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Exciting news! The popular Blog is now better than ever. It has moved to this location, the newly updated Awake The Light Photo Workshops & Tours website.

Today’s image is one of my favorites. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see both a male and female moose together at Wonder Lake in Denali National Park. It was dawn and just starting to get light, and this was our last morning in the park. We had planned to make a quick stop at Wonder Lake to get some final shots before departing the park, never expecting to see this incredible photo op. Just goes to show that you never know what Mother Nature will offer you.

Because it was so dark, and I had to hand-hold the camera and long telephoto lens for this shot (no time to set up a tripod) I had to use a high ISO of 6400. I rarely use an ISO higher than 800 in an effort to minimize noise issues, but in this case it was either go for the high ISO or risk not getting the shot. And this was one shot I did NOT want to miss!!

When shooting nature and wildlife, you never know what opportunities will arise, and how fleeting they will be. For those reasons it is highly beneficial to know your gear inside and out, and know yourself as well. What’s the slowest shutter speed you are comfortable hand-holding? How do you quickly change ISO or shutter speed or f/stop?

The more you know, the better your photography will be!

TECH SPECS 1/80 sec., f/6.3, ISO 6400. Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens set at 140mm on Canon 7D Mark II body. Handheld.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “One secret of success in life is to be ready for opportunity when it comes.” — Benjamin Disraeli