Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A few favorites from the past couple weeks!

Here are a few of my favorite photos I have taken over the past few weeks!

















Enjoy,

Captain Jim

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

2011 Sport Show Schedule

Come see us at the Shows - Kevin is "on the road" make sure you stop by our booth and say hello when he is nearby!!




Captain Jim Lucas
(Professor)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Photography 101!!

As what I would call a "Semi-Professional" photographer (Yes I do sell an occasional photograph) The question I get asked most often is "What kind of camera do you use"! I am torn on what my response should be, since I am of the strong belief that the camera is NOT what makes the shot, there is so much more involved than that!!

So I will list what I think are the most important elements of a good photograph!

1. Subject - This is the most important element, before you can take a good photograph, you must have something to shoot!

2. Composition - I try to frame the subject as best I can, look beyond the subject and watch the background for interfering elements and minimize those when I can. In landscapes I generally try to get something interesting in the foreground to add depth to the shot. Composition can be somewhat corrected after the fact with good cropping and some special effects in post processing - More on that in a minute.

Now to the mechanics - not always a requirement but it does help! Quite frankly the above two items are far more important which I will show you in a minute.

Mechanics

1. Sharpness (Focus) - Make sure your primary subject or focal point of the picture is sharp and crisp.

2. Exposure - With adjustable cameras there are three factors which control exposure and selecting the primary adjustment factor for the proper exposure can be critical.

  1. ISO - If your camera has the ability to adjust the "speed" of the film or camera sensor, you can adjust the amount of light required to make a proper exposure by selecting the proper ISO. A low ISO (100) requires more light and is best selected for bright daylight type photography. There are several technical advantages to a lo ISO. Clearer pictures with less "Noise" or sensor contamination in the dark areas. High ISO 800 and above, allows you to take pictures in darker areas but you sacrifice some details and can add "noise"!
  2. F-Stop or Aperture - This is the size of the Iris (Think about your eye Bright light = small iris). The smaller the F-stop or aperture the less light that gets to the sensor or film, but you get sharper pictures generally and a much larger "depth of field" or area in focus.
  3. Shutter Speed - Think "Blink". The faster the shutter speed the better the camera will stop action or freeze motion, even something as simple as a little wind moving a flower a tiny bit will yield better results with a faster shutter speed.
The proper combination of the above three things are all required to get the proper exposure, if you set your camera on automatic it takes care of all that for you, but your picture may suffer the consequences. If the camera selects a high ISO, you will get noise in the darker areas. If your camera picks a slow shutter speed your picture may have movement blur. If your camera selects a large F-Stop - Some of your subject may be out of focus, or at least it may have moved from you primary subject matter.

Quite frankly I shoot on automatic a bunch. However, I am looking at what the camera is choosing and may adjust accordingly.

Example - I want a large depth of field (area in focus) so I see the camera has selected a large aperture. I may change this to a smaller aperture and decrease the shutter speed accordingly to compensate for the smaller iris or aperture.

SO - NOW that you are totally confused let me prove how unimportant some of these things are.

The following photos were all taken with an Apple I-Phone. They have no control of focus, F-Stop, ISO, Shutter speed. It just takes good subject matter, steady hand holding and good composition.












The above photos were all grabbed from the internet, using a "Photographs taken with an I-Phone" search, so if they are yours congratulations and I hope their use here causes no offense, they are great shots!

So you see subject matter and composition make these photographs, the photographer had NO Control over anything else!!

The last item I will touch on briefly is what is now referred to as "Post Processing". In the old days it meant taking your film to a lab to be processed and you could select a good one to be enlarged, cropped and even color corrected. In the new digital world, most serious amateurs and of course profession photographers all "adjust" their photos on their computer using some sore of photo editing software. It can be the savior of bad photographs and it can make a good photograph a great photograph.

Learning to use a photo editing program can be critical to advancing from the "snapshot" phase to even the serious amateur category. Way too much to even begin to discuss here, but a few of the programs which people use are: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Elements. All fantastic programs, there are also many free or nearly free programs which will do some of what you will need.

So - What kind of camera do I use? Well I chose Olympus cameras for several reasons. I think they make some of the best lenses in the world, certainly the best for the money! I prefer the smaller sensor size of Olympus for a couple reasons. When Olympus chose to go to the smaller sensor 4/3 format. It required them to re-design all of their lenses for digital photography. (Re-design means utilizing the latest technology to create the new lenses, rather than relying on lenses from the old film days, they had to design specifically for the new electronic digital world) I felt this was a good thing. The smaller sensor means you get smaller (Physical size) lenses than in the old full frame equivalent. Example - in the old days a "normal lens was considered a 50 mm lens (Pretty much the same angle of view that your eye sees is what that is based on. With the 4/3rds format a normal lens with the same angle of view as your eye is a 25 mm lens. On the other hand one of my primary lenses is a 50-200 zoom, in the old full frame sensor this would be equivalent to a 100mm to 400mm zoom lens. And is physically at least half the size, less weight, more compact easier to hand hold that long telephoto and it is sharp as a tack. All of the pictures in my preceeding thread at the Indian Pow-Wow were taken with that lens and the addition of a 1.4 tele-converter which increases the focal length from 50-200 to 70-280, but you lose 1 F-stop in light (an additional piece of glass between the lens and the sensor has a cost, but you get a "longer" lens with more reach!

So there - That is why I chose Olympus and I am very happy with my system. Oh there are other very good systems out there, in the film days I shot Nikon, Pentax and Mamiya exclusively. When I went to digital I did my homework and chose what I felt was one of the best and still feel that way. I will put the quality of my shots up with any of the other premier brands...even the I-Phone!!

So you see the type of camera is not nearly as important as most people think. Any of the current model higher end "Point & Shoot" cameras will at least surpass an I-Phone and you can see above what can be done with that!

So grab a camera and go shoot - you have to take a picture to get a good one!

Capt Jim

Auburndale, Florida - Indian Pow-Wow 2-8-2011

I had the opportunity to go to an Indian Pow-Wow in nearby Auburndale, Florida. If you ever get the chance to attend one of these, it is a must do!!

First the photographic opportunites are endless, although it is tough shooting, lots of background issues and too many people in the way, ect. The dance circle is just that, a circle, so there are always people in the background unless you can get real low or high and avoid some of that. Also lots of other background issues, like food tents, poles etc...

Anyway, Here are a few of my shots...



















Needless to say I had a great time and my camera got a workout for sure...the colors at these things is phenomenal!!

To see my full SmugMug Gallery of Pow Wow shots

Go HERE!

Enjoy,

Captain Jim
(Professor)

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

2011 Pink Salmon Run Projections in SE Alaska

The Southeast Alaska pink salmon harvest in 2011 is predicted to be in the excellent range, with a point estimate of 55 million fish (80% confidence interval: 43–67 million fish). The categorical ranges of pink salmon harvest in Southeast Alaska were formulated from the 20th, 40th, 60th, and 80th percentiles of historical harvest from 1960 to 2010:

Category Range (millions) Percentile
Poor Less than 11 Less than 20th
Weak 11 to 19 20th to 40th
Average 19 to 29 40th to 60th
Strong 29 to 48 60th to 80th
Excellent Greater than 48 Greater than 80th

All in all, 2011 promises to be another GREAT year of fishing at Yes Bay Lodge!

Capt Jim

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Glacier National Park 2011 Calendar available!

I have finished the Glacier National Park Calendar and have finished product ready to ship.

Here is what the calendar looks like.



To order you need to go to my website a page has been created to purchase.

CaptJim Panorama Calendar

Capt Jim

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Christmas Day and all is quiet! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Holiday!!

Here is some seasons greetings photos!!





Have a Merry Everyone!!

Capt Jim

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Thought I would share a couple of my favorite Christmas Songs!!

Yingle Bells



I yust go nuts at Christmas...




And One about Alaska and halibut!!




Capt Jim Lucas
(Professor)

Monday, December 20, 2010

Cassiar RIP - December 20th, 2010

Cassiar was laid to rest today at Yes Bay in Alaska - He had a long and wonderful life and will be held in our hearts for a long time! He was named after the Cassiar Highway that runs through Canada and Alaska, one of the most beautiful highways in North America...RIP

Here are a few pictures from better times...







Capt Jim Lucas
(Professor)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Another great SE Alaska Video



Enjoy,

Jim

New Plans for 2011 and beyond!!

This is my new project for the rest of the winter - make plans to find the trailer and then build my tiny house on it next winter!!



Well I now have some finalized plans for the remainder of this winter season and then next winter season. I will start seriously shopping for the proper trailer this winter and get it bought, and start working on the design for the remainder of the winter. After Alaska next year I will be building my TINY HOUSE on the trailer….and then be ready to see the world!!

Mine will be a little different as I will NOT sleep in a loft, so it will be on one level and it MUST have a full bath with shower, fresh water storage with a boat pressure water system plus room for grey and black water storage and also room to add a generator at some point. I like the gas fireplace for heat and of course it will be air conditioned, more than likely with a nice window unit….except for the AC and some electrical outlets for appliances and hot water heater the remainder of the house will operate like a boat on 12 or 24 volt….with a couple batteries and maybe a solar panel for charging and a charger hooked to the generator or of course shore power if I am in a campground…

How about watching one be built!



And another great view...




Wish me luck - I think it will be fun and perfect for my upcoming lifestyle change! Who knows may even figure out a way to make some money at it!! Seems popular as I do more research!!

Jim

Thursday, December 9, 2010

SE Alaska

I found this blog and video that is really all about SE Alaska and the Tongass National Forest where Yes Bay Lodge is located.

Enjoy it and if you want to read about it and get more information go here

Captain Robs Postcard from Alaska!

Here is the video!



Enjoy...stay tuned for constant updates! Book the dates for your Alaska Adventure soon!!

www.yesbay.com


Captain Jim
(Professor)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Nice to find out you didn't screw up!!

Sometimes you wonder how well you did as a parent and it is really nice to find out, you must have done something correct!!

Took a trip down to West Palm Beach area to see my stepson. We had been "estranged" since the "War of the Roses" with his mother, far too long and I should never have let it happen, but we both decided to put that behind us and move forward.

Needless to say I am one proud Papa! The kid finished a dual major college degree from Stetson University and now has a great job, owns a very nice home and a beautiful boat (31 foot Jupiter), spends his spare time doing a bunch of fishing and diving, quite an accomplished spear fisherman as well as a great fisherman (Wonder where that came from??). Somehow has remained single, but has a wonderful close knit group of good friends, including a very nice girlfriend.

So, it all turned out well, I had a great time we got to visit and bring each other up to speed on what we have been up to for the past 10 or so years and we managed to avoid all the past pain we inflicted on each other....

I arrive in time to help get the boat loaded and we headed out Saturday evening to watch the Palm Beach Christmas Boat parade. Did some grillin and chilling rafted up with a couple other of his friends boats, good music, a couple cocktails, some good food and a real nice boat parade.

Will on the right with his good buddy Brian on the boat.



Some friends on their boats with the grill fired up!



A few of the boat parade boats!





Sunday morning we worked on some boat repairs, then loaded up and went out for the afternoon fishing...not much was biting and the weather didn't cooperate, but a good time was had by all and we managed to find enough fish for a decent dinner. So the grill was fired up and Will showed off his cooking skills!



The we spent the rest of the evening relaxing in the hot tub, after washing the boat and all the fishing gear.



So, a great time was had by all and I can honestly say the kid has done alright and I am happy to know that even this old asshole can sometimes get something right and even admit that his mother may have had something to do with it as well!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful winter and my wishes are extended for a Joyous and Wonderful Holiday Season for everyone!!

More Christmas wishes later!

Capt Jim Lucas
(Professor)

Saturday, November 27, 2010

2011 Yes Bay Lodge Guide Staff!

The season planning begins early, right after the end of the previous season we start shopping for our guides for the upcoming season. Of course we have our mainstays, guides who return year after year...and to that we supplement with new guides who we hope will return for a number of years, depending on their home lifestyle and other obligations.

This year we are excited with both our returning guides and some really great new guides. As usual we had a tremendous response from our solicitations, making it very difficult to choose, we had over 60 applicants for what looks to be 5 positions.

First our returning guides!

Of course we must have Slice Captain Jim Bernard who returns for his 18th season at Yes Bay!



And Slammer Dan Colander returns for his 12th year!



And of course I will be returning for my 5th year!



And the season would not be the same without Kicker (Ron Chimenti) - although his return is still a little questionable due to some licensing problems, but there will be a spot for old Kicker!



Batman (Capt David Noble) Returns for his third season!



And Captain (Yea Yea) Al Bermitz returns for his 2nd season!



And now our new guides for 2011!

Captain Mike Locklear!



Captain Jeff Bortz



Captain John Pfeiffer



Captain Myron Jemison



And finally Captain Sean Falconer - who I don't have a picture of yet, but will soon and I will add it to this list!

You can go to the guides page on the Yes Bay website and click on their picture to read a little bit more about all of our guides for 2011.

Go here: http://yesbay.com/YBL2011guides.htm

And as usual Sean (Harvester) Roberts and Colin (The General) Mc Crossin, will more than likely be around during the busy time in late August and early September, depending on our bookings!

Stay Tuned for more off-season happenings around Yes Bay Lodge in SE Alaska!

Capt Jim Lucas
(Professor)

Monday, November 22, 2010

November 22nd

Saturday evening I went with a photography club to take some pictures of the downtown Tampa Skyline, a group of about 10 met behind Tampa General Hospital and here are a couple of the pictures I took.

First in color...



Second one in Black and White



And now something a little different...a combination of color and black and white!



I have recently done a total rebuild of this site and my main website. I have also worked pretty extensively updating the Yes Bay site, for better search engine performance, and I added links to pages with the pictures for the 2010 season. Guides for next year are all almost hired, final notifications will be done before the end of this week. We have a great group of candidates and will as usual have a fantastic set of guides for the 2011 season.

Lodge is booking nicely, so make sure you make your reservations soon.

Capt Jim Lucas
(Professor)

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Flash Mob at the Ohio Union 5/3/2010 - The Ohio State University

A friend shared this with me on FB and I just had to repost here, this is now my all time favorite Flash Mob video from good old Ohio State! Go Buckeye's!!




More to come later today with lots getting done around here. Rebuilt website and blog for both myself and the Lodge, will finalize the hiring of next years guides this coming week and finish up some marketing items.

Capt Jim

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Wonderful Ohio

The fall colors are brilliant and I am having some great fun with friends and family...

here are a couple pictures taken a day or so ago...







More to come later as I am shooting again today!!

Jim

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The home trip adventure continues.

Spent a couple days touring around Glacier National Park in Montana and the photographic opportunities have been amazing.

Here are few I have processed so far (Out of nearly 1000 shots)











Hope you are enjoying the show, there are plenty more which I will be posting in the coming days...leave for Ohio tomorrow morning early for a long day of traveling to visit family.

Jim