Improving Your Bird Photography

Join us on March 19^th to hear what a well-traveled and experienced bird photographer will share about gear, settings and techniques, lighting, and conditions, as well as birding locations you may wish to visit.  The images he will share are sure to inspire you.

 Steve Michalec is an Akron, OH based photographer who specializes in birds and other wildlife.  Steve began his photographic journey in middle school when he purchased a Canon 35mm SLR along with a few lenses, but did not start photographing birds seriously until decades later.  Since then, he has dedicated countless hours to photographing birds both locally and in other states and countries, and has been working hard to continue to improve as an artist.

 To learn more about Steve’s work, see @smichalec on Instagram

Photographing the Lofoten Islands

 Botanical Photography

Jim McCormac writes: “Plants are all around us, and thus provide constant camera fodder. On its floriferous face, botanical photography would seem easy. The subjects don’t move, at least much, and we often know right where to go to find our quarry. But as befits a huge subject, plant photography can range from dime-sized subjects to epic landscapes and casting them in their best light can be tricky. Becoming one with the subject is important and this often means going prostrate. Wide-angle aspects can be great – he often uses a 16-35mm lens for big picture perspectives – but a macro lens is often essential.”

 He will share examples of essential interactions between flora and fauna. He will also offer some tips on using ever-improving camera technology to make life easier for the plant photographer.

 Using Weather to Forecast the Best Photo Ops

Dramatic weather creates dramatic photographs noted our June presenter, Ross Ellett. Understanding how the weather will change ahead of time gives photographers the time to plan, adapt, and eventually capture the perfect shot. The type of clouds in the sky in the early evening can tell you how vibrant the coming sunset will be. You will learn about predicting the photogenic sunsets before they occur, lightning photography, and space weather and how it works, Finally Ross will focus on the unique photographic opportunities that Lake Erie provides when the weather turns cooler. From waterspouts, to freezing spray, to lake-effect snow, he will cover the many photo ops that will await in the days and seasons ahead.

 Ross grew up northeast Indiana where he experienced lake-effect snow, blizzards, ice storms, tornadoes, floods, and heat waves. The extreme weather sparked his deep passion for Meteorology which led him to a degree in Meteorology from Purdue University. Ross’s broadcast career started in 2005 in Indiana followed by a move to southern West Virginia. The next chapter of Ross's career took him right into tornado alley working in Arkansas.  Just two months after he arrived, a catastrophic ice storm coated the Ozark Mountains. The spring season often brought flooding and violent tornadoes. During the hot summer of 2012, Ross joined Toledo’s 13abc weather team as a weekend meteorologist and weather reporter where he continues to keep area residents updated on the weather.

 To learn more about Ross’s “picturesque adventures”:  www.rossellet.com 

Awards will be presented on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, live at Hines Hill Conference Center. The slideshow of all the entries will start about 6:45 and the Awards Program will begin at 7:00 p.m. We hope all CVPS members will participate in the contest and attend to see the presentation and discussion of the winning images. See the Photo Contest tab above for submission details.