Paul Nicklen

Paul Nicklen is a Canadian marine biologist, activist, and photographer. He takes amazing, high detail photos of artic areas. and of the creatures that live in these polar regions. He aims to create emotional photographs and inform the viewer of these rarely seen parts of our world. He takes photos above and below water with some incredible shots in between. He is a photographer for National Geographic, creating documentary images.  I first learned about Paul Nicklen when I watched his TED Talk about how he became a polar photographer. He wants to share his photos to encourage people to take care of the planet so that these beautiful places and creatures don't disappear.

The images that I have picked to share are ones that clearly and masterfully demonstrate the use of fine-tuned exposure, ISO and aperture settings for different kinds of photos.

This elephant seal is throeing dirt on his back and with high shutter speed, Paul Nicklen was able to capture the dirt in mid-air without blur. He also used a low aperture to have the background in focus.




An Iceberg drifting in the Antarctic Sound
incredible detail on a large distant landscape needing a high aperture








King Penguin torso that shows water droplets on the fur. A high ISO was needed to get clear water droplets on the bird











A speedy Blue Shark captured with a somewhat high shutter speed














The Tail of an orca whale with water frozen in midair from the movement of the breeching Whale. High ISO and high shutter speed needed.

Waves crashing over a shoreline done with a slow shutter speed to create the blur of water over the rock

Brett Weston

Brett Weston was a photographer whos images I often saw while growing up. His picture of a cactus was hanging on my wall for years. 

Brett Weston, 'Untitled (Cactus)', 1931

His black and white photographs are masterfully done. His photographs of Mexico are my favorites. The way he captures the desert in such beauty, even in black and white, astounds me. 

This image of Lake Patzcuaro is hauntingly beautiful. I love the reflection of the trees on the lake and how seamless it all looks. 

Brett Weston was influenced by Frida Kahlo and Tina Modotti, two revolutionary female artists that I am also very inspired by. 

http://www.brettwestonarchive.com/brettweston

About me

I’m Keva Alvarado Yule. I’m from Boulder, Colorado and a geology major with a computer science minor. 

I’ve always been in awe of photography but never had the resources to get into it. I took photography courses in high school and had so much fun. 

I’m facinated by under water photography. I’ve always wanted to explore the ocean and capture it’s beauty. I love the challenge associated with underwater photography from actually being under water to how water absorbs different colors. 

This website has many articles about underwater photography and is is one that I reference many times on my dive trips. 

Uwphotographyguide.com/underwater-photography-basics

 

This is one of my favorite images that I’ve captured.