don Vito Cafe Bahrain - 10/7/13](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/07/nature-travel-photo-of-the-day-don-vito-cafe-bahrain-10713/) - Don Vito Cafe, Bahrain Visit my Photo Destinations Page for more great photography locations. Focal Length: 4.7 mmAperture: f/3.3ISO: 100Shutter Speed: 1/320 of a second This photo was taken with a point and shoot camera at Don Vito's Shesha Cafe in Manama, Bahrain. At Don Vito's you can get coffee, sheesha, ice cream, and food. I really like the entrance
- [Photo Story: Crown Vetch Wildflower](https://martinbelan.com/2015/07/02/photo-story-crown-vetch-wildflower/) - These Crown Vetch wildflowers show up in my backyard every summer. In fact, they take over one of my flower beds. Crown Vetch For years, I’ve considered them an invasive weed. I’ve finally given in and started enjoying them as wildflowers and just try to keep the patch of crown vetch under control. The Crown
- [Bahrain Travel Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2011/08/13/bahrain-travel-photography/) - I just returned from a trip to Bahrain in July 2011. While this was not entirely a photography vacation, I found plenty of photo opportunities in this small, interesting country. But I have to warn you, the temperature in the summer is hot. In July when I was there the temperature averaged around 110 degrees fahrenheit with
- [Wolf Park – A Great Place to Photograph and Learn About Wolves](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/28/wolf-park-a-great-place-to-photograph-and-learn-about-wolves/) - Wolf Park, located in Battle Ground, Indiana (near Lafayette) is a non-profit organization dedicated to behavioral research and education about wolves. It is worth a visit to see the wolves up close, and understand more about wolves and their behavior. It is a great opportunity for wildlife photographers to get pictures of wolves that would
- [Photographing the Golconda Fort, Hyderabad, India](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/23/photographing-the-golconda-fort-hyderabad-india/) - Golconda Fort should be on your list to photograph if you are in the state of Andra Pradesh or the city of Hyderabad in India. Golconda Fort has many ruins that make good subjects for photography. There is also a light and sound show in the evenings. Goldconda Fort is located about 11 kilometers west
- [Photographing the Lighthouses in Kenosha, Wisconsin](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/30/photographing-the-lighthouses-in-kenosha-wisconsin/) - Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse (Above Photo) There are two lighthouses in Kenosha, Wisconsin that are located less than a ½ mile from one another. The Kenosha North Pier Lighthouse and the Kenosha Southport Light Station are both located on Simmons Island on the coast of lake Michigan. If you are near Kenosha, it is worth
- [Visiting Vancouver - Best Places to Photograph](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/06/visiting-vancouver-best-places-to-photograph/) - Canada Place (Above Photo) There are many terrific photo opportunities in the beautiful city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Vancouver has a beautiful cityscape, great harbor views, lighthouses, plus close access to many natural areas and parks. Favorite Places to Photograph in Vancouver. Stanley Park A large 10,000 acre part located right off the West End
- [Photographing Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/08/photographing-stanley-park-in-vancouver-british-columbia/) - Brockton Point Lighthouse (Above Photo) We disembarked from the Norwegian Sun cruise ship at 9am and by 11:00 am we were checked into the Vancouver Pinnacle Vancouver Hotel and the concierge had us booked on the Big Bus and scheduled for a sea plane tour of Vancouver at 11:45pm. We had spent 7 days sailing
- [Visiting and Photographing Jaipur, Rajasthan, India – Forts and Palaces](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/27/visiting-and-photographing-jaipur-rajasthan-india-forts-and-palaces/) - Jaipur is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is referred to as the pink city due to the color of its architecture. Jaipur is also known for its forts, palaces, and hospitality. In this blog post I will cover forts and palace attractions in and near the city of Jaipur Rajasthan. This is part
- [Visiting and Photographing the National Mall in Washington D.C.](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/25/visiting-photographing-national-mall-washington-dc/) - On a recent business trip to Washington DC, I left a day early to do some photography of the landmarks and monuments in the area. There were two main areas that I wanted to photograph on this trip: Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall. In this blog, I will focus on the National Mall.
- [Using AKVIS ArtWork to create Gouache Paintings from your Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/21/using-akvis-artwork-to-create-gouache-paintings-from-your-photos/) - The Gouache (pronounced “Gwash”) is a heavy, opaque watercolor painting technique. The result is a less wet looking and more colorful painting than an ordinary watercolor painting. The AKVIS ArtWork Photoshop plugin can turn your photos into paintings using a Gouache style. In this example, I turned a photo of autumn leaves into a Gouache
- [6 Artistic Views of El Capitan, Yosemite National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2013/06/12/6-artistic-views-of-el-capitan-yosemite-national-park/) - Photoshop filters and photo painting plugins can provide a lot of creativity to apply artistic effects to your photographs. Many customers of photography prints prefer an artistic or painted look to the art they hang on their walls. The problem is that there are so many filters and painting plugins that it is hard to determine which
- [AKVIS OilPaint Photo Processing Software Review](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/17/akvis-oilpaint-photo-processing-software-review/) - AKVIS software has released a new Photoshop plugin and stand alone application called OilPaint that turns photographs into oil paintings. OilPaint features a new brush stroke algorithm that more closely imitates real brush strokes. Photographers familiar with AKVIS plugins will notice the similarity with AKVIS’ ArtWork plugin that replicates 7 different forms of painting including
- [Where Did the Oil Paint Filter go in Adobe Photoshop CC 2014?](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/22/where-did-the-oil-paint-filter-go-in-adobe-photoshop-cc-2014/) - Port Sanilac Lighthouse using the Oil Paint Filter in Photoshop In April 2014, Adobe announced that they would no longer support the Oil Paint Filter and it would no longer be available starting with Photoshop CC 2014. Adobe based the removal of the Oil Paint Filter on lower customer useage and the cost to support the
- [Top Nature and Travel Photo of the Day Posts From the Last Year](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/26/top-nature-and-travel-photo-of-the-day-posts-from-the-last-year/) - I’ve been publishing the Nature and Travel Photo of the day blog for just over a year now. It’s been fun publishing the Photo of the Day blog and I appreciate all my followers who have viewed, commented, tweeted, favorited, and +1’ed the Nature and Travel Photo of the day posts. In this blog post,
- [How to Create a Displacement Map in Photoshop for Ripples in Water Reflections](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/25/how-to-create-a-displacement-map-in-photoshop-for-ripples-in-water-reflections/) - A displacement map can be created in Adobe Photoshop to create the effect of ripples in your water reflections. We want the ripples in the reflection to be more pronounced at the bottom of the screen than the ones farther away. The displacement map is used with the Displace Filter in Photoshop (located under the
- [Testing the Canon 300mm f/4 lens with a 2X Teleconverter](https://martinbelan.com/2013/06/19/testing-the-canon-300mm-f4-lens-with-a-2x-teleconverter/) - Sometimes I just don’t want to carry around my Canon 500mm f/4 lens with a big, sturdy tripod, but I still want to be able to photograph wildlife and birds. The Canon 500mm f/4 is a terrific lens but it can be difficult to travel with this big lens. Flying on small planes is not
- [What Photography Gear to Bring on an Alaskan Cruise?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/04/what-photography-gear-to-bring-on-an-alaskan-cruise/) - I had a difficult time deciding on what photo gear to pack for our Alaskan Cruise. We were also spending two days in Vancouver so I also needed photo gear that would work for city photography as well. I thought I'd write about my cruise photography experiences to help you decide what gear to bring on your
- [Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm Macro Lens Cap (46mm) Replacement](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/18/olympus-m-zuiko-60mm-macro-lens-cap-46mm-replacement/) - I am horrible about losing lens caps for my Olympus OM-D when I’m out in the field. A couple of weeks ago while hiking in the Smoky Mountains, I lost the lens cap for the Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm Macro lens. This was the second Olympus lens cap that I have lost. The Olympus lens cap
- [How to Activate the Super Control Panel on the Olympus OM-D and PEN Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/06/22/how-to-activate-the-super-control-panel-on-the-olympus-om-d-and-pen-cameras/) - The Super Control Panel on the Olympus OM-D and Pen line of Micro Four Thirds cameras is a quick way to change the most frequently used Olympus camera settings. The Olympus Super Control Panel provides one touch access to ISO, white balance, metering, sequential shooting, self timer, auto/manual focus modes, and more. The Super Control
- [Nature Photography at Sandy Ridge Reservation](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/04/nature-photography-at-sandy-ridge-reservation/) - Sandy Ridge Reservation is one of my favorite locations for nature photography in Northeast Ohio. Waterfowl are plentiful at Sandy Ridge and due to its large marsh area, it’s a stopover point for the spring and fall duck migrations. Song birds are also prevalent at Sandy Ridge. A Bald Eagle pair also nests in the
- [A Collection of Beautiful Alaskan Sunsets](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/22/a-collection-of-beautiful-alaskan-sunsets/) - The sunsets from an Alaskan Cruise are simply beautiful. We witnessed beautiful sunsets on 5 different evenings on an Alaskan Cruise this June. The mountains and reflections in the water really make the sunsets beautiful. The sunsets also seem to last longer up north during the summer months, giving you extra time to photograph them. If
- [Indoor Flower Photography Setup – Dogwood Blooms](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/30/indoor-flower-photography-setup-dogwood-blooms/) - Instead of photographing the flowers outside in your yard, try bringing the flowers indoors to better control the lighting, composition, and background. This can help to create better flower photos right in your own home. In this blog post, I’ll describe the set up, equipment, and camera settings that I used to photograph these dogwood
- [Photographing Acadia National Park - Part 1](https://martinbelan.com/2011/11/27/photographing-acadia-national-park-part-1/) - Acadia National Park and the surrounding area is a Landscape Photographer's dream. Rugged Atlantic Ocean Shorelines, mountains, picturesque ponds, and harbors full of sailboats and working boats. There are also plenty of venues to photograph sunrises and sunsets. Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog post will describe the venues for photography at Acadia, the best
- [Photographing Vermont in the Fall - Shelburne](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/25/photographing-vermont-in-the-fall-shelburne/) - On our last day in Vermont, we had about half a day before our flight home. We decided to spend the morning and early afternoon exploring Shelburne, Vermont. Some of the destinations were more tourist areas, but they still provided some good photo opportunities. Shelburne Pond is a nice place to spend a morning doing
- [Yosemite - Nature at its Best](https://martinbelan.com/2012/08/22/yosemite-nature-at-its-best/) - A view of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View (Above Photo) Many photographers consider Yosemite National Park one of the best locations in the world to photograph landscapes. I visited Yosemite for the first time this past May. I was captivated by its beauty. Yosemite is a chance to see nature at its best. Yosemite offers
- [Photographing Death Valley National Park's Other Worldly Landscapes - Part 2](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/20/photographing-death-valley-national-parks-other-worldly-landscapes-part-2/) - This is part two of my blog on photographing Death Valley National Park. In this second post of the Death Valley series, I'll continue with the discussion photo destinations within the Death Valley National Park and also talk about equipment and tips for photographing the park. In part one, I described several of the most
- [Photographing Death Valley National Park's Other Worldly Landscapes - Part 1](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/18/photographing-death-valley-national-parks-other-worldly-landscapes-part-1/) - Badwater Basin (Above Photo) Death Valley National Park in California is a paradise for landscape photographers looking for something different. Death Valley has other worldly landscapes with unusual foregrounds, barren colorful mountains, and blue skies. In this two part blog, I'll tell you about my favorite locations to photograph in Death Valley and some tips
- [Where to Photograph the Fall Colors in Cuyahoga Valley National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/28/where-to-photograph-the-fall-colors-in-cuyahoga-valley-national-park/) - Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a terrific place to photograph the fall colors. The park is full of hardwood trees and there are many good locations to photograph the changing colors. The fall colors usually hit their peak in Cuyahoga Valley National Park around the second or third week of October. In this blog, I’ll
- [A Collection of Great Blue Heron Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/14/a-collection-of-great-blue-heron-photos/) - Great Blue Herons are fun birds to photograph. In fact, they are one of my favorite birds to photograph for a couple of reasons. Great Blue Herons are avid fishermen. If you are patient, you can photograph a sequence of them catching a fish. Click here for a sequence of a Great Blue Heron fishing
- [Photographing the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/07/photographing-the-150th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-gettysburg/) - Photographing a large event like the Civil War Reenactment of the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg can be a chance to get some terrific battlefield photo opportunities. It can also be quite challenging due to the crowds and size of the event. I was commissioned by a commercial artist to photograph this historical Civil War
- [Photographing Wildlife at Yellowstone](https://martinbelan.com/2010/06/21/photographing-yellowstone-wildlife/) - Yellowstone National Park is one of the premier destinations for nature and wildlife photographers. There is a large variety of wildlife in Yellowstone with much of the wildlife viewable from your car or the road. In this blog post, I will pass along the lessons I learning viewing and photographing wildlife in Yellowstone. This blog
- [Photographing Yellowstone - Landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/2010/06/21/photographing-yellowstone-landscapes/) - Yellowstone is one of the premier destinations for landscape, nature and wildlife photographers. This is part 2 of a multi-part blog focused photographing Yellowstone. My goal is to pass along the lessons I learned and tips for photographing this wonderful park. This blog post will focus on landscape photography. My other posts on Yellowstone cover wildlife, travel
- [Yellowstone Winter Landscape Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2019/02/16/yellowstone-winter-landscape-photography/) - Yellowstone National Park is well known for its winter wildlife photography and for good reason. On our January trip to Yellowstone, we photographed Moose, Big Horn Sheep rams and ewes, Snowy Bison, Elk bulls and cows, an Ermine, Coyotes, Pronghorn Antelope, Mule Deer, and White-tailed deer. But Yellowstone is often overlooked for landscape photography. This
- [Photographing Yellowstone - Travel and Lodging](https://martinbelan.com/2010/06/30/photographing-yellowstone-travel-and-lodging/) - July 2012 Update For our June 2012 trip to Yellowstone, we flew into Bozeman, MT. Mainly small planes fly into Bozeman. The two types of planes we flew on for this trip were the Embraer RJ145 and the Airbus A320. I shipped my Canon 500mm f4 directly to West Yellowstone via FedEx. It wasn't cheap
- [Photographing Yellowstone - Equipment and Navigating the Park](https://martinbelan.com/2010/07/05/photographing-yellowstone-equipment-and-navigating-the-park/) - Yellowstone is one of the premier destinations for nature and wildlife photographers. This is part 4 of a multi-part blog focused photographing Yellowstone. My goal is to pass along the lessons that I learned and tips for photographing these wonderful parks. This blog post will focus on equipment and navigating the parks. There is one post left
- [A Morning with a Juvenile Bald Eagle](https://martinbelan.com/2010/07/10/a-morning-with-a-juvenile-bald-eagle/) - Part of the enjoyment of being a nature photographer is seeing the animal’s behavior in its natural environment. The other morning, a friend and I met a local biologist at a nearby eagle’s nest to observe and photograph the residents. The subject was a 14 week old bald eagle that just recently learned to fly. The young
- [Photographing Geothermal Activity at Yellowstone](https://martinbelan.com/2010/10/16/photographing-geothermal-activity-at-yellowstone/) - Yellowstone is one of the premier destinations for nature and wildlife photographers. While many photographers concentrate mainly on the wildlife or typical landscape photography like lakes with mountain reflections, don't pass up an opportunity to photograph geothermal activity at Yellowstone. Yellowstone has tens of thousands of geothermal features including geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles.
- [Software Review - Lyn Photo Viewer for Mac](https://martinbelan.com/2010/12/27/software-review-lyn-photo-viewer-for-mac/) - Lyn is a browser-based photo viewing application for the Mac Operating System. It works on Mac OS X 10.4 or later. It’s currently listed as a public beta that is set to expire on January 15, 2011. Lyn is a very intuitive photo viewer. No manual is provided (or needed). The help menu has a very cursory overview of
- [Southwest Florida Photography, Myakka River State Park](https://martinbelan.com/2011/04/16/southwest-florida-photography-myakka-river-state-park/) - We went on a short, yet productive photography vacation to Southwest Florida in early March, 2011. We used Siesta Key near Sarasota as our home base. We visited the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples, the Venice Rookery, and Myakka River State Park in Sarasota. There are also plenty of other good photo ops in the area including
- [India Travel Photography Blog](https://martinbelan.com/2011/07/31/india-travel-photography-blog/) - I've recently returned from an 8 day trip to India visiting New Delhi, Agra, and Hyderabad. This was primarily a business trip but I did manage to find some time for photography. Our first stop was New Delhi where we stayed over night after our flight into the country. On my first morning in India, I
- [Should You Start a Picture-A-Day Project?](https://martinbelan.com/2011/09/20/should-start-pictureaday-project/) - Project 365 or Picture-A-Day projects have become a hot trend for digital photographers. Typically, a photographer will take a picture a day and share these pictures on their website, Flickr, or some other photo sharing site. Flickr is packed with Project 365 photographs. I'm 9 months into my Picture-A-Day project and I thought I'd share what
- [Think Tank Airport Antidote V2.0 Photo Backpack - is it the Carry-on Answer for Small Planes?](https://martinbelan.com/2011/11/12/thinktank-airport-antidote-v20-answer-for-regional-jets/) - I purchased the Think Tank Airport Antidote V2.0 2. The Airport Antidote Also Needed to Avoid the Evil Gate Check Tag. As the airline representative circled around the gate waiting area passing out the gate check tags, my heart pounded. However, the Airport Antidote passed the test. The bag also passed the 2nd carry-on test as I gave
- [Photographing Acadia National Park - Part 2](https://martinbelan.com/2011/12/18/photographing-acadia-national-park-part-2/) - The Area Surrounding Acadia National Park The western side of Mount Desert Island is quieter and less busy. There are several bays and harbors with sailboats and working boats in a picturesque setting. The late afternoon sun provides nice lighting on the boats. Seal Cove is a small harbor that faces west which allows nice late afternoon light
- [The Value of Ranking Your Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2012/07/08/value-of-ranking-your-photos/) - I recently attended a photography workshop in Yosemite. For an icebreaker for the workshop, we had to share our 10 favorite photos for the group. I had never ranked my photos so this was somewhat of a daunting task. However, it turned out to a valuable exercise that I recommend you try. The process I followed was to
- [Canon 7d - Cannot Communicate to Battery Error Fix](https://martinbelan.com/2012/07/08/canon-7d-cannot-communicate-battery-error-fix/) - Two days prior to a photography trip to Yellowstone while charging and checking my batteries, I received the error “Cannot Communicate to Battery” while inserted a freshly charged battery in my Canon 7d. The camera still appeared to have power. However, the battery indicator showed that the battery was empty and I received the error each and
- [Yellowstone - Top Wildlife Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2012/07/28/yellowstone-10-wildlife-photos/) - Yellowstone National Park is one of the top locations in the world to observe and photography wildlife and nature. Early summer, which is spring in Yellowstone, is an ideal time to visit Yellowstone. There is an abundance of babies in Yellowstone in early summer. I’ve visited Yellowstone several times, and plan to visit there again many times
- [Fight for Survival - Uinta Ground Squirrel and Weasel](https://martinbelan.com/2012/08/08/fight-for-survival-uinta-ground-squirrel-weasel/) - One of the things that I like best about being a nature and wildlife photographer is observing wildlife and birds in their natural environment and using photography to capture their behavior. On a recent trip to Yellowstone National Park, I was lucky enough to witness a fight for survival between a colony of Uinta ground
- [Yellowstone Top Photos of Geothermal Features](https://martinbelan.com/2012/08/14/yellowstone-photos-of-geothermal-features/) - With all the wildlife and beautiful landscapes in Yellowstone National Park, don’t forget to visit and photograph Yellowstone’s geothermal areas. Yellowstone is in a huge volcanic basin. Yellowstone has tens of thousands of geothermal features including geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. Yellowstone has the highest concentration of active geysers in the world including
- [Photographing Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces, Yellowstone National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/19/photographing-mammoth-hot-springs-terraces-yellowstone-national-park/) - The terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs is a must stop location for photographers visiting Yellowstone National Park. The terraces are a fast changing hydrothermal area that is still growing. Mammoth Hot Springs has some of the few active travertine terraces in the world. Travertine is a sedimentary rock that is formed by the hot springs.
- [Hale Farm and Village Civil War Reenactment](https://martinbelan.com/2012/08/28/hale-farm-village-civil-war-reenactment/) - Each year, Hale Farm and Village in Cuyahoga Valley National Park hosts a two day civil war reenactment. This is a realistic reenactment where the participants live in camps, dress the part, cook over open fires, and relive civil war battles. The activities in this reenactment included: cavalry demonstrations, a speech by Abe Lincoln, the
- [Civil War Reenactment - Mock Execution](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/01/civil-war-reenactment-mock-execution/) - One of my favorite parts of photography is telling a story with my photographs. Photographers have the ability to communicate emotions and drama through their photographs. Telling a story with photographs helps to engage and captivate your viewers, and people are also attracted to photos that evoke emotions. During a recent trip to a
- [Top iPhone Apps for Travel Photographers](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/12/top-iphone-apps-for-travel-photographers/) - My iPhone has become one of the most valuable pieces of gear that I carry with me when I travel for photography. It's small, convenient, and fills a variety of my needs with the multitude of Apps available from the App Store. This blog focuses on the iPhone, but many similar Apps are available for
- [Canon 6D Specification Comparison](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/18/canon-6d-specification-comparison/) - To research the new Canon 6D mid-range full frame DSLR, I put together this comparison chart to evaluate the features of the Canon 6D, Canon 5D Mark III, and the Canon 7D. I thought this Canon DSLR comparison chart would be useful to the blog readers and help you to make decisions on selecting a
- [Is the Canon 6D a fit for Travel Photographers?](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/19/is-the-canon-6d-a-fit-for-travel-photographers-2/) - Canon just announced their new mid-level full frame camera this week – the Canon EOS 6DCanon 6D The Canon 6D might be an interesting choice for travel photographers as it weighs less than both the Canon 5D Mark III and the Canon 7D. It also has the high ISO/low light capability that is helpful when
- [Nature Photographers – Should you Buy a Canon 6D?](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/20/nature-photographers-should-you-buy-a-canon-6d/) - This is the third part of my series on the recently announced Canon 6D. The first two series covered. A specification comparison of the Canon 6D, 5D Mark III, and 7DA discussion on the fit of the Canon 6D for travel photographers This post will finish the series with my opinions on how the 6D
- [A Photographer's Visit to the Arlington National Cemetery](https://martinbelan.com/2012/09/27/photographers-visit-arlington-national-cemetery/) - One of the places you must see when visiting Washington D.C. is Arlington National Cemetery. The cemetery also provides some terrific photo ops for photographers as well. During my short visit, there were two main attractions that I wanted to photograph: Arlington National Cemetery and the National Mall. In this blog, I will focus on
- [Essential Gear for a Macro Photography Walk](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/02/essential-gear-for-a-macro-photography-walk/) - As I was packing up my equipment for a morning macro photography shoot, I thought it would be a good idea to share my thoughts on essential macro photography gear for a macro photography walk. My list of macro or close up photography gear has evolved through my adventures and misadventures during many macro photography
- [Photographing Acadia National Park - Thuya Garden](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/04/photographing-acadia-national-park-thuya-garden-2/) - Thuya Garden is a hidden gem for Nature Photographers. It is located in Northeast Harbor, Maine on the south coast of Mount Desert Island away from the crowds of the top attractions of Acadia National Park. Thuya Garden is located off of route 3 (Peabody Drive). To get to the garden, you can either walk
- [Panorama for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5 vs. the Canon 5D Mark iii](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/09/panorama-for-ios-6-and-the-iphone-5-vs-the-canon-5d-mark-iii/) - One of the new features for photographers in iOS 6 is a built-in panorama mode in the Apple supplied camera app. The new panorama feature allows iPhone 4s and iPhone 5 owners to take up to 240 degree panoramic photos. The feature is not available in the iPhone 4 or earlier, or any iPad model.
- [Yellowstone Wildlife Photography - What Lenses to Bring?](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/11/yellowstone-wildlife-photography-what-lenses-to-bring/) - I've had several inquiries on what lenses to use to photograph wildlife at Yellowstone National Park. In this blog post, I discuss the lenses that I’ve used for my photography trips to Yellowstone and why I selected those lenses. Two categories of lenses are needed for wildlife lenses at Yellowstone: a long telephoto and a
- [Photographing Vermont in the Fall - Route 100](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/16/photographing-vermont-in-the-fall-route-100/) - Route 100 is one of the most frequently traveled roads by "leaf peepers" in Vermont during the fall season. The best advice that I can give photographers is to leave the busy main road and explore the back roads around Route 100. In this post, I will tell you about some of my favorite back
- [Photographing Vermont in the Fall - Woodstock Area](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/18/photographing-vermont-in-the-fall-woodstock-area/) - Wood stock is a popular destination in the fall for both leaf peeping and fall photography. We started out early in the morning on the back roads around Woodstock, Vermont to photograph the fall colors. Below was our itinerary for the day. Woodstock, Vermont Area Fall Photography Itinerary Drive the back roads during the morning
- [Photographing Vermont in the Fall - Groton State Forest Area](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/23/photographing-vermont-in-the-fall-groton-state-forest-area/) - There are enough photo opportunities in Groton State Forest to last several days. But be prepared to hike to get to them. We spent the morning in Groton State Forest and then visited Cabot, Peacham, and South Peacham in the afternoon. In this post, I describe some of the photo opportunities that we encountered in
- [Photographing Vermont – President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site](https://martinbelan.com/2012/10/30/photographing-vermont-president-calvin-coolidge-state-historic-site/) - President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site is worth a stop while visiting Vermont. The historic site is located in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. Plymouth Notch is the birthplace of President Calvin Coolidge. It is also where the president grew up and he is also buried in the town cemetery. President Coolidge was also sworn in as
- [Travel Light for Photography – Canon 5D Mark III Dual Card Slots](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/01/travel-light-for-photography-canon-5d-mark-iii-dual-card-slots/) - Normally when I travel for photography, I bring along my laptop and a small external hard drive to back up my photos. I also don’t reuse my CF cards so that I have redundant copies of my photos until I upload them when I return home. There are times where I don’t want to carry
- [Focus on Culture with your Travel Photography - India](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/06/focus-on-culture-with-your-travel-photography-india/) - In addition to the tourist destinations and popular photography destinations, focus on the culture of your travel location to bring your images to life and tell a story with your photography. Culture may be difficult to capture in your photography until you really start to look for it. Photographs that capture an area's culture can
- [Top Tips for Travel Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/10/top-travel-photography-tips/) - Surprises usually aren't good news while traveling for photography. Bags of expensive photo gear that won't fit in the overhead compartment of a small aircraft. Arriving at your dream photo venue only for your subject to be completely backlit. Forgetting your battery charger or backup drive. In this blog, I'll tell you a few of
- [Using the Oil Paint Filter in Photoshop for your Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/08/using-the-oil-paint-filter-in-photoshop-cs6-for-your-nature-photography/) - Photoshop has a built in Oil Paint filter that nature photographers can use to add a painterly feel to their images. The filter is easy to use and gives a lot of flexibility in customizing your painting. In this blog, I’ll show you how to use the filter and show you a photo that I’ve
- [Bring your Photos Back to Life Using the Oil Painting Technique in AKVIS ArtWork](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/10/bring-your-photos-back-to-life-using-the-oil-painting-technique-in-akvis-artwork/) - I took this sunrise photo in Cuyahoga Valley National Park and I just didn’t like it. I must have processed it for 2 hours. It just sat on my hard drive. I didn’t upload it to my website or post it on Twitter or Facebook. That is until I found this picture to painting software.
- [Painting Flowers using the Oil Style in AKVIS ArtWork](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/13/painting-flowers-using-the-oil-style-in-akvis-artwork/) - In this blog post, I will give step by step instructions on how to make an Oil Painting from a photograph of flowers using AKVIS Artwork 7.0. I will also provide the final settings that I used to create the oil painting. The image below contains the original image on the left and the image painted
- [3 Techniques to turn your Photos to Paintings](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/22/3-techniques-to-turn-your-photos-to-paintings/) - Turning your photos in to paintings give your pictures an interesting, painterly look. Prints of these photos may also sell better as people are looking for paintings to hang on their walls. In this blog post, I'll cover 3 techniques and tools to turn your photos to paintings. The 3 approaches that I use are
- [Walking the Towpath at CVNP – Tips for Wildlife and Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/15/walking-the-towpath-at-cvnp-tips-for-wildlife-and-bird-photography/) - One of my favorite things to do is walk the towpath at Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) for Wildlife and Bird photography. I like to get out there early, right after sunrise, and be alone with nature. I know the CVNP towpath very well from Bolanz Road to Botzum Station. I’ve done landscape, macro, bird,
- [Photographing Flowers Using a Light Tent](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/20/photographing-flowers-using-a-light-tent/) - Photographing Flowers Using a Light Tent Using a light tent or light box to photograph flowers can produce surprisingly good results. Light tents are easy to set up and can be placed almost anywhere. I prefer to set up the light tent in a dark area such as a basement where I have better control
- [How I use Attributes in Lightroom to Find my Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/21/how-i-use-attributes-in-lightroom-to-find-my-photos/) - Adobe’s Lightroom has powerful tools to help you tag and find your photos besides just looking for photos in a traditional file structure. However, it can be quite confusing to figure out a system for how to use Lightroom’s attributes like stars, flags and colors. In this blog post, I will explain my system for
- [How Do You Rename a Bunch of Photos in Adobe Lightroom?](https://martinbelan.com/2021/01/16/how-do-you-rename-a-bunch-of-photos-in-adobe-lightroom/) - When importing your files into Adobe Lightroom, you have the ability to specify a file name text and format for files that you are moving from your card to the Lightroom library. But sometimes you want to rename files that are already in the Lightroom catalog. I like to name my files using a combination of
- [Holiday Gifts for Nature Photographers](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/27/holiday-gifts-for-nature-photographers/) - The holiday shopping time is here. It's time to start thinking about what to get for nature photographers that are on your shopping list. Or if you are a nature photographer, gifts you can recommend for others to get for you. I've listed several items below that I have used and found useful for my
- [The Truth about Checking the Number of Shutter Actuations on a Canon 7d and 5d Mark III DSLRs](https://martinbelan.com/2012/11/29/the-truth-about-checking-the-number-of-shutter-actuations-on-a-canon-7d-and-5d-mark-iii-dslrs/) - After spending ½ a day researching and trying to find the shutter actuations for my Canon 7d and Canon 5d Mark iii DSLRs, I decided to write a blog post about what I learned. I searched dozens of message boards, read blogs, downloaded software, uploaded photos to websites, and played in the Mac terminal program.
- [A View of Death Valley with Panorama Photos from the iPhone](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/11/a-view-of-death-valley-with-panorama-photos-from-the-iphone-5/) - Death Valley National Park is a perfect location for panorama photos. Death Valley has colorful mountain ranges, other worldly foregrounds, and blue skies with occasional clouds. I put the iOS 6 Pano feature to the test at Death Valley with the iPhone 5. In fact, this is a completely mobile blog post. The photos were
- [Death Valley's Alien Landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/26/death-valleys-alien-landscapes/) - Death Valley National Park is widely known for its alien looking landscapes. In fact, these unearthly landscapes have appeared in numerous Sci-Fi movies and TV shows including Star Wars, Return of the Jedi, and The Twilight Zone. Where is Death Valley? Death Valley National Park is located in the Mojave Desert in southeast California. It
- [Photographing Red Rock Canyon using Long Exposure Techniques](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/13/photographing-red-rock-canyon-using-long-exposure-techniques/) - About Red Rock Canyon It's hard to believe that Red Rock Canyon only 15 miles from the lights and hustle of Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon is a goldmine for landscape photographers with beautiful red, tan, and gray mountains contrasting against a blue sky. In the Canyon, there is a 13 mile one way loop
- [A Collection of Cardinals in the Snow](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/02/a-collection-of-cardinals-in-the-snow/) - The Northern Cardinal is a very beautiful bird and a snowy setting makes a perfect background for the colors of a cardinal. A picture of a cardinal in the snow gives me that holiday feeling. It's no wonder that countless images of cardinals are featured on Christmas Cards. Every year I camp out in my
- [Photographing the Mansfield Reformatory](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/08/photographing-the-mansfield-reformatory/) - The Mansfield Reformatory or Ohio Reformatory (as it is also called) is a great location for urban decay photography. But from the outside, you could not tell this would be a good urban decay location. The outside of the Mansfield Reformatory looks like a well-kept castle. But inside, the prison it is another story. It’s
- [Photographing Flowers in the Winter](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/15/photographing-flowers-in-the-winter/) - If you live in a cold climate with gray skies in the winter, it may not be possible to get outdoors and photograph. You certainly cannot photograph flowers at this time of year. One of my favorite things to photograph in the winter are flowers in my home macro studio. Lily Macro Photographing flowers in
- [Mac Photographers – Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter to Upload Files.  Is it worth it?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/17/mac-photographers-thunderbolt-to-firewire-adapter-to-upload-files-is-it-worth-it/) - Like many other photographers using Macs, I was tired of waiting for my photos to upload using a USB 2.0 card reader. My FireWire 800 port is tied up for my external drive that stores my photos. Macs, other than the newest models, don’t support USB 3.0, and Thunderbolt compact flash readers are nowhere to
- [Can you fix a loose leg on a Vanguard Alta Pro Tripod?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/24/can-you-fix-a-loose-leg-on-a-vanguard-alta-pro-tripod/) - I own a Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT Carbon Fiber Tripod Loose Leg Problem I recently had a problem with the Vanguard tripod where one of the legs become very loose. It didn't affect the tripod's stability, but it did swing open and shut while carry the tripod. I tried to adjust the tripod with the
- [Why is the Filter Gallery Greyed Out in Photoshop and How to Fix it](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/06/why-is-the-filter-gallery-grayed-out-in-photoshop-cs6-and-how-to-fix-it/) - The Photoshop Filter Gallery provides access to numerous artistic filters to give your photos a creative and artistic look. It can be a lot of fun to create works of art from your images using the Filter Gallery. But, sometimes the image gallery is greyed out so you cannot access these creative filters. The Filter
- [Canon 6d, Hands On First Impressions](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/29/canon-6d-hands-on-first-impressions/) - I received my Canon 6D Size It’s a full frame camera that is about the size and weight of a Canon 7d. It also fits nicely in my hands and the controls were easy to access. It's a nice size for travel photographers without sacrificing full frame quality. GPS The new GPS feature of the
- [My Experience Selling Used Photo Gear at Adorama](https://martinbelan.com/2013/01/31/my-experience-selling-used-photo-gear-at-adorama/) - I recently sold a used Canon 7d and Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS lens to Adorama.com. Overall, I was happy with the experience. But, it wasn’t perfect. I thought I’d share my experience with you dealing with Adorama in selling my used photo gear. The Process You start by filling out a form on their
- [A Collection of Bald Eagles In Flight](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/07/a-collection-of-bald-eagles-in-flight/) - The Bald Eagle is a beautiful and majestic bird. Adult Bald Eagles are brown in color with white heads and tails and an orange beak. Juvenile Bald Eagles are a mixture of brown and white with brown beaks. Juvenile Bald Eagles do not get their adult plumage until they are 4 – 6 years old.
- [The New Wi-Fi feature on the Canon 6d](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/12/the-new-wi-fi-feature-on-the-canon-6d/) - Canon's new full frame camera, the Canon 6d comes with a Wi-Fi feature. This new feature allows wireless connectivity to smartphones, tablets, wireless printers, TVs through media players, other Canon Wi-Fi equipped cameras, and personal computers using Canon' EOS Utility. For this blog, I tested connecting the Canon 6d with my 3rd generation iPad. In
- [Museum Photography Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/14/museum-photography-tips/) - Whether it's cold and rainy outside, or you’re taking the family out for some entertainment, a trip to a museum can be a lot of fun. Museums are also a great backup plan if its raining during a vacation. A museum can also be a great place to practice your photography and also get some
- [A Gallery of Bald Eagles Fishing](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/19/a-gallery-of-bald-eagles-fishing/) - Bald Eagles are a beautiful and majestic birds. They are also master fisherman. It is a special treat to capture pictures of bald eagles while they are fishing for their meals. Photographing birds in flight can be challenging. It requires patience, a study of the birds and their habits, and a bit of luck. Here
- [Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA2 Multimedia Storage Review](https://martinbelan.com/2013/02/26/sanho-hyperdrive-colorspace-udma2-multimedia-storage-review/) - I recently purchased the Sanho HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA2 - 320GB Speed The unit was responsive scrolling through the menus, previewing the photos, and zooming in on the photos. The UDMA2 was much faster than a prior generation device that I previously owned. I also conducted some speed tests on photos uploaded to the HyperDrive UDMA2.
- [3 Techniques to Back Up Your Photos while Traveling](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/05/3-techniques-to-back-up-your-photos-while-traveling/) - A single photo back up technique may not always work for all of your photography trips. I have used 3 different techniques for backing up my photos while traveling. Regardless of the back up technique, I always keep two copies of each photo on different media. Why? Anything can happen? The storage card can be
- [Canon 6d Photographers, Don’t Forget to Turn Off the GPS](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/07/canon-6d-photographers-dont-forget-to-turn-off-the-gps/) - It is well known that the GPS feature on the Canon 6d will drain the battery quicker than when the GPS is not in used. What is not so widely known is that the GPS will drain your battery even when the camera is turned off. I noticed that my battery level was down to
- [11 Informative Yellowstone Blogs](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/12/9-informative-yellowstone-blogs/) - Over the years, I have written numerous blogs on visiting and photographing Yellowstone National Park. I’ve grouped these blogs into a single blog post to make it easier for you to plan your vacation to Yellowstone National Park. The blogs range from lodging at Yellowstone, navigating the park, landscape photography, wildlife, geothermal features, and what
- [Setting Up a Home Macro Photography Studio](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/21/setting-up-a-home-macro-photography-studio/) - In areas with a harsh winter climate, it is often difficult to get outside to take photos. With a home macro photography studio, you can photograph flowers and other small items in the comfort of your house. A macro photography studio also allows you to better control the lighting and set up of your subject
- [Essential Gear for a Macro Photography Studio](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/26/essential-gear-for-a-macro-photography-studio/) - A macro photography studio is handy to have set up around the house for macro, flower, or product photography. It is also useful, to take close up photographs when the weather outside isn’t cooperative. In part one of this blog, I covered how to set up a home macro photography studio. In this blog, I’ll
- [Mac Photographers – Would a La Cie Thunderbolt Hard Drive Speed up your Post Processing?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/03/28/mac-photographers-would-a-la-cie-thunderbolt-hard-drive-speed-up-your-post-processing/) - While Apple introduced the Thunderbolt interface in 2011, peripheral manufacturers have been slow to develop products for the new interface. Those products that have been developed have been pretty pricey. Recently though, La Cie introduced more reasonably priced Thunderbolt hard drives. But, is the speed of the Thunderbolt drives worth the investment? I recently purchased
- [Taj Mahal Photography Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/02/taj-mahal-photography-tips/) - The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. This is about a 3 hour drive from New Delhi depending on the traffic. The trip between New Delhi and Agra has been made much faster and easier with the completion of the new Yamuna Expressway. If you are near New Delhi, it worth the
- [The Arches and Architecture of Agra Fort](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/04/the-arches-and-architecture-of-agra-fort/) - The Taj Mahal is the primary tourist attraction when visiting the city of Agra in India. However just down the Yamuna River, Agra Fort also provides excellent architectural photo opportunities. Agra Fort is the second most visited monument in Agra after the Taj Mahal and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Agra Fort
- [The Brick Kilns of India](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/10/the-brick-kilns-of-india/) - Sometimes when you are traveling for photography, you come across something that really makes you dig deeper to understand what you have photographed. Sometimes when you research it, you don't always find something you like. On a recent trip to India while driving between New Delhi and Agra, I saw hundreds of solo chimneys billowing
- [Driving in India, A photo opportunity?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/18/driving-in-india-a-photo-opportunity/) - Riding in a car in India can be a shocking experience for a foreigner that is new to the country. There are seemingly no rules, a 3 lane road can turn into 6 lanes, horns honk constantly, and berms are another travel lane. Also don't be too surprised if someone is going the wrong way
- [Traveling to India with the Canon 6d Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2013/04/25/traveling-to-india-with-the-canon-6d-camera/) - Taj Mahal Mosque - ISO 1250, Handheld - Above Photo I recently returned from a 10 day business trip to India where I took along the Canon 6d for photography on the weekends and evenings. In this blog, I discuss how I liked the Canon 6d as a travel camera. I’ll cover the size and
- [7 Useful Canon 6d Blogs](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/02/7-useful-canon-6d-blogs/) - It’s been 5 months since Canon released the Canon 6D I have owned the Canon 6d for 4 months now and have taken it on several photography trips including a 10 day trip to India. Overall, I am happy with the size and performance of the Canon 6d as a travel camera. The Canon 6d
- [Testing the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Firmware Update 1.2.1 with a 500mm f/4 and 2X Teleconverter](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/07/testing-the-eos-5d-mark-iii-firmware-update-1-2-1-with-a-500mm-f4-and-2x-teleconverter/) - The recent EOS 5D Mark III Firmware upgrade 1.2.1 enables the center AF point to autofocus when the combination of a lens and a teleconverter’s maximum aperature is f/8. This means the 5D Mark III will now autofocus at only the center AF point when using the Canon 2X teleconverter with a Canon 500mm f/4
- [12 Examples of Indian Street Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/09/12-examples-of-indian-street-photography/) - Street photography can capture the essence and culture of a country that you are visiting. While you are traveling, it’s worth taking the time to take some street photography as well as photographing the local attractions. These can be some of your most memorable photos of the trip. The streets of India are full of
- [How to Photograph Snowflakes with an Olympus OM-D Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2022/01/29/how-to-photograph-snowflakes-with-an-olympus-om-d-camera/) - Olympus OM-D Cameras are terrific for macro photography including Snowflakes photography. Olympus cameras also have several features that help make macro photography easier: Focus Peaking, MF Assist, and Focus Bracketing. With the 60mm macro, 10mm & 16mm, and the Raynox DCR-250 macro lens, you’ll have plenty of magnification to capture great snowflake photographs. In this
- [Use Google Image Search to Find Out Who is Using Your Photos Online](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/16/use-google-image-search-to-find-out-who-is-using-your-photos-online/) - Many people use Google Image Search to find photos on the Internet by typing text into the search box. Google Image Search also has an easy to use Search By Image feature that can help you find people who are using your photos without your knowledge or permission. If you upload photos to multiple websites
- [More Examples of Indian Street Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/21/more-examples-of-indian-street-photography/) - The streets of India are full of activity for street photographers. In fact, India is one of my favorite destinations for street photography. The streets are full of people, women in vibrant colored clothing, markets, and a lot of traffic. Traffic can vary from bicycles, oxen, motorcycles, cars, auto rickshaws, tractors and more. So when
- [Your Best Photos Might Be Right Outside Your Hotel Room Window](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/23/your-best-photos-might-be-right-outside-your-hotel-room-window/) - Boston Sunrise Taken from the Westin Copley Place, Boston (Above Photo) When I travel for business, I always bring along a camera. It might only be a point and shoot, but I always bring a camera. I always make a habit of looking out of the hotel room window for photo opportunities and I have
- [Should You Print Your Photos on Canvas at CanvasLifestyles.com?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/05/28/should-you-print-your-photos-on-canvas-at-canvaslifestyles-com/) - Flower Canvas Print from CanvasLifestyles.com (Above Photo) Printing your photos and displaying them around your house or office can be quite satisfying. But printing your photos can be expensive by the time you add in the framing and matting. Printing your photos on canvas can be beautiful, but canvas can also be expensive. Printing options at
- [How I Store my Photo Memory Cards while on a Photo Shoot](https://martinbelan.com/2013/06/05/how-i-store-my-photo-memory-cards-while-on-a-photo-shoot/) - There is nothing worse than damaging your CF cards or SD cards during a photography trip or a once in a lifetime vacation. A good photo memory card wallet can help to keep your photos safe on the memory card. What to Look for in a Memory Card Wallet Durable – made out of a
- [Using the Black Rose Filter in Topaz Adjust to Give your Photos a Dark, Gloomy Effect](https://martinbelan.com/2013/06/25/using-the-black-rose-filter-in-topaz-adjust-to-give-your-photos-a-dark-gloomy-effect/) - When I’m trying to give a gloomy or dreary appearance to a photo, I like to use the Black Rose filter in Topaz Adjust 5. The Black Rose Filter is located in the Toned Collection category in Topaz Adjust. Topaz Adjust also allows you to fine tune your image by making global adjustments to the
- [Bird Silhouette Photography Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2012/12/04/bird-silhouette-photography-tips/) - When many people think of bird photography, they think of tight cropped, detailed pictures of birds. Using silhouettes in photography can provide beautiful and artistic photos. Birds photos created using silhouette photography techniques can produce stunning silhouette images especially at sunrise or sunset. In this blog, I’ll show several examples of bird silhouette photography and
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Review and General Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2013/06/27/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-review-and-general-tips/) - Norwegian Sun Anchored at Icy Straight Point (Above Photo) In early June, we set sail on an Alaskan cruise on the Norwegian Sun. We took the southbound cruise from Whittier to Vancouver with an extra day and a half in Vancouver. This southbound Alaskan Cruise stopped at Icy Straight Point, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. We
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Photography Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/02/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-photography-tips/) - This is the second blog post in a series on photographing an Alaskan cruise. We took the southbound cruise from Whittier to Vancouver with Norwegian Cruise Lines. We also spent an extra day and a half in Vancouver. I'll be blogging about our experience and the photo ops at each destination as well as other
- [How to Photograph a Civil War Reenactment](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/13/how-to-photograph-a-civil-war-reenactment/) - There are several challenges to photographing a Civil War reenactment. Usually there are masses of people at these events (over 225,000 at the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg). This volume of people can make it difficult to get a good vantage point for the battle reenactment and also to get a clean shot
- [Humpback Whale Breaching Sequence – Alaska](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/09/humpback-whale-breaching-sequence-alaska/) - Each year, Humpback Whales migrate 3,000 miles from their winter breeding grounds in Hawaii to Alaska, British Columbia, and Russia for the summer months. The Humpback Whales migrate to the northern Pacific area to feed in the rich waters having lost up to 1/3 of their body weight during breeding and migration. So why do
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/25/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-tracy-arm-and-sawyer-glacier/) - Sawyer Glacier (Above Photo) As we left Juneau for Tracy Arm and Sawyer Glacier, the weather turned cold, windy, and cloudy. But just like at Hubbard Glacier, when we entered Tracy Arm the sky started to clear and we had partly cloudy blue skies. The water in Tracy Arm is a beautiful turquoise color that
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Exploring Ketchikan and the trip to Vancouver](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/01/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-exploring-ketchikan-and-the-trip-to-vancouver/) - On day 6 of our Norwegian Cruise, we decided to not take an excursion and set out to explore the town of Ketchikan. After a 9 hour excursion the day before, we thought we’d take it easy today and enjoy Ketchikan. Ketchikan is known as the Salmon Capital of the World. Ketchikan is a fun
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Skagway, Yukon and the White Pass Railroad](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/30/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-skagway-yukon-and-the-white-pass-railroad/) - At 7am on day 5 of the Norwegian Sun Alaskan cruise, we docked at Skagway, Alaska. Today we went on the 8 hour long, White Pass Railroad and Yukon Expedition. The price for today's tour was $199 per person. The first stage of our excursion was a 3 hour bus ride into the Yukon Territory
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Juneau Excursion](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/23/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-juneau-excursion/) - Juneau was on the morning itinerary for day 4 of the southbound Alaskan Cruise on the Norwegian Sun. We didn't get to see much of the city of Juneau as our excursion took the entire time we were in port. In fact, we arrived just minutes prior to the all aboard time for the cruise
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Icy Straight Point](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/18/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-icy-straight-point/) - On day 3 of the Alaskan Cruise on the Norwegian Sun, we had fog most of the way from Hubbard Glacier to Icy Straight Point. Icy Straight Point is just down the road from the town of Hoonah. The Icy Straight Point Cruise destination used to be an old Salmon Cannery. We were tendered in a small
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Hubbard Glacier](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/16/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-hubbard-glacier/) - On day two of the Alaskan cruise, we sailed across the Bay of Alaska to Hubbard Glacier. Most of the day we were in a dense fog, but I did manage to get some pre-sunrise photos at 3:30 am (sometimes jet lag pays off). By 4:30 am, we were shrouded in fog. The fog continued
- [Photographing an Alaskan Cruise - Anchorage and Whittier](https://martinbelan.com/2013/07/11/photographing-an-alaskan-cruise-anchorage-and-whittier/) - Mountain Scene Between Anchorage and Whittier (Above Photo) In this blog, I discuss day one of a seven day Alaskan Cruise. In June, we cruised on the Norwegian Sun sailing from Whittier, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia. This series of blog posts is intended for photographers going on an Alaskan Cruise. However, non-photography cruisers will also
- [11 Blogs on Photographing an Alaskan Cruise](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/15/11-blogs-on-photographing-an-alaskan-cruise/) - Sawyer Glacier (Above Photo) When I was doing research for my Alaskan Cruise earlier in the year, I didn’t find a lot of information on photographing an Alaskan Cruise. So during my cruise, I set out to create and publish useful information for photographers going on an Alaskan cruise. I ended up writing an 11
- [ReStyle Photoshop Plugin from TopazLabs – A First Look](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/20/restyle-photoshop-plugin-from-topazlabs-a-first-look/) - Topaz Labs recently announced a new photo processing plugin called ReStyle that allows you to easily and quickly apply new looks and styles to your photos. But with all the photo processing plugins on the market and on my computer, do I really need another one? In this blog post, I take a look at
- [What to Photograph in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/08/29/what-to-photograph-in-jaipur-rajasthan-india/) - Jaipur is a popular location for Rajasthan tourism. I covered palaces and forts during my last blog on Jaipur. So in this blog, I will focus on other photo opportunities and things to do in Jaipur and the surrounding areas in Rajasthan. Attractions that I cover in this blog post include Jantar Mantar, Chand Biori Step Well, and Chokhi
- [Are Airline Carry-on Bag Weight Restrictions Big Trouble for Travel Photographers?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/03/do-airline-carry-on-bag-weight-restrictions-spell-trouble-for-travel-photographers/) - Airlines are increasingly imposing weight restrictions for carry-on baggage. This is especially troublesome for travel photographers attempting to avoid checking their valuable photo gear. Today, these restrictions seem more prevalent overseas than in the United States. In an overseas trip to India, I encountered some of these restrictions on an international flight and luckily my bag
- [Finally a Micro Four Thirds Camera for my Travel Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/05/finally-a-micro-four-thirds-camera-for-my-travel-photography/) - I’ve frequently travel both domestic and internationally for photography and seem to be in a constant search for the best camera for travel. I absolutely love my Canon 6d for travel photography. It’s a full size camera that’s the size of a crop sensor, great high ISO image quality, and the built-in GPS is extremely handy.
- [Olympus looking to complete in the PRO market with New M.ZUIKO PRO Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/20/olympus-looking-to-complete-in-the-pro-market-with-new-m-zuiko-pro-lenses/) - With the announcement of their new OMD E-M1 Micro Four Thirds camera, Olympus also announced two new M.ZUIKO PRO category lenses. Olympus 12-40mm / f2.8 M.Zuiko PRO LensOlympus ED 40-150mm f/2.8 M.Zuiko PRO The Olympus 12-40mm / f2.8 M.Zuiko PRO Lens is priced at $999. The lens will ship in December and is available for
- [Shooting Macro Photos with the Olympus 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 kit lens](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/10/shooting-macro-photos-with-the-olympus-12-50mm-f3-5-6-3-kit-lens/) - One of the pleasant surprises I got when I received my Olympus OM-D E-M5 was the presence of a Macro Mode on the Olympus 12-50mm kit lens that came with the camera. I first noticed a macro button on the lens and set out to test the capabilities of the lens for photographing macro photos.
- [Should You Upgrade to the Olympus OM-D E-M1?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/11/should-you-upgrade-to-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1/) - Olympus just announced their next generation OM-D E-M1 Micro Four Thirds camera. The OM-D E-M1 is also a replacement for the Olympus E-1 Four Thirds camera. As of now, Olympus plans for the E-M1 and E-M5 to coexist in their Micro Four Thirds lineup. The E-M1 has an innovative Dual Fast Autofocus that uses contrast
- [My First Nature Photo Walk with the Olympus OM-D E-M5](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/12/my-first-nature-photo-walk-with-the-olympus-om-d-e-m5/) - I tested out my recently purchased an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Overall, it was a good test run of the Olympus OM-D on the nature walk. The camera performed well and I was happy with the quality of the photos. The photos in this blog post were shot in RAW and processed using Adobe Lightroom and
- [Canon 6d vs. Olympus OM-D E-M5 for Travel Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/17/canon-6d-vs-olympus-om-d-e-m5-for-travel-photography/) - Since I’ve purchased the Olympus OM-D E-M5 This photo of the Taj Mahal Mosque at Sunset was handheld with the Canon 6d High ISO Performance While traveling, I often find myself shooting in low light conditions without a tripod. Some attractions don’t allow tripods and sometimes luggage space dictates not bringing a tripod. The Canon
- [Hike Light for Photography with the Bluecell Medium Lens Pouch](https://martinbelan.com/2013/09/24/hike-light-for-photography-with-the-bluecell-medium-lens-pouch/) - Sometimes you want to go on a photography hike without carrying a backpack or a ton of gear, but you also want to bring along an extra lens like a macro lens or medium range telephoto. Bluecell Medium Drawstring Lens Pouch The medium sized Bluecell lens pouch is 8 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches. There is
- [Two Looks for an Old Prison Chair in the Mansfield Reformatory](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/01/two-looks-for-an-old-prison-chair-in-the-mansfield-reformatory/) - This photo is of an old recliner located in the Mansfield Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. The Mansfield reformatory, also called the Ohio State Reformatory is an old decaying prison that is also rumored to be haunted. The owners of the closed prison, the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society feature the haunted reputation of the prison by sponsoring
- [PhotoPills – An All Purpose App for Nature and Travel Photographers?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/03/photopills-an-all-purpose-app-for-nature-and-travel-photographers/) - The PhotoPills App for iOS is bundled with many useful features for landscape and travel photographers. The PhotoPills App has a planning feature for landscape photographers that shows the direction of the sunrise and sunset as well as the moonrise and set for a particular location. The PhotoPills App is also bundled with numerous other
- [Photographing Wood Ducks in the Fall at North Chagrin Reservation, Ohio](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/08/photographing-wood-ducks-in-the-fall-at-north-chagrin-reservation-ohio/) - North Chagrin Reservation is a 2,000 acre park located in the Ohio communities of Mayfield Village, Gates Mills and Willoughby Hills. The park has miles of trails, lakes, rivers, and a golf course. But for nature photographers, North Chagrin Reservation is known for photographing wood ducks and other waterfowl in the reflection of the fall
- [PhotoPills vs The Photographer’s Ephemeris for Planning a Nature Photo Trip](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/10/photopills-vs-the-photographers-ephemeris-for-planning-a-nature-photo-trip/) - Information like sunset and sunrise times, moon set and rise times, direction of the sunrise and sunset can be extremely valuable for nature and landscape photographers. Two apps that can help to plan your landscape photography trip are The Photographer’s Ephemeris and PhotoPills. In this blog post, I will review each app as I use them
- [How to set the Size of the Focus Points on the Olympus OM-D](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/15/how-to-set-the-size-of-the-focus-points-on-the-olympus-om-d/) - Out of the box, the focus point size on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 is set to a rather large rectangle. For instances like wildlife or bird photography, the size of the focus point can be changed on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 to achieve more precise focus. The size of the focus point is changed on
- [Using the Olympus OM-D for Wildlife and Bird photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/17/using-the-olympus-om-d-for-wildlife-and-bird-photography/) - Updated Blog on Using the Olympus OM-D and 300mm f/4 lens for Bird and Wildlife Photography I’ve spent several weeks testing the Olympus OM-D E-M5 for wildlife and bird photography. While I love the Olympus OM-D for landscape, macro, travel, and street photography, I’m not ready to sell my Canon 5D Mark iii and 500mm
- [Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Lens for Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/22/panasonic-lumix-100-300mm-f4-0-5-6-lens-for-nature-photography/) - Olympus and Panasonic both have compact, economy lens options for wildlife and bird photographers for the micro four thirds line of cameras. Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 lens Overall, I’d say the Panasonic 100-300mm lens delivered image quality similar to a 70-300mm non pro Canon or Nikon lens. The lens does not equal the results I’ve
- [ShutterCount – An Easy way to Find the Number of Canon DSLR Shutter Actuations on your Mac](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/27/shuttercount-an-easy-way-to-find-the-number-of-canon-dslr-shutter-actuations-on-your-mac/) - Canon does not include the number of shutter actuations in the camera’s EXIF data. There are a number of apps out there to get the number of shutter actuations from Canon cameras that either don’t work reliably or require using the Mac terminal to key in cryptic commands. ShutterCount the new Mac app from DIRE
- [Photographing Colonial Williamsburg](https://martinbelan.com/2013/10/31/photographing-colonial-williamsburg/) - Williamsburg was Virginia's capital during colonial times. Colonial Williamsburg is a 301 acre living history museum. Colonial Williamsburg contains buildings from the late 1600s thru the 1700s. The museum has working tradesman, taverns, stores, churches, and gardens. Colonial Williamsburg also features the Governor's Mansion (under construction when I visited) and gardens, and the Capitol Building.
- [Photographing Yorktown Battlefield and Area](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/05/photographing-yorktown-battlefield-and-area/) - Yorktown, Virginia is known for being the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War and where British General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington. I found three main attractions to photograph in Yorktown. Yorktown Victory Center The Yorktown Victory Center features an 1870s Colonial Farm with colonial buildings, animals and colonists in costume. There
- [Visiting and Photographing Historic Jamestown](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/07/visiting-and-photographing-historic-jamestown/) - Historic Jamestown is a great destination to learn about the history of America's first successful colonial settlement and the Powhatan Indians that occupied the Virginia area prior to the colonists. However, the Jamestown Settlement is less of a destination for photography. You should plan to bring your camera along as there are photo opportunities at the
- [Hiking and Photographing York River State Park](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/12/hiking-and-photographing-york-river-state-park/) - For nature photography, one of the gems we found on our trip to Williamsburg, Virginia was the York River State Park. The park has 25 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and equestrian use. Many of the trails connect from the 2.04 mile long backbone trail. Hiking Trails at York River State Park Taskinas Creek
- [Plenty of Photo Compositions at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/14/plenty-of-photo-compositions-at-fort-monroe-in-hampton-virginia/) - Old Point Comfort Lighthouse Fort Monroe is an over 400 year old army fort located at the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula where the James River flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The Army post Located at Fort Monroe was closed in 2011. Fort Monroe is now owned by the state of Virginia and is
- [Visiting and Photographing the Plantations along the James River](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/19/visiting-and-photographing-the-plantations-along-the-james-river/) - Berkeley Plantation (Above Photo) There are numerous historic James River Plantations along John Tyler Highway (Virginia Route 5). Many of these plantations were either privately owned or closed when we visited in October. We did find three plantations open to visit along John Tyler Highway on our way to Richmond from Williamsburg, Virginia. Sherwood Forest
- [Photo Opportunities at the Maymont Nature Center in Richmond, Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/21/photo-opportunities-at-the-maymont-nature-center-in-richmond-virginia/) - Maymont is a 100 acre Nature Center and Park. The Maymont Estate was donated by James and Sally Dooley who lived at this location. Entrance to Maymont is free but a donation is recommended. A donation is also required to tour the mansion and for special events. Maymont has wild animal exhibits including white-tailed deer
- [Photographing Waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park, Pennsylvania](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/26/photographing-waterfalls-at-ohiopyle-state-park-pennsylvania/) - Ohiopyle Falls (Above Photo) Ohiopyle State Park is located in Southwest Pennsylvania near Uniontown. Ohiopyle is known for whitewater rafting. However, the rapids and waterfalls on the Youghiogheny River also make terrific photo ops. The are two easily accessible waterfalls to photograph in Ohiopyle State Park: Ohiopyle FallsCucumber Falls Ohiopyle Falls Ohiopyle Falls is located
- [Should You Use Wasabi Power Batteries for Your Digital Camera?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/11/28/should-you-use-wasabi-power-batteries-for-your-digitial-camera/) - The price of manufacturer brand batteries are outrageously high. The price for an Olympus brand battery for my OM-D E-M5 is $56.00. Due to the high price and the low number of shots per charge using the Olympus OM-D, I decided to try the Wasabi Power batteries for my OM-D. The Wasabi Power Battery (2-Pack)
- [When to Visit Agra, India and the Taj Mahal](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/03/when-to-visit-agra-india-and-the-taj-mahal/) - Lines at the Taj Mahal (Above Photo) This November was my third visit to Agra, India. The two main attractions for visitors and photographers are the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. I had previously visited Agra in March and July. The temperatures were very hot on both of these prior trips. The weather during my
- [Mahabalipuram, India a Great Stop for Photographers and Tourists](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/05/mahalbalipuram/) - Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram (Above Photo) Mahabalipuram which is also known as Mamallapuram is a resort and tourist area on the Bay of Bengal. Mahabalipuram, which is located about 60km south of Chennai is known for its ancient stone carvings. Mahabalipuram is also a great stop for photographers. There are numerous photo opportunities for in Mahabalipuram.
- [My First International Photo Trip with the Olympus OM-D Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/12/my-first-international-photo-trip-with-the-olympus-om-d-camera/) - Taj Mahal in the Late Afternoon Light. Taken with the Olympus 12-50mm f3.5 - 6.3 lens, hand held (Above Photo) In addition to the weight restrictions, I also wanted to get to know my Olympus OM-D better by making it my only camera choice. This also let me assess the image quality of the OM-D in
- [Using the Olympus OM-D E-M5 for Sports Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/19/using-the-olympus-om-d-e-m5-for-sports-photography/) - On my last trip to India this year, I was able to attend and photograph a Cricket match. This wasn’t a professional Cricket match. It was more of a pick up game. However, this was still a great opportunity to test my Olympus OM-D E-M5 Sequential High Shutter Mode. The Olympus OM-D is capable of
- [Will the Olympus OM-D E-M5 work for Birds In Flight Photography?](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/24/will-the-olympus-om-d-e-m5-work-for-birds-in-flight-photography/) - I had previously written a blog post where I did not recommend the Olympus OM-D E-M5 for Bird and Wildlife photography. Well, now its time to eat my words. While the Olympus OM-D E-M5 wouldn’t be my first choice for birds in flight, I found out that it will certainly work in a pinch. While
- [Setting Goals to Improve Your Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2013/12/31/setting-goals-to-improve-your-photography/) - Now that Christmas is over its time to think about setting goals for the new year. Setting goals for photography is no different than goal setting for other areas of your life like work, self improvement, or improved health. Goal setting can improve your photography skills and help give you the drive to get
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Christmas Poinsettia Macro](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/02/the-story-behind-the-photo-christmas-poinsettia-macro/) - The Christmas Poinsettia Photo Story I bought my wife a poinsettia and mum arrangement for Christmas. Soon after I brought it home, the poinsettia was in my macro photography studio in the basement. My wife suspected this behavior when I purchased the poinsettia. I noticed one of the poinsettia leaves were a different color. The leaf
- [Winter Macro Photography Ideas and Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/03/winter-macro-photography-ideas-and-tips/) - Typical nature macro photography subjects are flowers and insects. These subjects aren’t available outdoors in the winter in northern climates. Don’t let the cold and snowy weather keep you inside the house during the winter season, try winter macro photography. There are plenty of good winter macro photography subjects. In this blog, I’ll discuss some of my
- [Olympus OM-D E-M1 and E-M5 a Visual Comparison](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/07/olympus-om-d-e-m1-and-e-m5-a-visual-comparison/) - When comparing the new Olympus OM-D E-M1 The Shooting Mode Dial has moved to the right side of the camera giving easy access to all three dials with your right hand. The Mode Dial now has a lock button that you push down to avoid accidentally changing the shooting mode.Sequential Shooting / Self Timer /
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Bald Eagle on the Ice](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/08/the-story-behind-the-photo-bald-eagle-on-the-ice/) - Bald Eagle on the Ice Photo Story I had just arrived at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Ohio when I noticed a bald eagle sitting on one of the frozen ponds. I could pull over since there was frozen, standing water along side the road. I drove to the next pull off, grabbed, my Canon
- [Bald Eagles Locking Talons Photo Sequence](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/10/bald-eagles-locking-talons-photo-sequence/) - One of the most spectacular scenes in nature to photograph is when a pair of Bald Eagles lock their talons mid air in what seems to be air to air combat. This fascinating display is also known as the “cartwheel” where the eagles will lock their talons, stop flying, and begin to fall towards the
- [Putting Focus Peaking to the Test on the Olympus OM-D E-M1](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/14/putting-focus-peaking-to-the-test-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1/) - Olympus has added a new focus peaking feature on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 that was not on the predecessor E-M5 model. Focus Peaking is a feature that highlights the area of the composition that is currently in focus. Focus peaking can help out a great deal while manually focusing an image. You can get focus
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  500mm Sunset](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/15/the-story-behind-the-photo-500mm-sunset/) - Brilliant 500mm Sunset Photo Story Cold and disappointed, I took my Camera and 500mm Lens off of the tripod. I was at Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Ohio hoping to photograph short-eared owls flying at sunset. The time right around sunset is the best opportunity to photograph these owls as they search for prey flying
- [Bushnell Backtrack D-Tour GPS Review for Hikers and Nature Photographers](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/21/bushnell-backtrack-d-tour-gps-review-for-hikers-and-nature-photographers/) - When out photographing in nature, I can get carried away with hiking deeper into the woods or taking an unknown trail. I’m usually pretty good with direction and find my way back to the car. However, I thought it would be good to have some sort of handheld GPS device in case I needed assistance.
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  White-Breasted Nuthatch Balancing Act](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/22/the-story-behind-the-photo-white-breasted-nuthatch-balancing-act/) - White-Breasted Nuthatch Balancing Act Photo Story It was a bright, sunny morning in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, something we are not used to in Northeast Ohio in the winter. I was walking the the trail in CVNP from the IRA trailhead to the trail connector at Indigo Lake. I always like to stop and spend
- [Photographing Ice Patterns](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/24/photographing-ice-patterns/) - Photographing ice patterns is a great way to spice up your macro photography in the winter months. There are an endless number of patterns and colors in the ice. The best way to experience this variety of patterns is to get out in nature. I like to photograph small streams and puddles in the woods.
- [The WiFi Feature on the Olympus OM-D E-M1](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/28/the-wi-fi-feature-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1/) - Olympus has included built-in WiFi on the Olympus OM-D E-M1. This is a new feature from the predecessor E-M5 model. The latest version of the Olympus PEN cameras (E-P5) also features built in Wi-Fi. Olympus has created iOS and Android versions of its Olympus Image Share app to utilize the WiFi features of the Olympus
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Finally a Crow Photo](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/29/the-story-behind-the-photo-finally-a-crow-photo/) - Finally a Crow Photo Story For some reason, I had never taken a really good photo of a crow. I’ve taken a ton of bird photos, but when I looked back in Lightroom, no crows. It seems really odd. I don’t know whether they are that wary or its just bad luck. I was hiking
- [Setting Up WiFi on the Olympus OM-D E-M1](https://martinbelan.com/2014/01/31/setting-up-wifi-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1/) - Unlike its predecessor, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 comes with built in WiFi. This is a new feature for Olympus that was first introduced with the Olympus E-P5. The WiFi on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 has 4 features. Remote ControlPhoto transfer to your mobile devicePhoto EditingAdding Geotags to your photos I will be writing detailed blogs
- [Comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M1, E-M5, and E-M10](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/04/comparing-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-e-m5-and-e-m10/) - Olympus has recently announced a new addition to their OM-D line of Micro Four Thirds cameras, the Olympus OM-D E-M10. At first it was thought that the OM-D E-M10 would be replacing the E-M5. However, Olympus intends to keep all three models in their OM-D line of Micro Four Thirds cameras. In this blog post,
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Backlit Winter Branch](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/05/the-story-behind-the-photo-backlit-winter-branch/) - Backlit Winter Branch Photo Story When I’m out on a morning nature photography walk, I try to look for backlit subjects. These can either be silhouettes or provide a backlit glow to the subject. On this particular winter morning, I was out photographing birds in Cuyahoga Valley National Park when I noticed this backlit branch
- [The Remote Control WiFi Feature on the Olympus OM-D E-M1](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/07/the-remote-control-wifi-feature-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1/) - The Olympus Remote Control feature allows you to remotely control and take photos with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 camera over WiFi. The Olympus OI Share application is required to remotely control the Olympus OM-D E-M1 or the Olympus Pen E-P5 camera. Using the remote control function of the Olympus OI Share application, many of the
- [Using the Olympus OM-D E-M1 for Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/11/using-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-for-macro-photography/) - The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Depth of Field The 2.0 crop factor of the micro four thirds line of cameras helps to get everything in focus on a close up photo without using focus stacking. Easy Access to Macro Camera settings The Olympus OM-D E-M1 was redesigned with more buttons to give quicker access to camera
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  3 Pink Flowers](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/12/the-story-behind-the-photo-3-pink-flowers/) - 3 Pink Flowers Photo Story It’s been cold, snowy and windy in the Midwest United States. At this time of year when it’s really cold and snowy outside, I like to do macro and flower photography in my basement studio. I purchased these pink flowers at the local grocery store. Flower Photo Set Up These
- [The People of Rajasthan, India – Street Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/14/the-people-of-rajasthan-india-street-photography/) - The state of Rajasthan is located in the western part of India bordered with Pakastan. Rajasthan is a arid region with much of the region being desert. The Thar Desert or Great Indian Desert, located in Rajasthan has a size of over 77,000 square miles. Jaipur is the capital and largest city in Rajasthan. While Jaipur
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Valentine's Day Sunrise on the Beach](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/19/the-story-behind-the-photo-valentines-day-sunrise-on-the-beach/) - Valentine's Day Beach Sunrise Photo Story On our last day at Punta Cana, I was walking the beach on Valentine's Day just before sunrise. As I rounded a bend on the beach I saw this couple taking in the sunrise from a point on the beach. As I approached the couple and said good morning,
- [Travel Collections – A Gallery of Doors in India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/21/travel-collections-a-gallery-of-doors-in-india/) - Pink City Door, Jaipur India Some people like to collect souvenirs from their travels. I like to collect photographs from different architectural, cultural, and natural subjects. Some of my favorite photography travel subjects to collect are doors, windows, bridges, people, transportation and birds. But there are countless others. Doors are what separate and protect us from
- [Excellence Punta Cana Review – Things to Do](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/27/excellence-punta-cana-review-things-to-do/) - Choppy Waves at the Beach, Excellence Punta Cana This is part 2 of a 3 part series on our trip to Excellence Punta Cana. In this blog post, I will focus on the beach, entertainment, and the excursions at Excellence. In order to keep the blog posts to a reasonable length, I’ve divided this blog series
- [Excellence Punta Cana Review – Accommodations and Dining](https://martinbelan.com/2014/02/25/excellence-punta-cana-review-accommodations-and-dining/) - Sunrise on the Beach at Excellence Punta Cana My wife and I visited the Excellence Punta Cana Resort in February. This blog is a departure from my normal emphasis on photography. While part 3 of this blog will be dedicated to photography, I found that I had so much information on the experience at Excellence
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Tricolored Heron with 2 Fish](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/06/the-story-behind-the-photo-tricolored-heron-with-2-fish/) - Tricolored Heron with 2 Fish Photo Story We stayed at the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana. The resort had an Ecological Park that turned out to be a great place for bird photography. Each morning and evening while at the resort, we took walks with our cameras in the Ecological Park. On one morning, I
- [The Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic 100-300mm lens for Travel Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/11/the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-and-panasonic-100-300mm-lens-for-travel-bird-photography/) - Sometimes when you travel it’s not possible to bring along big lenses and big DSLRs for bird photography. The current weight and size limitations imposed by the airlines has made traveling with photo equipment even more difficult. Lately, I’ve only been bringing my Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic Lumix 100-300mm f/4.0-5.6 Lens In this blog,
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  White-cheeked Pintail](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/13/the-story-behind-the-photo-white-cheeked-pintail/) - White-cheeked Pintail Photo Story In February we stayed at the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana. The Excellence resort had an Ecological Park that turned out to be a great place for nature photography. At the Ecological Park, there was a flock of these beautiful White-cheeked Pintail ducks. White-cheeked Pintail ducks are rarely seen in North
- [Using the Lowepro Event Messenger 100 Bag with the Olympus OM-D](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/18/using-the-lowepro-event-messenger-100-bag-with-the-olympus-om-d/) - Lowepro Event Messenger 100 I've been searching for a day bag for my Olympus OM-D E-M1 Micro Four Thirds camera. I recently purchased the Lowepro Event Messenger 100 Camera Bag Lowepro Event Messenger 100 with Olympus OM-D E-M1 and Panasonic 100-300 f/4.0-5.6 Olympus Camera / Lens Combinations in the Lowepro Event Messenger 100 Olympus OM-D E-M1
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Common Moorhen High Stepping](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/20/the-story-behind-the-photo-common-moorhen-high-stepping/) - High Stepping Common Moorhen Photo Story I love this guy’s feet. They are huge in comparison to his body. They almost look as though they’ve been exaggerated in Photoshop. The Common Moorhen has chicken like feet instead of webbed feet giving the bird the nickname of Chicken-foot Coot. This photo was taken in the Dominican
- [Does Luminar Portrait Bokeh AI Work for Animal and Bird Photographs?](https://martinbelan.com/2022/02/04/does-luminar-portrait-bokeh-ai-work-for-animal-and-bird-photographs/) - Portrait Bokeh AI was introduced with Update 4 to Luminar AI and looks to be improved with Luminar Neo. I’ve used Luminar Portrait Bokeh AI on human portraits and it works really well with minimal painting required on the mask. In fact, it worked so well, I wondered if it would work for bird and
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Power Lines in the Fog, New Delhi](https://martinbelan.com/2014/03/27/the-story-behind-the-photo-power-lines-in-the-fog-new-delhi/) - New Delhi Power Lines in the Fog Photo Story Jetlagged and tired with only 3 hours sleep, I opened the curtains of my New Delhi hotel room to check out the view. It wasn’t a great view with power lines blocking most of the compositions. I decided to make the best of it and use
- [The Churches of Goa, India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/01/the-churches-of-goa-india/) - The state of Goa on the western coast of India was ruled by the Portuguese for 450 years which has a large influence on the culture, food and religion of Goa. Today, around 27% the population in Goa is Christian while 68% are Hindu. Prayer Candles, Basilica of Bom Jesus Catholic Churches in Goa The
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Is this how to Mount an Elephant?](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/03/the-story-behind-the-photo-how-to-mount-an-elephant/) - How to Mount an Elephant Photo Story While traveling in India, we visited the Tropical Spice Plantation in Goa on the western coast of India. Several of my colleagues were interested in taking an elephant ride at the plantation. I, of course, was the photographer. I was interested in watching the trainer prepare the elephant
- [Places to See and Photograph in Goa, India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/08/places-to-see-and-photograph-in-goa-india/) - Se Cathedral, Old Goa (Above Photo) Goa is a very unique Indian travel destination. The culture, architecture, religion and food of Goa was influenced by 450 years of Portuguese rule. Located on the western coast of India on the Arabian Sea, Goa is known for it’s beaches, resorts, seafood and don’t miss the beautiful sunsets
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Sandy Ridge Bald Eagle](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/10/the-story-behind-the-photo-sandy-ridge-bald-eagle/) - Those of you that follow the blog, know that one of my favorite places for bird photography is Sandy Ridge Reservation in Northeast Ohio. I always seem to leave Sandy Ridge with good photo opportunities of waterfowl, wading birds, song birds, and raptors. This was the first nice weekend day of the year and I
- [India Travel Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/15/india-travel-tips/) - Taj Mahal in the Late Afternoon Light (Above Photo) After several trips to India over the past year, I thought I’d share some travel tips that I learned during these trips. India is a wonderful country to visit. Each state has its own culture and cuisine that makes traveling across India exciting. Tips for Traveling
- [Photographing Hawaii on a Helicopter, plus Helicopter Photography Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2016/07/06/photographing-hawaii-on-a-helicopter-plus-helicopter-photography-tips/) - One of the things I really wanted to do during my trip to Hawaii was to photograph the coasts, mountains, and waterfalls of Hawaii from a Helicopter. We visited Oahu and the Big Island during our trip to Hawaii. Waikiki Beach I initially wanted to take the helicopter ride on the Big Island but the
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Wood Ducks in a Tree](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/17/the-story-behind-the-photo-wood-ducks-in-a-tree/) - Wood Ducks in a Tree Photo Story Not sure why but I normally don’t think about ducks being up in a tree. I found these two wood ducks about ½ mile deep in the woods and about 50 feet up in a tree. Wood ducks do nest in the holes of trees but this was
- [Motorcycles, Dealing with the Traffic in India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/22/motorcycles-dealing-with-the-traffic-in-india/) - Hyderabad Motorcycle Traffic (Above Photo) Many Indian cities are extremely congested with traffic. It can take over an hour just to go a few kilometers. Many Indians drive scooters and motorcycles to maneuver through traffic. You will see a large population of motorcycle riders in India weaving in between cars and through the traffic. Riding a
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Singing Song Sparrow](https://martinbelan.com/2014/04/24/the-story-behind-the-photo-singing-song-sparrow/) - Singing Song Sparrow Photo Story The geese at Sandy Ridge Reservation in Northeast, Ohio are very territorial in the spring. They like to make their nests near the gravel walking path and hiss and chase people who are walking on the path. As I was attempting to get the right composition and lighting on this
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Family of 5 on a Scooter, India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/05/01/the-story-behind-the-photo-family-of-5-on-a-scooter-india/) - Family of 5 on a Scooter Photo Story Motorcycles and Scooters are very popular in India due to their less expensive price and ability to maneuver through the busy traffic. It is also not uncommon to see 3, 4 or even 5 people on a motorcycle or scooter. I photographed this family of 5 on
- [In Cloudy Skies, Reach for your Macro Photography Lens](https://martinbelan.com/2014/05/06/in-cloudy-skies-reach-for-your-macro-photography-lens/) - I was on my way to Cuyahoga Valley National Park to photograph the spring bird migration, but the skies were gray and the light was flat. The weather forecast called for 2 hours of partly cloudy weather. It looked like the sun wasn’t going to come out this morning. I changed direction and headed for
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  (Changing the Background)](https://martinbelan.com/2014/05/08/the-story-behind-the-photo-blue-gray-gnatcatcher-changing-the-background/) - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher It was a bright, sunny Easter morning at the Beaver Marsh in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The first hour that I spent at the park, I saw the normal characters: Northern Cardinals, a Turkey Vulture, Great Blue Herons, and Tree Swallows. On my way back to the car on the Towpath, everything changed.
- [Great Egret Fishing Series – Sheldon Marsh](https://martinbelan.com/2014/05/13/great-egret-fishing-series-sheldon-marsh/) - The light was gray and flat at Sheldon Marsh in Northwest Ohio. I was hoping to photograph warblers during the spring migration. The mile long walk from the parking lot to Lake Erie resulted in no good photo ops. Once I reached the beach at Lake Erie, I was greeted by a very cooperative Great
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Squirrel Up Close](https://martinbelan.com/2014/05/20/the-story-behind-the-photo-squirrel-up-close/) - The Photo Story Someone is feeding the Squirrels at Sheldon Marsh Nature Preserve in Northwest Ohio. Walking along the approximately 1 mile long trail to Lake Erie, at least 7 squirrels approached me on the path for a hand out. I felt bad not having anything to give them as they were expecting something. Squirrel
- [EOS Inspector – A Mac App to find the Number of Shutter Actuations on your Canon DSLR](https://martinbelan.com/2014/05/27/eos-inspector-a-new-mac-app-to-find-the-number-of-shutter-actuations-on-your-canon-dslr/) - As many of you Canon photographers know, Canon has decided to hide the number of shutter actuations on their cameras. Other camera manufacturers like Nikon publish the shutter count in the EXIF data. The shutter actuation data is useful as all DSLRs have a limited shutter life, usually around 100,000 – 150,000 shutter clicks. When
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  White Pelican Harassing a Great Blue Heron](https://martinbelan.com/2014/05/29/the-story-behind-the-photo-white-pelican-harassing-a-great-blue-heron/) - I was photographing White Pelicans on the Mississippi River. There were also several Egrets and Great Blue Herons fishing in a shallow bay below the levee. The Mississippi river was near flood stage and the river was flowing quickly, so the White Pelicans were also in the shallow bay this evening. White Pelican Harassing a
- [My Favorite Luminar Photo Processing Filters](https://martinbelan.com/2019/08/12/my-favorite-luminar-photo-processing-filters/) - Luminar 3 comes with over 60 filters to process your photographs. These filters are grouped into Essential, Issue Fixers, Creative, Professional, and Utility filters. So how do you know which ones to use? My favorite Photo Editing Filters in Luminar Accent AI Filter A one slider filter that uses artificial intelligence to assess and enhance
- [5 Reasons to Edit Your Photographs in Luminar](https://martinbelan.com/2019/08/18/5-reasons-to-edit-your-photographs-in-luminar/) - Luminar is a photo editing software and digital asset manager (new with Luminar 3) developed by Skylum Software. Luminar is available for Windows and MacOS and can be run as a stand alone application or used as a plug-in for Lightroom, Photoshop, and Photos for MacOS. So why should I use Luminar instead of Lightroom,
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  White Pelican in Flight](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/05/the-story-behind-the-photo-white-pelican-in-flight/) - One of my favorite spots to photograph White Pelicans on the Mississippi River is Fisherman’s Corner South on the Illinois side of the river. The best spot is to walk out on the Levee towards the dam. White Pelican in Flight There are plenty of White Pelicans to photograph on the water, but the real
- [Using the Canon 1.4x Teleconverter and the Canon 70-200 f2.8 for Wildlife Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/10/using-the-canon-1-4x-teleconverter-and-the-canon-70-200-f2-8-for-wildlife-photography/) - With a little less than a month before my trip to Yellowstone, I was looking for a car camera and lens combo. My primary lens and camera combination for the trip will be the Canon 5d Mark III and 500mm f/4 lens. But in Yellowstone, you need to have a good zoom combo handy as
- [Tips for Using the Rokinon 7.5mm Fisheye Lens with the Olympus OM-D](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/17/tips-for-using-the-rokinon-7-5mm-fisheye-lens-with-the-olympus-om-d/) - Blue Lupine Patch, Indiana Dunes National Park The Rokinon 7.5mm F3.5 Fisheye Lens for Micro Four Thirds Tips for Using the Rokinon 7.5mm Fisheye Lens As you shoot with smaller apertures, the viewfinder becomes darker and hard to focus. Try focusing first and then stopping down the aperture.Focus peaking also still works with the Rokinon
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Red Fox Ready to Pounce on its Prey](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/19/the-story-behind-the-photo-red-fox-ready-to-pounce-on-its-prey/) - We had just landed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, took a shuttle to the Rental Car lot, and we were driving to Teton Village. Just when we turned down Teton Village Road. we spotting a Red Fox trotting in a field next to the road. Red Fox Ready to Pounce on its Prey I was so
- [Using the Canon 70-200mm as a Car Lens for Wildlife Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/24/using-the-canon-70-200mm-as-a-car-lens-for-wildlife-photography/) - In places like Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, I like to have a separate camera body with a medium range zoom lens located right next to me in the car just in case I see some wildlife as I drive along the road. I call this my “Car Camera”. I use a
- [The Story Behind the Photo:  Yellowstone – Mountain Bluebird Couple at the Nest](https://martinbelan.com/2014/06/26/the-story-behind-the-photo-yellowstone-mountain-bluebird-couple-at-the-nest/) - It was a windy day at Yellowstone, but we decided brave the wind and hike the Self Guided Trail in Yellowstone National Park. It turns out that we were glad we did. Mountain Bluebird Couple at the Nest The large mammals get most of the attention in Yellowstone. But, there are also a large variety
- [The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is now my Go To Camera for Landscape Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/01/the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-is-now-my-go-to-camera-for-landscape-photography/) - On a recent trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, I brought along my Canon 24 - 105mm f/4 lens and Canon 17-40mm f/4 lens and didn't even use them. Instead I used an Olympus OM-D E-M1, Olympus M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro Lens Here are some of the Features on the Olympus OM-D E-M1 that
- [The Story Behind the Photo: Hayden Valley Cloud Reflection, Yellowstone National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/03/hayden-valley-cloud-reflection-yellowstone-national-park/) - It was a calm morning in Yellowstone National Park, which means it’s a good day to look for reflections to photograph. While driving through Hayden Valley, I saw the blue sky and clouds reflected in a small pond along side the road. I had to stop and take a photo. Hayden Valley Cloud Reflection Yellowstone
- [Top Yellowstone Landscape Photography Ideas - Part 1](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/08/top_yellowstone_landscapes_photography_part1/) - Yellowstone National Park is widely known for its wildlife and geothermal activity such as geysers, pools, fumaroles, and mudpots. While its neighbor park, Grand Teton, is known for its iconic photographs of the Teton Range. Yellowstone also has some beautiful landscapes to photograph. This part one of a two part blog on some of the
- [Photo Story:  Fisheye Daisy Patch](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/09/photo-story-fisheye-daisy-patch/) - While working in the yard this weekend, I was distracted by thoughts of photography. This is not an uncommon event. I frequently get distracted by photography when doing yard work or other activities I don't necessarily want to be doing. Fisheye Daisy Patch I noticed a large patch of daisies in the yard and thought
- [Top Yellowstone Landscape Photography Ideas - Part 2](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/10/top-yellowstone-landscape-photography-ideas-part-2/) - This part two of a two part blog on some of the top Yellowstone Landscapes to photograph. In this blog, I'll disclose some of my favorite Yellowstone Landscape locations to view and photograph, where they are located, and when to photograph these landscapes. Click on the photos in the blog to see a larger version of these
- [A Panoramic Tour of Yellowstone National Park with the iPhone](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/15/a-panoramic-tour-of-yellowstone-national-park-with-the-iphone/) - Lamar Valley iPhone Panorama (Above Photo) Panoramic photos are a good fit for photographing the Western United States where big, wide landscapes are the norm. On a recent trip to Yellowstone National Park, I took several iPhone panoramas of popular landscape photography destinations in the park. Yellowstone has wide mountain landscapes, blue skies, and fluffy
- [Using Pixoto to Gauge the Popularity of your Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/16/using-pixoto-to-gauge-the-popularity-of-your-photos/) - Pixoto is a lot of fun. On Pixoto you can post your photos and see how they rank, vote on other people’s photos, enter in challenges, and win awards. Pixoto feeds the competitive nature in photographers, trying to win awards and get higher scores on our photos. However, I’m not sure that Pixoto is the
- [Photo Story: Foggy Sunrise on the Madison River, Yellowstone National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/17/the-story-behind-the-photo-foggy-sunrise-on-the-madison-river-yellowstone-national-park/) - When you stay in West Yellowstone, Montana it can be a long drive in the morning to photograph wildlife in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. But there is at least one advantage to driving from West Yellowstone early in the morning – a beautiful sunrise along the Madison River. Foggy Sunrise on the
- [Pronghorn Antelope Fawns Testing Their Legs in Yellowstone National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/22/pronghorn-antelope-fawns-testing-their-legs-in-yellowstone-national-park/) - Part of the beauty of visiting Yellowstone National Park is the ability to see wildlife in their natural environment. Whether it be wolves feeding on a carcass, Bull Elk bugling for their harem, or the Yellowstone mothers with their babies, this is something you just can’t normally see in many other areas. On this occasion,
- [Using Pinterist for Planning your Travel Photography Trips](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/23/using-pinterist-for-planning-your-travel-photography-trips/) - Pinterest is a terrific tool for travel photography inspiration allowing the photographer to create a bucket list of places to visit. Pinterest is also a great tool for travel photography planning as well. On Pinterest, you can create boards specific to your travel destination that allow you to easily organize and find the information for
- [Photo Story:  Where the Mountain Goats Live](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/24/the-story-behind-the-photo-where-the-mountain-goats-live/) - Near the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a mountain called Barronette Peak. Barronette Peak is 10,354 feet tall and is home to Mountain Goats and Big Horn Sheep. Mountain Goats on Barronette Peak There is a pullout on the left hand side next to a large field as you are heading toward the
- [Yellowstone Bison Crossing the Lamar River](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/29/yellowstone-bison-crossing-the-lamar-river/) - There are around 4,600 bison in Yellowstone National Park and many of these bison are located in the Lamar Valley. The Lamar Valley is also known as the Serengeti of North America due to the abundance of wildlife in the valley. The sequence of photos in this blog post show the Lamar Valley Bison Herd
- [Photo Story:  Yellowstone Bison Jam](https://martinbelan.com/2014/07/31/photo-story-yellowstone-bison-jam/) - Bison jams are pretty much a daily event in Yellowstone National Park. A bison jam is a traffic jam cause by a heard of bison walking along the road. Yellowstone Bison Jam There are somewhere around 4,500 bison in Yellowstone, so the chances of encountering a bison jam are pretty high. Bison also have the
- [Testing out the Olympus 40-150mm f4.0 - 5.6 Lens at the Zoo](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/05/testing-out-the-olympus-40-150mm-f4-0-5-6-lens-at-the-zoo/) - Lioness - ISO 100, f5.6, 140mm, 1/640 of a Second The Olympus 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 Retro Giraffe - ISO 400, f5.6, 150mm, 1/2000 of a Second Here are a few of my likes and dislikes about the lens. Likes of the Olympus 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Size & Weight The lens is small and lightweight making it easy to carry around all
- [Photo Story:  Yellowstone Grizzly Mating Chase](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/07/photo-story-yellowstone-grizzly-mating-chase/) - I had just finished photographing the sunrise at Duck Lake in Yellowstone National Park and I decided to drive the East Entrance Road looking for Grizzlies. As I got past Yellowstone Lake, I noticed some commotion in the woods. Grizzly Mating Chase Story A large male Grizzly was chasing a smaller female Grizzly thru the
- [The Waterfalls of Yellowstone National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/12/the-waterfalls-of-yellowstone-national-park/) - Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River (Above Photo) Yellowstone National Park has an abundance of waterfalls. There are hundreds of named and unnamed waterfalls in Yellowstone and new waterfalls are still being discovered in remote areas of the park. There are also many waterfalls that can be seen and photographed at the side of the
- [Photo Story:  Yellowstone – Just One Tree](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/14/photo-story-yellowstone-just-one-tree/) - This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park just west of the Lamar Valley. It was a cloudy and stormy afternoon in Yellowstone. I really like the composition of this photo with the single tree on a barren hillside with the angry clouds looming behind the tree and just a touch of blue sky in
- [Photo Story:  Sunrise on the Mississippi River](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/21/photo-story-sunrise-on-the-mississippi-river/) - I had just arrived at Fisherman’s Landing South on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River to photograph the White Pelicans. I had my Canon 5d Mark iii and 500mm lens mounted on tripod to photograph the Pelicans in flight. Luckily, I had my Olympus OM-D E-M1stuffed in my jacket pocket and I was able to
- [American White Pelicans Fish Stealing Behavior](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/26/american-white-pelicans-fish-stealing-behavior/) - While photographing American White Pelicans on the Mississippi River in Illinois, I noticed interesting behavior occurring between the pelicans. American White Pelicans are quite good at stealing food from each other. This blog contains photos as well as descriptions of this intriguing pelican behavior. Click on the photos in the blog to see a larger image. American
- [Photo Story:  White Pelican in the Warm Morning Light](https://martinbelan.com/2014/08/28/photo-story-white-pelican-in-the-warm-morning-light/) - I arrived at Fisherman’s Corner South just before sunrise to photograph White Pelicans flying over the Mississippi. It was a clear sunny morning and the light was warm and saturated. White Pelican in Flight Photograph I was lucky enough to have this White Pelican fly by while the sun was still low in the sky.
- [How Close Can you Photograph with Olympus M.Zuiko Macro Lenses Both With and Without Extension Tubes?](https://martinbelan.com/2021/05/24/how-close-can-you-photograph-with-olympus-m-zuiko-macro-lenses-both-with-and-without-extension-tubes/) - The Olympus 60mm f/2.8 Macro Lens has a Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.095 meters / .312 feet. While the Olympus 30mm 3.5 Macro Lens has a Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.19 meters / 0.62 feet. In addition, the 60mm Macro Lens has a 1:1 or 1X magnification while the 30mm Macro has 1.25X magnification. So
- [7 Reasons Why You Need to Get Out Early for Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/02/7-reasons-why-you-need-to-get-out-early-for-nature-photography/) - Nature photography is one of my favorite types of photography. There is something about being out alone in nature photographing its beauty that I really enjoy. Dragonfly in the Morning Dew Nature photography can include birds, wildlife, wildflowers, landscapes, insects and much more. I find the best time of day to photograph nature is in
- [Photo Story:  Black and Yellow Garden Spider in a Colorful World](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/04/photo-story-black-and-yellow-garden-spider-in-a-colorful-world/) - In the summer, I like to walk through fields just after sunrise and look for backlit leaves and flowers to photograph. On this particular Ohio morning, I was walking through the fields at Allardale Park and noticed this beautiful Black and Yellow Garden Spider backlit by the early morning sun. Black and Yellow Garden Spider in
- [15 Tips for Better Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/09/15-tips-for-better-bird-photography/) - I’ve been photographing birds for many years and finally decided to accumulate my bird photography tips in a single blog post. I’m sure I’ve missed a few so I’ll continue to update the blog post as I remember and discover new bird photography tips. If you have a bird photography tip, leave a comment to
- [Photo Story:  Dragonfly Covered in the Morning Dew](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/11/photo-story-dragonfly-covered-in-the-morning-dew/) - Early morning, just after sunrise is a great time to do insect macro photography. Before the morning light warms them up, insects are in a state of torpor (hibernation) that makes them very cooperative subjects. Dragonfly Covered in the Morning Dew Insects will also be covered in morning dew that makes for some interesting photographs.
- [How to Clean up the Backgrounds of your Nature Photographs - Part 1](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/16/how-to-clean-up-the-backgrounds-of-your-nature-photographs-part-1/) - Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Background Replaced (Above Photo) In order to create appealing nature photographs, the background of the photograph needs to be clean and free of distractions that can lead the viewer’s eye away from the subject. This includes all types of nature photography including birds, wildlife, and wildflower photography It is not always possible to a clean background
- [Photo Story:  Purple Flower in the Fog](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/18/photo-story-purple-flower-in-the-fog/) - This purple flower was photographed at the edge of a pond. The mist rising off of the pond in the background gives a foggy look to the photo. This wildflower is called a Pickerel Rush, also called a Pickerel Weed. Purple Flower in the Fog When going on a photo hike in the early morning,
- [How to Clean up the Backgrounds of your Nature Photographs - Part 2](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/23/how-to-clean-up-the-backgrounds-of-your-nature-photographs-part-2/) - Trillium Wildflower Background Replaced (Above Photo) This is part 2 of a 2 part blog series on techniques to clean up the backgrounds of your nature photographs. In part 1, I discussed darkening and blurring the background to hide the distractions in your photos. Part 2 of the blog posts will cover how to remove distracting
- [Photo Story:  Yellowstone Grizzly Mom and Cub](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/25/photo-story-yellowstone-grizzly-mom-and-cub/) - It was one of the biggest bear jams that I had ever seen in Yellowstone National Park. Cars were parked everywhere and several rangers were on the scene. People had climbed the ladders on their RV to get a glimpse of the mother grizzly and her first year cub. Grizzly Mom and Cub Unfortunately, we
- [Bird and Wildlife Photographers, Should you Upgrade to the Canon 7D Mark II](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/28/bird-and-wildlife-photographers-should-you-upgrade-to-the-canon-7d-mark-ii/) - The Canon 7D Mark IICanon 7D Mark II - Rear View 10 Frames Per Second (fps) This is a huge improvement. The original 7D has 8 fps and the 5D Mark III has 6 fps. This is getting close to Canon 1DX specs of 12 fps. Buffer Capacity The Canon 7D Mark II has an
- [Photographing Grafton Notch State Park, Maine](https://martinbelan.com/2014/09/30/photographing-grafton-notch-state-park-maine/) - Screw Auger Falls (Above Photo) It was the first day of our photography trip to Maine and I already needed to change plans. The forecast called for light to moderate rain for most of the day. I decided to head west and check out Grafton Notch State Park near the New Hampshire border. The overcast
- [Photo Story:  Jewell Falls, Portland, Maine](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/02/photo-story-jewell-falls-portland-maine/) - In the middle of the city of Portland, Maine close to the Portland Airport is a natural waterfall located in the Fore Nature Preserve. Jewell Falls is Portland's only natural waterfall. Jewell Falls, Portland, Maine The falls are about 100 feet tall and there are rock steps that lead down to the base of the falls
- [Photograph 5 Lighthouses in a Single Morning in Portland, Maine](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/07/photograph-5-lighthouses-in-a-single-morning-in-portland-maine/) - Actually, the blog post should have been titled Photograph 5 lighthouses and a waterfall in a single morning in Portland, Maine. But, I'll save Jewel Falls for a separate blog post. Really, I did photograph 5 lighthouses in one morning in Portland, Maine and only at the last lighthouse was the light strong enough where
- [Photo Story:  Struggle for Survival – Toad and a Snake](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/09/photo-story-struggle-for-survival-toad-and-a-snake/) - Before I start, let me warn you. The images in this blog post may be graphic to some people. This is a photography story about a struggle for survival between a toad and a snake. Read on to find out what happened. Toad and Snake Struggle for Survival I was working in my yard doing
- [Photographing the Lighthouses of Maine's Midcoast](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/14/photographing-the-lighthouses-of-maines-midcoast/) - Marshall Point Light Station (Above Photo) I recently spent two days driving, visiting and photographing the Midcoast of Maine. In two days, I photographed 5 lighthouses as well as a botanical garden and waterfall that will be discussed in other blogs. Each day, I drove north from Freeport so there was quite a bit of
- [Photo Story: Cemetery Newry, Maine](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/16/photo-story-cemetery-newry-maine/) - This rural Maine cemetery caught my eye as we were driving to Grafton Notch State Park to photograph waterfalls. I marked the spot of the cemetery to photograph it on the return trip. What caught my attention was the beautiful, colorful, blooming bush in the middle of the cemetery. When driving to a photography destination,
- [Visiting the Midcoast of Maine - Spend a Day in Camden](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/21/visiting-the-midcoast-of-maine-spend-a-day-in-camden/) - Camden is a quaint Maine coastal village located right on U.S. route 1. Camden is a a great place to spend a day or more. Camden has a small picturesque inlet that is well protected from the waves of Camden Harbor. There is a small evergreen covered island at the mouth of the harbor that
- [Photo Story: Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/30/photo-story-brandywine-falls-cuyahoga-valley-national-park/) - Brandywine Falls is one of the top attractions in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The falls are 65 feet tall, making them the second highest waterfall in Ohio. Brandywine Falls The address for Brandywine Falls is 8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, Ohio. The GPS for the falls is 41.276874, -81.538573. The falls are accessible from the
- [Photo Story: Old Orchard Beach Pier, Maine](https://martinbelan.com/2014/10/23/photo-story-old-orchard-beach-pier-maine/) - Old Orchard Beach is a bustling place in the middle of the summer tourist season. However, when we visited Old Orchard Beach in the middle of September much of the crowds were gone. It was just perfect for an afternoon walk on the beach. Old Orchard Beach Pier Old Orchard Beach has a long beach,
- [Touring the Midcoast of Maine - Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/04/touring-the-midcoast-of-maine-coastal-maine-botanical-gardens/) - It's hard to imagine getting tired of the quaint coastal villages and picturesque white lighthouses of the midcoast of Maine. But if you’re looking for something different to do and photograph, check out the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. The botanical gardens are located along the Back River about 10 minutes from Boothbay Harbor. The address
- [Photo Story: A Stack of Fall Pumpkins](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/06/photo-story-a-stack-of-fall-pumpkins/) - Nothing symbolizes fall like pumpkins. They are used as Jack-O-Lanterns on Halloween, used for fall decorating, and the main ingredient for pumpkin pie. I photographed this large stack of pumpkins with a fisheye lens to give an up close, wide angle perspective. Stack of Fall Pumpkins The top version of the photo was finished with
- [Long Exposure Photography Using the Olympus OM-D E-M1](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/11/long-exposure-photography-using-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1/) - On a recent trip to Maine, I spent quite a bit of time experimenting with long exposure photography using the Olympus OM-D E-M1. The main subjects for my long exposures photographs were waterfalls and the waves on the Maine coast. I this blog, I'll discuss long exposure photography techniques in general, specifics for the Olympus
- [Photo Story: Sun Coming Out Over Brandywine Falls](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/13/photo-story-sun-coming-out-over-brandywine-falls/) - It was cloudy all morning as I was trying to capture the fall colors in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I made several previous stops and there was no sunrise. I decided to make one last stop at Brandywine Falls, one of the top attractions in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. I had taken several photographs with
- [Topaz Impression - Turn Your Photos into Works of Art](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/18/topaz-impression-turn-your-photos-into-works-of-art/) - Topaz Impression Oil Painting II Preset (Above Photo) Topaz Impression is a plugin for Photoshop and Lightroom that will help turn your photographs into works of art. Topaz Impression has over 100 presets to get you started in creating a painted look to your photographs. These 100+ presets are organized into six collections in Topaz Impression:
- [Photo Story: Monarch Caterpillar Munching on a Leaf](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/20/photo-story-monarch-caterpillar-munching-on-a-leaf/) - I came across this Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens near Boothbay Harbor, Maine. This guy was busy munching on leaves to grow and prepare for its metamorphasis, and he let me take quite a few photos while he ate. Monarch Caterpillar Munching on a Leaf Monarch butterflies in the caterpillar stage do nothing
- [Amazon Prime Members Use Cloud Drive to Backup your Photos for Free](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/25/amazon-prime-members-use-cloud-drive-to-backup-your-photos-for-free/) - For photographers looking for an online backup solution, subscribers of Amazon Prime can now store unlimited photos and videos on Amazon Cloud Drive as part of their Amazon Prime subscription. The Amazon Prime subscription also includes free 2 day shipping on many products, streaming video of movies and TV shows, streaming music, and access to
- [Photo Story:  Female Red-breasted Merganser Preening on the Madison River](https://martinbelan.com/2014/11/26/photo-story-female-red-breasted-merganser-preening-on-the-madison-river/) - Whenever I enter and leave the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, I make sure I take a short detour and drive along Riverside Drive. Riverside Drive is a short road that follows along the Madison River. Female Red-breasted Merganser I’ve had some good luck for bird, wildlife, and landscape photography on this short stretch
- [Photo Opportunities at or near Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/02/photo-opportunities-at-or-near-furnace-creek-in-death-valley-national-park/) - Photographers travel to Death Valley National Park to photograph barren, alien like landscapes like Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, and the Devil’s Golf Course. But don’t forget to check out some of the photo opportunities right at the Furnace Creek Resort area. Red Handprint Furnace Creek Death Valley Death Valley has some magnificent landscapes. Some of
- [Photo Story:  Birds in Flight Photography - Female House Sparrow](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/04/photo-story-birds-in-flight-photography-female-house-sparrow/) - House Sparrows are not one of the most endeared species of bird. They live in large flocks and can practically take over a bird feeder. However, House Sparrows can also be a lot of fun to photograph. Female House Sparrow in Flight Typically, the entire flock of House Sparrows will fly to the bird feeder
- [Backyard Bird Photography Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/09/backyard-bird-photography-tips/) - Your own back yard is a great place to start photographing birds. In fact, it’s a great place to continue photographing birds and to practice birds in flight photography. In this blog, I’ll share my back yard bird photograph tips and set ups, along with a few of my photos and camera settings for the
- [Photo Story: Tundra Swan Pair Dancing on the Ice](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/11/photo-story-tundra-swan-pair-dancing-on-the-ice/) - The weather forecast had changed over night. It was now going to be mostly cloudy with snow flurries, and a chilly 19 degrees. I had already woken up at 4:30 am to make the 2 hour drive to Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, so I decide to head out despite the weather. Tundra Swan Pair Dancing
- [Juvenile Bald Eagles Fighting for a Fish on the Ice – A Photo Essay](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/16/juvenile-bald-eagles-fighting-for-a-fish-on-the-ice-a-photo-essay/) - It was dark, cloudy, with a light snow. It wasn’t a great day for photography. But it turns out that it was a great day to watch wildlife. The photographs in this blog are not the best, but they do tell a story of two juvenile bald eagles vying for a fish. While driving through
- [Photo Story: Snowy Fields of an Ohio Farm at Sunrise](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/18/photo-story-snowy-fields-of-an-ohio-farm-at-sunrise/) - Wildlife length telephoto lenses can also be used for photographing landscapes. I was out photographing birds and wildlife when I saw this beautiful farm landscape at sunrise. Snowy Fields of an Ohio Farm This photo was taken with the Canon 300mm f/4 telephoto lens with a Canon 1.4x teleconverter. I was playing around with different
- [Photographing on the Road to Agra, India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/23/photographing-on-the-road-to-agra-india/) - Agra, India is full of terrific photo opportunities. Agra holds the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and fantastic street photography. All of these are great photo opportunities. But, don't put your camera away during the ride between Delhi and Agra. There are numerous photo ops along the Yamuna Expressway, even though it is a highway. There
- [Photo Story: Carrying Cow Patties in India](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/26/photo-story-carrying-cow-patties-in-india/) - In rural India cow dung patties are used as fuel for cooking and heating. The water buffalo gather along the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, where these cow patties were formed and dried. Carrying Cow Patties in Agra, India The ladies in this photo were coming up the hill from the Yamuna River
- [Street Photography in Agra, India - the Home of the Taj Mahal](https://martinbelan.com/2014/12/30/street-photography-in-agra-india-the-home-of-the-taj-mahal/) - The city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh, India is a well know destination for travel photographers. The main attractions for photographers in Agra are the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Overloaded Tuk Tuk The Taj Mahal is a beautiful white marble mausoleum that is also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Agra
- [Photo Story: Parakeet Couple at the Taj Mahal](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/02/photo-story-parakeet-couple-at-the-taj-mahal/) - Photographers come from all over the world to photograph the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is an amazing piece of architecture to photograph and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Rose-ringed Parakeet Couple at the Taj Mahal But for bird photographers, the Taj Mahal also has a variety of birds. I’ve seen
- [Testing the Canon 100-400mm Mark II for Bird and Wildlife Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/05/testing-the-canon-100-400mm-mark-ii-for-bird-and-wildlife-photography/) - American Tree Sparrow. Taken with the Canon 100-400mm Mark II and the 1.4x III Telephoto Extender at ISO 800 (Above Photo) Nature photographers have been waiting a long time for the upgrade to the Canon 100-400mm f/4.5 – 5.6 L Lens. The original version of the lens was announced in September 1998 and the upgrade has
- [Testing out the Olympus 9mm Fisheye Body Cap Lens at the Taj Mahal](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/06/testing-out-the-olympus-9mm-fisheye-body-cap-lens-at-the-taj-mahal/) - Due to being strapped for space on a recent trip to India, I decided to bring along the compact Olympus 9mm Fisheye Body Cap Lens. I thought it would be fun to test the lens at one of the 7 New Wonders of the World – The Taj Mahal. First off, I have to say
- [Photo Story: White-throated Kingfisher on a Light Pole](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/08/photo-story-white-throated-kingfisher-on-a-light-pole/) - The White-throated Kingfisher is located in the Middle East, India, and throughout Southern Asia. This Kingfisher was photographed in Hyderabad, India. White-throated Kingfisher on a Light Pole The White-throated Kingfisher is a beautiful bird with a blue back, tail, and wings. It has a chestnut belly and sides, with a white throat. I saw this
- [Travel Collections:  Indian Agricultural Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/13/travel-collections-indian-agricultural-photographs/) - Some people like to collect souvenirs like shot glasses, ash trays, or magnets from their travels. I like to collect photographs of different cultural, natural, and architectural subjects, and compare these subjects from my different travel destinations. Working in the Fields (Above Photo) With a population of over 1.2 billion people, India is known for
- [Can You Use a Micro Four Thirds Camera for Bird Photography?](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/14/can-you-use-a-micro-four-thirds-camera-for-bird-photography/) - Bird Photography is one of my passions. There is so much variety in birds, different species, sizes, shapes, and colors. Also, each area of the world has their own variety of birds. So as you travel, you get to discover and photograph the birds of each country and continent. Updated Blog on Using the Olympus
- [Photo Story: One Legged White-Browed Wagtail](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/15/photo-story-one-legged-white-browed-wagtail/) - On a recent trip to Hyderabad, India, I stayed at the Hyatt in Gachibowli. The Hyatt has a jogging / walking path through the gardens that surround the property. One Legged White-Browed Wagtail This exercise path is a great place for nature photography. Every morning before heading in to the office, I took a nature
- [Photographing the Hovering American Kestrel](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/20/photographing-the-hovering-american-kestrel/) - The American Kestrel is the smallest falcon found in North America weighing at less than 6 ounces and only around 7-10 inches long. It is also one of the most beautiful raptors and a great subject for bird photographers. Where are American Kestrels Found? This small falcon is found throughout the Americas. The American Kestrel
- [Photo Story: Sunset at Agra Fort](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/22/photo-story-sunset-at-agra-fort/) - Sunsets are beautiful and a lot of fun to photograph. This sunset was taken at Agra Fort in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. Sunset at Agra Fort One technique in photographing sunsets and sunrises is to silhouette a unique subject against the setting or rising sun. In this case, the scalloped, concrete wall of Agra Fort
- [The Tuk Tuk – the Work Horse of India](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/27/the-tuk-tuk-the-work-horse-of-india/) - The Tuk Tuk (pronounced took took) or Auto Rickshaw is a motorized version of the hand pulled or cycle rickshaw. These three-wheeled taxis are popular in India as well as other developing countries. Over Crowded Tuk Tuk - Put the Packages on Top (Above Photo) In this blog, I’ll discuss fun facts on Tuk Tuks,
- [The Professional Controls on the Olympus OM-D E-M1](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/28/the-professional-controls-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1/) - In my Opinion, one of the features that sets the Olympus OM-D E-M1 apart from other Compact System Cameras are its professional controls. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 These settings vary based on the shooting mode (Aperture Priority, Manual, etc.), and they are also customizable by the shooting mode. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 also has a
- [Photo Story: American Tree Sparrow Feeding on Seeds](https://martinbelan.com/2015/01/29/photo-story-american-tree-sparrow-feeding-on-seeds/) - The weather on the day after Christmas was a balmy 50 degrees fahrenheit and sunny. At this time of year, the temperature here is usually in the 20s with snow on the ground. American Tree Sparrow Since the weather was so nice, my wife and I decided to go on a late afternoon nature hike
- [How Much can you Carry on a Motorcycle (In India)?](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/03/how-much-can-you-carry-on-a-motorcycle-in-india/) - Motorcycles are everywhere in India. They are inexpensive and can weave through the busy and chaotic traffic in Indian cities. Indian Motorcycle Customized for Delivery In this blog, I’ll discuss the use of motorcycles in India and also share some of my favorite and somewhat comical and scary photographs of motorcycles being overloaded in India.
- [Photo Story: Northern Shrike in the Briers](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/05/photo-story-northern-shrike-in-the-briers/) - The Northern Shrike is a predatory song bird, feeding on small birds, insects, and rodents. The Northern Shrike is a resident of Northern Canada for most of the year and migrates to the United States during the winter months. Northern Shrike Northern Shrike are difficult to see and photograph. They are wary, solitary birds. This
- [A Terrific Technique for Ultimate Noise and Sharpness Control in Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/10/a-terrific-technique-for-ultimate-noise-and-sharpness-control-in-nature-photography/) - Grasshopper Sparrow (Above Photo) My preferred look for Nature Photography is a near noise free background with a sharp subject. I don't know why but I just don't like a noisy background of my nature photographs. In this blog, I'll show you a technique that I use to get very precise control over noise and
- [Add the Photoshop Select Subject tool to Your Nature Photography Workflow to Make Your Images Stand Out](https://martinbelan.com/2020/11/17/add-the-photoshop-select-subject-tool-to-your-nature-photography-workflow-to-make-your-images-stand-out/) - Adobe added a “Select Subject” tool to Photoshop in Photoshop CC 2018 and has continued to improve the tool in future versions of Photoshop. The Select Subject tool in Photoshop isn’t only for Portrait and Model photographs? Turns out that it works pretty well for nature photographs (birds, wildlife, flowers, macro, etc.) too. Why would
- [Photo Story: Carrying Wood at the Mehtab Bagh, Agra, India](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/12/photo-story-carrying-wood-at-the-mehtab-bagh-agra-india/) - This photo was taken across the river from the Taj Mahal in an area next to the Mehtab Bagh Garden in Agra, India. This Indian lady was carrying wood for use as fuel and is pictured with with her son and goats. Carrying Wood at the Mehtab Bagh The Mehtab Bagh is garden located directly
- [Transportation in India – What’s on the Road? (Part 1)](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/17/transportation-in-india-whats-on-the-road-part-1/) - After a ½ dozen trips to India, I’ve seen just about everything on the road. In India and other developing nations, people can be very creative about how to get from point A to point B. Indian Father and Sun Riding in the back of a Decorated Truck There are over 1.2 Billion people in
- [Photo Story: Paddle Boarding into the Sunrise](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/19/photo-story-paddle-boarding-into-the-sunrise/) - This sunrise photo was taken on Sanibel Island in southwest Florida. It might seem strange that I was taking a photo of the sunrise instead of the sunset on the gulf coast of Florida. Sanibel Island - Paddle Boarding into the Sunrise The southern part of Sanibel Island curves around and faces Fort Myers Beach
- [Florida Bird Photography with the Canon 100-400mm Mark II Lens](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/24/florida-bird-photography-with-the-canon-100-400mm-mark-ii-lens/) - Palm Warbler - 560mm with 1.4X Telephoto Extender Attached (Above Photo) On a six day bird photography vacation to Florida, I decided to leave my Canon 500mm f/4 lens at home and bring only the Canon 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 Mark II lens with the Canon 1.4x Telephoto Extender III. I was planning to visit some of the
- [Photo Story: Roseate Spoonbill Flapping its Wings - Plus a Processing Tip](https://martinbelan.com/2015/02/26/photo-story-roseate-spoonbill-flapping-its-wings-plus-a-processing-tip/) - A Roseate Spoonbill was on my shot list for a January photography trip to southwest Florida. With as much bird photography as I have done, I had never need or photographed one in the wild. Roseate Spoonbill Flapping its Wings Not only was I able to get a good shot of a Roseate Spoonbill on
- [Photo Story: Wood Stork Portrait](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/05/photo-story-wood-stork-portrait/) - The Wood Stork is a large wading bird native to the Southeast United States, South America, and the Caribbean. The US breeding population of the Wood Stork is classified as threatened. Wood Stork Portrait The Wood Stork has a white body with partially black wings and tail. The neck and head of the Wood Stork
- [Birds in Flight Photography with the Canon 100-400 Mark II Lens](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/10/birds-in-flight-photography-with-the-canon-100-400-mark-ii-lens/) - Osprey Water Take Off, with 1.4x Telephoto Extender, ISO 320 (Above Photo) On a bird photography trip to Florida, I put the Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6 Mark II to the test for birds in flight photography. I paired the Canon 100-400mm II Lens Wood Stork in Flight, without 1.4X Telephoto Extender, ISO 800 The Canon 100-400mm
- [Photo Story: Loggerhead Shrike](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/12/photo-story-loggerhead-shrike/) - The Loggerhead Shrike is a predatory song bird with unusual hunting habits. The Loggerhead Shrike uses its strong curved beak to kill its prey or it kills its prey by impaling it on thorns or barbed wire fences. It also leaves the prey to hang on these hooks for eating at a later time. Loggerhead Shrike Like
- [Photo Story: Backyard Red-Tailed Hawk](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/19/photo-story-backyard-red-tailed-hawk/) - A Red-tailed Hawk frequently visits my backyard. My wife fills three bird feeders daily that draws a large population of birds. Back Yard Red-Tailed Hawk This Red-tailed Hawk sees my backyard as his hunting ground. Several attempts by my wife to scare off the hawk have failed. He is quite the persistent hunter. On this particular day,
- [Photo Story: Sunset Over Estero Lagoon](https://martinbelan.com/2015/03/26/photo-story-sunset-over-estero-lagoon/) - After a long day of photography, I decided to do some bird photography just before sunset at the famous Estero Lagoon on Fort Myers Beach in Florida. Sunset Over Estero Lagoon It was a busy day photographing birds at Corkscrew Swamp and the Shady Hollow Road Rookery, and hiking and photographing at Lovers Key State Park. We
- [Photo Story: Ringed-neck Pheasant Couple Foraging in the Snow](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/02/photo-story-ringed-neck-pheasant-couple-foraging-in-the-snow/) - It was a long, cold Ohio winter. The ground was snow covered for almost 10 weeks. Hen Pheasant in the Snow Animals and birds had a tough time foraging with the snow covering the landscape for an extended duration. This pheasant couple was foraging right along the side of the road in Killdeer Plains Wildlife
- [Lover’s Key State Park in Florida is for Nature Lovers and Photographers](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/07/lovers-key-state-park-in-florida-is-for-nature-lovers-and-photographers/) - Lovers Key State Park is located on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The park has hiking trails, gulf beach access, and canoe and kayak rentals. Lovers Key State Park has something for everyone. Nature lovers and photographers will enjoy the 8 miles of hiking trails at Lovers Key State Park. The Black Island Trail is 2.5
- [Photo Story: An Artistic Look at 3 White-tailed Deer Does](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/09/photo-story-an-artistic-look-at-3-white-tailed-deer-does/) - This was a really long shot and the lighting wasn’t great. But I really liked the composition and the way the White-tailed Deer Does were looking right at me. White-tailed Deer Does - Topaz Impression After processing the photo (bottom photo), I wasn’t really happy with the results. The photo wasn’t that sharp even after
- [Photo Story: Sleepy Eastern Screech Owl](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/16/photo-story-sleepy-eastern-screech-owl/) - This red morph Eastern Screech Owl was photographed on the Indigo Trail at J.N. Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve on Sanibel Island in Florida. Sleepy Eastern Screech Owl This little owl was located in an old dead tree less than 30 feet from Wildlife Drive on a trail that leads between the visitor center and Wildlife
- [Using Lists to Improve your Travel Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/21/using-lists-to-improve-your-travel-photography/) - I like using lists. To do lists are great for not forgetting to do something, and shopping lists save me from making multiple trips to the grocery store. Lists are also useful for travel photographers. In this blog post, I'll discuss 3 ways that I use lists to help me with my travel photography. Packing
- [Photo Story: Horned Lark in the Snow](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/23/photo-story-horned-lark-in-the-snow/) - When driving past snow covered cornfields in the Midwestern United States, it’s not uncommon to see Horned Larks gathering in the field. Horned Lark in the Snow Horned Larks can also be seen in flocks with Snow Buntings and Lapland Longspurs. Horned Larks nest in Northern Canada and migrate south to the US in the
- [Florida Nature Photography - Rotary Park, Cape Coral](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/28/florida-nature-photography-rotary-park-cape-coral/) - Rotary Park in Cape Coral, Florida is located in a large mangrove estuary and is also on the Florida birding trail. The park has over a mile of walking trails. Some of the trails are paved, but most are not paved. Wild Parrot The unpaved trails branch off of the main paved trail and lead around
- [Photo Story: Boston Sunset Painted with Topaz Impression](https://martinbelan.com/2015/04/30/photo-story-boston-sunset-painted-with-topaz-impression/) - I took this photo of the sunset over Boston and the Charles River in 2011. I came across this photo recently and when I looked at it, I thought this would look really good as a painting. Boston Sunset - Topaz Impression So I took a few minutes and played around with the photo in
- [Photo Story: Chicago Independence Grove Sunrise](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/07/photo-story-chicago-independence-grove-sunrise/) - While visiting friends and family in Chicago, I decided to take an early morning walk at Independence Grove Nature Preserve. Independence Grove is located in Libertyville, Illinois which is north of Chicago. Independence Grove is 1,151 acres with miles of hiking trails and a large lake. I selected the 2.3 mile long Lakeside Trail Loop
- [Try Tremont Road to Photograph Waterfalls and Cascades away from the Smoky Mountain Crowds](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/12/try-tremont-road-to-photograph-waterfalls-and-cascades-away-from-the-smoky-mountain-crowds/) - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park can get very crowded especially during the peak seasons. In fact, the Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the United States. Lower Lynn Camp Falls Large crowds can be frustrating to photographers trying to capture a waterfall or other composition with a crowd of people in
- [Photo Story: Soft Pink Hibiscus (plus how I cleaned up the background)](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/14/photo-story-soft-pink-hibiscus-plus-how-i-cleaned-up-the-background/) - While traveling to India on business, I like to take morning photo walks in the hotel garden. Soft Pink Hibiscus In tropical destinations, the gardens at the hotels can be beautiful and provide some terrific photo opportunities as well. I really liked the composition of this hibiscus photo. It’s long stamen matched perfectly with a
- [Where to Photograph Sunrises and Sunsets in the Smoky Mountains](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/19/where-to-photograph-to-sunrises-and-sunsets-in-the-smoky-mountains/) - The Smokey Mountains has numerous locations to photograph beautiful mountain vistas. The sunrises and sunsets are especially Beautiful with the mountain scenery and ethereal fog. Here are a few of my favorite spots for Smoky Mountain sunrises and sunsets. Sunset at Newfound Gap Morton Overlook. (Sunset) GPS 35.617184, -83.423001 Morton Overlook is one of the most
- [Photo Story: Tremont Road Rapids, Smoky Mountains](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/21/photo-story-tremont-road-rapids-smoky-mountains/) - Tremont Road is a less traveled road in the most visited National Park in the United States – the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tremont Road runs along side the Middle Prong of the Little River. Rapids Along Tremont Road Tremont Road is a terrific place to photograph a mountain river using long exposures. Essential
- [Photographing Roaring Fork Waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/26/photographing-roaring-fork-waterfalls-in-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/) - The Roaring Fork Auto Tour is a popular destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Roaring Fork is just a few miles from downtown Gatlinburg. Roaring Fork has several old cabins to photograph, but I enjoy photographing the waterfalls on the Auto Tour. There are 3 waterfalls accessible from Roaring Fork, but not all
- [Photo Story: Munching Marsh Rabbit](https://martinbelan.com/2015/05/28/photo-story-munching-marsh-rabbit/) - This photo of a Marsh Rabbit was taken at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island in Florida. Munching Marsh Rabbit Ding Darling is known world wide for bird watching and bird photography. But, Ding Darling also has its fair share of non-bird wildlife too. In addition to the Marsh Rabbit, Manatees, Alligators,
- [Photographing Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/02/photographing-cades-cove-in-the-great-smoky-mountain-national-park/) - Cades Code is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In early May, I arrived at Cades Cove at 6:30am and was 12th in line waiting for the park rangers to open the gate. Luckily Cades Cove is a large area and the people dispersed quickly. Photographers should
- [Photo Story: White Plumeria – Painted Look](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/04/photo-story-white-plumeria-painted-look-3/) - I took this photo of a White Plumeria at the hotel when I was traveling to India for business. I really like the composition of the photo but the front petal wasn’t sharp. White Plumeria - Topaz Impression After a ½ hour or so of post processing, I still didn’t like the result. I decided
- [Photographing Laurel Falls in the Smoky Mountains](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/09/photographing-laurel-falls-in-the-smoky-mountains/) - Laurel Falls is a popular tourist destination in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During the day both parking areas are usually filled and people are also parking down the road. So it's best to photograph the Laurel Falls early in the morning. Laurel Falls Trail The Laurel Falls trailhead is located right on Little
- [Photo Story: Highland Doghobble Wildflower, Smoky Mountains](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/11/photo-story-highland-doghobble-wildflower-smoky-mountains/) - When hiking the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to photograph waterfalls, don’t forget to bring along your macro lens. Highland Doghobble I visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in early May. My main purpose for the visit was to photograph the beautiful waterfalls in the park. While hiking the mountain trails to photograph waterfalls,
- [Meigs Falls, A Smoky Mountains Waterfall Right Along the Road](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/16/meigs-falls-a-smoky-mountains-waterfall-right-along-the-road/) - To access many of the waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you need to hike for 1+ miles up a mountain trail. But not Meigs Falls. Meigs Falls, 240mm Focal Length Meigs Falls is located right on Little River Road between the Sugarland Visitor Center and the Townsend Junction. The falls are hidden
- [Photo Story: A Pair of Dames Rocket Wildflower Blooms](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/18/photo-story-a-pair-of-dames-rocket-wildflower-blooms/) - This pair of Dames Rocket wildflowers is a good example of using balance in your flower photography. A Pair of Dames Rocket Wildflower Blooms These blooms almost look like they are a mirror effect of a single flower that was created in post processing. But they are not. This is the actual composition of these
- [Hike the Ocanaluftee River Trail for Wildflower Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/23/hike-the-ocanaluftee-river-trail-for-wildflower-photography/) - If you want a break from hiking steep mountain trails to photograph waterfalls, try the Ocanaluftee River Trail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. In the Smoky Mountains, I found wildflowers along almost every mountain trail. However, sometimes a nice flat trail is a welcome change. Ocanaluftee River Trail The Ocanaluftee River Trail is
- [Photographing Wildflowers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/06/30/photographing-wildflowers-in-the-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/) - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a terrific spot to photograph wildflowers in the spring. I've hiked several trails in the Smoky Mountains and there were many wildflowers on every trail. Common Blue Violet - Grotto Falls I brought my macro lens on morning hikes to photograph waterfalls and took macro shots of wildflowers
- [Is the Clik Elite Compact Sport Backpack the right choice for Micro Four Thirds Nature Photographers?](https://martinbelan.com/2015/07/07/is-the-clik-elite-compact-sport-backpack-the-right-choice-for-micro-four-thirds-nature-photographers/) - I do a lot of hiking for my nature photography. I usually just stuff the pockets of my vest with gear and go. Click Elite Compact Sport Backpack - Camera Bay Recently while hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I realized that I need a backpack for longer photography hikes. By the
- [Transportation in India – What’s on the Road?  (Part 2)](https://martinbelan.com/2015/07/14/transportation-in-india-whats-on-the-road-part-2/) - As promised, here is part 2 of my transportation in India blog. It took a lot longer to create part 2 of this blog than I thought. Tractor Taxi in Farm Country This delay was partially because I kept finding other good topics to write about and partly because I wanted to find and edit
- [A Summer Morning Macro Photography Walk](https://martinbelan.com/2015/07/21/a-summer-morning-macro-photography-walk/) - One of the things I love doing in the summer is getting up early and going on a macro photography walk our in nature. I like to arrive at the park just after sunrise. Snail Climbing the Tall Grass Just after sunrise, I’m there by myself in a calm peaceful setting before the joggers and
- [Photographing Summer Wildflowers in Ohio](https://martinbelan.com/2015/08/12/photographing-summer-wildflowers-in-ohio/) - Ohio is a great place to photograph summer wildflowers. The weather in Ohio generally isn’t too hot and a great selection of wildflowers can be found in the numerous county and state parks. Wildflower Photography Tips Get out early. The wildflowers will still have the morning dew on them and will be less droopy. I
- [Canon 7d Mark II for Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2015/08/26/canon-7d-mark-ii-for-bird-photography/) - The Canon 7D Mark II Singing Carolina Wren. Canon 7d Mark II, Canon 500mm f/4 lens The Canon 7d Mark II shoots at up to 10 frames per second. It has a 1.6 crop factor for closer bird photos, 65 autofocus points (all cross type), and Dual Digic 6 processors for faster image processing. The
- [Photographing Bees on a Late Summer Morning](https://martinbelan.com/2015/09/09/photographing-bees-on-a-late-summer-morning/) - Late summer and early autumn mornings are a terrific time to photograph bees and other insects. The trick is to get out just before sunrise. On these chilly mornings, the bees are in a state of stasis giving you the opportunity to shoot close up using your macro lens. If you pick the right location
- [Turn Your Fall Landscape Photographs into Works of Art](https://martinbelan.com/2015/09/23/turn-your-fall-landscape-photographs-into-works-of-art/) - Fall is one of my favorite seasons for landscape photography. If you can time the changing colors right in your area, you can create some beautiful landscape photographs. Original Photograph There are several photo processing plugins for Photoshop and Lightroom that will give your fall photographs an artistic look. These plugins can imitate techniques like
- [Multitasking for Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2015/10/07/multitasking-for-nature-photography/) - While it pays to do your homework for nature photography walks, it’s also important not to lock yourself into one genre of nature photography during your photo walk. Multitasking or looking at more than one type of nature photography during your walk can pay off with some excellent shots that you would otherwise miss. Yellow-Billed
- [My Micro Four Thirds Waterfall Photography Kit](https://martinbelan.com/2015/10/14/my-micro-four-thirds-waterfall-photography-kit/) - Waterfalls are one of the favorite subjects for nature photographers. However, many waterfalls require a somewhat lengthy hike usually on uneven terrain. Lower Lynn Camp Falls, Smoky Mountains Since many waterfalls require a long hike in order to photograph them, it is important that you plan out your photography kit in advance since you can’t
- [Hiking and Photographing the Stony Man Trail in Shenandoah National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/11/25/hiking-and-photographing-the-stony-man-trail-in-shenandoah-national-park/) - The Stony Man Trail in Shenandoah National Park is a relatively easy 1.4 mile hike. But is the hike worth it for photographers? The Stony Man Trailhead is located at mile marker 41.7 on Skyline Drive, close to the Skyland Resort. First off, the landscape along the trail is not that spectacular until you get
- [What to Photograph at Blackwater Falls State Park?](https://martinbelan.com/2015/12/03/what-to-photograph-at-blackwater-falls-state-park/) - Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia has a terrific selection of attractions for nature photographers. Blackwater Falls Blackwater Falls State Park has several waterfalls and scenic overlooks for landscape photographers. If you want to visit Blackwater Falls for fall colors, the peak for fall foliage is typically around October 1st. Locations to Photograph
- [Photographing the Loft Mountain Loop Trail at Shenandoah National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2015/12/08/photographing-the-loft-mountain-loop-trail-at-shenandoah-national-park/) - The Loft Mountain Loop Trail is a fairly easy 2.7 trail that makes use of a dirt fire road, the Appalachian Trail, and the Frazier Discovery Trail. The first half of the trail is up hill but it leads to a rocky overlook with a beautiful panoramic vista right where the trail joins with the
- [Is the Calf Mountain Trail in Shenandoah worth it for Landscape Photographers?](https://martinbelan.com/2015/12/16/is-the-calf-mountain-trail-in-shenandoah-worth-it-for-landscape-photographers/) - Shenandoah National Park has numerous overlooks and trails but which hikes should you choose for photography photography? Calf Mountain Summit I hiked the 2 mile (round trip) to the summit of Little Calf Mountain in the peak autumn foliage season and was disappointed by the view at the top of Little Calf Mountain. I'm writing this
- [Photograph Beautiful Landscapes at Bear Rocks Preserve in Dolly Sods Wilderness Area](https://martinbelan.com/2015/12/23/photograph-beautiful-landscapes-at-bear-rocks-preserve-in-dolly-sods-wilderness-area/) - The Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in northeastern West Virginia is a high altitude plateau. Dolly Sods is a large wilderness area with over 17 thousand acres with 47 miles of hiking trails. Bear Rocks in Dolly Sods Wilderness At the very end of an 11 mile dirt and gravel road is Bear Rocks Preserve, a
- [What To Do When Your Nature Photos Aren’t Quite Sharp?](https://martinbelan.com/2016/11/16/what-to-do-when-your-natures-photo-arent-quite-sharp/) - I’ve always like the composition of this photo. The swans taking off, the Mallard ducks in the background, the fall colors all lead to a pleasing photo. I’ve kept this unprocessed photo around for 7 years because I didn’t know what to do with it. The problem with this image is that it that the
- [Photography – Creative Post Processing Idea for Winter Berries](https://martinbelan.com/2017/02/08/photography-creative-post-processing-idea-for-winter-berries/) - Bright red berries may be the most photographed subject for nature photographers in the cold winter months. Berries might be the one colorful subject in an otherwise dull, gray landscape. So how do you make your berries stand out from the photography of others? Post Processing. Ideas to Post Process your Winter Berry Photographs. Topaz
- [Re-finding Your Photographic Inspiration](https://martinbelan.com/2017/08/08/re-finding-your-photographic-inspiration/) - I had not published a blog in over six months. In fact, I had not taken or processed a photo in months. We were building a house which took way too much of my time - selections to make, checking on the progress, managing the finances. There was no time left for photography. Once in
- [A Collection of Artistic Bird Photography Techniques](https://martinbelan.com/2017/09/26/a-collection-of-artistic-bird-photography-techniques/) - Pixel Peeper nature photographers will tell you that bird photographs need to be sharp with the bird’s eyes being in clear focus. I too strive for a sharp, in focus subject in most of my bird photographs. But there is no rule that states that bird photographs can be artistic, even if that means the
- [A Collection of Indian Farm Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2017/11/01/a-collection-of-indian-farm-photographs/) - India has beautiful architecture to photograph including temples and forts. The most popular of which is the Taj Mahal. Street photography with the vibrant colors and interesting traffic is also very popular when visiting India. India’s farm lands also provide excellent photo opportunities. Much of the work in the farm fields in India is done
- [A Collection of Winter Macro Photography Ideas](https://martinbelan.com/2018/01/02/a-collection-of-winter-macro-photography-ideas/) - Winter is here. Don’t put away your macro lens. There are still plenty of macro photography subjects in the winter. You may just have to bundle up and look at little harder. I find that these winter compositions can be just as beautiful as the insects and flowers of summer. So get your warm clothes,
- [The New Sky Replacement Filter in Luminar 4 – WOW!](https://martinbelan.com/2019/11/23/the-new-sky-replacement-filter-in-luminar-4-wow/) - Skylum Software has released a new version of their popular Luminar photo editing and image library software and the top feature is their new AI Sky Replacement Filter. The Sky Replacement filter produces excellent results and is easy to use. The filter comes with 29 replacement skies or you can use your own skies. If you do
- [Taking Amazing Handheld Internal HDR photos with the Olympus OM-D E-M1X](https://martinbelan.com/2019/11/24/taking-amazing-handheld-internal-hdr-photos-with-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1x/) - The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is the new flagship Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus. While the OM-D E-M1X is pricey for a Micro Four Thirds camera ($2,999 USD), it does have some advanced features like: Built in battery grip with dual batteriesDual card slots80MP Tripod High Res Shot50MP Handheld High Res ShotInternal Live ND filter5 Axis
- [Double-crested Cormorant Water Splashing Sequence](https://martinbelan.com/2016/03/30/double-crested-cormorant-water-splashing-sequence/) - While photographing birds at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge, I noticed a Double-crested Cormorant splashing wildly about in the water. The cormorant would travel about 20 – 30 feet while splashing its wings in the water. This must be some kind of washing / bathing behavior. Whatever the purpose of the cormorant splashing, it sure was
- [Reddish Egret Fishing Sequence](https://martinbelan.com/2016/05/04/reddish-egret-fishing-sequence/) - While photographing birds at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, I captured a sequence of photographs of this Reddish Egret fishing in the shallows. Photographing a Reddish Egret while fishing is a real treat. Reddish Egrets have very animated behavior while fishing. They run through the water, jump, spin, flap their wings, and (of course)
- [What to photograph at Waikiki Beach?](https://martinbelan.com/2016/06/08/what-to-photograph-at-waikiki-beach/) - Waikiki Beach is one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. It is also the most crowded. Even though Waikiki Beach has the most tourists in Hawaii, don't overlook it as a photography destination. Photography Opportunities at Waikiki Beach In this blog, I'll tell you about some of my favorite photo opportunities on Waikiki
- [Visiting and Photographing Pearl Harbor](https://martinbelan.com/2016/06/22/visiting-and-photographing-pearl-harbor/) - Pearl Harbor is the most visited tourist attraction on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. In addition to reflecting on its historical significance, a photographer can get some good photographs at Pearl Harbor. Flag Flying over the USS Arizona Memorial If you are going to visit Pearl Harbor, arrive early. We arrived at 6:45am (15
- [What’s New in Topaz Impression and How it Improved my Workflow](https://martinbelan.com/2016/06/26/whats-new-in-topaz-impression-and-how-it-improved-my-workflow/) - Topaz Labs has released a new version of their popular Impression photo processing software. Topaz Impression is a digital painting program. Flag Flying over the USS Arizona Memorial (Processed with Topaz Impression 2) Topaz Impression 2 added several new features. Large Image Support. Now supports images up to 80 megapixels.More Painting Effects. Now comes with 142
- [Photography Compositions at the Valley of the Temples on Oahu, Hawaii](https://martinbelan.com/2016/07/20/photography-compositions-at-the-valley-of-the-temples-on-oahu-hawaii/) - While there are beautiful mountains, coastlines, and waterfalls in Hawaii, the Valley of the Temples on Oahu is a pleasant surprise for photographers. Byodo-In Temple The main photo opportunity in the Valley of the Temples is the Japanese style Byodo-In Buddhist temple. The temple is a smaller replica of a Byodo-In temple in Japan. The
- [Why Can Sacred Falls Only Be Viewed by Helicopter?](https://martinbelan.com/2016/07/27/why-can-sacred-falls-only-be-viewed-by-helicopter/) - While visiting Oahu, Hawaii, I took a Doors off Helicopter Flight from Honolulu Airport. One of the attractions advertised for the flight was Sacred Falls which can only be seen by helicopter. When we got to Sacred Falls (about ½ way through the hour long flight), I was greeted by an amazing waterfall with a
- [Tree Bark as Art Photography Project](https://martinbelan.com/2016/02/03/tree-bark-as-art-photography-project/) - I love to photograph nature. But in the winter in colder climates there are significantly less nature subjects to photograph. I still love to go on photography hikes in the winter and tree bark is a terrific subject to photograph. This winter I’ve decided to focus on a project to produce artistic images using tree
- [Finding Artistic Compositions on a Winter Nature Photography Walk](https://martinbelan.com/2016/01/20/finding-artistic-compositions-on-a-winter-nature-photography-walk/) - Many nature photographers hang up their cameras in the cold winter months and focus on their backlog of post processing work. I find winter to be a great season for nature photography with great opportunities for creative, artistic photographs. I recently took a winter nature photography walk and there wasn’t any snow on the ground.
- [A Photography Drive in the Scenic Canaan Valley, West Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/2015/12/30/a-photography-drive-in-the-scenic-canaan-valley-west-virginia/) - The Canaan Valley in West Virginia has some beautiful mountain scenery. The two primary photography and tourist attractions in the Canaan Valley are Blackwater Falls State Park and the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Outside of these two beautiful tourist attractions, there is also plenty of beautiful scenery to view and photograph. This scenic route was told
- [Photographing Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2016/08/03/photographing-hawaiian-volcanoes-national-park/) - Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park on the southern part of the Big Island of Hawaii houses an active volcano. The Kilauea Caldera can be seen smoking and fiery lava can be seen at night. The Hawaiians call this smoke vog vs. fog. Kilauea Caldera, Volcanos National Park There were no active lava flowing in to the
- [How to Create an Export Preset in Lightroom](https://martinbelan.com/2016/11/02/how-to-create-an-export-preset-in-lightroom/) - Presets are a big time saver for photographers. Often photographers will need to export images out of Adobe Lightroom for several purposes with different sizes and characteristics. I frequently export photographers at different sizes and resolutions to print, upload to my photography gallery, and my blog.Creating an export preset is simple in Adobe Lightroom. Below
- [Tenba DNA 15 Backpack for Air Travel and Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2019/02/08/tenba-dna-15-backpack-for-air-travel-and-photography/) - I was looking for the perfect backpack for air travel and for photography once I arrived at the destination. I had two winter photography trips planned – Yellowstone and Fairbanks and needed that perfect backpack to meet the airline carry on policies and carry my gear once I arrived at my destination. The Tenba DNA
- [How to Post Process Your Bird Photographs in Lightroom and Photoshop](https://martinbelan.com/2021/03/21/how-to-post-process-your-bird-photographs-in-lightroom-and-photoshop/) - It is difficult to develop a detailed, step by step recipe for post processing bird photographs as every image is different. But in this blog, I’ll describe my processing steps at a higher level and my decision process for how to edit bird photographs in Lightroom and Photoshop. I have also included several links that
- [How to Blur the Background of your Bird Photographs using Photoshop](https://martinbelan.com/2020/11/22/how-to-blur-the-background-of-your-bird-photographs-using-photoshop/) - Sometimes you get really sharp photograph of a bird but the background is distracting because it’s not blurred enough. A blurred background (also called Bokeh) can bring more attention to your subject (the bird) and really make your bird photographs stand out. You could just replace the background. But this can lead to unrealistic looking
- [Top Tips and Settings for Birds in Flight Photography using Olympus OM-D Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/05/09/top-tips-and-settings-for-birds-in-flight-photography-using-olympus-om-d-cameras/) - Birds in flight is one of the most difficult genres of photography. Photographing a small object flying really fast and getting sharp and not blurred photographs can be a real challenge. Fortunately, Olympus OM-D Cameras have some features to help you get good shots of birds in flight. In this blog, I’ll describe my preferred
- [Handheld Focus Stacking on the Olympus OM-D E-M1X and E-M1 Mark III](https://martinbelan.com/2020/01/04/handheld-focus-stacking-on-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1x/) - Many of the newer Olympus OM-D cameras have the ability to do focus stacking in camera. Focus stacking will take up to 15 images at different focus points and stack them into a single JPEG image in camera. The Olympus Olympus OM-D E-M1X and OM-D E-M1 Mark III with their 7 stops of image stabilization
- [How to Post Process your Star Trail Photographs in Lightroom](https://martinbelan.com/2020/01/09/how-to-post-process-your-star-trail-photographs-in-lightroom/) - After hours outside photographing your star trails with your Olympus OM-D or other camera, your final image output by the camera probably looks something like this. This is due to light pollution and how dark of a location you were photographing your Star Trails. But don’t worry, this can all be corrected in lightroom. Here are
- [What to Photograph When the Waterfalls Aren’t Flowing at Hocking Hills State Park](https://martinbelan.com/2020/02/03/what-to-photograph-when-the-waterfalls-arent-flowing-at-hocking-hills-state-park/) - You’ve taken time off work, booked reservations, and driven all the way to Hocking Hills to capture the beauty of the many waterfalls at Hocking Hills. You get there and the water flow is really low. This happened to me one fall. I was leading a photography shoot for my camera club. I made several scouting trips
- [Should You Upgrade to the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III?](https://martinbelan.com/2020/02/14/should-you-upgrade-to-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-mark-iii/) - My Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark I is the perfect travel and hiking camera. It’s lightweight with good performance, and I can carry several small lenses without taking a lot of room in my bag. I’ve traveled all over the United States and the world with that camera without having to worry about baggage restrictions. I didn’t upgrade
- [Winter Wildlife Photography at Yellowstone National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2020/02/16/winter-wildlife-photography-at-yellowstone-national-park/) - Many photographers travel to Yellowstone National Park in the spring / early summer for wildlife photography. The big attraction in the spring is the babies and the bears – which is awesome! But, there are also advantages to photograph Yellowstone for wildlife in the winter. Here are some of the biggest advantages and a few
- [Comparing the Olympus OM-D  E-M5 Mark III, E-M1 Mark III, and EM1X](https://martinbelan.com/2020/03/08/comparing-the-olympus-om-d-e-m5-mark-iii-e-m1-mark-iii-and-em1x/) - Olympus has recently released two new upgrades to their OM-D line, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III and OM-D E-M1 Mark III. So how do these new model revisions stack up to the Flag Ship OM-D E-M1X pro body released in February 2019? Feature Comparison First let’s start with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III.
- [Photo Story: Eastern Kingbird Feeding its Young](https://martinbelan.com/2020/03/28/photo-story-eastern-kingbird-feeding-its-young/) - One thing I really enjoy about Bird and Wildlife photography is witnessing and photographing the undisturbed behavior of the animals. It’s great to get a beautiful portrait of a bald eagle, but capturing an eagle catching a fishing in its talons or building its nest is really special. One this occasion, I was photographing a Juvenile
- [False Color Infrared Photography Processing Tips](https://martinbelan.com/2020/04/05/false-color-infrared-photography-processing-tips/) - Infrared photography makes use of wavelengths of light that fall outside the visible spectrum and makes for some very creative photographs. Many people process their infrared photographs in black and white resulting in snowy white trees and foliage. But for me, false color infrared image processing allows for ultimate creativity in developing your images. I
- [Beginning DSLR Deep Sky Astrophotography – Equipment](https://martinbelan.com/2020/04/18/beginning-dslr-deep-sky-astrophotography-part-1-basic-equipment/) - What is Deep Sky Astrophotography? It is photographing deep space objects like nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. These objects are very faint or even invisible to the human eye but can create beautiful images when photographed using astrophotography techniques that I will cover in this blog series. In part 1 of this series, I will
- [Winter, Stay at Home Photography Project – Circuit Board Macro](https://martinbelan.com/2021/12/29/winter-stay-at-home-photography-project-circuit-board-macro/) - Sometimes, especially in the winter, you can’t get outside for photography. Winter indoor macro photography projects can be a lot of fun and produce some terrific images. So, why macro photography of circuit boards? First, electronic circuits are in just about everything these days. Save your old electronic equipment and tear them apart to get
- [Give Your Macro Images a Creative Abstract Look with Boris FX Optics](https://martinbelan.com/2022/01/06/give-your-macro-images-a-creative-abstract-look-with-boris-fx-optics/) - Boris FX is known for its editing and special effects software for films. Boris FX has also released software that enables these special effects for photography – Boris FX Optics. Boris FX Optics Works great for producing creative, fun, and abstract macro photography images all done in post processing with your current images. Using Optics
- [Testing out Olympus’ New Starry Sky Autofocus Feature](https://martinbelan.com/2020/04/21/testing-out-olympus-new-starry-sky-autofocus-feature/) - With the OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Olympus introduced the new Starry Sky Autofocus feature. Starry Sky AF has two focus modes: speed for handheld and accuracy for mounting on a tripod. Wait a minute – handheld autofocusing of the stars in the dark. I had to try this out. I set out to photograph the
- [Beginning Deep Sky Astrophotography – Planning Your Photo Shoot (DSO Targets)](https://martinbelan.com/2020/04/25/beginning-deep-sky-astrophotography-planning-your-photo-shoot-dso-targets/) - Planning for a Deep Sky Astrophotography photo shoot is much different than planning for other types of photography. First the targets are seasonal, targets only appear in the night sky at certain times of the year. The targets also rise and set like the moon and sun. While weather is important for all types of
- [Night Sky Photography – How to Increase the Size of the Stars](https://martinbelan.com/2020/05/01/night-sky-photography-how-to-increase-the-size-of-the-stars/) - Normally in night sky or astrophotography the goal is to get pinpoint, small stars. The smaller the stars, the more they are in focus. However, there are times you want bigger stars in order to highlight them. Making a constellation stand out in your photograph is one example where you want to highlight certain stars.
- [How to Photograph the Moon using Olympus’ High Res Mode](https://martinbelan.com/2020/05/09/how-to-photograph-the-moon-using-olympus-high-res-mode/) - Olympus OM-D cameras have a High Res Shot Mode that takes and stacks multiple exposures to produce a high resolution image of up to 80 MP. This can produce a high resolution image of the moon without having to manually stack the images and it’s really easy to use. I took the full moon photograph
- [Deep Sky Astrophotography - Planning for The Weather](https://martinbelan.com/2020/05/12/deep-sky-astrophotography-planning-for-the-weather/) - Partly cloudy skies are terrific for landscape photography and cloudy skies could be great for macro photography so you don’t blow out your subject. Not so for astrophotography where “Clear Skies” is a common salutation between astrophotographers. Partly cloudy skies could cause you to throw out ½ or more of your images from an all
- [Create Colorful Oil and Water Macro Photographs using your Tablet as a Background](https://martinbelan.com/2020/05/18/create-colorful-oil-and-water-macro-photographs-using-your-tablet-as-a-background/) - If you’re stuck indoors or just looking for a creative photography idea, give oil and water macro photography a try. It’s easy and can be done with supplies and equipment you should already have at home. Oil and water macro photographs are artistic and colorful, and the patterns and colors are endless. In this blog,
- [Deep Sky Astrophotography – What you need to know about Light Pollution](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/01/deep-sky-astrophotography-what-you-need-to-know-about-light-pollution/) - Many deep sky astrophotographers photograph stellar objects right from their own backyard. There are several good reasons to photograph from your backyard: Astrophotography can require a large amount of equipment and set up timeYou may only have a short window to photographCommuting to a dark sky site will take away additional sleep time from a
- [Clear Outside – A Terrific Weather App for Nature Photographers](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/02/clear-outside-a-terrific-weather-app-for-nature-photographers/) - I discovered the Clear Outside Weather App while researching Astrophotography apps, but it turns out that it is a really good weather app for anyone who photographs outdoors. Information in the Clear Outside App Clear Outside is a cool little app that has a wealth of information like: Latitude and LongitudeBortle Class (light pollution scale)
- [Learning Deep Sky Astrophotography – Planning Your Composition](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/08/learning-deep-sky-astrophotography-planning-your-composition/) - Composing faint or invisible deep sky astrophotography targets can be problematic. Fortunately, there are tools and techniques that can help with composing your target. There are two good and free tools you can use during planning to compose your image and determine the correct focal length to shoot the target. Stellarium Oculars Window Cameras On
- [Learning Deep Sky Astrophotography Tutorial](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/09/learning-deep-sky-astrophotography-without-spending-a-fortune-on-equipment/) - What is Deep Sky Astrophotography? It is photographing deep space objects like nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. These objects are very faint or even invisible to the human eye but can create beautiful images when photographed using astrophotography techniques that I will cover in this blog series. I wanted to learn Deep Sky Astrophotography but
- [Easy Flower Macro  Reflection Lighting Set Up](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/14/easy-flower-macro-reflection-lighting-set-up/) - A reflection is a great way to add depth and interest to your macro photographs. In this blog, I’ll show you a quick and cheap set up for reflections in close up photography. For this reflection photograph I used a rose bud from my garden, but you can use a variety of subjects including other
- [Learning Deep Sky Astrophotography – Camera Settings](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/16/learning-deep-sky-astrophotography-camera-settings/) - The camera settings will for Deep Sky Astrophotography will be different from other types of photography as you will be taking multiple images of a dim or invisible subject at night and then stack the images together. Camera Settings for Deep Sky Astrophotography These are my base settings but they may vary by the Deep
- [How to Set Up the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer for a Deep Sky Astrophotography Shoot](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/20/how-to-set-up-the-sky-watcher-star-adventurer-for-a-deep-sky-astrophotography-shoot/) - When I first started out in deep sky astrophotography, I made myself a checklist to set up my equipment for an astrophotography shoot. If I didn’t do this, I knew I would forget a step and have to start over. I thought it would be good to share this checklist along with some commentary on
- [How to Polar Align a Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer for Astrophotography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/06/25/how-to-polar-align-a-sky-watcher-star-adventurer-for-astrophotography/) - An accurate polar alignment is key to being able to take longer deep sky astrophotography exposures and to capture more information in your images. It’s important to take your time and get it as accurate as possible. Polar alignment, leveling your mount, and balancing your camera/lens and counterweight are three important steps to ensure accurate
- [Lightweight Nature Macro Photography Set Up for Olympus OM-D Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/01/lightweight-nature-macro-photography-set-up-for-olympus-om-d-cameras/) - Olympus OM-D cameras are perfect for nature macro photography. They are lightweight for long hikes and have terrific image stabilization. For my set up, I wanted to have mobility and nimbleness to photograph insects and other subjects on longer nature macro hikes. Given this I do not have a tripod in my set up, I
- [Setting Up Olympus Focus Peaking for Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/03/setting-up-olympus-focus-peaking-for-macro-photography/) - Focus peaking is a useful feature for macro photography. A lot of times manual focus is required for macro photography and focus peaking will indicate when your subject or part of your subject is in focus. Olympus OM-D cameras have several useful features that can assist with manual focus for macro photography. In this blog,
- [How to Take Water Drop Refraction Photos with your iPad as a Light Source](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/06/how-to-take-water-drop-refraction-photos-with-your-ipad-as-a-light-source/) - For water drop refraction photos, you want to have the background illuminated that you want to show in the water drop. Your iPad is perfect for this. It has a built-in light source and can store a large amount of background images to display in your water drops. Advantages of Using the iPad as a
- [Deep Sky Astrophotography – Finding Your DSO Target in the Night Sky](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/11/deep-sky-astrophotography-finding-your-dso-target-in-the-night-sky/) - If you don’t have a GoTo Mount, it can be a challenge to find your Deep Sky Object (DSO) in the night sky. However, there are techniques to help you locate your target. In this blog, I will discuss several of these tips and techniques. If you are not familiar with the term GoTo Mount,
- [Deep Sky Astrophotography – Frame Types You Need to Shoot](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/13/deep-sky-astrophotography-frame-types-you-need-to-shoot/) - Astrophotography differs from most other forms of photography in that not only do you need to take multiple exposures and stack them, you also need to take different types of frames / images. Typically, multiple frame types (Lights, Darks, Flats, Bias) are loaded into a stacking software program to produce a single image that you
- [Comparing the Specifications of the Olympus E-M10 Mark IV, III, and II](https://martinbelan.com/2020/08/04/comparing-the-specifications-of-the-olympus-e-m10-mark-iv-iii-and-ii/) - Olympus recently announced a new version of its OM-D, E-M10 camera, the E-M10 Mark IV. For its size, the E-M10s are a very functional camera. I often use my E-M10 Mark II as a second camera on my nature photography shoots as the E-M10 fits in my jacket or vest pocket. This is very handy
- [How to use Photoshop to Selectively Edit Colors in Your Photos](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/19/how-to-use-photoshop-to-selectively-edit-colors-in-your-photos/) - There are several tools in Adobe Photoshop like the Hue / Saturation and Color Balance Adjustment Layers that allow you to do selective color adjustment. The problem is that these adjustments layers will affect the color across the entire image. What if you only want to modify a specific color in only a certain portion
- [Creative Ways to use your iPad as a Light Source and Background for your Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/08/03/creative-ways-to-use-your-ipad-as-a-light-source-and-background-for-your-macro-photography/) - An iPad (or other tablet) makes a great light source for macro photography. Why use an iPad as a light source or background for macro photography? Reasons to Use an iPad as a Light Source for Macro Photography Backgrounds can be easily added to your Photos app for a variety of backgrounds that are readily
- [Testing the Meike MK320 Flash on Olympus OM-D Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2020/08/10/testing-the-meike-mk320-flash-on-olympus-om-d-cameras/) - I was looking for a small, inexpensive flash for my Olympus OM-D E-M1 III to use for nature macro photography. I selected the Meike MK-320 due to its price and compactness. Paired with the OM-D E-M1 III and a small diffuser, I have a terrific lightweight macro photography kit for nature hikes. I tested the
- [How to Mount a Guide Scope to Your DSLR / Mirrorless Camera without a Telescope](https://martinbelan.com/2020/08/14/how-to-mount-a-guide-scope-to-your-dslr-mirrorless-camera-without-a-telescope/) - I have several good Canon DSLR lenses that I have been using for Astrophotography. Using my Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Go To mount with a good polar alignment, I’ve been able to get 3 – 3.5 minute exposures. I wanted to take my astrophotography to the next level and start using a guide scope and camera and
- [A Video Tour of What to Photograph in the Hocking Hills Area of Ohio](https://martinbelan.com/2020/08/18/a-video-tour-of-what-to-photograph-in-the-hocking-hills-area-of-ohio/) - Hocking Hills State Park and the surrounding area has some of the most beautiful landscapes in Ohio. Scenic photographs can be taken in any season, although I tend to avoid summer due to the crowds. I've photographed the Hocking Hills area a bunch of times and lead photoshoots there for my photography club. I wrote
- [Understanding SD Card Formats and Speed Classes and which ones to buy for Your Olympus Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2020/08/27/understanding-sd-card-formats-and-speed-classes-and-which-ones-to-buy-for-your-olympus-camera/) - What are all the numbers, letters, and symbols on the label of SD cards and what do they mean to me as a photographer? Which cards should I buy for my Olympus OM-D camera? In this blog, I’ll clarify the different SD card formats, speed classes, and read speeds. I also have a table at
- [Before and After Examples of Mirror Images](https://martinbelan.com/2020/09/01/before-and-after-examples-of-mirror-images/) - Not every photograph works well for a mirror image. However, more types of images will work than you think. I’ve done mirror images with landscapes, buildings, macro, flowers and more. Mirror images creates a sense of balance in the photograph. When choosing a photograph to turn into a mirror image, try to envision the photograph
- [How to Create a Mirror Image in Photoshop with Before and After Example Ideas](https://martinbelan.com/2020/09/02/how-to-create-a-mirror-image-in-photoshop-with-before-and-after-example-ideas/) - When I can’t go out to take photos due to inclement weather or other reasons, I like to play to different post processing techniques. Creating mirror images is a way to put a creative spin on your already processed photographs. Creating mirror images is simple to do in photoshop – just you simply take an
- [Should you Switch to the Olympus OM-D and 300mm f/4 lens for Bird and Wildlife Photography?](https://martinbelan.com/2020/09/08/should-i-switch-to-olympus-for-bird-and-wildlife-photography/) - I love to photograph birds and wildlife. I’ve captured some really good images using my Canon 5d Mark III with the Canon 500mm f/4 and Canon 100-400mm f/4.5 – f/5.6 lenses. I’ve also owned Olympus gear for years and I really like it for landscapes, travel, macro, and street photography. With the Olympus gear, I
- [Using Topaz DeNoise AI for Editing your Bird Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2020/09/26/using-topaz-denoise-ai-for-editing-you-bird-photographs/) - Before purchasing Topaz DeNoise AI, I used multiple Photoshop layers and masks to selectively remove noise from the background and sharpen the birds in my photographs. This workflow produced great results but also was very time consuming. Using Topaz DeNoise AI has greatly reduced the amount of time it takes to process my bird photographs.
- [Comparing the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and E-M1X for Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/02/comparing-the-olympus-om-d-e-m1-mark-iii-and-e-m1x-for-bird-photography/) - With the OM-D E-M1X and E-M1 Mark III, Olympus has introduced two cameras that when paired with Olympus 300mm f/4 Pro lens are quite capable for bird photography. Both cameras have many of the same features and specs: 20.4 megapixel sensor7.0Ev of compensation with 5-axis stabilization, 7.5Ev with Sync IS on certain lenses10 frames /
- [A Really Quick Way to Create a Mirror Image in Photoshop](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/05/a-really-quick-way-to-create-a-mirror-image-in-photoshop/) - I’ve previously published a blog on how to create a mirror image and another blog with before and after examples of mirror images. There are always multiple ways to do things in photoshop and I’ve recently discovered a really quick way to create a mirror image in photoshop. This takes just a few steps and
- [How to Incorporate Fall Color in Your Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/09/how-to-incorporate-fall-color-in-your-bird-photography/) - Fall is a great time to get out for bird photography. Spring is known for the big bird migration with a large variety of birds migrating north. But the fall also has a migration as the birds fly back south. A lot of photographers concentrate on landscapes with the fall colors which can have beautiful
- [How to Create a Water Reflection in Adobe Photoshop](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/26/how-to-create-a-water-reflection-in-adobe-photoshop/) - Water reflections are a popular subject for photographers. But sometimes you just can’t get the best reflection in camera. Adobe Photoshop can create a realistic water reflection image and it’s not that difficult to do. This technique can be used to improve existing reflections and also to create reflections in photographs that do not have
- [Testing Sky Replacements on a Variety of Photographs - Adobe Photoshop CC 2021 vs Luminar](https://martinbelan.com/2020/10/30/testing-sky-replacements-on-a-variety-of-photographs-adobe-photoshop-cc-2021-vs-luminar/) - Luminar 4 by Skylum Software was the first of the major photo editing programs to automate sky replacements. They did an excellent job with this feature, easily allowing skies to be replaced in landscape images. With the release of Photoshop CC 2021, Adobe released their own tool to automate sky replacements. So, which one is
- [Flood 2 Plug-in for Photoshop – an Easy but Powerful Way to Add Water Reflections to your Images](https://martinbelan.com/2020/11/01/flood-2-plug-in-for-photoshop-an-easy-but-powerful-way-to-a-add-water-reflections-to-your-images/) - You can create realistic water reflections in your photographs using Adobe Photoshop. But this can take quite a few steps and involves creating and using a displacement map. If you’re interested in creating water reflections in photoshop, here’s a blog on how to do it. If you’re serious about adding reflections to your photographs or
- [Does the Sky Replacement Feature in Photoshop Work for Bird Photographs?](https://martinbelan.com/2020/11/06/does-the-sky-replacement-feature-in-photoshop-work-for-bird-photographs/) - There are plenty of blogs written on using the Adobe Photoshop Sky Replacement feature on landscapes. But does Photoshop’s Sky Replacement feature work on bird photographs? A lot of times in bird photography, you get a really good, sharp image of a bird with a dull sky behind the bird. Could Photoshop CC 2021’s Sky
- [Next Steps in Learning Deep Sky Astrophotography – An Equatorial GoTo Mount](https://martinbelan.com/2020/11/08/next-steps-in-learning-deep-sky-astrophotography-an-equatorial-goto-mount/) - One of the next pieces of equipment I purchased that really improved my astrophotography was Equatorial GoTo Mount. A GoTo Mount will improve and assist your astrophotography in several ways: Precise location and slewing (moving) to Deep Sky Objects in the night skyA heavier payload, for bigger lenses, telescopes, and accessoriesAbility to use polar alignment
- [How to Easily Add Textures to your Nature Photographs using Photoshop](https://martinbelan.com/2020/11/14/how-to-add-texture-to-your-nature-photographs-in-photoshop/) - Adding texture to your nature photographs can make your images more interesting and give them an artistic look. This works well on flowers, macro photographs, even landscapes. I know there are plug-ins you can buy that can add textures to your photographs, but it’s really easy to do in Photoshop so why not save a
- [Use Topaz Studio 2 to Add an Artistic Look to your Nature Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2020/12/01/use-topaz-studio-2-to-add-an-artistic-look-to-your-nature-photographs/) - Topaz Labs has combined several of their legacy photography processing plugins (Impression, Texture Effects, and Clarity) into one plugin for Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom – Topaz Studio 2. Topaz has also added some new, powerful editing filters in Topaz Studio 2. What makes Topaz Studio 2 stand out is its focus on adding artistic and
- [The Olympus 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 vs. the 300mm f/4 on a Handheld High Res Moon Photograph](https://martinbelan.com/2021/12/01/the-olympus-100-400mm-f-5-0-6-3-vs-the-300mm-f-4-on-a-handheld-high-res-moon-photograph/) - I recently picked up the Olympus 100-400 f/5.0-6.3 lens from OM Digital Solutions Reconditioned Gear website. I waited a long time to get this lens because I’ve really happy with my Olympus 300mm f/4 lens. The refurbished price plus an Olympus fall sale coupon code saved me a bunch of money so I decided to
- [Build an Easy and Inexpensive DIY Light Box for Macro and Product Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/12/06/build-an-easy-and-inexpensive-diy-light-box-for-macro-and-product-photography/) - Instead of ordering an expensive light box from Amazon or another online photography store, you can easily make one at home just using a cardboard box and materials you likely already have at home. A light box or light tent lets you have soft even lighting on your subject and keeps out an extraneous light
- [Stay at Home Photography Project – Create a Screw City Skyline](https://martinbelan.com/2020/12/10/stay-at-home-photography-project-create-a-screw-city-skyline/) - Sometimes we are forced to stay in the house to pursue our photography hobby. It’s a good idea to have a list of photography projects we can work on while staying at home. Building and photographing a Screw City Skyline is a fun photography project that will also help you to learn lighting and post
- [How to Create a Holiday eCard with a Christmas Light Bokeh for Your Friends and Family](https://martinbelan.com/2020/12/13/how-to-create-a-holiday-ecard-with-a-christmas-light-bokeh-for-your-friends-and-family/) - Why not use your photography and holiday decorations to wish your friends and family a Happy Holiday Season. In this blog, I’ll show you how to create a festive holiday eCard using your Christmas tree lights and ornaments on the tree. You can craft a custom message to email different groups of friends and family
- [Testing Olympus Bird Detection Autofocus on Birds in Flight](https://martinbelan.com/2021/01/01/testing-olympus-bird-detection-autofocus-on-birds-in-flight/) - Olympus released firmware update version 2.0 for the E-M1X several weeks ago. This firmware update included Bird Detection Autofocus. The E-M1X is the only Olympus camera that has the Bird Detection AF feature. For this blog, I wanted to mainly focus on birds in flight as there were several other blogs and videos on Bird
- [How to use Olympus’ Pro Capture Mode to Photograph Birds in Flight](https://martinbelan.com/2021/01/06/how-to-use-olympus-pro-capture-mode-to-photograph-birds-in-flight/) - One of the best ways to get birds in flight photographs is to take the image right after the bird takes off. This is especially true for smaller birds that are extremely difficult to photograph in flight. Olympus’ Pro Capture mode can make taking these “Take Off” pictures a lot easier. Pro Capture mode starts
- [Winter Stay at Home Photography Project - Try Black and White Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2021/01/11/winter-stay-at-home-photography-project-try-black-and-white-macro-photography/) - Winter makes me think about black and white photography. It could be the gray and cloudy skies here in the Midwest, United States. Since I’m spending a lot more time at home this winter, why not try a Black and White Macro Photography project. The fun thing about this project is that you get to
- [Testing the Olympus FL-700WR Flash and FC-WR Wireless Commander for Winter Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2021/01/21/testing-the-olympus-fl-700wr-flash-and-fc-wr-wireless-commander-for-winter-macro-photography/) - Testing the Olympus FL-700WR Flash and Olympus FC-WR Wireless Commander for Winter Macro Photography Using off camera flash can really help in lighting your outdoor macro photography subjects. This is especially important in the winter when the skies can be cloudy and gray and there is less ambient light. Olympus has introduced the FL-700WR Flash
- [Should you Buy an Olympus 2x Teleconverter for Bird Photography?](https://martinbelan.com/2021/01/27/should-you-buy-an-olympus-2x-teleconverter-for-bird-photography/) - Due to its sharpness and reach, the Olympus 1.4x Teleconverter stays attached to my Olympus E-M1X and 300mm f/4 lens almost all of the time. This gives me an incredible 840mm of reach that I can easily hike with and shoot handheld. So, what about the Olympus 2x Teleconverter. With the 300mm f/4 and 2x
- [Beat the Winter Photography Blues with a Macro Photography Walk](https://martinbelan.com/2021/02/01/beat-the-winter-photography-blues-with-a-macro-photography-walk/) - Macro photography can be just as much fun in the winter as it is in the summer. There are no insects or flowers but there are plenty of winter macro subjects. A winter macro photo walk will also get you out of the house and give you some fresh subject to photograph. In this blog,
- [New OM Digital Solutions Magazine and Positive News for Olympus Nature Photographers?](https://martinbelan.com/2021/02/04/new-om-digital-solutions-magazine-and-positive-news-for-olympus-nature-photographers/) - OM Digital Solutions, the new manufacturer of Olympus cameras has just launched OM Digital Solutions online magazine. Their tweet (below) indicates this will be a monthly magazine but the initial version is labelled as Jan-Mar 2021. This initial version focuses on nature photography with articles from 12 Olympus nature photographers from around the world. The
- [Improve the Backgrounds of Your Nature Photographs by Adding Textures in Topaz Studio 2](https://martinbelan.com/2021/02/11/improve-the-backgrounds-of-your-nature-photographs-by-adding-textures-in-topaz-studio-2/) - Topaz Studio 2 is a terrific plug-in for Photoshop and Lightroom Classic to add creative looks to your nature photographs. One of my favorite filters in Topaz Studio is the Texture Filter. Adding textures can give an artistic look to your nature photographs and add interest to otherwise dull and boring backgrounds. Adding texture to
- [Testing the Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Close Up Macro Lens on Olympus Micro Four Thirds Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/02/17/testing-the-mitakon-zhongyi-20mm-f-2-4-5x-super-close-up-macro-lens-on-olympus-micro-four-thirds-cameras/) - The Mitakon Zhongyi 20mm f/2 4.5x Macro lens is an extreme close up macro photography lens. The Mitakon 20mm only focuses at 4.0x – 4.5x magnification (8.0x – 9.0x 35mm – equivalent). For comparison, Olympus has 2 macro photography lenses in their lens line up. The 60mm f/2.8 macro which shoots at up to 1.0x
- [Photographing Hocking Hills State Park in the Winter](https://martinbelan.com/2021/02/21/photographing-hocking-hills-state-park-in-the-winter/) - Hocking Hills is one of the most visited and scenic state parks in Ohio. Landscape photographers frequent the park in the spring, summer, and fall to photograph the beautiful waterfalls and other scenic landscapes. Hocking Hills is equally beautiful in the winter. Frozen waterfalls, canyon walls covered in icicles, frozen steams all make for beautiful
- [Top Olympus OM-D Tips and Settings for Bird and Wildlife Photographers](https://martinbelan.com/2021/03/14/top-olympus-om-d-tips-and-settings-for-bird-and-wildlife-photographers/) - Olympus OM-D cameras are terrific for bird and wildlife photography. Their small size and light weight make them easier for travel, hiking, and hand holding your gear for extended periods of time. Olympus OM-D Cameras also have quite a few settings that can make your bird and wildlife photography easier and better. Here are some
- [Photographing Wildlife at Yellowstone National Park with Olympus Micro Four Thirds Gear](https://martinbelan.com/2021/04/01/photographing-wildlife-at-yellowstone-national-park-with-olympus-micro-four-thirds-gear/) - I’ve been to Yellowstone National Park numerous times for wildlife photography, but I’ve always used my Canon gear to photograph the wildlife. When flying to Yellowstone, bringing the larger Canon gear to photograph wildlife can be a challenge. On a couple of occasions, I’ve shipped my Canon 500mm f/4 lens to Yellowstone which was expensive
- [Photographing Wildlife on a Bison Carcass – The Cycle of Life at Yellowstone National Park](https://martinbelan.com/2021/04/08/photographing-wildlife-on-a-bison-carcass-the-cycle-of-life-at-yellowstone-national-park/) - Every year about 9% of the Yellowstone Bison population do not make it through the long, harsh Yellowstone winter. They die of old age, disease, injury, winter exposure and predation. Bison are amazing animals. Here is a link to more interesting information on Bison in Yellowstone National Park from the National Park Service. While it
- [Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts that Will Save you Time Editing your Nature Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2021/04/15/photoshop-keyboard-shortcuts-that-will-save-you-time-editing-your-nature-photographs/) - Keyboard short cuts can save you a lot of time editing your images in Adobe Photoshop CC. But there are hundreds of keyboard short cuts in Photoshop. There are single keystrokes, keystrokes with the Shift key, Alt key, Control key, etc. There are even ones with a combination of control and shift keys like Command
- [Keyboard Short Cuts to Speed Up Culling Your Bird and Wildlife Photographs in Lightroom](https://martinbelan.com/2021/05/16/keyboard-short-cuts-to-speed-up-culling-your-bird-and-wildlife-photographs-in-lightroom/) - Culling your photographs can be one of the most dreaded tasks for photographers. This is especially true for Bird and Wildlife photographers who may have thousands of photographs to go thru to pick out which ones to edit and which ones to delete after each photo shoot. Adobe Lightroom Classic has been criticized as being
- [Don’t Forget the Flowers While out on a Bird Photography Walk](https://martinbelan.com/2021/06/07/dont-forget-the-flowers-while-out-on-a-bird-photography-walk/) - When you are out on a bird photography walk, keep an eye out for flower photo opportunities. Your long telephoto lens could provide some flower photo ops that you wouldn’t be able to get with a standard zoom or macro lens. The long focal length works really well in instances where you need that extra
- [Should you Shoot with On or Off Camera Flash for Macro Photography?](https://martinbelan.com/2021/06/19/should-you-shoot-with-on-or-off-camera-flash-for-macro-photography/) - The availability of light is a typical problem when shooting macro photography. Typically with macro photography, you are shooting at close distances to the subject and at smaller apertures to increase the depth of field which leaves you shooting at slow shutter speeds to get enough light on the subject. There are two primary options
- [Slow Wordpress Blogs & Reposting](https://martinbelan.com/2021/06/22/slow-wordpress-blogs-reposting/) - Hello Blog Readers. I was contacted by one of my blog readers yesterday that some of my older blogs took a really long time to display. By a long time, I mean they are taking minutes to display. I completely re-coded one of the Wordpress blogs last night and it still took a REALLY long
- [How to Create a 360 Degree Star Trail with an Olympus OM-D Camera](https://martinbelan.com/2021/06/23/how-to-create-a-360-degree-star-trail-with-an-olympus-om-d-camera-2/) - Olympus has created a Live Composite feature that greatly simplifies long exposure photography including star trails, street scenes, fireworks and light painting. How Does Live Composite Work? Live Composite mode takes an initial image as the base exposure and then only records those parts of the remaining exposures that have new bright pixels. This prevent blowing
- [Take Creative Dog Photographs with a Fisheye Lens](https://martinbelan.com/2021/07/05/take-creative-dog-photographs-with-a-fisheye-lens/) - A Fisheye lens is an extreme wide angle lens that produces images with significant distortion. This can have a desired effect on your photograph, especially with your dog where its head and nose can look exaggerated compared to the rest of its body. You can Use Inexpensive Fisheye Lenses for Dog Portraits Fisheye lenses by
- [Is the Olympus STF-8 Twin Macro Flash Worth the Price?](https://martinbelan.com/2021/07/11/is-the-olympus-stf-8-twin-macro-flash-worth-the-price/) - Olympus makes a flash specifically for macro photography - the STF-8 Twin Macro Flash. If you are looking for a macro flash for Micro Four Thirds, there doesn’t appear to be a lot of other options. However, you really don’t need a dedicated macro flash for photographing close up / macro subjects. I’ve successfully used
- [Photographers - how to Easily Post your Photographs to Instagram using your Mac](https://martinbelan.com/2021/07/16/photographers-how-to-easily-post-your-photographs-to-instagram-using-your-mac/) - Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms for sharing your photographs and short video clips. The problem is that you can only post your content from a mobile device. When you log in from a browser on your Mac or PC, there is no Post button on Instagram. If you are like
- [Photographing Bees with Olympus Pro Capture](https://martinbelan.com/2021/08/07/photographing-bees-with-olympus-pro-capture/) - Olympus Pro Capture is an amazing technology. Pro Capture saves images in memory when you half press the shutter. When an action happens and you press the shutter button fully, it will record those images in memory to your SD card so that you don’t miss the action shot. I use Pro Capture Low all
- [How to Create a Custom Shaped Vignette in Adobe Photoshop](https://martinbelan.com/2021/09/01/how-to-create-a-custom-shaped-vignette-in-adobe-photoshop/) - Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw and almost every photo processing plug-in has a vignette filter. So, why would you want to create a vignette in Photoshop? Creating a custom shaped vignette allows you to highlight subjects don’t have a circular or rectangular shape such as long narrow subjects. With creating custom shaped vignettes in photoshop,
- [Using the Wimberley F-2 Macro Flash Bracket on Olympus OM-D Cameras – Set Up and Review](https://martinbelan.com/2021/09/08/using-the-wimberley-f-2-macro-flash-bracket-on-olympus-om-d-cameras-set-up-and-review/) - Using a large softbox or diffuser for macro photography gives a nice soft light with minimal specular highlights. One of the challenges of using a large softbox is how to mount it to the camera so it is above the lens and it also provides flexibility in positioning the light on your subject. Without a
- [Cedar Waxwings, the Perfect Subject for Olympus Pro Capture?](https://martinbelan.com/2021/10/06/cedar-waxwings-the-perfect-subject-for-olympus-pro-capture/) - Olympus’ Pro Capture is an amazing technology to capture action photographs of birds, especially bird take offs. But even with Pro Capture technology, you have to be patient to get good birds in flight photographs. Sometimes, the bird doesn’t want to take off and other times it takes off faster than you can half press
- [How to Use Olympus Live ND to Photograph Waterfalls without a Tripod](https://martinbelan.com/2021/10/13/how-to-use-olympus-live-nd-to-photograph-waterfalls-without-a-tripod/) - One thing I really love about my Olympus cameras is the computational photography that is built into the cameras that really makes a photographer’s life easier. One of these computational photography features is Live ND. With Olympus’ Live ND, multiple images are quickly taken in succession and composited in order to create a slow shutter
- [Qubo Mini Tripod Review for Micro Four Thirds Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/10/20/qubo-mini-tripod-review-for-micro-four-thirds-cameras/) - I have 3 large tripods but seldom use them when I’m out hiking for photography. With the image stabilization in my Olympus cameras, I shoot handheld a lot and I don’t miss dragging a big tripod around the woods especially on long, hilly hikes. However, there are situations when a tripod is necessary: Focus stacking
- [Why I use Flash for Outdoor Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2021/08/19/why-i-use-flash-for-outdoor-macro-photography/) - Lately, I’ve written several blogs on gear and setups for macro flash photography. I thought I’d take a step back and write about the reason why I use flash for macro photography and why you should consider doing so as well. There are two basic ways that photographers shoot outdoor macro photography: using a tripod
- [Settings for Using Flash for Macro Photography on Olympus OM-D Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/08/26/settings-for-using-flash-for-macro-photography-on-olympus-om-d-cameras/) - Starting out using flash for macro photography can be a bit intimidating. But with a little practice, you can easily master macro flash photography. I’ve wrote a bunch of blog posts on a variety of macro photography topics. I recently wrote a series on different flashes and diffusers to use for macro photography. In this
- [How to Rescue Really Noisy Bird Photographs using Topaz DeNoise AI and Sharpen AI](https://martinbelan.com/2021/09/15/how-to-rescue-really-noisy-bird-photographs-using-topaz-denoise-ai-and-sharpen-ai/) - It was 6:45 in the morning. I was watching this Green Heron fishing and waiting for him to make a catch. Then it happened; he caught a fish that was larger than his head and bill combined. There was only one problem – There was No Light. The sun had not risen above the tree
- [How to Switch SD Cards During Playback on Olympus Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/11/04/how-to-switch-sd-cards-during-playback-on-olympus-cameras/) - Sometimes I write a blog so I remember how to do something and hopefully this information will help others out as well. It’s also usually faster to find this information searching online than in the instruction manual. I don’t have images on both of my SD cards in my Olympus cameras very often. I have
- [Try Panning to Give an Artistic Look to your Birds in Flight Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2021/11/17/try-panning-to-give-an-artistic-look-to-your-birds-in-flight-photographs/) - Most of the time as bird photographers we try to keep our shutter speeds high to freeze the wings for birds in flight photographs. Capturing a bird in flight with perfectly frozen wings and a sharp head and eyes can bring a sense of accomplishment to bird photographers. For a more artistic look for your
- [Testing iPhone 13 Pro Macro Photography on Ice Patterns](https://martinbelan.com/2021/12/08/testing-iphone-13-pro-macro-photography-on-ice-patterns/) - Those of you who follow the blog know that I really enjoy taking macro photographs using my Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III camera and 60mm macro lens. Well, I finally upgraded my iPhone X with the iPhone 13 Pro. The iPhone 13 Pro & iPhone 13 Pro Max now have an Ultra Wide Camera Lens with
- [Which Olympus Features Will Work with Non-Olympus Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/2021/12/15/which-olympus-features-will-work-with-non-olympus-lenses/) - Olympus cameras are packed with special features like Live ND, Focus Peaking, Pro Capture, etc. Of One of the questions that I frequently get asked is which of these features won’t work with 3rd party lenses. I set out test these features on non-Olympus lenses. For this test, I grouped the lenses into three categories:
- [How to get your Manual Lens Information and Aperture to show up in the EXIF data of your Olympus Camera Photographs](https://martinbelan.com/2021/12/23/how-to-get-your-manual-lens-information-and-aperture-to-show-up-in-the-exif-data-of-your-olympus-camera-photographs/) - There is a large selection of manual lenses available for Micro Four Thirds cameras at reasonable prices. Many of these lenses have excellent optical quality and many of the Olympus camera features still work with these manual lenses. One of the problems with using manual lenses is that the lens information, focal length, and aperture
- [Peak Design Camera Straps - Perfect for Micro Four Thirds Cameras](https://martinbelan.com/2021/11/23/peak-design-camera-straps-perfect-for-micro-four-thirds-cameras/) - I don’t like to use a camera strap while photographing with my Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras but there are times when a camera strap is necessary. Peak Design Camera Straps make it easy to attach and remove the camera strap from your camera body. For macro and landscape photography, a camera strap always seems
- [Using an iPad as a Lightbox for Backlit Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/27/using-an-ipad-as-a-lightbox-for-backlit-macro-photography/) - The Apple iPad (or other tablets) can be great lighting tools for macro photography. I’ve used the iPad for lighting and backgrounds for water drop photography, oil and water backgrounds, and for macro studio shots. The iPad coupled with a free app also makes a great lightbox for macro photography. Photo Ideas So, what can
- [How to Add Your Own Textures to Topaz Studio 2](https://martinbelan.com/2021/02/08/how-to-add-your-own-textures-to-topaz-studio-2/) - Topaz Studio 2 gives you a lot of power and flexibility in customizing textures for your photographs. Topaz Studio 2 comes with dozens of textures that are accessed through the Texture filter. But, you can also add your own textures to Topaz Studio 2 and save them in their own category giving you even more
- [Mindset and Tips for Learning Deep Sky Astrophotography](https://martinbelan.com/2020/08/01/mindset-and-tips-for-learning-deep-sky-astrophotography/) - It’s the middle of the night, you’re learning new photography techniques with new equipment, and photographing long exposures on dim or invisible objects. What could go wrong? Everything and anything! The other night I was photographing the Lagoon Nebula. It was my first night testing my new guide scope and camera set up. The guiding
- [How to Add a Comet to Stellarium](https://martinbelan.com/2020/07/09/how-to-add-a-comet-to-stellarium/) - Comets are not preloaded into Stellarium, but it is quick and easy to load one so you can find where and when you can see a comet in the night sky. Here are the steps to add a comet to the desktop Stellarium application. In the left hand menu, click on the Configuration Window (wrench

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- [Mule Deer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mule-deer/)
- [Nature](https://martinbelan.com/tag/nature/)
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- [wildlife photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wildlife-photography/)
- [Yellowstone](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yellowstone/)
- [HDR](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hdr/)
- [landscape photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/landscape-photography/)
- [National Parks](https://martinbelan.com/tag/national-parks/)
- [order](https://martinbelan.com/tag/order/)
- [photos](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photos/)
- [prints](https://martinbelan.com/tag/prints/)
- [waterfalls](https://martinbelan.com/tag/waterfalls/)
- [lodging](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lodging/)
- [Travel Tips](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-tips/)
- [West Gate](https://martinbelan.com/tag/west-gate/)
- [West Yellowstone](https://martinbelan.com/tag/west-yellowstone/)
- [equipment](https://martinbelan.com/tag/equipment/)
- [bald eagle](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bald-eagle/)
- [Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bird-photography/)
- [birds](https://martinbelan.com/tag/birds/)
- [juvenile](https://martinbelan.com/tag/juvenile/)
- [juvenile bald eagle](https://martinbelan.com/tag/juvenile-bald-eagle/)
- [ohio](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ohio/)
- [ohio wildlife photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ohio-wildlife-photography/)
- [Artist Paint Pots](https://martinbelan.com/tag/artist-paint-pots/)
- [Geothermal Activity](https://martinbelan.com/tag/geothermal-activity/)
- [Geyser Basin](https://martinbelan.com/tag/geyser-basin/)
- [Geysers](https://martinbelan.com/tag/geysers/)
- [Mammoth Hot Springs](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mammoth-hot-springs/)
- [Photo Processing](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-processing/)
- [post processing](https://martinbelan.com/tag/post-processing/)
- [software](https://martinbelan.com/tag/software/)
- [Courtship Dance](https://martinbelan.com/tag/courtship-dance/)
- [Cranes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cranes/)
- [Indiana](https://martinbelan.com/tag/indiana/)
- [Jasper-Pulaski](https://martinbelan.com/tag/jasper-pulaski/)
- [Migration](https://martinbelan.com/tag/migration/)
- [Sandhill](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sandhill/)
- [Sandhill Crane Courtship Dance](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sandhill-crane-courtship-dance/)
- [Sandhill Cranes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sandhill-cranes/)
- [free mac photo viewer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/free-mac-photo-viewer/)
- [Lyn](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lyn/)
- [mac photo viewer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mac-photo-viewer/)
- [photo](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo/)
- [photo software](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-software/)
- [photo software review](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-software-review/)
- [Photo viewer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-viewer/)
- [photo viewer review](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-viewer-review/)
- [photograph viewer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photograph-viewer/)
- [photography software](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-software/)
- [Corkscrew Swamp](https://martinbelan.com/tag/corkscrew-swamp/)
- [Egrets](https://martinbelan.com/tag/egrets/)
- [Florida](https://martinbelan.com/tag/florida/)
- [Heron](https://martinbelan.com/tag/heron/)
- [Myakka River](https://martinbelan.com/tag/myakka-river/)
- [Naples](https://martinbelan.com/tag/naples/)
- [Sarasota](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sarasota/)
- [Southwest Florida](https://martinbelan.com/tag/southwest-florida/)
- [Venice](https://martinbelan.com/tag/venice/)
- [Venice Rookery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/venice-rookery/)
- [Alligator](https://martinbelan.com/tag/alligator/)
- [Anhinga](https://martinbelan.com/tag/anhinga/)
- [Florida Birds](https://martinbelan.com/tag/florida-birds/)
- [Gar](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gar/)
- [Yellow-bellied Sapsucker](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yellow-bellied-sapsucker/)
- [Myakka River State Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/myakka-river-state-park/)
- [Osprey](https://martinbelan.com/tag/osprey/)
- [travel](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-2/)
- [Agra](https://martinbelan.com/tag/agra/)
- [Agra Fort](https://martinbelan.com/tag/agra-fort/)
- [Driving in India](https://martinbelan.com/tag/driving-in-india/)
- [Eagles](https://martinbelan.com/tag/eagles/)
- [Hyderabad](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hyderabad/)
- [India](https://martinbelan.com/tag/india/)
- [Indian Commute](https://martinbelan.com/tag/indian-commute/)
- [Indian Culture](https://martinbelan.com/tag/indian-culture/)
- [Indian Gallery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/indian-gallery/)
- [Indian People](https://martinbelan.com/tag/indian-people/)
- [New Delhi Golf Club](https://martinbelan.com/tag/new-delhi-golf-club/)
- [Photographing India](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photographing-india/)
- [Steppe Eagles](https://martinbelan.com/tag/steppe-eagles/)
- [Taj Mahal](https://martinbelan.com/tag/taj-mahal/)
- [Temples](https://martinbelan.com/tag/temples/)
- [Travel India](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-india/)
- [Arad Fort](https://martinbelan.com/tag/arad-fort/)
- [Architecture](https://martinbelan.com/tag/architecture/)
- [Bahrain](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bahrain/)
- [Bahrain Protests](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bahrain-protests/)
- [Blog](https://martinbelan.com/tag/blog/)
- [cityscape](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cityscape/)
- [Grand Mosque](https://martinbelan.com/tag/grand-mosque/)
- [heat](https://martinbelan.com/tag/heat/)
- [Manama](https://martinbelan.com/tag/manama/)
- [Markets](https://martinbelan.com/tag/markets/)
- [Photography Block](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-block/)
- [Protests](https://martinbelan.com/tag/protests/)
- [skyline](https://martinbelan.com/tag/skyline/)
- [Souq](https://martinbelan.com/tag/souq/)
- [Summer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/summer/)
- [growing](https://martinbelan.com/tag/growing/)
- [iPhone](https://martinbelan.com/tag/iphone/)
- [learning](https://martinbelan.com/tag/learning/)
- [macro](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro/)
- [panning](https://martinbelan.com/tag/panning/)
- [Photo-A-Day](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-a-day/)
- [Picture 365](https://martinbelan.com/tag/picture-365/)
- [Picture-A-Day](https://martinbelan.com/tag/picture-a-day/)
- [Project 365](https://martinbelan.com/tag/project-365/)
- [Techniques](https://martinbelan.com/tag/techniques/)
- [airplane](https://martinbelan.com/tag/airplane/)
- [airport](https://martinbelan.com/tag/airport/)
- [Airport Antidote](https://martinbelan.com/tag/airport-antidote/)
- [Airport Antidote V2.0](https://martinbelan.com/tag/airport-antidote-v2-0/)
- [Bags](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bags/)
- [Bozeman](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bozeman/)
- [Burlington](https://martinbelan.com/tag/burlington/)
- [carry-on](https://martinbelan.com/tag/carry-on/)
- [check bags](https://martinbelan.com/tag/check-bags/)
- [commuter jet](https://martinbelan.com/tag/commuter-jet/)
- [Embraer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/embraer/)
- [Embraer ERJ-145](https://martinbelan.com/tag/embraer-erj-145/)
- [gate check](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gate-check/)
- [Maine](https://martinbelan.com/tag/maine/)
- [overhead bins](https://martinbelan.com/tag/overhead-bins/)
- [photography backpack](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-backpack/)
- [Portland](https://martinbelan.com/tag/portland/)
- [regional jet](https://martinbelan.com/tag/regional-jet/)
- [small jet](https://martinbelan.com/tag/small-jet/)
- [ThinkTank](https://martinbelan.com/tag/thinktank/)
- [travel backpack](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-backpack/)
- [Acadia](https://martinbelan.com/tag/acadia/)
- [Acadia National Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/acadia-national-park/)
- [Bar Harbor](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bar-harbor/)
- [Blue Hill Overlook](https://martinbelan.com/tag/blue-hill-overlook/)
- [buy](https://martinbelan.com/tag/buy/)
- [Cadillac Mountain](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cadillac-mountain/)
- [Frenchman's Bay](https://martinbelan.com/tag/frenchmans-bay/)
- [Jordan Pond](https://martinbelan.com/tag/jordan-pond/)
- [Otter Cliff](https://martinbelan.com/tag/otter-cliff/)
- [Otter Cove](https://martinbelan.com/tag/otter-cove/)
- [Sunrise](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sunrise/)
- [Sunset](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sunset/)
- [The Bubbles](https://martinbelan.com/tag/the-bubbles/)
- [Thunder Hole](https://martinbelan.com/tag/thunder-hole/)
- [Bass Harbor](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bass-harbor/)
- [Bass Harbor Lighthouse](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bass-harbor-lighthouse/)
- [Lighthouse](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lighthouse/)
- [Prospect Harbor](https://martinbelan.com/tag/prospect-harbor/)
- [Prospect Harbor Lighthouse](https://martinbelan.com/tag/prospect-harbor-lighthouse/)
- [Schoodic Peninsula](https://martinbelan.com/tag/schoodic-peninsula/)
- [Schoodic Point](https://martinbelan.com/tag/schoodic-point/)
- [Seal Cove](https://martinbelan.com/tag/seal-cove/)
- [Vacation](https://martinbelan.com/tag/vacation/)
- [business cards](https://martinbelan.com/tag/business-cards/)
- [contest](https://martinbelan.com/tag/contest/)
- [Lightroom](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lightroom/)
- [photo contests](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-contests/)
- [Ranking](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ranking/)
- [ranking your photos](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ranking-your-photos/)
- [stars](https://martinbelan.com/tag/stars/)
- [workshops](https://martinbelan.com/tag/workshops/)
- [Yosemite](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yosemite/)
- [battery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battery/)
- [battery error](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battery-error/)
- [cannot communicate to battery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cannot-communicate-to-battery/)
- [Canon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon/)
- [Canon 7d](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-7d/)
- [clock battery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/clock-battery/)
- [error](https://martinbelan.com/tag/error/)
- [fix](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fix/)
- [LP-E6](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lp-e6/)
- [problem](https://martinbelan.com/tag/problem/)
- [solution](https://martinbelan.com/tag/solution/)
- [baby](https://martinbelan.com/tag/baby/)
- [bears](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bears/)
- [bighorn sheep](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bighorn-sheep/)
- [bison](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bison/)
- [black bear](https://martinbelan.com/tag/black-bear/)
- [elk](https://martinbelan.com/tag/elk/)
- [grizzly bear](https://martinbelan.com/tag/grizzly-bear/)
- [lamb](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lamb/)
- [moose](https://martinbelan.com/tag/moose/)
- [Yellowsteone](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yellowsteone/)
- [animal](https://martinbelan.com/tag/animal/)
- [battle for survival](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battle-for-survival/)
- [behavior](https://martinbelan.com/tag/behavior/)
- [colony](https://martinbelan.com/tag/colony/)
- [fight for survival](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fight-for-survival/)
- [squirrel](https://martinbelan.com/tag/squirrel/)
- [Uinta ground squirrel](https://martinbelan.com/tag/uinta-ground-squirrel/)
- [weasel](https://martinbelan.com/tag/weasel/)
- [wildlife behavior](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wildlife-behavior/)
- [bacteria](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bacteria/)
- [favorite](https://martinbelan.com/tag/favorite/)
- [fumaroles](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fumaroles/)
- [Geothermal](https://martinbelan.com/tag/geothermal/)
- [geothermal features](https://martinbelan.com/tag/geothermal-features/)
- [Grand Prismatic Spring](https://martinbelan.com/tag/grand-prismatic-spring/)
- [hot springs](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hot-springs/)
- [Morning Glory Pool](https://martinbelan.com/tag/morning-glory-pool/)
- [mud pots](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mud-pots/)
- [volcanic](https://martinbelan.com/tag/volcanic/)
- [yellowstone national park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yellowstone-national-park/)
- [bloom](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bloom/)
- [Dogwood](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dogwood/)
- [Happy Isles](https://martinbelan.com/tag/happy-isles/)
- [Hike to sentinel dome](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hike-to-sentinel-dome/)
- [Mountains](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mountains/)
- [Quotes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/quotes/)
- [Sentinel Dome](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sentinel-dome/)
- [Super Moon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/super-moon/)
- [Tunnel View](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tunnel-view/)
- [Vistas](https://martinbelan.com/tag/vistas/)
- [Yosemite National Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yosemite-national-park/)
- [battle](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battle/)
- [Battle of Williamsburg](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battle-of-williamsburg/)
- [camps](https://martinbelan.com/tag/camps/)
- [civil war](https://martinbelan.com/tag/civil-war/)
- [civil war reenactment](https://martinbelan.com/tag/civil-war-reenactment/)
- [Confederate](https://martinbelan.com/tag/confederate/)
- [Cuyahoga Valley National Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cuyahoga-valley-national-park/)
- [Hale Farm and Village](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hale-farm-and-village/)
- [reenactment](https://martinbelan.com/tag/reenactment/)
- [Union](https://martinbelan.com/tag/union/)
- [war](https://martinbelan.com/tag/war/)
- [battlefield](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battlefield/)
- [execution](https://martinbelan.com/tag/execution/)
- [kissing](https://martinbelan.com/tag/kissing/)
- [kissing a confederate](https://martinbelan.com/tag/kissing-a-confederate/)
- [mock execution](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mock-execution/)
- [trial](https://martinbelan.com/tag/trial/)
- [backlit](https://martinbelan.com/tag/backlit/)
- [Eagle](https://martinbelan.com/tag/eagle/)
- [Black & White](https://martinbelan.com/tag/black-white/)
- [Flower](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flower/)
- [Flowers](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flowers/)
- [Apps](https://martinbelan.com/tag/apps/)
- [iPad](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ipad/)
- [Robin](https://martinbelan.com/tag/robin/)
- [Mansfield](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mansfield/)
- [Prison](https://martinbelan.com/tag/prison/)
- [Reformatory](https://martinbelan.com/tag/reformatory/)
- [Thuya Garden](https://martinbelan.com/tag/thuya-garden/)
- [Michigan](https://martinbelan.com/tag/michigan/)
- [American Indian Museum](https://martinbelan.com/tag/american-indian-museum/)
- [cafe](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cafe/)
- [Capitol](https://martinbelan.com/tag/capitol/)
- [iTrans DC](https://martinbelan.com/tag/itrans-dc/)
- [Lincoln Memorial](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lincoln-memorial/)
- [Metro](https://martinbelan.com/tag/metro/)
- [National Mall](https://martinbelan.com/tag/national-mall/)
- [SmarTrip Card](https://martinbelan.com/tag/smartrip-card/)
- [Smithsonian](https://martinbelan.com/tag/smithsonian/)
- [Washington DC](https://martinbelan.com/tag/washington-dc/)
- [Washington Monument](https://martinbelan.com/tag/washington-monument/)
- [Arlington](https://martinbelan.com/tag/arlington/)
- [Arlington Memorial Bridge](https://martinbelan.com/tag/arlington-memorial-bridge/)
- [Arlington National Cemetery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/arlington-national-cemetery/)
- [Changing of the Guard](https://martinbelan.com/tag/changing-of-the-guard/)
- [Kennedy Grave Site](https://martinbelan.com/tag/kennedy-grave-site/)
- [photographer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photographer/)
- [Tomb of the Unknown Soldier](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier/)
- [Tomb of the Unknowns](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tomb-of-the-unknowns/)
- [Gear](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gear/)
- [macrophotography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macrophotography/)
- [Tripod](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tripod/)
- [Walk](https://martinbelan.com/tag/walk/)
- [CVNP](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cvnp/)
- [Waterfall](https://martinbelan.com/tag/waterfall/)
- [Wolves](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wolves/)
- [Landscape](https://martinbelan.com/tag/landscape/)
- [Canon 5D Mark III](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-5d-mark-iii/)
- [Canon 6D](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-6d/)
- [Comparison](https://martinbelan.com/tag/comparison/)
- [DSLR](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dslr/)
- [Specifications](https://martinbelan.com/tag/specifications/)
- [Bridge](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bridge/)
- [cityscapes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cityscapes/)
- [Fishing](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fishing/)
- [Ducks](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ducks/)
- [Museum](https://martinbelan.com/tag/museum/)
- [Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lenses/)
- [Regulations](https://martinbelan.com/tag/regulations/)
- [Culture](https://martinbelan.com/tag/culture/)
- [Black and White](https://martinbelan.com/tag/black-and-white/)
- [Yellowstone Lake](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yellowstone-lake/)
- [Red Rock Canyon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/red-rock-canyon/)
- [iOS 6](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ios-6/)
- [iPhone 5](https://martinbelan.com/tag/iphone-5/)
- [Panorama](https://martinbelan.com/tag/panorama/)
- [Autumn](https://martinbelan.com/tag/autumn/)
- [Bragg Hill Road](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bragg-hill-road/)
- [Fall](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fall/)
- [Farms](https://martinbelan.com/tag/farms/)
- [Vermont](https://martinbelan.com/tag/vermont/)
- [CF Card](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cf-card/)
- [Multiple Card Slots](https://martinbelan.com/tag/multiple-card-slots/)
- [SD Card](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sd-card/)
- [Cloudland Road](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cloudland-road/)
- [Sharon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sharon/)
- [Strafford](https://martinbelan.com/tag/strafford/)
- [Woodstock](https://martinbelan.com/tag/woodstock/)
- [Great Blue Heron](https://martinbelan.com/tag/great-blue-heron/)
- [Wildflowers](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wildflowers/)
- [Landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/landscapes/)
- [Raptors](https://martinbelan.com/tag/raptors/)
- [Boston](https://martinbelan.com/tag/boston/)
- [Doors](https://martinbelan.com/tag/doors/)
- [Mansfield Reformatory](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mansfield-reformatory/)
- [Butterfly](https://martinbelan.com/tag/butterfly/)
- [Farm](https://martinbelan.com/tag/farm/)
- [Groton State Forest](https://martinbelan.com/tag/groton-state-forest/)
- [Owls Head Overlook](https://martinbelan.com/tag/owls-head-overlook/)
- [Peacham](https://martinbelan.com/tag/peacham/)
- [Shelburne](https://martinbelan.com/tag/shelburne/)
- [Ticonderoga](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ticonderoga/)
- [Barns](https://martinbelan.com/tag/barns/)
- [Churches](https://martinbelan.com/tag/churches/)
- [Ghost](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ghost/)
- [Hindu Temple](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hindu-temple/)
- [Inlaid Marble Artesans](https://martinbelan.com/tag/inlaid-marble-artesans/)
- [Filter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/filter/)
- [Oil Paint](https://martinbelan.com/tag/oil-paint/)
- [Photoshop](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photoshop/)
- [Reflections](https://martinbelan.com/tag/reflections/)
- [Silhouette](https://martinbelan.com/tag/silhouette/)
- [AKVIS](https://martinbelan.com/tag/akvis/)
- [ArtWork](https://martinbelan.com/tag/artwork/)
- [Oil Painting](https://martinbelan.com/tag/oil-painting/)
- [Painting](https://martinbelan.com/tag/painting/)
- [Light Tent](https://martinbelan.com/tag/light-tent/)
- [lighting](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lighting/)
- [Attributes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/attributes/)
- [rating](https://martinbelan.com/tag/rating/)
- [Moon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/moon/)
- [Shutter Actuations](https://martinbelan.com/tag/shutter-actuations/)
- [Artistic Filters](https://martinbelan.com/tag/artistic-filters/)
- [Filter Gallery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/filter-gallery/)
- [Photoshop CS6](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photoshop-cs6/)
- [Death Valley](https://martinbelan.com/tag/death-valley/)
- [Panos](https://martinbelan.com/tag/panos/)
- [Long Exposure Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/long-exposure-photography/)
- [Neutral Density Filter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/neutral-density-filter/)
- [Waterfowl](https://martinbelan.com/tag/waterfowl/)
- [Artist's Palette](https://martinbelan.com/tag/artists-palette/)
- [Badwater Basin](https://martinbelan.com/tag/badwater-basin/)
- [Devil's Golf Course](https://martinbelan.com/tag/devils-golf-course/)
- [Zabriskie Point](https://martinbelan.com/tag/zabriskie-point/)
- [Mesquite Flat Dunes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mesquite-flat-dunes/)
- [Mosaic Canyon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mosaic-canyon/)
- [Racetrack Playa](https://martinbelan.com/tag/racetrack-playa/)
- [Rookery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/rookery/)
- [Wading Birds](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wading-birds/)
- [Train](https://martinbelan.com/tag/train/)
- [Transportation](https://martinbelan.com/tag/transportation/)
- [alien landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/alien-landscapes/)
- [Where is Death Valley](https://martinbelan.com/tag/where-is-death-valley/)
- [Bee](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bee/)
- [wolf park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wolf-park/)
- [Night Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/night-photography/)
- [Winter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/winter/)
- [Cardinals](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cardinals/)
- [Urban Decay](https://martinbelan.com/tag/urban-decay/)
- [Card Reader](https://martinbelan.com/tag/card-reader/)
- [CF Card Reader](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cf-card-reader/)
- [Thunderbolt](https://martinbelan.com/tag/thunderbolt/)
- [Thunderbolt to FireWire](https://martinbelan.com/tag/thunderbolt-to-firewire/)
- [Red-Tailed Hawk](https://martinbelan.com/tag/red-tailed-hawk/)
- [Beach](https://martinbelan.com/tag/beach/)
- [Home Photo Studio](https://martinbelan.com/tag/home-photo-studio/)
- [Photo Studio](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-studio/)
- [Paintings](https://martinbelan.com/tag/paintings/)
- [Topaz Labs](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topaz-labs/)
- [Loose Leg](https://martinbelan.com/tag/loose-leg/)
- [Repair](https://martinbelan.com/tag/repair/)
- [Vanguard Alta Tripod](https://martinbelan.com/tag/vanguard-alta-tripod/)
- [Art](https://martinbelan.com/tag/art/)
- [GPS](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gps/)
- [Review](https://martinbelan.com/tag/review/)
- [WiFi](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wifi/)
- [Adorama](https://martinbelan.com/tag/adorama/)
- [Used Photo Equipment](https://martinbelan.com/tag/used-photo-equipment/)
- [Used Photo Gear](https://martinbelan.com/tag/used-photo-gear/)
- [Mississippi River](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mississippi-river/)
- [Wi-Fi](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wi-fi/)
- [Bald Eagles](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bald-eagles/)
- [Gouache](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gouache/)
- [Watercolor](https://martinbelan.com/tag/watercolor/)
- [Hard Drive](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hard-drive/)
- [HyperDrive](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hyperdrive/)
- [HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA2](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hyperdrive-colorspace-udma2/)
- [Photo Storage](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-storage/)
- [Killdeer Plains](https://martinbelan.com/tag/killdeer-plains/)
- [Back Up](https://martinbelan.com/tag/back-up/)
- [Multimedia Storage Devices](https://martinbelan.com/tag/multimedia-storage-devices/)
- [Photo Gear](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-gear/)
- [sandpiper](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sandpiper/)
- [shore birds](https://martinbelan.com/tag/shore-birds/)
- [Garden](https://martinbelan.com/tag/garden/)
- [Battery Drain](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battery-drain/)
- [back yard](https://martinbelan.com/tag/back-yard/)
- [Black-eyed Susan](https://martinbelan.com/tag/black-eyed-susan/)
- [flower photography tips](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flower-photography-tips/)
- [Fall foliage](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fall-foliage/)
- [Macro Photography Studio](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro-photography-studio/)
- [American Kestrel](https://martinbelan.com/tag/american-kestrel/)
- [Fort](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fort/)
- [Brick Kilns](https://martinbelan.com/tag/brick-kilns/)
- [Street Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/street-photography/)
- [Golconda Fort](https://martinbelan.com/tag/golconda-fort/)
- [Kenosha](https://martinbelan.com/tag/kenosha/)
- [Sandy Ridge](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sandy-ridge/)
- [Canon Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-lenses/)
- [Teleconverter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/teleconverter/)
- [Google](https://martinbelan.com/tag/google/)
- [Search By Image](https://martinbelan.com/tag/search-by-image/)
- [Who is Using your photos online](https://martinbelan.com/tag/who-is-using-your-photos-online/)
- [Bird Migration](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bird-migration/)
- [Magee Marsh](https://martinbelan.com/tag/magee-marsh/)
- [Warblers](https://martinbelan.com/tag/warblers/)
- [Roosevelt Arch](https://martinbelan.com/tag/roosevelt-arch/)
- [Lighthouses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lighthouses/)
- [Indian Street Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/indian-street-photography/)
- [Canvas prints](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canvas-prints/)
- [Nuthatch](https://martinbelan.com/tag/nuthatch/)
- [Angel](https://martinbelan.com/tag/angel/)
- [Cemetery](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cemetery/)
- [CF Cards](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cf-cards/)
- [Photo memory card wallet](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-memory-card-wallet/)
- [SD Cards](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sd-cards/)
- [El Capitan](https://martinbelan.com/tag/el-capitan/)
- [Canon 300mm f/4](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-300mm-f4/)
- [Black Rose Filter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/black-rose-filter/)
- [Gloomy photographs](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gloomy-photographs/)
- [Topaz Adjust](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topaz-adjust/)
- [Alaska](https://martinbelan.com/tag/alaska/)
- [Alaskan Cruise](https://martinbelan.com/tag/alaskan-cruise/)
- [Cruise](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cruise/)
- [Cruise photography tips](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cruise-photography-tips/)
- [photography tips](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-tips/)
- [Tips](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tips/)
- [graveyard](https://martinbelan.com/tag/graveyard/)
- [Humpback Whales](https://martinbelan.com/tag/humpback-whales/)
- [150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg](https://martinbelan.com/tag/150th-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-gettysburg/)
- [Battle of Gettysburg](https://martinbelan.com/tag/battle-of-gettysburg/)
- [Cormorant](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cormorant/)
- [Glacier](https://martinbelan.com/tag/glacier/)
- [Whales](https://martinbelan.com/tag/whales/)
- [Juneau](https://martinbelan.com/tag/juneau/)
- [Harbor Seals](https://martinbelan.com/tag/harbor-seals/)
- [Sawyer Glacier](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sawyer-glacier/)
- [Tracy Arm](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tracy-arm/)
- [Dragonfly](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dragonfly/)
- [Canada](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canada/)
- [Tormented Valley](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tormented-valley/)
- [Yukon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yukon/)
- [Alert Bay Trumpeter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/alert-bay-trumpeter/)
- [Vancouver](https://martinbelan.com/tag/vancouver/)
- [Chinese Gardens](https://martinbelan.com/tag/chinese-gardens/)
- [Gastown](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gastown/)
- [Granville Island Public Market](https://martinbelan.com/tag/granville-island-public-market/)
- [Stanley Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/stanley-park/)
- [Sunsets](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sunsets/)
- [New York City](https://martinbelan.com/tag/new-york-city/)
- [Pelican](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pelican/)
- [plugins](https://martinbelan.com/tag/plugins/)
- [Restyle](https://martinbelan.com/tag/restyle/)
- [TopazLabs](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topazlabs/)
- [Rajasthan](https://martinbelan.com/tag/rajasthan/)
- [baggage](https://martinbelan.com/tag/baggage/)
- [Olympus](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus/)
- [Olympus OM-D](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus-om-d/)
- [Olympus OM-D E-M5](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus-om-d-e-m5/)
- [Micro Four Thirds](https://martinbelan.com/tag/micro-four-thirds/)
- [Micro Four Thirds Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/micro-four-thirds-lenses/)
- [Olympus OM-D E-M1](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus-om-d-e-m1/)
- [hiking](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hiking/)
- [Lens Pouch](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lens-pouch/)
- [Photo Hike](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-hike/)
- [Photo of the Day](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-of-the-day/)
- [Top Photos](https://martinbelan.com/tag/top-photos/)
- [Bluebird](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bluebird/)
- [Chair](https://martinbelan.com/tag/chair/)
- [Haunted](https://martinbelan.com/tag/haunted/)
- [iOS](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ios/)
- [PhotoPills](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photopills/)
- [The Photographer's Ephemeris](https://martinbelan.com/tag/the-photographers-ephemeris/)
- [Photo Tips](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-tips/)
- [Colonial Williamsburg](https://martinbelan.com/tag/colonial-williamsburg/)
- [Yorktown](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yorktown/)
- [Colonial Settlement](https://martinbelan.com/tag/colonial-settlement/)
- [Jamestown](https://martinbelan.com/tag/jamestown/)
- [Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/tag/virginia/)
- [Albino Deer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/albino-deer/)
- [River](https://martinbelan.com/tag/river/)
- [State Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/state-park/)
- [Fort Monroe](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fort-monroe/)
- [James River Plantations](https://martinbelan.com/tag/james-river-plantations/)
- [Japanese Garden](https://martinbelan.com/tag/japanese-garden/)
- [OhioPyle State Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ohiopyle-state-park/)
- [Wasabi Power](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wasabi-power/)
- [winter landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/winter-landscapes/)
- [Texture](https://martinbelan.com/tag/texture/)
- [Sports Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sports-photography/)
- [Macro Tips](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro-tips/)
- [Photo 365](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-365/)
- [Photography Goals](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-goals/)
- [Ice Patterns](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ice-patterns/)
- [Olympus OM-D E-M10](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus-om-d-e-m10/)
- [Punta Cana](https://martinbelan.com/tag/punta-cana/)
- [birding](https://martinbelan.com/tag/birding/)
- [Camera bags](https://martinbelan.com/tag/camera-bags/)
- [Goa](https://martinbelan.com/tag/goa/)
- [Motorcycles](https://martinbelan.com/tag/motorcycles/)
- [Egret](https://martinbelan.com/tag/egret/)
- [Birds in flight](https://martinbelan.com/tag/birds-in-flight/)
- [Pelicans](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pelicans/)
- [Lake Michigan Lighthouses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lake-michigan-lighthouses/)
- [Red Fox](https://martinbelan.com/tag/red-fox/)
- [Canon 70-200mm](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-70-200mm/)
- [Oil Paint Filter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/oil-paint-filter/)
- [Yellowstone Landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/yellowstone-landscapes/)
- [Fisheye](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fisheye/)
- [foggy sunrise](https://martinbelan.com/tag/foggy-sunrise/)
- [Bison Jam](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bison-jam/)
- [Pixoto](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pixoto/)
- [Pinterest](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pinterest/)
- [Social Media](https://martinbelan.com/tag/social-media/)
- [Zoo Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/zoo-photography/)
- [Insects](https://martinbelan.com/tag/insects/)
- [Spider](https://martinbelan.com/tag/spider/)
- [Morning Dew](https://martinbelan.com/tag/morning-dew/)
- [Long Exposures](https://martinbelan.com/tag/long-exposures/)
- [Long Exposure](https://martinbelan.com/tag/long-exposure/)
- [Canon 7D Mark II](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-7d-mark-ii/)
- [Pier](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pier/)
- [Botanical Gardens](https://martinbelan.com/tag/botanical-gardens/)
- [Back](https://martinbelan.com/tag/back/)
- [Backup](https://martinbelan.com/tag/backup/)
- [Photo Backup](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-backup/)
- [Ohio Landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ohio-landscapes/)
- [Agricultural Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/agricultural-photography/)
- [Travel Photo](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-photo/)
- [Farm Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/farm-photography/)
- [Tuk Tuk](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tuk-tuk/)
- [Street](https://martinbelan.com/tag/street/)
- [Selective Noise Reduction](https://martinbelan.com/tag/selective-noise-reduction/)
- [Selective Sharpening](https://martinbelan.com/tag/selective-sharpening/)
- [Taj Mah](https://martinbelan.com/tag/taj-mah/)
- [Sanibel Island](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sanibel-island/)
- [Ding Darling](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ding-darling/)
- [Canon 100-400](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canon-100-400/)
- [Southwest Florida Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/southwest-florida-photography/)
- [Burrowing Owls](https://martinbelan.com/tag/burrowing-owls/)
- [Owls](https://martinbelan.com/tag/owls/)
- [Butterflies](https://martinbelan.com/tag/butterflies/)
- [Nature Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/nature-photography/)
- [White-tailed Deer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/white-tailed-deer/)
- [Birds Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/birds-photography/)
- [Horned Lark](https://martinbelan.com/tag/horned-lark/)
- [Topaz Impression](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topaz-impression/)
- [Smoky Mountains](https://martinbelan.com/tag/smoky-mountains/)
- [Cades Cove](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cades-cove/)
- [Lens Cap](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lens-cap/)
- [Backpack](https://martinbelan.com/tag/backpack/)
- [Fall Landscapes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fall-landscapes/)
- [Macro Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro-photography/)
- [Shenandoah National Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/shenandoah-national-park/)
- [Dolly Sods](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dolly-sods/)
- [Canaan Valley](https://martinbelan.com/tag/canaan-valley/)
- [West Virginia](https://martinbelan.com/tag/west-virginia/)
- [Tree Bark](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tree-bark/)
- [Trees](https://martinbelan.com/tag/trees/)
- [Florida Bird Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/florida-bird-photography/)
- [Nature as Art](https://martinbelan.com/tag/nature-as-art/)
- [Hawaii](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hawaii/)
- [Memorial](https://martinbelan.com/tag/memorial/)
- [Pearl Harbor](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pearl-harbor/)
- [Aerial Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/aerial-photography/)
- [Helicopter](https://martinbelan.com/tag/helicopter/)
- [Coastlines](https://martinbelan.com/tag/coastlines/)
- [Sea Arch](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sea-arch/)
- [Volcano](https://martinbelan.com/tag/volcano/)
- [Goose](https://martinbelan.com/tag/goose/)
- [Layer Masks](https://martinbelan.com/tag/layer-masks/)
- [Topaz Texture Effects](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topaz-texture-effects/)
- [Inspiration](https://martinbelan.com/tag/inspiration/)
- [Motivation](https://martinbelan.com/tag/motivation/)
- [Photo Bags](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-bags/)
- [Lens](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lens/)
- [Lens Cleaning](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lens-cleaning/)
- [Horses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/horses/)
- [Travel Back](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-back/)
- [Infrared](https://martinbelan.com/tag/infrared/)
- [Luminar](https://martinbelan.com/tag/luminar/)
- [Filters](https://martinbelan.com/tag/filters/)
- [Sky Replacement](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sky-replacement/)
- [Olympus OM-D E-M1X](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus-om-d-e-m1x/)
- [Artificial Intelligence](https://martinbelan.com/tag/artificial-intelligence/)
- [Hocking Hills](https://martinbelan.com/tag/hocking-hills/)
- [Focus Stacking](https://martinbelan.com/tag/focus-stacking/)
- [Astrophotography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/astrophotography/)
- [Photo Story](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-story/)
- [False Color](https://martinbelan.com/tag/false-color/)
- [500 Rule](https://martinbelan.com/tag/500-rule/)
- [Starry Sky AF](https://martinbelan.com/tag/starry-sky-af/)
- [Orion](https://martinbelan.com/tag/orion/)
- [Pleiades Star Cluster](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pleiades-star-cluster/)
- [Horsehead Nebula](https://martinbelan.com/tag/horsehead-nebula/)
- [Flame Nebula](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flame-nebula/)
- [Lunar Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lunar-photography/)
- [Artistic](https://martinbelan.com/tag/artistic/)
- [Abstract](https://martinbelan.com/tag/abstract/)
- [Light Pollution](https://martinbelan.com/tag/light-pollution/)
- [Weather](https://martinbelan.com/tag/weather/)
- [Stellarium](https://martinbelan.com/tag/stellarium/)
- [Macro Set Ups](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro-set-ups/)
- [Star Adventurer](https://martinbelan.com/tag/star-adventurer/)
- [Polar Alignement](https://martinbelan.com/tag/polar-alignement/)
- [iPad Lighting](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ipad-lighting/)
- [Refraction](https://martinbelan.com/tag/refraction/)
- [Water Drops](https://martinbelan.com/tag/water-drops/)
- [Comets](https://martinbelan.com/tag/comets/)
- [Lights](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lights/)
- [Darks](https://martinbelan.com/tag/darks/)
- [Bias](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bias/)
- [Flats](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flats/)
- [Photography Mindset](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-mindset/)
- [Focus Peaking](https://martinbelan.com/tag/focus-peaking/)
- [Flash](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flash/)
- [Guiding](https://martinbelan.com/tag/guiding/)
- [Guide Scope](https://martinbelan.com/tag/guide-scope/)
- [Video](https://martinbelan.com/tag/video/)
- [Memory Cards](https://martinbelan.com/tag/memory-cards/)
- [Mirror Image](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mirror-image/)
- [Bird](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bird/)
- [Fall Colors](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fall-colors/)
- [Layers](https://martinbelan.com/tag/layers/)
- [Water Reflections](https://martinbelan.com/tag/water-reflections/)
- [Polar Alignment](https://martinbelan.com/tag/polar-alignment/)
- [Astrophotography Gear](https://martinbelan.com/tag/astrophotography-gear/)
- [Replace Background](https://martinbelan.com/tag/replace-background/)
- [Blur Background](https://martinbelan.com/tag/blur-background/)
- [Topaz Studio 2](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topaz-studio-2/)
- [Light Box](https://martinbelan.com/tag/light-box/)
- [Lightbox](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lightbox/)
- [Macro Lighting](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro-lighting/)
- [Screw City](https://martinbelan.com/tag/screw-city/)
- [Christmas](https://martinbelan.com/tag/christmas/)
- [Phtoshop](https://martinbelan.com/tag/phtoshop/)
- [Bokeh](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bokeh/)
- [OM Digital Solutions](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-digital-solutions/)
- [Super Macro](https://martinbelan.com/tag/super-macro/)
- [Wildlife Refuge](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wildlife-refuge/)
- [Culling](https://martinbelan.com/tag/culling/)
- [Keyboard Shortcuts](https://martinbelan.com/tag/keyboard-shortcuts/)
- [Extension Tubes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/extension-tubes/)
- [Dog Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dog-photography/)
- [Speedlights](https://martinbelan.com/tag/speedlights/)
- [Olympus PEN](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus-pen/)
- [Blog Problems](https://martinbelan.com/tag/blog-problems/)
- [Stars Trails](https://martinbelan.com/tag/stars-trails/)
- [Dog](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dog/)
- [Fisheye Lens](https://martinbelan.com/tag/fisheye-lens/)
- [Macro Flash](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro-flash/)
- [Instagram](https://martinbelan.com/tag/instagram/)
- [Vignette](https://martinbelan.com/tag/vignette/)
- [Flash Bracket](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flash-bracket/)
- [Topaz DeNoise](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topaz-denoise/)
- [Topaz Sharpen](https://martinbelan.com/tag/topaz-sharpen/)
- [Pro Capture](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pro-capture/)
- [Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pictured-rocks-national-lakeshore/)
- [Shipwrecks](https://martinbelan.com/tag/shipwrecks/)
- [Selections](https://martinbelan.com/tag/selections/)
- [Photo Accessories](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photo-accessories/)
- [Camera Straps](https://martinbelan.com/tag/camera-straps/)
- [High Res Mode](https://martinbelan.com/tag/high-res-mode/)
- [Olympus Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/olympus-lenses/)
- [Manual Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/manual-lenses/)
- [3rd Party Micro Four Thirds Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/3rd-party-micro-four-thirds-lenses/)
- [Focus Bracketing](https://martinbelan.com/tag/focus-bracketing/)
- [Boris FX Optics](https://martinbelan.com/tag/boris-fx-optics/)
- [Snowflakes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/snowflakes/)
- [backlighting](https://martinbelan.com/tag/backlighting/)
- [Luminar Neo](https://martinbelan.com/tag/luminar-neo/)
- [Gnarbox](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gnarbox/)
- [OM System OM-1](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-system-om-1/)
- [OM-1](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-1/)
- [OM System](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-system/)
- [Bird Home](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bird-home/)
- [Travel Backup](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-backup/)
- [Macro Home](https://martinbelan.com/tag/macro-home/)
- [Kenai Fjords](https://martinbelan.com/tag/kenai-fjords/)
- [Katmai National Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/katmai-national-park/)
- [Kenai Peninsula](https://martinbelan.com/tag/kenai-peninsula/)
- [Bees](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bees/)
- [Live Time](https://martinbelan.com/tag/live-time/)
- [Shutter Count](https://martinbelan.com/tag/shutter-count/)
- [OM-5](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-5/)
- [Computational Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/computational-photography/)
- [Blue Ridge Parkway](https://martinbelan.com/tag/blue-ridge-parkway/)
- [M.zuiko lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/m-zuiko-lenses/)
- [Pelican Case](https://martinbelan.com/tag/pelican-case/)
- [Stream Deck](https://martinbelan.com/tag/stream-deck/)
- [Wallpaper](https://martinbelan.com/tag/wallpaper/)
- [Mac](https://martinbelan.com/tag/mac/)
- [Travel Planning](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-planning/)
- [Photoshoot Planning](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photoshoot-planning/)
- [Bird Photo Locations](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bird-photo-locations/)
- [Used Photography Gear](https://martinbelan.com/tag/used-photography-gear/)
- [Zion](https://martinbelan.com/tag/zion/)
- [Bryce Canyon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bryce-canyon/)
- [Iceland](https://martinbelan.com/tag/iceland/)
- [Sigma Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/sigma-lenses/)
- [Photography Accessories](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-accessories/)
- [OM System OM-5](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-system-om-5/)
- [Arizona Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/arizona-photography/)
- [Slot Canyons](https://martinbelan.com/tag/slot-canyons/)
- [Horseshoe Bend](https://martinbelan.com/tag/horseshoe-bend/)
- [Antelope Canyon](https://martinbelan.com/tag/antelope-canyon/)
- [Live ND](https://martinbelan.com/tag/live-nd/)
- [OM System 150-400mm Lens](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-system-150-400mm-lens/)
- [Travel Photography Bags](https://martinbelan.com/tag/travel-photography-bags/)
- [US Customs](https://martinbelan.com/tag/us-customs/)
- [Leica](https://martinbelan.com/tag/leica/)
- [Snapseed](https://martinbelan.com/tag/snapseed/)
- [Urban Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/urban-photography/)
- [Portfolio](https://martinbelan.com/tag/portfolio/)
- [Flickr](https://martinbelan.com/tag/flickr/)
- [iPad Mini](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ipad-mini/)
- [Carlsbad Caverns](https://martinbelan.com/tag/carlsbad-caverns/)
- [Cave Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/cave-photography/)
- [Laowa Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/laowa-lenses/)
- [OM-3](https://martinbelan.com/tag/om-3/)
- [Smart Telescopes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/smart-telescopes/)
- [Dwarf 3](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dwarf-3/)
- [Dwarf Mini](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dwarf-mini/)
- [Night Sky](https://martinbelan.com/tag/night-sky/)
- [Joshua Tree National Park](https://martinbelan.com/tag/joshua-tree-national-park/)
- [Desert Landscape Photography](https://martinbelan.com/tag/desert-landscape-photography/)
- [Bird Life List](https://martinbelan.com/tag/bird-life-list/)
- [Ultra Wide Lenses](https://martinbelan.com/tag/ultra-wide-lenses/)
- [Dwarf Labs](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dwarf-labs/)
- [Panasonic](https://martinbelan.com/tag/panasonic/)
- [Lumix](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lumix/)
- [LX 100 II](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lx-100-ii/)
- [Live Composite](https://martinbelan.com/tag/live-composite/)
- [Lightning](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lightning/)
- [Lunar Eclipse](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lunar-eclipse/)
- [Quick Menu](https://martinbelan.com/tag/quick-menu/)
- [Tripods](https://martinbelan.com/tag/tripods/)
- [Monument Valley](https://martinbelan.com/tag/monument-valley/)
- [Aspect Ratios](https://martinbelan.com/tag/aspect-ratios/)
- [Camera Settings](https://martinbelan.com/tag/camera-settings/)
- [Custom Modes](https://martinbelan.com/tag/custom-modes/)
- [D-Lux 8](https://martinbelan.com/tag/d-lux-8/)
- [Multiple Exposures](https://martinbelan.com/tag/multiple-exposures/)
- [LX100 II](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lx100-ii/)
- [Panasonic Lumix L10](https://martinbelan.com/tag/panasonic-lumix-l10/)
- [DxO](https://martinbelan.com/tag/dxo/)
- [Film Simulations](https://martinbelan.com/tag/film-simulations/)
- [Photography Equipment Repair](https://martinbelan.com/tag/photography-equipment-repair/)
- [GM-1](https://martinbelan.com/tag/gm-1/)
- [Real Time LUT](https://martinbelan.com/tag/real-time-lut/)
- [Magic LUT](https://martinbelan.com/tag/magic-lut/)
- [Lumix Lab](https://martinbelan.com/tag/lumix-lab/)
- [12-100 f/4 Pro](https://martinbelan.com/tag/12-100-f-4-pro/)

## Media Tags

- [Fountain](https://martinbelan.com/media_tag/fountain/)
- [Live ND](https://martinbelan.com/media_tag/live-nd/)
- [Double-decker Buses](https://martinbelan.com/media_tag/double-decker-buses/)