Check out my latest video, “Tall Aspen Trees in the Fall.” and learn how I created this image, then processed it using ON1 Photo RAW https://youtu.be/rjmJq6ccLwQ
I have some great news for you. You can save 20% on your purchase of ON1 Photo RAW products.
ON1 just gave me a 20% discount code, colburn20, which you can use when purchasing ON1 Photo RAW or the ON1 plugins. The discount can’t be combined with other discounts.
Yes, those are real prehistoric bones, and yes, that is a real skull of a saber-toothed cat, Smilodon fatalis.
Click to enlarge
I took this photo at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California. They have a block of resin with these bones embedded in it to show the average density of bones in the asphalt of the tar pits. FYI, there is no tar in the tar pits, it’s all asphalt.
The resin block is in a glass case. To prevent reflecting yourself in a photo, put the end of your lens directly on the glass. And play around with angles and background light sources to get different lighting effects in the resin. The light coming through windows and glass doors changes throughout the day, so keep checking for interesting lighting.
You are not allowed to use tripods anywhere in the building, so bring a string tripod or monopod. Because of the lighting, you will need to use a high ISO or slow shutter speed. And be sure to check out the atrium. It’s small, but packed with many things to photograph.
This article has been viewed almost 6,000 times. I released it in 2014, but since then some companies have gone away, while new ones have become available.
My favorite new program is ON1 Photo Raw. I’ve been using it for about two years and love it. I use it instead of Lightroom and Photoshop. You can learn more about it, and the free 14-day trial, here https://on1.sjv.io/15Mjdz
Check out my updated article to see which program will work best for you, and some of these programs are free.
In this third of three videos, I talk about the MK Controls Lightning Bug lightning trigger I use to photograph lightning.
The below tools will help you easily capture photographs of lightning in the daytime or nighttime. And I include some useful tips on lightning photography and safety too.
If you’re a photographer, writer, history buff of the Old West or have kids and grandkids who like stories, then these ebooks are for you. Check them out at www.jeffcolburn.com/jeffs-ebooks
Soon, fall colors will be here. The reds, yellows, oranges and other colors will be popping up everywhere, so grab your camera and take some great photographs of Mother Nature’s big show.
To help you get the most out of your shooting, I’ve updated my annual list of links about fall colors and where to find them. Since I live in Arizona, I’ve put together a special section for my state. But I also have an extensive listing for the rest of the country and a listing for Canada. There are also links to articles to help you take great photographs of Nature’s display of color.
As you go to these websites, you will often find many links to other sites. You could easily spend an entire day following link after link, or just go to the main pages I have listed here.
I hope you get some fantastic photographs this year. Feel free to leave a comment with a link to your images of changing colors. I’m sure everyone would love to see them. And if you have a favorite place to shoot that’s not on my list, let me know.
Fall Colors on the Coconino – This Coconino National Forest site explains why leaves change colors, what trees produce what colors, and hikes to see this wonder of nature.
Fall Colors in Arizona – Links to sites for fall colors, broken down by the month they change color.
Leaf-ometer – It tells how the leaves are changing around Flagstaff.
The Pinal Mountainsnear Globe offer several trails with maples, sumacs and sycamores that change color. Colors usually peak in late October. Check out the Ice House Canyon trial, Six-Shooter Canyon trail and the Pinal Mountain Range. Ice House can be hard to find, so get directions from the Ranger station in Globe.
Fall Colors – The Great Smokey Mountains – A National Park Service site with detailed information about leaves changing color in the Great Smokey Mountains, as well as hikes and drives to take.
There’s a National Fall Color Hotline too, 1-800-354-4595. Call this number and choose the area of the country you’re interested in and get information on leaf color, scenic drives, peak times for the colors and other fall activities.
How To Take Photographs On A Windy Day – This is one of my articles, and it will help you get great photos of fall colors even if there’s a little breeze, or howling wind, when you arrive at your shooting destination.
While shooting on a sunny day is nice, I also love shooting in “bad” weather. I’ve photographed in rain, lightning storms, snow, wind, fog, blowing dust and sand and more. All of these weather conditions really add an interesting element to your photographs.
55mm / 1/80 / f/11 / ISO 200 / Tripod used
As long as you have the proper clothes to protect yourself, and covering for your gear, you can have a great time.
These photos were taken near Snowbowl in Flagstaff, Arizona. It had been raining before we got there, and rained off and on all day.
55mm / 1/100 / f/5.6 / ISO 200 / Tripod used
The only scary part of the day was when a large aspen tree fell. We heard it snapping branches on other trees as it fell, followed by a loud thud as it crashed onto the ground. We never did find the tree, but it was close. Nature always keeps things interesting, so stay on your toes.