Three Wooden Boats Racing Together

This photograph of three wooden speedboats was taken during a day of filming them running together at high speed.  The driving was technical because we wanted the antique boats to be fairly close together and evenly spaced.  It took several runs of practice but this photo, taken from a chase boat, gave us what we were after.  All three boats are triple-cockpit runabouts made by Chris-Craft, Gar Wood and Hacker-Craft.  The photo shoot took place on the St. Clair Flats section of Lake St. Clair in Michigan.
24-70 lens at 45mm, 1/2000 sec at f/5, ISO 250.

Three Fast Approaching Wood Boats

Three antique, wood speedboats running together in formation.  This exciting shot was set up in Lake St. Clair shortly after dawn.  The driving was tricky but the approaching boats are pretty much evenly spaced and running at the same speed.  This was shortly after dawn and a little sun was shining to put nice light on the boats.  The color of the water remains a mystery because normally it looks like, well, water.  We're not sure why it's so dark.  The sky was quite dark overhead even though at the horizon there was some sun so perhaps the water was reflecting the overhead sky.  Anyway, it makes for striking contrast with the white spray from the boats.  Our camera was on a tripod in shallow water.
100-400 lens at 400mm, 1/1000 second at f/5.6, ISO 800.

Hidden Fawn Whitetail Deer

This fawn whitetail deer is only a few days old.  I saw it walking with its mother in the distance until it became tired.  It took about an hour to find it because it was so difficult to see after it laid down.  The fawn was initially in deep shadow and there wasn't much of a picture.  But after some time a sunbeam tracked in through the overhead canopy and lit the head.
400mm lens on a monopod, 1/320 second at f/2.8, ISO 2000.

Buck with Velvet Antlers

We found this buck whitetail deer with his antlers covered in velvet.  He was resting in relatively open hardwoods but the overhead canopy didn't allow much light to penetrate.  After waiting patiently a sunbeam tracked over him for a few minutes and we were able to get this photograph.  The dark forest helps to frame the deer.  Its also nice that he was watching something in the distance and his ears are forward.
400 lens, 1/400 second at f/2.8, ISO 1000.

Duck in Flight; Wings Set

This photograph of a duck in flight was taken earlier this spring.  The drake mallard is descending with his feet down (for air brakes) and wings set as he glides to a landing.  He was coming in fast and a second later he started backpedaling with his wings to slow his speed.  Also, his altitude got low enough that the background trees were behind him and there was no longer good separation.  The low angle of the early morning sun helps to light the underside of his body.
100-400 lens at 400mm, 1/1250 second at f/5.6, ISO 500.

Giant Slalom Ski Race

This photograph of a skier on the giant slalom race course shows very aggressive body angle that makes for an exciting composition.  A viewer can instantly see that the skier is going very fast and the diagonal line formed by the athlete's legs makes for a dynamic composition.
It is not very common that a course is set to allow such a position for the photographer.  The gate was set on a small flat spot and the hill dropped off sharply in front.  By positioning the camera on the slope we were able to be very low in relation to the skier and looking almost directly head-on.  The race took place in the late afternoon on a cloudy day so the light was awful.  However, dark goggles were not necessary so the skier's eyes are visible in the photo.  A nice bonus to see the facial expression.
400mm lens, 1/1600 second at f/3.5, ISO 400.

Giant Slalom Skier at a Gate

This photograph is from the recent alpine ski racing season and shows a skier at a gate during a giant slalom race.  I took photos of many skiers at this gate but only a few showed the action and intensity of this one, which is why it is a favorite.  The aggressive body angle indicates the high speed of the skier and also makes the composition more dynamic with the diagonal line formed by his body.
400mm lens, 1/1600 second at f/4, ISO 200.