Rich from the Northridge Photography Group set up this wonderful opportunity to work with Carl Palazzolo, a noted landscape photographer for a select few at Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Newport Beach, CA. When he also stated that we would be able to work with Carl’s equipment, Canon 1D Mark III, 1Ds Mark III,  a 500 mm f/4 lens and a 300mm f/2.8, I immediately signed up with a ecstatic yes.

However, I learned something from this experience: I’m not a bird person.  I walked around the wetlands, capturing different shots of the flora and fauna of the area. Sometimes, I focused on the rocks, the minor beach specific plants and smaller birds closer to the shores. Other times, I looked at other nature photographers with their huge, mostly Canon lenses, positioned at key birding spots around the trail.

My Tamron 70 – 300mm was clearly nowhere near the size, weight and look of the Canon 300mm that I tried. The 500mm was hella impressive. so was using the Canon D / Mark cameras. Did I have a pinch of equipment envy? Happily,  nowhere near that I thought I would. In fact, after the whole experience, I felt better about my equipment as a whole.

Sure, I don’t have a huge Canon lens with a state of the art current D / Mark series camera. But, I know how to make my equipment work for me to get the images that I’m looking for. Art comes from you. It’s not created with the fanciest camera, the longest lens or an air of arrogance that you spend money. It just is an extension of who you are, in print.

Gallery:

Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Newport Beach, CA