Photography by Vincent Mistretta

The Archives

March 2010




  • Education

    This Says it All

    There are several blogs and websites I read regularly. Most of you who know me can surmise that they are either photography or business sites. When I read Scott Bourne’s posting today I just had to share it with all of you. Here is the LINK. I hope it moves you the way it did me.

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  • Birds

    Florida Birds

    We had a great start to photographing birds in Florida. Our first trek brought us to Maximo Beach & Park. While the weather was cool, the skies were blue and the sun rose to kiss our subjects with beautiful warm light.

    American Oyster Catcher on Bed of Oysters

    The American Oyster Catcher was one of the birds I hoped to photograph. We were lucky to have this one present itself on a bed of oysters!

    The afternoon found us at a fishing pier working on our panning and bird flight photography. The main characters present were the Florida Brown Pelican, Royal Tern and Laughing Gulls.

    Brown Pelican on Pier


    Florida Brown Pelican in flight


    Royal Tern in flight

    All in all it was a great first day in Florida!

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  • Equipment

    Camera Gear – Bags

    Since returning from Africa, I have been asked by several readers about the process of preparing for a Wildlife and Nature photography trip. As I prepare to leave for a week in sunny Florida to photograph migrating birds, I thought it would be useful to explain what I am taking and how I am getting it there.

    Like many photographers I suffer from having tried and owned too many camera bags. The simple truth is that we all spend far too much time trying to get everything to fit into one kind of bag. Once I realized that the bag I used for a given trip or assignment needed to be approached in the same way I selected lenses, flash and other accessories, it was like a light went off over my head.

    I basically have settled on 3 bags for all my gear. Two of the bags I use are made by someone I consider a mentor, Moose Peterson. The largest of the bags is the MP-1. This bag is a work horse for me and is what I carry when I need to take everything and the kitchen sink. It is also accepted as carryon luggage on regional airlines which in todays traveling world is not only important but a necessity. The next bag I use as my walk around pack is the MP-7. This bag doesn’t look like a camera bag and is light weight and easy to carry anywhere. I can also bring this to events in my checked luggage and break down the MP-1 into this smaller pack for ease of carrying. I consider both these bags must haves for my photography.

    The last of the bags I use regularly is made by Gura Gear. The Kiboko is a bag I use in 2 specific situations. 1) I need a bag with good support for heavy loads and when/where hiking is required. 2) I want to have 2 bodies with lenses attached ready to go. This is particularly important when I am in very dusty conditions or poor weather and don’t want to expose my sensor to dust when changing lenses. The Kiboko bag is also accepted as carryon luggage for regional jets. This bag is strong, roomy and has a great layout internally and in the outside pockets.

    All 3 of these bags are very well made and come with strong guaranties from their suppliers who are also great photographers. This last element means these bags are designed by people who use them, they live an die by their bags performances.

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