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Nature Photography by Jay & Varina Patel

Happy Holidays from Visual Wilderness

December 22, 2019/in Blog/by Jay Patel

We wanted to take some time to look at our 5th year of operations for Visual Wilderness and wish you all a very happy holidays. Here are some of the highlights from this past year.

More About Our Contributing Photographers

In spite of their best efforts to portray themselves as super heroes on social media, all our contributing landscape photographers are humans that have lives beyond photography. Some of them more than others. ;)  Here are interesting tidbits from our contributors:

  • Joshua Snow – I built a camper van, spent 220+ nights on the road, was able to travel a few times internationally, and forgot how to take photos in the process.
  • Christine Hauber – I competed in the National Senior Olympics and I am not even old! A few years ago they dropped the “senior” age to 50. Although I did not win any of my swimming events, I was happy that I did not come in last.
  • Kate Silvia – I started learning to paint! I never knew I could do this and it’s kinda blowing me away. Just goes to show… try new things… all the time! You never know what you might be capable of!
  • Artwork by Landscape Photographer Kate Silvia

    Artwork by Landscape Photographer Kate Silvia

  • Pro Landscape Photographer Christine Hauber

    Pro Landscape Photographer Christine Hauber participating in National Senior Olympics

  • Landscape photographer's ultimate transportation by Joshua Snow

    Landscape photographer’s ultimate transportation by Joshua Snow

  • Chrissy Donadi – I had a baby in January so this has been the first year of my adult life with absolutely no travel. I remained in the same state for 365 days and have been a stay-at-home parent. After more sleep deprivation than photographing in Iceland during the months of almost 24 hours daylight, my husband and I are considering our first year as parents of a mini human somewhat successful.
  • Varina Patel – In 2019, I discovered that I had MS… and named it Grover. Bad Grover!! Go away Grover. So I decided to add water colors to keep my fingers active and combat the effects of MS.
Watercolor by Varina Patel

How MS effected Varina Patel – Click to Play

  • Gaurav Mittal – 2019 was very challenging for me health-wise. Facing a very serious cervical spondylosis issue, I have been through multiple surgeries and numerous nerve block procedures. While I did not do anything outside of photography this year, I did learn something new about myself… a steel-like determination to not give up.
  • Lace Andersen – I became a full time photographer, got laid off, and started photographing people, weddings, and families etc. Outside of photography… I have been avidly going to yoga 4-5 days a week in hopes of touching my toes one day soon. Until then, there will be no yoga selfies.
  • Jay Patel – This year I decided to stop running and take up long-distance biking. Why? So I can make sure my knees don’t need replacing when I grow up. Which by the way, I don’t plan on doing as soon as I figure out how to stop time.
  • Bear the super-sidekick guard dog watching over Chrissy Donadi'd tripod & camera.

    Bear, the super-sidekick guard dog watching over Chrissy Donadi’d tripod & camera.

  • Landscape photographer Jay Patel testing out new Shimoda Bag design in Iceland

    Landscape photographer Jay Patel testing out new Shimoda Bag in Iceland

  • Travel photography from Japan by Ugo Cei

    Travel photography from Japan by Ugo Cei

  • Ugo Cei – This year I started shooting film again with a large format view camera and learned how to develop it at home. I also started studying Japanese and was able to use what I learned during my first trip to Japan. I will keep studying the language in preparation for my upcoming fall colors tour of 2020. Finally, I learned how to dance… no, really!!

Most Popular Blog Posts

Oh yes… and our contributing photographers continued to create some fantastic blog posts. Below are some of the most popular with landscape photographers from all over the world in 2019 (in no particular order).

Cover for Nature Photography article on shutter speed by Varina Patel.
April 16, 2021/by Varina Patel

What Shutter Speed should I use for Nature Photography?

Cover for nature photography blog about camera modes by Mark Denney
November 5, 2020/by Mark Denney

What Camera Modes should Beginners use for Nature Photography?

Storm in Canadian Rockies by landscape photographer Charlotte Gibb
December 4, 2019/by Charlotte Gibb

Why Landscape Photographers Should Expose To The Right

Example of photo stacking & blending for Night Photography by Austin Jackson
October 21, 2019/by Austin Jackson

Night Photography Tips for creating Stunning Images

Cover photos for landscape photography article about histograms in photography by Jay Patel
May 27, 2019/by Jay Patel

How to use Histograms in Photography

How to Use a Wide Angle Camera Lens Blog Article
March 15, 2019/by David Johnston

How to Use Your Wide Angle Lens the Right Way

CHECK OUT OUT BLOG

VW Streaming Service

This was the second full year of a landscape photography streaming service offering for our customers. We have an excellent subscriber retention rate and continue to provide new content throughout the year. In addition, we introduced several new nature photography video tutorials that were available for free for streaming subscribers. Here are is what the customers are saying about our video tutorials:

Presentation was very informative

Alan Shapiro’s presentation was very informative. His combination of several texture layers certainly gives painterly results.

Marjorie Prescott
La Jolla, California

I learn better with your focused approach

I have used both your free and paid video tutorials. What I really like about your approach over some of the many others I have read, is that you concentrate on one small topic (such as
…

I have used both your free and paid video tutorials. What I really like about your approach over some of the many others I have read, is that you concentrate on one small topic (such as hyperfocal distance). I found that I was more likely to go out and practice and thus retain what I learned better than when attacking a much broader topic.

Read more “I learn better with your focused approach”

John
Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Clear and Concise Information

It has been great to work through your video tutorials at my own pace and concentrate on subjects that most interest me. You provide clear and concise information, and the workflow portions are excellent for driving
…

It has been great to work through your video tutorials at my own pace and concentrate on subjects that most interest me. You provide clear and concise information, and the workflow portions are excellent for driving home the techniques you are teaching. I have also enjoyed your free webinars. Thank you so very much!

Read more “Clear and Concise Information”

Jody Olson
California

I’m successfully using Hyperfocal Distance all the time now!

I spent gobs of time trying to wrap my head around Hyperfocal Distance, but for whatever reason, I just never found the right teachers until I saw your class on the subject. I’ve watched it twice
…

I spent gobs of time trying to wrap my head around Hyperfocal Distance, but for whatever reason, I just never found the right teachers until I saw your class on the subject. I’ve watched it twice now, and guess what? I’m successfully using Hyperfocal Distance all the time now! It’s literally like you guys opened a curtain and let the sun in.

Read more “I’m successfully using Hyperfocal Distance all the time now!”

Kirk Peterson
Tennessee, USA

Mastering Exposure Webinar did an excellent job of explaining

The Mastering Exposure Webinar did an excellent job of explaining the importance of the different types of histograms, and when different types of bracketing/blending would be beneficial.

Paul Tibbitts
Norman, Oklahoma, USA

It was excellent!

In camera exposure principles very simply explained in today’s Mastering Exposure Webinar . It was excellent!

Alan Dixon
Norwich, England

Very informative and well presented

In Sharp Focus Webinar was very informative and well presented.

Gavin Stuart
Chatham, Ontario, Canada

Love how Alan approaches enhancing each image

I learned a tremendous amount – all the techniques Alan Shapiro covered: profiles, color checker, calibration, new curves, crushing the blacks, sketching w/virtual copies, range masking and more. Love how Alan approaches enhancing each image as a
…

I learned a tremendous amount – all the techniques Alan Shapiro covered: profiles, color checker, calibration, new curves, crushing the blacks, sketching w/virtual copies, range masking and more. Love how Alan approaches enhancing each image as a new, individual artistic journey. Looking forward to learning more!

Read more “Love how Alan approaches enhancing each image”

Barbara Reiner
New Haven, CT

I can confidently say excellent job!

This (Visual Wilderness video courses) is exactly what I didn’t realize I’ve been looking for over the past few years: the videos, case studies, raw files, and explanations are what set this so far apart from
…

This (Visual Wilderness video courses) is exactly what I didn’t realize I’ve been looking for over the past few years: the videos, case studies, raw files, and explanations are what set this so far apart from anything else I’ve found. I have just started the course, but I can confidently say excellent job!

Read more “I can confidently say excellent job!”

Mark Petry
Downingtown, Pennsylvania

I really enjoyed the Behind the Lens course.

I really enjoyed the Behind the Lens course. It is the best of all the courses you’ve made. I own every one of your webinars and courses and this one was as intuitive as any of
…

I really enjoyed the Behind the Lens course. It is the best of all the courses you’ve made. I own every one of your webinars and courses and this one was as intuitive as any of them.

Read more “I really enjoyed the Behind the Lens course.”

Frankie Leyro
Fort Belvoir, VA, USA
FIND OUT MORE

New Nature Photography Video Tutorials

In 2019, we expanded our video tutorial offering by becoming a multi-vendor marketplace for nature photographers. We now offer video courses from several contributing photographers on all aspects of landscape photography. Here are some of the most popular video courses from this past year...

  • Lightroom Preset Palooza – vw2411

    $39.95
    Add to cart Show Details
  • Magical Fall Photography

    $39.95
    Add to cart Show Details
  • Light and Contrast in Flower Photography

    $39.95
    Add to cart Show Details
FIND OUT MORE

Our latest video courses were based on fine-tuning your start-to-finish workflow for some of the most important aspects of photography. These video courses, with a razor-sharp focus on different aspects of landscape and nature photography and are sold in over 70 countries around the world.

Newsletter and Web App Notifications

We have over 46,000 subscribers for our InFocus newsletter and over 18,000 subscribers get educational content via notifications from Visual Wilderness on their mobile and desktop devices. Not surprisingly, both of these free resources have superb engagement and a worldwide audience. Here is what some of the readers have to say...

I have learned many great tips and tricks

I have been following InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter for about five years and have learned many great tips and tricks and have been inspired by many of your images. You have always
…

I have been following InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter for about five years and have learned many great tips and tricks and have been inspired by many of your images. You have always been an very good instructors when I attended your seminars.

Read more “I have learned many great tips and tricks”

Patrick
West Seneca, NY, USA

Concise, well delivered and meaningful information

InFocus Newsletter is the best source on the web for concise, well delivered and meaningful information on landscape and nature photography. The blog has an amazing wealth of information photographers can use
…

InFocus Newsletter is the best source on the web for concise, well delivered and meaningful information on landscape and nature photography. The blog has an amazing wealth of information photographers can use at no cost and the ebooks are a tremendous value; the best I have been able to find. If you are looking for a place to find what you need to become a stronger photographer, InFocus Newsletter is the place. Very well done Varina and Jay.

Read more “Concise, well delivered and meaningful information”

Mike
Auburn, CA - USA

Appeals to both experienced photos as well as newbie

InFocus Newsletter is an exciting publication that appeals to both experienced photos as well as newbie… always clear and to the point.

Roy
Kentucky, USA

InFocus Newsletter improves my skills as a photographer

InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter helps me to learn about nature photography and improve my knowledge and thereby improve my skills as a photographer.

Wayne
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

One of the best photography magazines out there

InFocus Newsletter is one of the best photography magazines out there. I really get a lot out of it and enjoy reading from beginning to end.

Mary
Broke, NSW. Australia

It’s full of useful and well-presented info

The site is a pleasure to view and read, and it’s full of useful and well-presented info. The photos, of course, are a great source of inspiration. We always look forward to
…

The site is a pleasure to view and read, and it’s full of useful and well-presented info. The photos, of course, are a great source of inspiration. We always look forward to receiving our InFocus Nature Photograph Newsletter updates, and we saved each one for future reference.

Read more “It’s full of useful and well-presented info”

Tom & Sanne
New Smyrna Beach, FL

InFocus Newsletter pushes me to want to get better

I find your website and your InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter issues so inspiring. I have learning so much from you and you push me to want to get better with my photography.
…

I find your website and your InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter issues so inspiring. I have learning so much from you and you push me to want to get better with my photography. Thanks for all you do!

Read more “InFocus Newsletter pushes me to want to get better”

Maider
Spain

High quality work

Visual Wilderness (Nature Photography Newsletter) is in the top three photography websites that I follow all the time. Thank you for the high quality work.

Richard
Central PA, USA

Excellent source of information and inspiration

InFocus Newsletter is an excellent source of information and inspiration, from two of my favorite photographers.

Alex
Walnut Creek, CA

Easy to follow and understand information

I love the easy to follow and understand information that Free Nature Photography Newsletter provide. It’s helped me tremendously as I am constantly trying to improve on the photos I take. Your post
…

I love the easy to follow and understand information that Free Nature Photography Newsletter provide. It’s helped me tremendously as I am constantly trying to improve on the photos I take. Your post processing tips are awesome. Delivery to my email makes it very easy to read, whether I’m in the office or traveling.

Read more “Easy to follow and understand information”

Michael
Spokane, WA, USA

What is Coming in 2020?

Throughout this coming year, we plan to create more in-depth video courses on several aspects of landscape photography. In addition, producing more on-location video courses that feature workshop-style lessons is also part of our 2020 plan.

Happy Holidays from the Visual Wilderness Team!!

About Author Jay Patel

I could startoff like this – “Seeds of Jay Patel’s appreciation for beautiful places were planted early in his childhood….” but it would get boring really fast. I will just sum it up and say that I am a Landscape and Wilderness Photographer who loves to capture dramatic light. My photographs have been published in various magazines, calendars and advertising materials throughout the world.
Patience is a virtue...unless you are chasing your dreams

Website | Google+ | Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Pinterest

2 replies
  1. Rob Strain
    Rob Strain says:
    December 23, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    Wonderful that you have put this personal touch out there. May your holidays be all you want them to be and may the new year bring healing for those in need and continued enthusiasm for all the great work you do.

  2. keith fey
    keith fey says:
    December 23, 2019 at 2:16 pm

    May all of you at Visual Wilderness continue capturing the light of our wonderful World for all of us to see and dream about. May you share your knowledge with an ever widening enthralled community of like minded photographers. May you inspire the next generation to carry photography’s colors, may you return everything you have in your power to do so… to the pool of life … these wide open spaces which become rare because of their beauty and wildness…. and may you.. one and all have a very special blessed Christmas and prosperous new year… Thank you for the year gone by… too fast.. Kind regards.. Keith Fey.

Comments are closed.

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