Showcase 2019, Judges’ Choice, Scapes: White Dome Geyser under the Milky Way, Yellowstone, © Jeff Vanuga.
Bio:
Jeff Vanuga is based in Dubois, Wyoming, and specializes in both advertising and editorial media. His work has been published worldwide in magazines and major advertising campaigns. He has won major international awards and leads tours for the largest photography tour company in the world, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, and additional tours for National Geographic Expeditions, First Light Workshops, African Wildlife Foundation, Nature’s Best Magazine, Santa Fe Workshops and the Moab Photography Symposium. He is represented by Getty Images and the Nature Picture Library stock agencies.
Your Name: Jeff Vanuga
Title of Your Winning Image: White Dome Geyser Under the Milky Way
About your winning Showcase image:
1) How I Got the Shot
This image was photographed during a moonless summer night in Yellowstone National Park to take advantage of seeing the core of the Milky Way. My objective was to obtain a single-image exposure emphasizing the Milky Way by using a “film speed” of ISO 8000 for 15 seconds at f/2.8. Next, I used low-level lighting technique that uses a light source that is balanced with the 15 second exposure time. Experimenting I found the steam plume was slightly underexposed so I added some additional light using traditional light painting techniques to the plume for 2-3 seconds with a hand held flashlight.
2) What I Used
Nikon D850, Nikon 14-24mm set at 19mm, Really Right Stuff Tripod TVC-35 Series, RRS ball head BH-55, Nikon cable release, low level lighting, hand held flash light. There was some post processing involved in bringing out the details of the night sky. ISO 8000, 15 seconds @f/2.8.
3) About Me
I am a full-time professional photographer based in Dubois, Wyoming with 40 years experience shooting advertising, editorial media, books and assignments for major publications and corporations. Some of the clients and publications are Apple, Ford, Nissan, Nature’s Best, National/International Wildlife, National Geographic Magazine and countless others.
Some of my favorite locations for photography are Antarctica, South Georgia, Yellowstone, Iceland and Africa, to name but a few. Favorite subjects include landscapes, animal-scapes, animals and outdoor adventure.
4) My Photographic Journey
As a young student I won the 1979 National Wildlife Photographic Competition and, upon graduating from college in Wildlife Management, continued my passion for photography. Besides publishing, my interest in photography has taken me in several directions: leading photographic tours and workshops for companies such as Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, National Geographic Expeditions, Nature’s Best Photography, African Wildlife Foundation and NANPA. All these business activities keep me interested and educated in the field photography but even on my time off I take my camera and create images.
A couple mentors worthy of mention are Bill Ratcliff who was a very popular nature photographer in the 70’s-90’s having a record 16 Audubon covers. In time I led photographic trips with him for the Audubon Photography Workshops. Another mention is John Shaw who I have admired both for his photographic skills and his superb teaching skills. One of the best!
5) NANPA and Me
My connections to NANPA go back to the beginning: I’m a founding member! I served on the original Ethics Committee and have placed in several previous Showcases.
6) Where Can People Learn More About You?
To view more of my work visit the following:
Website: www.JeffVanuga.com
Facebook: Jeff Vanuga Photographer
Instagram: jeff_Vanuga
Represented by Getty Images and Nature Picture Library
My NANPA Portfolio is: https://nanpa.org/portfolio/jeff-vanuga-2019/
