C is for Coyote, written by Andrea Helman and with photographs from myself and Gavriel Jecan has been published this week and is available for purchase in my online store! This 32-page board book utilizes photos of animals and unique places from the south western United States to teach the alphabet to young readers.
Complete the whole set with our other two board books, O is for Orca and 1, 2, 3, Moose!
Happy Vernal Equinox! Spring officially arrived here on the west coast at 3:28 a.m. this morning. Hope you enjoy the pics, and if the start of spring has gotten your creative juices flowing, why not join me next month for a workshop here on the Olympic peninsula? I’ll have three great assistants with me for plenty of guidance!
Some of the most common questions I receive from photographers of all skill levels and backgrounds are in regards to the equipment I use and recommend. While I always emphasize the importance of understanding fundamental art and design principles first and foremost when it comes to taking great photos, finding the right equipment in a sea of options can be understandably overwhelming.
I’ve put together a gear page you can check out here that highlights some of the equipment I use and recommend, as well as some of the brands and companies I trust. Bookmark this page and check back often, as I’m constantly trying out new equipment!
I have decided to jump in on the Olympic Peninsula workshop happening in in April with Gavriel Jecan, Yuri Choufour and Libby Pfeiffer. It is only one month away, so now is the time to pull the trigger if you’ve been contemplating joining us to capture the forests, coastline, and mountain peaks of this lush location. Join myself and trusted instructors in an area with a never ending variety of subjects to shoot!
If you need any more persuading here are ten reasons to take this workshop!
Check out the terrific photos our past workshop participants have taken here:
In March of 1899, Mount Rainier National Park was founded as the nation’s fifth national park and the first created from a national forest. The pinnacle of the cascade range and an active stratovolcano, Mount Rainier can be seen looming in the distance from the hustle and bustle of caffeinated Seattle. It’s long been a place of study for volcanologists and glaciologists alike.
Coming home from trips to the remarkable places of the world is easier knowing I’m fortunate enough to live in the midst of such incredible places. The verdant Cascade Range is a must-see for anyone traveling to the Pacific North West!
Join me for a workshop at Mount Rainier this August!
Mt. Rainier Workshop with Art Wolfe
August 10-13
You may have heard that Friday I will be giving a class over at CreativeLive starting at 9am PST. You can sign up to watch the live class for free, or you can pre-order on-demand access for $59, a savings of $20.
I will be concentrating on several key areas:
1. Navigating an Ever Changing World
How images were collected in the past has changed and the world has become closer in terms of access thanks to the advances in travel and technology. As a result, change seems to accelerate and keeping in step becomes a necessary skill. I will share how I research, plan, and execute as well as review and edit for projects. With over 100 book titles, television shows, exhibits, presentations – how does one manage it all and how do projects transition from an idea to achievement? In this segment, I will review my processes for efficiency, economy and how I chart the course to a successful outcome.
2. Ways Technology has Improved my Work
The truth is that technology has been giving artists new ways to share their work for a very long time. Tools and art have evolved together, becoming intertwined. Cameras, software, lenses, even drones – they are all tools for the photographer, the artist, the storyteller. I will share how I have incorporated technology to enhance and redefine my work.
3. Preview to Photography as Art
“Photography as Art” is a groundbreaking seminar created for individuals who want to spark their imagination and discover how to make artistic statements through photography. I will share an excerpt from this seminar created for the creative professional to see and make art in exciting new ways. With art history as a reference point, I explore avenues to maintain inspiration, foster personal style, and discover ways to distinguish your own photography from others.
4. Live Critique
At the end of the program, I will critique viewer-submitted photographs. These photo critiques provide viewers a great opportunity to look through the eyes of a professional photographer and learn by constructive feedback on what makes an image stronger.
This past February, Denali celebrated it’s 100th year as a national park and preserve. Home to the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet, the park covers 6 million acres of land in Alaska composed of forests, glaciers and tundra.
At a critical time in our history when it comes to protecting our natural places, it’s important to note that Denali was the first national park created to protect wildlife and is home to 209 different species of animals. A natural laboratory for researchers and scientist, the park has been home to various scientific studies for a century now.
Alaska is one of my favorite locations on the globe, so much so that I make it a point to lead workshops in its parks on a regular basis. The scope and scale of the environments here are like no other.
Now is a better time than ever to get involved with our national parks. Click here for a list of events related to the Denali Centennial to see how you can participate!
I will be busy this spring in the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes it’s a good thing to hang around the neighborhood and get reacquainted.
March 11-12, Seattle: Photography as Art Deluxe Edition
Here in my home town I am offering a special meet and greet that will take place at my house. There will be hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and a special slide show! I will also include a copy of one of my popular how-to books. The following day, we will rendezvous at the Frye Art Museum for the seminar. For those of you who attended the debut of this seminar at Kenmore Camera over a year ago, please be aware that it has been extensively updated.
April 13-16, Olympic Peninsula Workshop
Hop on this perennial favorite! I myself have decided to do just that and will co-lead this workshop with Gavriel Jecan, Yuri Choufour, and Libby Pfeiffer. We will explore this internationally recognized biosphere that is in our backyard–this is a wonderland where the scent of saltwater and fir hang in the air and the horizon sometimes seems to make the entire world appear to be shades of blue and green.
May 5-6, Seattle: Blue Earth Alliance Collaborations for a Cause (#C4C17)
C4C17 is the 5th annual visual storytelling event put on by Blue Earth Alliance. They have brought together socially conscious businesses, non-profits, educators, public agencies and content creators for two days of inspiration, exploration, and partnership building. I will be presenting the opening keynote, “All in a Life’s Work: The Creative Process of Art Wolfe” on Friday, May 5th at 9:00 AM.
May 7: Portland: Photography As Art
In this full-day seminar, you’ll learn that the beauty, emotion and versatility expressed through photography are matched only by the limits of your imagination. Using art history as a reference point, the seminar highlights common visual elements, from shape and space to texture and light, and shows you how to apply them to enhance your own compositions. You’ll explore innovative ways to translate conceptual ideas into creative results, learn how to spot the non-obvious, and uncover new ways to expand your visual imagination.
May 24-28: Abstract Astoria Photography Retreat
This is fast becoming my second most popular workshop. Situated at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, Astoria is a fascinating and revitalizing port city with a history tied to the early territorial aspirations of the United States. My goal is work closely with each participant to truly transform and refine their skills while exploring the nature of creativity itself.
Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus)
Washington, United States
A tiny saw-whet owl uses blending camouflage to hide among a profusion of muted pussy-willow blossoms. Weighing only 75 to 110 grams (2.6 to 3.9 ounces), or about as much as a robin, the saw-whet owl is one of the smallest owl species in North America. Few people ever see these diminutive raptors because they are primarily nocturnal. During the day, they roost in foliage close to the ground hidden by their cryptic plumage, a mottled brown with white streaks and spots. To enhance the effect, saw-whet owls also use procryptic posturing for concealment: they elongate their bodies to mimic inanimate tree branches, bringing one wing around in front of their bodies to conceal their heavily feathered legs and feet. Northern saw-whet owls inhabit both coniferous and deciduous forests, wherever woodpeckers create cavities for their potential nest sites. At night, the owls silently watch and wait, using their exceptional vision and hearing to swoop down on unsuspecting prey.
Canon EOS-1N, Canon EF 80–200 mm lens with Canon Extender EF 1.4, f/11 at 1/60 second, Fujichrome Velvia 100 film
Save 20% on any Saw-whet in Pussy Willows print purchased this month. These Open Edition prints are printed on EPSON Premium Photo Luster paper using archival EPSON Ultrachrome inks. Art signs the print with a silver acid-free pen. Get more information about our Fine Art prints here.
I’m appreciative to have friends and fans from so many walks of life around the world. One of the best ways for all of these perspectives and points of view to come together is through social media. I know not everyone has the time to keep up to date with the plethora of applications and sites out there, so here is a brief run down of how we can connect!
If there are social media outlets you find are helpful in the photography world, leave me a comment and I’ll check them out! I am always looking for ways to expand what I feel is an important perspective on our natural environment.
A popular and simple to use smart phone app for photographers of all skill levels to share their photos and interact with those whom have similar interests. I generally post an image or two a day, either focusing on my latest work from the field, relevant topics at the time, or whatever strikes my fancy to change things up! If you want to see a steady stream of my work, that’s the place to be.
Where to get the app:
Android – iPhone – Window’s Phone
Once you have the app ready to go, follow me @ArtWolfe! Although my busy travel schedule makes it hard to always keep up, I’ll do my best to follow you as well!
I’m sure at this point it would be rare to find anyone who isn’t familiar with Facebook, but if we aren’t connected already, be sure you’re following me for regular posts of photo galleries and other current events related to photography, wildlife, and the environment.
Unfortunately I met the Facebook cap of 5,000 friends long ago – so be sure to hit the “Follow” button to get my latest updates!
Nearly 200,000 fans and friends follow me on twitter. It’s a convenient place for me to post quick-hits on relevant topics, upcoming events and contests while also sharing important topics from around the photography world!
For Google+ users, much of the contest posted to other social media outlets is also shared here – so if Google is your social media source, we should absolutely connect!
LinkedIn is less for the casual fan and more for those interested in the business of Photography. If you are an aspiring or established photographer, it’s an excellent place to network!
Have I missed any of your favorite social media sites or applications? Leave a comment below, and let me know what you find useful!
