How I Got the Shot
Great Blue Herons don’t usually visit our small Wisconsin Lake, so this was a pleasant surprise. It was early morning as I take my usual kayak ride on the lookout for nature’s wonders. As I came around the bend, there he was, standing tall and proud amongst the reeds. He stood still as a statue as I positioned myself according to the light, determined appropriate camera settings, and captured the shot. My concern was to get a well-focused, close shot without disturbing him and with a zoom lens and crop sensor, I was able to accomplish this.
What I Used
I used a Nikon D500 with a Tamron 150-600mm lens. The shutter speed was 1/1600, aperture of f/7.1, and ISO of 1600. I used Adobe Lightroom to do basic editing. Then I used Adobe Photoshop to cut out the background and, with custom-made brushes, I used both positive and negative painting to “splatter” different colors of paint on and off of the heron.
About Me
I am a part-time professional nature photographer based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I have been photographing nature for over 30 years. My favorite subjects are birds, but you can find me photographing wildlife, waterfalls, and stars along the way. I love traveling the world photographing all that nature offers but my favorite location is in the Wisconsin Northwoods.
My Photographic Journey
I became interested in nature photography because of the ever changing environment and the challenges of uncontrollable circumstances, like wind, sunlight, rain, movement, etc. You just never know what might happen. The best shots come from when you are prepared for all. But what truly keeps me coming back to photography are the friends that I have made along the way. Especially my good friend Ӧrvar Ꝥorgerirsson, who not only loves to share his passion for photography but also loves to share his knowledge of his country, Iceland. And through him and his images, I have also gained a genuine love for this beautiful Island called Iceland.
At a young age, my mom handed me a brownie camera while hiking and I was instantly hooked. Creating and teaching an accredited photography program for a local college gave me the opportunity to grow as a photographer and digital artist.
I keep my interest by learning new techniques and researching my subjects. I continue to grow by participating in a variety of gallery shows, serving on judging panels, and sharing my knowledge and experiences at workshops and presentations. I enjoy attending training festivals such as Bosque del Apache and Indiana Dunes for further learning, growth and fun.
NANPA and Me
I joined NANPA in 2019 and am looking forward to participating in a variety of roles and activities.
Learn More About Me
My NANPA portfolio is: https://nanpa.org/events/showcase/about-nanpa-showcase/2020-top-24-showcase-lisa-jansen/
I am on Facebook at Lisa Jansen Photography and my website is www.lisajansenphotography.com.
