still experiencing devastation, Auntie Emma was standing with her $30 camera, captured that first wave of the Tsunami as it hit the coast,

And it's the times like that when you think "Why didn't I have the good camera with me"???!!!!!

I think we are getting our pages mixed up.

I agree with everything you said. I have no problem with what you have posted.

I guess I should just say I was wrong in ever mentioning $$ as one of the main motives of my work. People (in the past) always seem to go negative as soon as money is mentioned.

Any tool that captures the moment is all that counts THE FINAL image - what does it say or show or express YES !! that is very important - the image. that is the only thing that counts. People will pay money even for a blurred image - I can't agree more on everything you said.

I love these small 10 mega pixel credit card size cameras. they are so convienient to carry around.

No you aren't wrong David, you are very passionate about your work, just like the other Photographers I have met throughout my life. Your passion shows through your work, all beautiful pictures which tell a story. I can't believe you don't take pictures for the fun of it, like the frozen camera out in 50 below zero, great plug for Nikon, just goes to show how the camera will hold up in the severest of weather. Maybe Nikon would be interested in buying that for advertising.

I do realize money is important to survive, provide for a family, update camera equipment, etc. for a professional Photographer, just like any other career field.

I do enjoy looking at your Photographs!

chasing that whale - that's all these children dream & fantasize about.



Children @ work displaying their imagination which is priceless !!!

I think I shall skip the dinner menu. Beautiful photograph's though!

I have a question, the little boy in the second photo has a jacket on, the children in the third photo are in short sleeves, long pants though, what are your summertime temperatures?

summer time temps ?? That is a hard question to answer. So let me illustrate using some photos that were taken on the same day in June 8th to be exact. The temps in June can be anywhere from 30 above to as much as 50 above zero.


Even though it is 40 above zero. Jackets and hoods are always use to proctet from the wind. This ice on the other side of the lead. was joined with this land fast huge ice in front. The wind is what cracked the ice and sent it to the other side in a matter of a few hours.!!

When you spend a winter in temps of minus 50 below to 30 below. Zero is hot (when you have to work outside). Even though it is warm out, that boy on the styrofoam, is wearing a jacket to protect from the constant wind. Those children in the umiaq with short sleeves on is because it is 50 degrees above zero and it is too darn hot outside for sure.. unbearable.

Temps is not the determining factor. excuse my poor english. but the wind is what determines how your going to dress. When that wind is coming off the ice towards you. Even though it might be 50 above - you are going to experience near zero reactions to your skin. Ear infections are extremely common here. One reason people constantly have hats or hoods on - EVERYTHING depends on the wind(s).

So what you are saying the children in the umiaq with an unbearable temperature of 50 degrees could not withstand temperatures of 105 degrees above zero. I'm teasing you, I get it!

I have experienced 39 degrees below zero, yes, zero felt pretty good. We do get arctic blast from out your way.

Just out of curiosity, in 50 degrees below zero, does one dare to take there gloves or mittens off to snap that shutter?

The military thought it was just fine; to draft eskimo's out of the village(s) and send them to vietnam!!

We all adapt differently to new surroundings.

Let me tell you when I recently moved to Anchorage last year. I just could not take the cold when it was 50 above zero. I froze all last summer wearing a huge winter parky in temps of 50 above. the air was too moist.

The arctic is paradise !! You do not get cold when your dressed properly.

Another beautiful photograph, and what a cutie! Cute caption too!

Yep that's the military, Southerners would no doubt be shipped to the Arctic.

If you are still living in Anchorage, basically you are having the same weather (temperatures) as we are having, an overabundance of rain for here, plus it's avalanche season. Which means I am still wearing 2-3 layers of clothing, the dampness goes right through you.

Yup.. I took my eskimo wife back to boston. she froze her butt off with big fur parky on and it was 30 above zero. she is used to 50 below - she couldn't take the cold back east.

In the Arctic the cold just gets on you - it doesn't penetrate your clothing. That is the reason it is possible to sleep outside @ minus 40 below and not be cold. We have many tricks to keep warm in sub zero temps.



Now maybe the next time you have to do the dishes - you won't complain so much. 40 below zero and she won't complain all day long!!

Now wait just a minute here, I never complain about doing dishes, I simply put them in the dishwasher and push the button....hehehehe!

I have watched a few documentaries on life in the Arctic and Alaska. They happened to mention for a single gentleman coming in from another state, was highly recommended to marry an Eskimo lady to learn how to survive.

Is that some kind of a blue metal heater container where the coffee cups are sitting on in the photograph? I see she isn't wearing gloves or mittens, so that means you could snap that shutter with bare hands.

Beautiful parka she is wearing, and with a skirt too, never seen one like that one before, mine only comes down to my hips.

That blue can is an empty can of (kerozene fuel). Yes it is possible to take gloves off and squeeze that shutter. But when it is extremely cold - you will suffer frostbite in no time at all. We have tricks that work. The Nikon camera ? Out of the more than dozens of cameras I have used. The only camera that ever failed me was on my very first hunt in 82. That camera was the Nikon!! I put all other cameras to their maximum capabilities. I am in the Arctic testing ground and I want to literally ruin a camera on purpose; I want to see what it will take to accomplish that. I never did!! in 30 years time!! I have punished these cameras to the max. With no bags when brought inside to minimize from condensation.

The Nikon (which I babied) FAILED ! too many times for me to ever trust that brand name ever again!!

Hello David,

Haven't seen you in the Photography Forum for awhile, good to see you back! Looks like you have been busy making beautiful art and jewelry pieces.

No picture this time....

I never thought about the condensation with the camera, but going from extreme cold to warm. Yes a good test ground for Cameras!

My sons make Ivory Arts & Crafts; My obsession is photography!

IN fact; let me show you something very kewl - something different!

90% of my photos have too much "White" in them. (thinking.. .. ) What can I do to add more color to some of my images ??



Open (any) image in photoshop.

Top main menu > images > adjust > curves

Make four points on the line when you open the curves editor;

Just click on the line in four different areas like so.



Now move some of the points up & move some of them down.



Here are the results !!

A picture!

Tell your son the Mama Polar Bear and three cubs is adorable, real nice piece! So is the Polar Bear standing up with the Eskimo, very nice!

That is a cool effect and thank you for explaining how you accomplished the effect, kind of fun too! How can you not take pictures where it is mostly white, but there is a beauty all in it's own.

Who are the people in the picture? I see the gentleman doesn't have a hat or gloves on.