I'm getting into serious firefly anticipation mode. The critters should be in full force in my yard in a week or so. I have lots of new ideas to try out that I've been planning since last year. Found this really cool firefly timelapse from Vincent Brady that has given me some ideas as well.

A painter is an artist who starts with a blank white canvas. A night photographer is an artist who starts with a blank black canvas. Fireflies and star trails shine in the sky above a cabin in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Night photography is different from shooting in the daytime in many ways. Of course, the Read more... you know you want to.

Look in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a frog. Or maybe even Underdog! But, sorry to disappoint, it’s probably not a meteor. (Yes, there is such a thing as a flying dog. Those of you over 50 know what I’m talking about.) After every meteor shower, excited photographers send me photos of the Read more... you know you want to.

The images on the “Night Photos” pages are selected from blog posts, but these pages include only a sampling of the relevant images. If you want to see all of the content for a certain topic, use the blog’s “Search” feature. Fireflies in jar on windowsill with the Milky Way. Nikon D700, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. Stack of Read more... you know you want to.

Mention certain times of the year and I automatically think about specific subjects. Say mid-April and I’m thinking spring ephemeral wildflowers. Early November? I’m thinking about camping on the Outer Banks at my favorite time. October? Well, you know. And if you say early June, I’m thinking about my favorite insect. In North Carolina, as in Read more... you know you want to.

I’m working on a series of articles about light painting gear and techniques and thought I’d start out with a quick primer of just what light painting is. I have to admit that I don’t know if there is such a thing as an “official” definition. Wikipedia gives it a shot, but I really don’t Read more... you know you want to.

It’s almost time to get out and shoot one of my favorite nighttime subjects. Fireflies—lightning bugs for you fellow southerners—make exciting photographs, especially when you show them in their environment. Check out this blog post about one technique for shooting fireflies in a jar. Also, if you want to read about fireflies in general, check Read more... you know you want to.

Wanna be a kid again? Here's how you can relive your childhood and take pictures at the same time! I've been getting a lot of interest in the firefly photos I shot this summer. Everybody wants to know how I shot and processed them. Truth is, I used several different techniques depending on the particular shot I Read more... you know you want to.