Most people I know are excited about returning to nature--in one form or another. I know that will be the case when Documenting Nature begins this Saturday at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I'm fortunate enough to have the first class that's back in the Regenstein Center--the Plant Science Lab--where I've based my classes since '09. Imagine how it will feel to walk to our site of the week and get … [Read more...]

Yes, you read that right. The June 27 Macro Seminar is go at the Chicago Botanic Garden. We will meet at 9 am in Classroom 4 of the Learning Center. Park in Lot 5 or 6, then walk over to the building. Don't go thru the Visitor Center or you'll miss us.  What follows are some FAQs that should answer most, if not all of your questions. To register for this fun-filled one-off seminar, visit … [Read more...]

Several students (and other people) have wondered why I think spring is a special season for photographers. The answer, to me at least, is quite simple: Spring is a season of change which brings about new colors, textures and growth patterns. No matter what the height above the ground, spring subjects should be photographed with detailed concern for the small bits of growth. If ever there was a … [Read more...]

Why old clothes? Because eye level perspectives are not appropriate for small spring subjects unless they are new buds on trees. Sometimes, I find a large, clean yard-waste bag to lie on. Other times when I'm concerned about missing the light, I'll just get down to the ground and shoot the shoots. While that works well from a photographic perspective, I don't live alone so I'd better be wearing an … [Read more...]