Photography

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Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

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A marmot lies near the Shrine of St. Therese on Aug. 16. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

A marmot lies near the Shrine of St. Therese on Aug. 16. (Courtesy Photo / Carolyn Kelley)
Dana Zigmund / Capital City Weekly Shara Kay Diamond, left, of Anchorage and Chelsea Bighorn, right, of Sante Fe, apply paint to a section of a mural that will depict Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon. The mural is the work of Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl. Kay Diamond and Bighorn are apprentices on the project. Right, local artist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl, center, and her apprentices, Shara Kay Diamond, left, and Chelsea Bighorn, right, assemble sections of the mural to apply paint in Worl’s downtown studio on Aug. 10.

A mural is born

Local artist works to prepare pieces

Dana Zigmund / Capital City Weekly Shara Kay Diamond, left, of Anchorage and Chelsea Bighorn, right, of Sante Fe, apply paint to a section of a mural that will depict Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon. The mural is the work of Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl. Kay Diamond and Bighorn are apprentices on the project. Right, local artist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl, center, and her apprentices, Shara Kay Diamond, left, and Chelsea Bighorn, right, assemble sections of the mural to apply paint in Worl’s downtown studio on Aug. 10.
Contractors raise a totem pole honoring veterans of the armed services into place in Hoonah on July 24, 2021, in a ceremony attended by hundreds. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Photos: Totem pole honoring veterans raised in Hoonah

Hundreds gather for ceremony.

Contractors raise a totem pole honoring veterans of the armed services into place in Hoonah on July 24, 2021, in a ceremony attended by hundreds. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows wild flowers at Eagle Beach. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

This photo shows wild flowers at Eagle Beach. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
JDHS graduates make their way from a graduation ceremony held Sunday, May 23. All three Juneau public high school held ceremonies on Sunday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

PHOTOS: 1 day, 3 graduation ceremonies

See photos of the big day.

JDHS graduates make their way from a graduation ceremony held Sunday, May 23. All three Juneau public high school held ceremonies on Sunday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

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Even with their nest covered in snow the eagles are making improvements. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

Even with their nest covered in snow the eagles are making improvements. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
This photo shows snow- and sun-drenched mountains on Kupreanof Island in early morning, and a tree covered point on Mitkof Island at a cove by Marker 49 along the Inside Passage on Jan. 26. (Courtesy Photo / Cindi Lagoudakis)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

This photo shows snow- and sun-drenched mountains on Kupreanof Island in early morning, and a tree covered point on Mitkof Island at a cove by Marker 49 along the Inside Passage on Jan. 26. (Courtesy Photo / Cindi Lagoudakis)
Robert Fawcett familiarizes himself with a new wing alongside the Gastineau Channel at Wayside Park on Jan. 27, 2021. “When you’re up on the mountain, you get more variables, more winds and gusts,” Fawcett said in a brief interview. “The same controls you use in the air, you use on the ground. It’s always good to practice.” Fawcett said he’d taken the wing off a mountain on Monday. “I like the hike up,” Fawcett said. “I don’t like the hike down.” (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Photos: Catching air

Cold doesn’t stop paragliding.

Robert Fawcett familiarizes himself with a new wing alongside the Gastineau Channel at Wayside Park on Jan. 27, 2021. “When you’re up on the mountain, you get more variables, more winds and gusts,” Fawcett said in a brief interview. “The same controls you use in the air, you use on the ground. It’s always good to practice.” Fawcett said he’d taken the wing off a mountain on Monday. “I like the hike up,” Fawcett said. “I don’t like the hike down.” (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
This raft of sealions were playing escort to our local resident humpback whale, Flame, out near North Douglas. I was able to get just enough shutter speed at 1/1250th to stop the action and keep a balance with my ISO in these low light conditions being careful to keep in consideration the movement of the boat. Again, the more time you are out the better you get at it. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Focal Point: A total reset for 2021

The start of a new year lends us the opportunity to look back through our photo files.

This raft of sealions were playing escort to our local resident humpback whale, Flame, out near North Douglas. I was able to get just enough shutter speed at 1/1250th to stop the action and keep a balance with my ISO in these low light conditions being careful to keep in consideration the movement of the boat. Again, the more time you are out the better you get at it. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
Sherri McDonald and Reid Tippets dry off after their annual dip in the water at Auke Recreation Picnic Area on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 2021. Tippets said he’d done the dip for 11 years in a row. The Polar Bear Dip, held for 30 years at Auke Rec, was canceled this year over pandemic concerns, but some individual households opted to make the dip with their families, with masks, distancing, and care very much in evidence, while other pods had fires or walked dogs next to the cold ocean. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Photos: A (distanced) dip

… Continue reading

Sherri McDonald and Reid Tippets dry off after their annual dip in the water at Auke Recreation Picnic Area on New Years Day, Jan. 1, 2021. Tippets said he’d done the dip for 11 years in a row. The Polar Bear Dip, held for 30 years at Auke Rec, was canceled this year over pandemic concerns, but some individual households opted to make the dip with their families, with masks, distancing, and care very much in evidence, while other pods had fires or walked dogs next to the cold ocean. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
"Don't be a Thor loser." An elf bests one of Earth--and Asgard's--mightiest heroes in a game. (Stephanie Spiess / Juneau Empire)

Photos: See elf adventures

No time like the present.

"Don't be a Thor loser." An elf bests one of Earth--and Asgard's--mightiest heroes in a game. (Stephanie Spiess / Juneau Empire)
Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Photos: It looks a lot like Christmas in Juneau

Sights from this holiday season.

Santa Claus waves to Juneau residents who gathered—at a distance—to watch a holiday parade on Dec. 19. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
In low light, it is important to get close. On another overcast day in Juneau, I sighted a young black bear cub up a tree taking a nap while mom grazed. I was able to pull over, turn off my car, get out and take a show with my Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 70-200, 1/250, F2.8 and ISO 800. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Focal Point: How to nail low-light photos

In Southeast Alaska, you have to learn to shoot when the skies are gray.

In low light, it is important to get close. On another overcast day in Juneau, I sighted a young black bear cub up a tree taking a nap while mom grazed. I was able to pull over, turn off my car, get out and take a show with my Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 70-200, 1/250, F2.8 and ISO 800. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
Humpback Whale blows over by Outer Point, Douglas Island.

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

Humpback Whale blows over by Outer Point, Douglas Island.
To capture the unexpected action- the unrepeatable moment- it should be instinctive. In order to build the story you have to shoot the adjective. In this photo the bald eagle had waited patiently for the right moment to pounce on an unsuspecting vole… the unexpected. The best way to accomplish this is to master the art of the most difficult subject to photograph– birds in flight. In order to do this you must learn your gear; it must become part of your muscle memory so you can concentrate on the story you are witnessing. Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 150-600mm, shot at 600mm, ISO AUTO (1250), F6.3, 1/3200, Handheld. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Focal Point: Great photos are just waiting in the wings

Learn to shoot the verb (and the bird).

To capture the unexpected action- the unrepeatable moment- it should be instinctive. In order to build the story you have to shoot the adjective. In this photo the bald eagle had waited patiently for the right moment to pounce on an unsuspecting vole… the unexpected. The best way to accomplish this is to master the art of the most difficult subject to photograph– birds in flight. In order to do this you must learn your gear; it must become part of your muscle memory so you can concentrate on the story you are witnessing. Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 150-600mm, shot at 600mm, ISO AUTO (1250), F6.3, 1/3200, Handheld. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
Chris Miller photographing the troll fishery in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)

Pride of Bristol Bay: True stories from a fishing photographer

The lens doesn’t like. Fishermen on the otherhand…

Chris Miller photographing the troll fishery in Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Chris Miller)
s the bird sitting, is the background busy? A bird in flight, landing, feeding or two eagles fighting one another spins an interesting tale and can be a compelling story. This photo was shot at DIPAC in July 2020 with a Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 70-200, 1/1600 sec at f2.8, ISO 100. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)

Focal Point: What is the story? A photographer’s journey

“I tossed the checklist and began focusing on finding the unexpected in my photos.”

s the bird sitting, is the background busy? A bird in flight, landing, feeding or two eagles fighting one another spins an interesting tale and can be a compelling story. This photo was shot at DIPAC in July 2020 with a Canon 5D Mark III, Tamron 70-200, 1/1600 sec at f2.8, ISO 100. (Courtesy Photo / Heather Holt)
A view of the auroras from our most recent geomagnetic storm, shot from North Douglas on Friday, Oct. 23. (Courtesy Photo / Eric Bleicher)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Reader-submitted photos of Southeast Alaska.

A view of the auroras from our most recent geomagnetic storm, shot from North Douglas on Friday, Oct. 23. (Courtesy Photo / Eric Bleicher)