Trying Out Canon Gear

Esther BeatonPhotography Equipment2 Comments

I’ve used Nikons all my career. That makes this article an impartial evaluation of the dream kit that Canon asked me to trial. It consisted of a Pelican case bursting with about $30,000 worth of pro gear. Let’s start with the EOS 1DS III – what a brilliant camera! It’s a bit of a Clydesdale in build but at least … Read More

Kodak Fosters Nature Photography

Esther BeatonOn the Stage1 Comment

Well, I’ve had a big adventure! I ‘just’ finished my seminar series with Kodak, “Great Recipes for Wildlife Photography”. Although the tour ended three weeks ago, it has taken me this long to handle all the jobs that had piled up in my absence. The talks were a great success with record crowds at each venue. In Melbourne and Sydney … Read More

Mac vs PC

Esther BeatonPhotography EquipmentLeave a Comment

As part of my recent tour around Australia and New Zealand, for the Kodak seminar series, I gave presentations at various photographic colleges. While visiting the various campuses, I poked into some of the classrooms to see what computers were provided to students – to see what was the basic platform of the teaching curriculum. Once upon a time it … Read More

Kodak Seminar Tour

Esther BeatonAnnouncements, On the Stage4 Comments

Kodak and I are touring all over Australia and New Zealand in September. If you or a friend is interested in wildlife and nature photography, here’s an invitation to come along. Bookings are essential, so to attend this free seminar, you’ll have to sign up. Just go to the front page of Kodak’s website www.kodak.com.au and click on my name … Read More

The Spider Olympics

Esther BeatonDid You Know?6 Comments

This little feller wasn’t invited to compete in the high-wire gymnastics at the Olympics – probably due to unfair advantage. His type was born with extraordinary skills and an especially strong dose of pluck and courage built right in to his DNA. The female St Andrews Cross Spider, common in gardens, is a model of sexual cannibalism. Tiny, almost invisible … Read More

Waterfall Trickery

Esther BeatonLandscape Photography, Photo Critiques, Photography Workshops, Quick Tips6 Comments

It’s great when you learn from your students. The last Day Safari workshop was a big fun day out. We shot wildlife in the morning and waterfalls in the late afternoon. Participants quickly understood how to use different shutter speeds to create various amounts of “silkiness” in the waterfall. But my students taught me something about these waterfalls that I never … Read More

Photographing Scary Things

Esther BeatonAustralian Geographic, Professional Photography1 Comment

Can you ever become a good nature and wildlife photographer if you don’t love ALL of nature? Some subjects are easy – the beauty of colourful birds and the majesty of wild scenics draw us into their spell. The camera just magnetically pops into the hand to record these beautiful moments. But how would you go if you had an … Read More

Photographers, Politics and the Environment

Esther BeatonConservation, Tasmania3 Comments

One of the most significant environmental events in Australia occurred in 1983. And I was there. It was January, I was on my honeymoon with my French photographer husband, Jean-Paul Ferrero and I was on a mission to try my hand at my first ever photojournalism piece. We cruised down Tasmania’s Gordon River and camped in old fishermen’s huts. I … Read More