This gallery will be a recent image that I will give some details on why, how, where, when and technical data that was required for me to take this particular image. However, like many things in photography there is generally more than one way to accomplish your goal.
June 2011 "Showys in a Tamarack Bog"
With Minnesota being the land of 10,000 lakes it is no wonder that we also have many bogs to allow the adventurous photographer to explore. My first trip into a bog was around 1983/84, a friend took me in to look for a orchid called "Calypso". I was eager to go but had no idea what a bog was or even what the orchid looked like, my venue into photography was just starting. Upon entering the bog it was like being in a different world, being totally surrounded by the environment of a bog. Bog type trees being so close it made moving around very precarious and with each step your feet would sink into soft wet carpet of sphagnum moss. But after my friend located the Calypso Orchid and I looked at this most colorful and beautiful orchid, I was hooked. Ever since that year I make probably 3-4 trips every summer into various bogs in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. This "Feature Photo" is giving some tips if you decide to get away from the crowd and do a little "Bog Photography". Bog environments are home to some very special botanical subjects including many of Minneosta's native orchid species. You can locate bogs by searching Minneosta or any other state Department of Natural Resource web site. In Minneosta also search "Scientific and Natural Areas" and also "The Nature Conservancy". When you locate a bog site many times they will also include a documented plant list for that particular bog. Just this year I discovered a new bog and found many botanical subjects including our state flower the Show Lady's slipper, the image for this feature photo was taken in that bog.
Before entering a bog I spray "Permanone" on my clothes from waist down this is good for ticks, I than spray all exposed skin with Deet, mosquitoes are usually horrendous in bogs. I always wear knee high rubber boots with pants tucked in and regardless of temperature and humidity long sleeve shirts and hat. I usually have a map of the area and "always" take a compass reading before entering. I do use a GPS but sometimes the trees are so thick it is hard to get satellite signals, so I generally have both compass and GPS. I would recommend that you enter a bog with a friend that likes to be adventurous also. When walking in a bog I tend to step on "clumps" of grasses or next to trees. A person can step into a soft part of the bog floor and sink into above your knees. That has only happened to me one time. Even though I have been asked many times to lead workshops or groups into bogs, I personally feel the environment is so sensitive that even one person can cause enviromental damage. Just imagine what damage 8-10 people can cause. I am personally alone or with just one friend. Also always watch where you step or kneel, many of the bog botanical subjects are very tiny and rare. Orchids are not always these big plants but maybe just a few inches above the bog floor, and some are very rare. So just use caution when entering a bog and caution where you step. One other word of caution, never leave your camera equipment unattended to go and explore, you may never find it again. One final note; some bogs do require a permit to enter if that is the case be sure to get the permit from the appropriate agency.
If you are like me and enjoy solitude and a pristine environment try a little bog photography.
Good Shooting
Tech Data
Nikon D300
Nikon 12mm-24mm lens @ 16mm
Manual Exposure @ +2/3
F-16 @ 1/4 sec
ISO 400
Cloudy White Balance
Matrix metering
Gitzo 1548 tripod
RRS BH 55 Ball Head
Cable Release and Mirror Lock-up
Hama Bubble lever
With Minnesota being the land of 10,000 lakes it is no wonder that we also have many bogs to allow the adventurous photographer to explore. My first trip into a bog was around 1983/84, a friend took me in to look for a orchid called "Calypso". I was eager to go but had no idea what a bog was or even what the orchid looked like, my venue into photography was just starting. Upon entering the bog it was like being in a different world, being totally surrounded by the environment of a bog. Bog type trees being so close it made moving around very precarious and with each step your feet would sink into soft wet carpet of sphagnum moss. But after my friend located the Calypso Orchid and I looked at this most colorful and beautiful orchid, I was hooked. Ever since that year I make probably 3-4 trips every summer into various bogs in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. This "Feature Photo" is giving some tips if you decide to get away from the crowd and do a little "Bog Photography". Bog environments are home to some very special botanical subjects including many of Minneosta's native orchid species. You can locate bogs by searching Minneosta or any other state Department of Natural Resource web site. In Minneosta also search "Scientific and Natural Areas" and also "The Nature Conservancy". When you locate a bog site many times they will also include a documented plant list for that particular bog. Just this year I discovered a new bog and found many botanical subjects including our state flower the Show Lady's slipper, the image for this feature photo was taken in that bog.
Before entering a bog I spray "Permanone" on my clothes from waist down this is good for ticks, I than spray all exposed skin with Deet, mosquitoes are usually horrendous in bogs. I always wear knee high rubber boots with pants tucked in and regardless of temperature and humidity long sleeve shirts and hat. I usually have a map of the area and "always" take a compass reading before entering. I do use a GPS but sometimes the trees are so thick it is hard to get satellite signals, so I generally have both compass and GPS. I would recommend that you enter a bog with a friend that likes to be adventurous also. When walking in a bog I tend to step on "clumps" of grasses or next to trees. A person can step into a soft part of the bog floor and sink into above your knees. That has only happened to me one time. Even though I have been asked many times to lead workshops or groups into bogs, I personally feel the environment is so sensitive that even one person can cause enviromental damage. Just imagine what damage 8-10 people can cause. I am personally alone or with just one friend. Also always watch where you step or kneel, many of the bog botanical subjects are very tiny and rare. Orchids are not always these big plants but maybe just a few inches above the bog floor, and some are very rare. So just use caution when entering a bog and caution where you step. One other word of caution, never leave your camera equipment unattended to go and explore, you may never find it again. One final note; some bogs do require a permit to enter if that is the case be sure to get the permit from the appropriate agency.
If you are like me and enjoy solitude and a pristine environment try a little bog photography.
Good Shooting
Tech Data
Nikon D300
Nikon 12mm-24mm lens @ 16mm
Manual Exposure @ +2/3
F-16 @ 1/4 sec
ISO 400
Cloudy White Balance
Matrix metering
Gitzo 1548 tripod
RRS BH 55 Ball Head
Cable Release and Mirror Lock-up
Hama Bubble lever
June 2011 "Showys in a Tamarack Bog"
With Minnesota being the land of 10,000 lakes it is no wonder that we also have many bogs to allow the adventurous photographer to explore. My first trip into a bog was around 1983/84, a friend took me in to look for a orchid called "Calypso". I was eager to go but had no idea what a bog was or even what the orchid looked like, my venue into photography was just starting. Upon entering the bog it was like being in a different world, being totally surrounded by the environment of a bog. Bog type trees being so close it made moving around very precarious and with each step your feet would sink into soft wet carpet of sphagnum moss. But after my friend located the Calypso Orchid and I looked at this most colorful and beautiful orchid, I was hooked. Ever since that year I make probably 3-4 trips every summer into various bogs in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. This "Feature Photo" is giving some tips if you decide to get away from the crowd and do a little "Bog Photography". Bog environments are home to some very special botanical subjects including many of Minneosta's native orchid species. You can locate bogs by searching Minneosta or any other state Department of Natural Resource web site. In Minneosta also search "Scientific and Natural Areas" and also "The Nature Conservancy". When you locate a bog site many times they will also include a documented plant list for that particular bog. Just this year I discovered a new bog and found many botanical subjects including our state flower the Show Lady's slipper, the image for this feature photo was taken in that bog.
Before entering a bog I spray "Permanone" on my clothes from waist down this is good for ticks, I than spray all exposed skin with Deet, mosquitoes are usually horrendous in bogs. I always wear knee high rubber boots with pants tucked in and regardless of temperature and humidity long sleeve shirts and hat. I usually have a map of the area and "always" take a compass reading before entering. I do use a GPS but sometimes the trees are so thick it is hard to get satellite signals, so I generally have both compass and GPS. I would recommend that you enter a bog with a friend that likes to be adventurous also. When walking in a bog I tend to step on "clumps" of grasses or next to trees. A person can step into a soft part of the bog floor and sink into above your knees. That has only happened to me one time. Even though I have been asked many times to lead workshops or groups into bogs, I personally feel the environment is so sensitive that even one person can cause enviromental damage. Just imagine what damage 8-10 people can cause. I am personally alone or with just one friend. Also always watch where you step or kneel, many of the bog botanical subjects are very tiny and rare. Orchids are not always these big plants but maybe just a few inches above the bog floor, and some are very rare. So just use caution when entering a bog and caution where you step. One other word of caution, never leave your camera equipment unattended to go and explore, you may never find it again. One final note; some bogs do require a permit to enter if that is the case be sure to get the permit from the appropriate agency.
If you are like me and enjoy solitude and a pristine environment try a little bog photography.
Good Shooting
Tech Data
Nikon D300
Nikon 12mm-24mm lens @ 16mm
Manual Exposure @ +2/3
F-16 @ 1/4 sec
ISO 400
Cloudy White Balance
Matrix metering
Gitzo 1548 tripod
RRS BH 55 Ball Head
Cable Release and Mirror Lock-up
Hama Bubble lever
With Minnesota being the land of 10,000 lakes it is no wonder that we also have many bogs to allow the adventurous photographer to explore. My first trip into a bog was around 1983/84, a friend took me in to look for a orchid called "Calypso". I was eager to go but had no idea what a bog was or even what the orchid looked like, my venue into photography was just starting. Upon entering the bog it was like being in a different world, being totally surrounded by the environment of a bog. Bog type trees being so close it made moving around very precarious and with each step your feet would sink into soft wet carpet of sphagnum moss. But after my friend located the Calypso Orchid and I looked at this most colorful and beautiful orchid, I was hooked. Ever since that year I make probably 3-4 trips every summer into various bogs in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. This "Feature Photo" is giving some tips if you decide to get away from the crowd and do a little "Bog Photography". Bog environments are home to some very special botanical subjects including many of Minneosta's native orchid species. You can locate bogs by searching Minneosta or any other state Department of Natural Resource web site. In Minneosta also search "Scientific and Natural Areas" and also "The Nature Conservancy". When you locate a bog site many times they will also include a documented plant list for that particular bog. Just this year I discovered a new bog and found many botanical subjects including our state flower the Show Lady's slipper, the image for this feature photo was taken in that bog.
Before entering a bog I spray "Permanone" on my clothes from waist down this is good for ticks, I than spray all exposed skin with Deet, mosquitoes are usually horrendous in bogs. I always wear knee high rubber boots with pants tucked in and regardless of temperature and humidity long sleeve shirts and hat. I usually have a map of the area and "always" take a compass reading before entering. I do use a GPS but sometimes the trees are so thick it is hard to get satellite signals, so I generally have both compass and GPS. I would recommend that you enter a bog with a friend that likes to be adventurous also. When walking in a bog I tend to step on "clumps" of grasses or next to trees. A person can step into a soft part of the bog floor and sink into above your knees. That has only happened to me one time. Even though I have been asked many times to lead workshops or groups into bogs, I personally feel the environment is so sensitive that even one person can cause enviromental damage. Just imagine what damage 8-10 people can cause. I am personally alone or with just one friend. Also always watch where you step or kneel, many of the bog botanical subjects are very tiny and rare. Orchids are not always these big plants but maybe just a few inches above the bog floor, and some are very rare. So just use caution when entering a bog and caution where you step. One other word of caution, never leave your camera equipment unattended to go and explore, you may never find it again. One final note; some bogs do require a permit to enter if that is the case be sure to get the permit from the appropriate agency.
If you are like me and enjoy solitude and a pristine environment try a little bog photography.
Good Shooting
Tech Data
Nikon D300
Nikon 12mm-24mm lens @ 16mm
Manual Exposure @ +2/3
F-16 @ 1/4 sec
ISO 400
Cloudy White Balance
Matrix metering
Gitzo 1548 tripod
RRS BH 55 Ball Head
Cable Release and Mirror Lock-up
Hama Bubble lever