A new year means new resolutions like traveling more or exploring new places, camera in hand.
On your visit to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, sign up for a nature photography workshop with a local photographer: me. Explore the rugged coastline and the temperate rainforest, capture unique species with your camera, and return home with compelling photos.
A narrow depth of field isolates the subject. It makes it stand out against a blurred background because the viewer’s eye is naturally attracted by a sharp subject. For this close-up of a deer, I opted for a telephoto lens (focal length of 400 mm) and a large aperture of f/5.6. Note that a fast shutter speed also narrows the depth of field.
Canon EOS 5DS R - Lens Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.505.6L IS II USM
f/5.6 for 1/200 second and 1600 ISO, focal length 400 mm
A wide depth of field put the subject into context. The entire picture is sharp so the viewer tends to look at the subject in relation to its surroundings. Here I wanted to show the old-growth tree stump in relation to the forest and mountains in the background. So I opted for a wide-angle lens (focal length of 70 mm) and a smaller aperture of f/11.
Canon EOS 5DS R - Lens Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L II USM
f/11 for 1/30 second and 400 ISO, focal length 70 mm
Une courte profondeur de champs isole le sujet. Elle le fait ressortir contre un arrière-plan flou parce que l’oeil de l’observateur est naturellement attiré par un sujet net. Pour ce plan rapproché d’une biche, j’ai choisi un téléobjectif (focale longue de 400 mm) et une grande ouverture à f/5.6. À noter qu’une vitesse d’obturation élevée réduit également la profondeur de champs.
Canon EOS 5DS R - Objectif Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.505.6L IS II USM
f/5.6 pendant 1/200 seconde et 1600 ISO, focale longue de 400 mm
Une grande profondeur de champs met le sujet en contexte. L’image entière est nette ainsi l’observateur tend à regarder le sujet en relation avec ce qui l’entoure. Ici j’ai voulu montrer la souche d’un arbre ancien par rapport à la forêt et les montagnes en arrière-plan. J’ai donc choisi un objectif à grand angle (focale courte de 70 mm) et une petite ouverture de f/11.
Canon EOS 5DS R - Objectif Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L II USM
f/11 pendant 1/30 seconde et 400 ISO, focale courte de 70 mm
Until August 15, take advantage of a 10% discount on my Nature Photo Workshop in Tofino, British Columbia. Use promo code TOFINO2022 at checkout.
Places are limited so sign up early!
During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to photograph the amazing landscapes and charismatic wildlife around the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet and Tofino.
Looking forward to showing you in person my favourite places for nature photography in this beautiful region of Vancouver Island!
I remember the cultural revolution when the first music videos appeared on the television in the 1980s. Today, everyone posts videos on TikTok, YouTube, etc. That's why I just produced and posted my first two videos on YouTube, which you can watch here. You will discover in particular rare photos of the Vancouver Island marmot, an endangered species.
Following an increase in requests from photographers in the United States and Europe, I have just added several photo workshops for 2023. There are still spaces available for the 2022 workshops. However the maximum number of participants per workshop is five, so don't wait too long to sign up.
''I took her workshop and it was very informative at the same time enjoyable. we discovered amazing part of island and shoot lots of pictures. Catherine is very professional and friendly. She opened up my eyes in different perspective of photography. She is also very patient and explain everything in detail. By end of our workshop I am more comfortable with camera settings, composition. long exposure and work on tripod 😃. I highly recommend her workshop for anyone who wants step in nature, landscape and wildlife photography.'' Mehrdad S.
I hope you take advantage of the long summer days to explore nature and photograph cute animals like this baby black-tailed deer that I briefly encountered earlier this week on Vancouver Island.
Summer is an ideal time to reconnect with nature and hone your skills as a nature photographer. Join me for a unique photo workshop in beautiful Strathcona Park, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
I have added three new workshops on weekends for your convenience:
Limited to 5 participants. Sign up today!
Production and montage: Pierre Beaudoin, camera: Alexandre Lamic, CBC Radio-Canada.
Photo credit: Alexandre Lamic, Radio-Canada
Last autumn, I had the pleasure of being filmed by CBC Radio-Canada in the field on Vancouver Island. During the interview, I talk about species of special concern in the region and endangered species like the Vancouver Island marmot. I also mention the importance of ethic in nature photography to preserve the natural world; we can all do our part by keeping a safe distance from wildlife, avoiding disturbing their routines and not interfering with their habitat.
I invite you to watch the video here.
Hello Yellow - Abstract image
Travelling is part of my life so, after more than two years on Vancouver Island, it was time to get out.
I always plan my adventures carefully: places to visit, subjects to photograph, routes, etc., which is why I travelled to Astoria, Oregon. I wanted to photograph an old rusty wagon, abandoned boats and buildings marked by the passage of time. My preparation and the time spent on site for this project gave results beyond my expectations. You can order prints here.
As I often mention during my workshops, it is important to take your time in the field: find your subject, think about your composition, adjust your camera properly according to the expected results (framing, depth of field, shutter speed, etc.) You will achieve better results than taking lots of photos hoping that one will be good enough and then trying to correct its flaws in post-processing.
This spring, reconnect with nature and sign up for a photo adventure for yourself or with a loved one, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia! Spring is an ideal time to travel: it’s an amazing palette of colours, the snow melt swells streams to form beautiful cascades, and animals are busy caring for their offsprings: very photogenic subjects. I invite you to register for my workshop from May 27 to 29, places are limited to 5 people.
Loop - Abstract Photography
Les voyages font partie de ma vie alors, après plus de deux ans sur place, il était temps de sortir de l’Île de Vancouver.
Je prépare toujours soigneusement mes aventures : lieux à visiter, sujets à photographier, trajets, etc., c’est pourquoi je me suis rendue à Astoria, en Oregon. Je souhaitais photographier un vieux wagon rouillé, des bateaux abandonnés et des bâtiments marqués par le passage du temps. Ma préparation et le temps consacré sur place pour ce projet ont donné des résultats au-delà de mes attentes. Vous pouvez en commander des tirages.
Comme je mentionne souvent au cours de mes ateliers, il est important de prendre son temps sur le terrain : trouver son sujet, penser à sa composition, bien réglé son appareil en fonction des résultats escomptés (cadrage, profondeur de champs, vitesse d’obturation, etc.) Cela permet d’obtenir de meilleurs résultats que de prendre plein de photos dans l’espoir que l’une d’entre elles sera assez bonne et ensuite tenter de corriger ses défauts en post-traitement.
Ce printemps, reconnectez-vous avec la nature et inscrivez-vous seul(e) ou avec un proche à une excursion photo sur l’Île de Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique ! Le printemps est un temps idéal pour voyager : c’est une incroyable palette de couleurs, la fonte des neiges fait gonfler les cascades et les animaux sont occupés avec leurs petits : des sujets très photogéniques. Je vous invite à vous inscrire à mon atelier du 27 au 29 mai, les places sont limitées à 5 personnes.
When I am on a photo excursion in the forest, the red-legged frog tends to appear when I least expect it. Their colour is an excellent form of camouflage. Often, it is their leap at my approach that catches my eye. During any chance encounter with an animal, it is sometimes difficult to predict their reaction: will they run away or stay put? That’s why my first reaction is to stop and anticipate their intentions. Then I started moving cautiously to avoid frightening them while I think about my composition and my distance from the animal.
Spot the distracting elements in this image.
I determine where the light is coming from and if there is a backlight. I identify elements such as a branch in front of the frog or any other shape or object that might distract the attention of the person looking at the photo. I move slowly and, once in position, I carefully deploy my tripod. A stressed frog will puff up its abdomen to deter predators. I therefore keep an eye on my subject to assess their level of comfort; if I notice that they are stressed, I leave even though I have not got a shot. The animal wellbeing is more important to me than my portfolio. Once the camera is mounted on the tripod, I adjust the settings and frame based on the intended result before releasing the shutter. Then I check the composition and histogram on the camera screen.
Because it is a chance encounter with a wild animal, everything happens very quickly and yet quietly so as not to stress it. Also I don’t overstay to avoid disturbing the animal in its routine.
Final result after I repositioned myself. Photo in full format.
Lorsque je suis en excursion photo dans forêt, les grenouilles à cuisse rouge ont tendance à apparaître quand je m’y attends le moins. Leur couleur est une excellente forme de camouflage. Bien souvent, c’est leur saut à mon approche qui attire mon attention. Lors de toute rencontre fortuite avec un animal, il est parfois difficile de prévoir leur réaction : vont-ils s’enfuir ou bien rester sur place ? C’est pourquoi ma première réaction est de m’arrêter et anticiper leurs intentions. Ensuite je bouge avec précaution pour éviter de les effrayer et je commence aussitôt à penser à ma composition et à ma distance par rapport à l’animal.
Cherchez les éléments distrayants sur cette photo.
Je détermine d’où vient la lumière et s’il y a un contre-jour. J’identifie des éléments comme une branche devant la grenouille ou tout autre forme ou objet qui pourrait distraire l’attention de la personne qui regardera la photo. Je me déplace doucement et, une fois en position, je déploie mon trépied lentement. Une grenouille stressée va gonfler son abdomen, c’est une façon de décourager les prédateurs. Je garde donc un oeil sur mon sujet pour évaluer son niveau de comfort; si je constate qu’elle est stressée, je pars même si je n’ai pas obtenu de photo. Le bien-être de l’animal est plus important pour moi que mon portfolio. Une fois l’appareil fixé sur le trépied, j’effectue les réglages et cadre en fonction du résultat visé avant de déclencher l’obturateur. Puis je vérifie la composition et l’histogramme sur l’écran de l’appareil photo.
Comme il s’agit d’une rencontre fortuite avec un animal sauvage, tout se passe très rapidement et cependant tranquillement pour ne pas le stresser. J’évite aussi de rester trop longtemps pour ne pas déranger l’animal dans sa routine.
Résultat final après m’être repositionnée. Photo en plein format.
Long exposure, wide depth of field: f/11 for 1/8 second, ISO200
The word photography comes from the ancient Greek: photos (light). Understanding and mastering exposure is therefore essential in the art of photography. The shutter speed, the (diaphragm) aperture and the ISO are the three elements, which form the triangle of exposure.
The shutter speed is determined by how long the shutter stays open. The sensor in digital cameras will capture more light when the shutter stays open longer. A slow shutter speed (for example 1/10 second) can be used in low-light environment or to create a motion blur (waterfalls, rain streaks) while a fast shutter speed (for example 1/1000 second) is used to freeze a movement like a bird in flight.
Fast exposure, short depth of field: f/5.6 for 1/800 second, ISO1250
The aperture (f/N) is short for diaphragm aperture. A small aperture like f/22 does not allow a lot of light to pass through the lens, however it provides a wide depth of field and is commonly used in landscape photography. A big aperture like f/5.6 lets more light pass through the lens and it also provides a narrow or short depth of field.
The ISO is related to the film sensitivity to light or image sensor’s sensitivity to light on digital cameras. On a sunny day, photographers typically use a low ISO (100) but in low-light situation (overcast day, night), they increase the ISO. Note that a high ISO (3,200 or more) will create noise in your image (grainy veil).
Whether you are already on Vancouver Island or planning to visit this year, here is a list of my photo workshops in 2022:
29 January - Strathcona Park
26 February - Strathcona Park
21-23 March - Herring Spawn on Vancouver Island
27-29 May - Spring on Vancouver Island
19-23 September - Tofino (in French only)
3-7 October - Tofino
13-16 October - Fall Colours on Vancouver Island
Half-day photo workshop, Comox Valley (in English only) : 14 May, 11 June, 9 July, 13 August
Half-day photo workshop, Comox Valley (in French only) : 7 May, 4 June, 2 July, 6 August
If you prefer, you can request a private workshop that ranges from one day to several days. Book early as I am already starting to get requests for this summer.
I look forward to showing you my favourite places on Vancouver Island for nature photography and helping you improve your photography skills!
Some species are more active than others at dusk like the Roosevelt elk. It means that I have to get up in the middle of the night to photograph them because the herd that I became familiar with lives several hours away from my town.
I have been photographing this herd for the past few years and I always anticipate our potential encounters. Nothing is guaranteed with wildlife. They might not show up or I might have to quietly wait for hours.
I have a favourite spot to photograph this herd of elk from a safe distance and with a clear view. During a recent visit, as I was walking towards that spot, I noticed that the herd was already heading in that direction. I had to walk faster, yet quietly, without them noticing my presence. I got there first, set up my tripod and camera and waited a few minutes. I could hear them moving in the woods and stepping on dry sticks. When they came out of the woods, the cows were the first to go across the river surrounding the calves, most likely to protect them from potential predators. The last one to appear, closing the march, was the buck with its majestic set of antlers. I had only five minutes to photograph them before they disappeared again from my view and I cherished every minute.
Each time I see this herd, I feel very privileged to witness important milestones in their lives, to see the cows pregnant or suckling their calves, to observe yearlings playfully chasing each other or to see the buck proudly walking around its harem of a dozen cows. With the start of the rut, I look forward to getting more behavioural shots particularly of the buck.
If you fancy a trip to Tofino, I will be giving a workshop from 4 to 8 October (in English only). We will spend our days in the field either on the sandy beaches of the Pacific Rim or in the rainforest. The West Coast of Vancouver Island has so much to offer when it comes to stunning landscapes and wildlife. Places are limited to 5 persons. Sign up here!
Most of us enjoy to be in nature for inspiration, sport activities or simply for our mental well-being. The great outdoors, the beauty of the landscapes and the chance encounters with the fauna allow us to find ourselves and take a breather. As a nature photographer, I much prefer to spend my time outdoors than in front of my computer. However, when I am in the field, I realize that I am in a world that does not belong to me. Here live plants and animals while I am only a visitor, and it is clear that each of our passages disturbs ecosystems, bubbles of life.
This is why I strive to reduce my impact on the environment by applying ethical principles in my profession as a photographer, even if it is sometimes to the detriment of the end result of my expeditions: what is essential for me is not to get the photo of the century but to respect nature. Patience and perseverance then become key factors in obtaining interesting photos, especially of the behaviour of wild animals in their natural environment.
When I had the privilege of photographing an elk nursing three calves, it was she who established the distance between us and determined the length of the encounter. When she quietly returned to the forest, I could have followed her for a personal purpose of getting more photographs, but I thought about the stress that would cause them. My calm and respectful attitude towards wildlife allows me to experience intimate moments like this one where everyone observes and assesses each other before continuing their activities. Only patience and determination give great results, in addition to the satisfaction of respecting nature.
La plupart d’entre nous aimons être dans la nature pour y trouver de l’inspiration, pratiquer un sport ou tout simplement pour notre bien-être mental. Le grand air, la beauté des paysages et les rencontres fortuites avec des animaux nous permettent de nous retrouver et de souffler un peu. En tant que photographe naturaliste, je préfère nettement passer mon temps à l’extérieur que devant mon ordinateur. Cependant, lorsque je suis sur le terrain, je suis consciente d’être dans un monde qui ne m’appartient pas. Ici vivent des plantes et des animaux alors que je ne suis qu’un visiteur et il est clair que chacun de nos passages dérange des écosystèmes, des bulles de vie.
C’est pourquoi, je m’efforce de réduire mon impact sur l’environnement en appliquant des principes d’éthique dans mon métier de photographe, même si c’est parfois au détriment du résultat final de mes expéditions : ce qui est primordial pour moi n’est pas d’obtenir la photo du siècle mais bien de respecter la nature. La patience et la persévérance deviennent alors des facteurs clefs pour obtenir des photos intéressantes, notamment du comportement des animaux sauvages dans leur milieu naturel.
Lorsque j’ai eu le privilège de photographier une wapiti en train d’allaiter trois petits, c’est elle qui a établi la distance entre nous et qui a déterminé la durée de la rencontre. Lorsqu’elle est repartie tranquillement dans la forêt, j’aurai pu la suivre dans un but personnel, celui d’obtenir plus de photographies, mais j’ai pensé au stress que ça leur causerait. Mon attitude calme et respectueuse envers la faune me permet de vivre des moments intimes comme celui-ci où chacun s’observe, s’évalue avant de poursuivre ses activités. Seules la patience et la détermination donnent d’excellents résultats, en plus de la satisfaction de respecter la nature.
As of 1 July 2021, British Columbia is ready to welcome travellers from across Canada. For international visitors, the Canadian border remains closed for non-essential travel, including those who have been vaccinated.
Our nature photo workshops are given in the great outdoors only and we take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety during the pandemic. Masks are not required in the outdoors where the workshops are given, however we ask everyone attending the outdoor event to maintain a physical distance of 2 metres between one another, unless you reside together. We supply hand sanitation gel.
Please feel free to send us your questions and comments during this time of transition to normalcy.
Learn more about the nature photo workshops offered this summer.
Government of British Columbia guidelines: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions
À partir du 1er juillet 2021, la Colombie-Britannique ouvre ses portes aux voyageurs venant du Canada. Pour les voyageurs internationaux, la frontière canadienne reste fermée pour les voyages jugés non-essentiels, même pour les voyageurs vaccinés.
Nos ateliers de photo de nature sont donnés en plein air seulement et nous prenons toutes les mesures nécessaires pour assurer votre sécurité en temps de pandémie. Le port d’un masque n’est pas requis à l’extérieur, toutefois nous demandons à tous ceux qui participent à l’évènement en plein air de respecter une distance physique de 2 mètres, à moins que vous ne viviez ensemble. Nous fournissons du gel désinfectant pour les mains.
N’hésitez pas nous faire parvenir vos questions et commentaires durant cette période de transition vers un retour à la normale.
Directives du Gouvernement de la Colombie-Britannique (en anglais seulement) : https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/info/restrictions
Earlier this spring, I noticed a nest in a second-growth forest that had been slightly damaged by the wind and the rain this winter. I wondered if it was going to be restored and used again. When I returned to this location this week, I found the nest which seemed to be in better condition. Yet no bird was sitting on it. I walked away a bit and waited to see if a bird was coming in order to find out what type of bird it was.
Then a female yellow warbler appeared in a tree a few meters from the nest. My attention immediately fell on her and, without moving so as not to frighten her, I tried to photograph her through the leafy branches. Not getting satisfactory results, I ended up walking away. Then I wondered if this was a diversionary tactic on the part of the warbler. I was then about ten meters away and the foliage was obstructing the nest, but I saw a small yellow dot on it and, using my telephoto lens, I zoomed in to find the warbler was sitting on her nest.
Delighted with my discovery, I left because I did not want her to abandon her nest after being disturbed.
Plus tôt ce printemps, j’ai remarqué un nid dans une forêt de seconde venue qui avait été un peu endommagé par le vent et la pluie cet hiver. Je me suis demandée si il allait être restauré et utilisé à nouveau. Lorsque je suis retournée à cet endroit cette semaine, j’ai retrouvé le nid qui semblait en meilleure condition. Pourtant il n’y avait pas d’oiseau qui couvait. Je me suis éloignée un peu et j’ai attendu de voir si un oiseau allait venir afin de découvrir de quel type d’oiseau il s’agissait.
Puis une paruline jaune est apparue dans un arbre à quelques mètres du nid. Mon attention s’est aussitôt portée sur elle et, sans me déplacer pour ne pas l’effrayer, j’ai essayé de la photographier au travers des branches feuillues. N’obtenant pas de résultats satisfaisants, j’ai fini par m’éloigner. Puis je me suis demandée si il s’agissait d’une tactique de diversion de la part de la paruline. J’étais alors à une dizaine de mètres et le feuillage obstruait le nid mais j’ai distingué un petit point jaune dessus et, à l’aide de mon téléobjectif, j’ai zoomé pour découvrir que la paruline couvait son nid.
Ravie de ma découverte, je suis partie car je ne voulais surtout pas qu’elle abandonne son nid après avoir été dérangée.
