The Manhattan Window, Brooklyn New York

Ever since I can remember, I've dreamed of going to the city of New York. When I eventually got the chance I took the opportunity and made the best I could with the short time I had there. I only had five hours to travel to each of the locations I needed to see in the city and I was determined to go to each location. This was my final location in Brooklyn on Washington street, looking towards Midtown Manhattan. It wasn't my initial intention to capture this image, but when the weather started making a turn for the worse, and poured rain, I knew that this might be my only chance for this shot. I sped across the Manhattan Bridge and found the first parking spot I could in Brooklyn. After running several blocks I turned the corner and saw this site. I had seen it many times before in books and magazines, but I was now the one standing in that iconic spot. I set my tripod down and readied my camera as quick as I could while trying to avoid the pouring rain. I was able to snap a few shots before my gear started getting too wet, and I couldn't have asked for a better shot. Although this picture has been taken many times before, I felt like it was my opportunity to capture this scene how I saw it.

 
By: Kaz Canning
 

STL Technical Workshop Series

I picked up my first camera, a Nikon D80, in 2009. I have learned a lot of the fundamentals by reading, studying others' work as well as learning from my own mistakes in the field. Earlier this year, I have decided to treat myself to Charles Glatzer's Shoot the Light Tech Series photography workshop.

It was a 4-day workshop that covered metering, composition, flash and post-processing, with Dave Kelly as co-instructor. The classroom was held at the St. Augustine's Alligator Farm which allowed us to practice before and after the classroom sessions.  

Even though Chaz was a little under the weather during the workshop, it did not stop him from teaching as well as assisting all of us out in the field. This workshop not only confirmed what I have learned in the past 4 years, it also taught me a lot more new skills. It taught me to have a vision, patience and be better prepared prior to pressing the shutter button.  

By: Troy Lim
 

Interview with Master - C.S. Ling

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I've carved my career path as a Wildlife photographer (for the past 8 years) and have recently expanded into Pets Photography as well.

What inspires you to be a wildlife/nature photographer?

Nature. The more I see, learn and understand about our natural world, the more i fall in love with Mother Nature. It's just so amazing and I'm always struck in awe about how beautiful and fascinating all the different species of birds, butterflies, mammals and reptiles are... It also made me realize how we are all connected to each other and I hope that my photography can inspire others to help protect our natural heritage.

How would you describe your photographic style?

I like to get creative and show the wildlife's behavior in an interesting and engaging way. I've been doing quite a lot of photo sequence over the past few years as I feel that really captures the action and detail in a way that allows the viewer to take the time to really appreciate and connect with the subject matter. I also always focus on the interaction between the wildlife, because I want to capture the bond, emotions and story through photography.

Who is your favorite photographer? Why?

I would have to say the first photographer who inspired me to become a wildlife photographer, Joel Sartore. I still remember reading the March 2000 issue of National Geographic magazine in school hall when I was 16, and I was spell-bound by the diary he wrote, detailing the challenging journey he took to photograph the wildlife in Madidi, Bolivia. You can read it here http://www.joelsartore.com/story-behind/madidi-diary/. His words and images was stuck at the back of my mind for years... After I graduated from Polytechnic, I got my first job and finally got my first camera. The rest as they say, is history :)

What would you like to achieve in the next 5 years?

Definitely travel to more exotic places for wildlife photography! I have a whole life list of places I want to explore! So many places, so little time. I hope to explore at least 5 new places in these 5 years.

What is your advice for the aspiring wildlife/nature photographers?

As a career, you need to be creative and develop your own style in photography and in business in order to stand out and be recognized for what you do. Wildlife photography as a career, first and foremost is a photography business and you need to be able to create/market/sell your work or services to the right people and earn a living. That's the reality. It took me 8 years so far to build this challenging career but at the end of the day, I can honestly say that I am very happy and fulfilled each day and having the time of my life doing what I love! All the hard work and challenges are worth it! So never give up! :D

About C.S. Ling

C.S. Ling is an international award-winning wildlife photographer. Her compelling images of vanishing landscape & endangered wildlife coupled with her dedication to educate the younger generation has earned her much recognition. At age 27, she won the "Great Women of Our Time 2011 Award (Arts & Media)" organised by Singapore Women's Weekly magazine and "Green Role Model" at the Green Carpet Awards 2011 organised by National Geographic Explorer & Nikon Singapore. Her works are published worldwide notably in National Geographic Explorer magazine & SilkWinds magazine.

She is an experienced photography instructor/speaker/workshop leader and has taught and inspired students & photo enthusiasts of all ages. In 2012, she emerged as the Grand Prize Winner of the Windland Smith Rice International Photography Awards 2012 and her winning work exhibited at the prestigious Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, USA. She is also a Nikon Professional Photographer and Sandisk Extreme team member.

Upcoming Workshops

Borneo River Wildlife Photo Workshop 2015

Japan Winter Wildlife Photo Workshop 2015

Dancing Waves

This image was taken at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes at Death Valley National Park. I love photographing sand dunes, you never know what can surprise you in particular time, location, weather and season. Winter is such a great time to visit Death Valley, and therefore filled up by crowd. It took quite some time to escape to a spot with no one and no footprint - if you plan to do that, bring a lot of water and be sure that you are able to find the way back. While scouting the landscape with my camera plus telephoto lens, I spotted this wonderful scene with the layers of sand dunes make up the dancing waves. I wait until the moment before sunset for the best light and freeze the moment with the shutter.

By: Kah-Wai Lin
 

A Short Lived Galaxy

One of the cool features of the coast in La Jolla CA, are the tide pools. These little worlds make for wonderful subjects. There is always something different to see on these beaches. When the tide is up, the wave actions make for great longer exposures capturing their movement. When the tide is out, these tide pools appear with their many inhabitants. This shot was inspired by my favorite band, Rush, and their epic classic, Natural Science. It's title, "A Short Lived Galaxy".

By: Brian Connolly