This year marks the 20th anniversary of Canon’s EOS 5 interchangeable-lens digital camera series—a milestone worth celebrating. Nearly all of my favorite photographs from the last twenty years were created with cameras from the EOS 5 series. The original 5D was with me during the filming of my award-winning television series Travels to the Edge, capturing stills that conveyed the beauty and our planet and it’s creatures. Each generation since has brought new opportunities to refine my craft, whether through enhanced resolution, improved low-light performance, or innovate autofocus technology.
Today, I’m working with the R5 Mark II, and it continues the tradition of excellence that first drew me to the series. These cameras have been invaluable tools in my work as both an artist and an advocate for the environment. Most remarkable has been their durability. Over the years I’ve had very few if any issues outside the usual wear-and-tear you might expect when traveling as much as I do, often to areas of extreme weather.
As Canon celebrates this milestone, I celebrate alongside them—grateful for the images captured, the stories told, and the enduring partnership between technology and vision.
August is a month I always look forward to. The days are long and filled with golden light and the vibrancy of life. Meadows are in bloom, wildlife is restless and active, and summer storms can roll in to paint the skies with drama and intensity. When I head out in the early mornings or linger into the late evenings, I’m rewarded with soft pastel hues and gentle shadows. It can make for difficult shooting during the mid-day hours when the sun is high, bright, and casting harsh shadows but I simply see this as a time for experimentation and focusing on the details.
I’ve been fortunate to explore the month of August in many corners of the globe, each offering its own unique palette. In Washington state, wildflowers transform the alpine meadows into a painter’s canvas. In the Omo River Valley of Ethiopia or the vibrant cultures of Tanzania, festivals and daily life pulse with color and movement. In places like Botswana and South Africa, wildlife thrives around scarce waterholes, providing thrilling opportunities to witness animal interactions. Meanwhile, the Arctic light in Greenland or Svalbard creates otherworldly landscapes that feel both fragile and timeless.
Whether it’s the whales off the coast of Tonga, the bears of Katmai, or the desert tones of Namibia, I try to capture the energy and transitions happening all around. I’m currently down in South America – stay tuned as I hope to be back with something new and unique to share on the blog.
Leave a comment below if you have any secrets, insights or stories about shooting in August with both it’s fantastic qualities as well as it’s challenges!
One of the most powerful tools a photographer has isn’t just the camera—it’s the choice of lens. Focal length not only determines how much of the scene you capture, but it also shapes how subjects relate to each other in scale and space. By deliberately choosing different lenses, you can either magnify a subject or minimize it, creating vastly different stories within the same world.
In Ladakh, India, while tracking the elusive snow leopard, I turned my attention to other subjects while waiting out the evasive cats. Using a 1200mm lens with a 1.4x extender, the moon filled my frame—crisp, detailed, and dominant.
Compare this to my image of the moon over Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy, shot with a 17-40mm wide-angle lens. Here, the moon shrinks to a tiny accent while the towering spires command attention. Same moon, two worlds apart—thanks to lens choice.
The same principle applies when photographing the sun. At the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan, I used a 500mm lens to place the sun in near-equal prominence to the silhouetted subject, creating a striking balance.
In Goa, India, I photographed two girls’ ponytails with the sun in the background, using a 70-200mm lens at 165mm. The sun becomes a smaller, softer presence—still important, but secondary.
At the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh, a 70mm lens rendered the sun as a tiny orb in a vast, dusty expanse, emphasizing the human pilgrimage over the celestial backdrop.
Longer lenses not only magnify distant objects—they compress space, making background elements appear closer to the foreground. Wide angles, on the other hand, exaggerate depth, pushing background elements farther away. Mastering this interplay between focal length, subject size, and background compression will give you the ability to control the viewer’s perception and craft stronger, more intentional images.
In 2026, I’ll be leading a small number of photography workshops to some of the most inspiring places on Earth, and I’d love for you to join me. These journeys are designed for photographers who are passionate about wildlife, nature, and expanding both their technical skills and creative vision. I’ve spent decades in the field, and it’s a privilege to share what I’ve learned with others who are eager to grow. We keep the groups manageable to ensure everyone gets personalized attention, and we’ve taken care to choose comfortable accommodations and smooth logistics so you can stay focused on photography. If you’re looking for an experience that blends learning, adventure, and unforgettable imagery, I hope you’ll consider traveling with us. Spots are limited, and I’d be honored to have you along!
Step into the heart of the Serengeti. Capture dramatic scenes of wildebeest families in motion, apex predators on the hunt, and the untamed rhythms of African wildlife in its natural habitat.
Photograph playful snow macaques in steaming hot springs west of Tokyo, then head north to Hokkaido to capture ethereal Japanese cranes, elusive foxes, and the awe-inspiring stellar sea eagles.
Witness the raw intensity of Alaskan brown bears fishing for salmon in wild rivers—a front-row seat to one of the most iconic wildlife spectacles on Earth.
Explore surreal desert landscapes in Swakopmund, rugged wildlife regions in Damaraland and Etosha, and the cultural richness of Windhoek while photographing Namibia’s striking contrasts.
Venture deep into lush rainforests to photograph orangutans, proboscis monkeys, exotic birds, and rare jungle flora in one of the planet’s most biologically diverse ecosystems.
Why Travel with Us?
✔ Learn directly from a world-renowned photographer and fine art educator ✔ Develop both technical expertise and artistic vision ✔ Enjoy curated accommodations and seamless logistics ✔ Manageable group sizes ensure hands-on instruction and mentorship
Spaces are limited to preserve a high-quality experience. Secure your spot now and elevate your photography in some of the most spectacular destinations on Earth!
Tanzania – January 2026
Japan – February 2026
Borneo – September 2026