Hitchhiking to the Center of the Milky Way

Posted by Gustav on May 3, 2013 in Astrophotography, Hot Shots, Technique | 9 comments

Orbiting one of the, as Carl Sagan famously put it, “billions and billions” of stars in the outer reaches of one of the spiral arms of the Milky Way galaxy, the Earth faces the center of the galaxy at night from mid-winter to mid-summer.  From my viewpoint here in northern Vermont, the central disc of the galaxy where the density of stars is the greatest, known as the core, appears as a glowing bulge first above the eastern horizon in February and then gradually moves south during the spring eventually setting below the southwest horizon around the end of July.  Unless you’re at a very high elevation, say, above 8000′ and far removed from any light pollution, the core isn’t visible to the naked eye.  That’s because our eyes see light in real time.  A camera’s sensor, however, accumulates photons allowing a photographer to build up an image that truly captures the beauty of the cosmos.

Autumn, 2012

Posted by Gustav on Nov 15, 2012 in Fall, Fine Art Prints, Seasons | 2 comments

G’day Mates,

Yes, it’s been a while. I’ve been busy working on the house, finishing our addition, putting up new siding, and replacing all the windows.  My long-time friend, Steve Smith, and I took advantage of the record-breaking warm temperatures in the seventies and pounded down the last nail shortly after noon yesterday.  I can now go on record and say that, exactly ten years after homesteading our property, the major construction on the house is finally finished.  Consequently, apart from fall foliage, during which I captured another stunning gallery print of Belvidere Pond, I haven’t been in the field all that much.

Osprey Mornings

Posted by Gustav on Aug 10, 2012 in Cameras, Equipment, Vermont, Wildlife | 12 comments

G’day Everyone,

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) typically build large nests atop elevated structures. Snags, utility poles, bridge piers, artificial nesting platforms, and channel buoys are favorite real estate for a nesting pair. Yet, in photography, it’s often the exception to the rule that provides the opportunity for the exceptional photograph.

Gustav’s Recent Hotshots – Coming Home

Posted by Gustav on Jul 16, 2012 in Hot Shots, Maine, Workshops & Tours | 11 comments

G’day Everyone,

While I’m always very grateful for the opportunity to visit and photograph far-flung locations, especially in the company of kindred spirits, as Dorothy put it, “There’s no place like home.”

Announcing the Publication of “Sojourns In Nature – Close to Home and Farther Afield”

Posted by Gustav on Feb 23, 2012 in Publications | 13 comments

G’day Everyone,

Rob and I are extremely proud to announce the publication of our newest portfolio book, “Sojourns In Nature – Close to Home and Farther Afield”.  This is the third, and most comprehensive book in the “Sojourns In Nature” series featuring the best of our photographic work.