The autumn workshops season ended a few weeks ago and I'm now busy editing images and preparing my schedule for the 2011 season. The workshops were fun and memorable and I must say, it was just as energizing and inspirational for me as I hope it was for the participants. I have posted some new image galleries to highlight my 2010 season in Yellowstone, West Virginia, and the Eastern Shore, so be sure to check them out. Also, check my workshops & events page for my 2011 workshops in West Virginia, the Eastern Shore, and a special outing in Yellowstone National Park.

 

Carson and I have been trying to wrap up the second book in the Buddy the Beaver series. With his return to school and his many after school activities and tons of homework, it's been a challenge to find the time. But we still are planning to have Mystery of the Missing Friends finished and to a publisher by this winter.

 

I am proud announce that I have been invited to be an affilitate of Nik Software.  I have been a long-time user of their software, including Color Efex Pro for both Nikon Capture NX2 and Adobe Photoshop (the tonal contast filter is wonderful), Sharpener Pro, Viveza, & Define 2.0. They have just released HDR Efex Pro, which has become my favorite high dynamic range software. The program includes a varieyt of presets and the program still incorporates the color control points to help do selective editing of the image.  As much as I prefer to be the field experiencing nature, Nik software does make it much more enjoyable and productive when stuck in front of a computer editing images. Be sure to check out my interview on Nik Radio. And if you decide to purchase any Nik software product, use promo code jclark to recieve an automatic 15% discount. Tell them Jim sent ya! 

 

Be sure to check out the December issue of Outdoor Photographer Magazine.  This is the 25 anniversary of this ground-breaking magazine and I've been a contributor to it since 1996.  Since 2004, I've been a contributing editor for the magazine as well.  The December issue includes some of my favorite locations to photograph,  a few of my favorite tips & techniques and a few of my favorite gear.  Oh yeah, there a few images of mine in there as well.  

 

My next  Oudoor Photographer article will be a profile of nature photographer Wil Hershberger, which is scheduled for the 2011 March issue.

 

Nikon selected one of my images for their 2011 Calendar. The image was captured during the spring along the Gardner River in Yellowstone National Park. For the fourthstraight  year, Nikon also selected my award-winning image of autumn aspen leaves for their annual digital slr guidebook.

 

I have partnered with the Marine Science Consortium at Wallops Island Virginia to conduct a 2011 spring and fall workshop  at their campus. We just completed a weekend autumn workshop at their campus in November and it was a big success. Be sure to check out their website as they have lots of neat nature camps and workshops for kids and adults.

 

Check out my latest article, "Lessons from the Marsh, Part I," in News and Views. More to follow.

 

Finally, Carson and I will be heading over to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and possibly the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge for a photo-shoot sometime during his holiday vacation.  Be sure to say howdy if you see us!