January 2013

russellgraves.com Newsletter

TAKEN AT THE RIM OF PALO DURO CANYON, THIS SHOT WAS MADE ON A DAY WHEN THE MOON WAS GOING DOWN THE SAME TIME THE SUN WAS COMING UP. A BIG TELEPHOTO LENS AND THE MOON SHINING THROUGH THICK LAYERS OF ATMOSPHERE MADE THE MOON APPEAR HUGE AND MISSHAPEN.

TECH SPECSCANON 1D MARK III CAMERA, 500MM F4 LENS WITH 1.4X ATTACHED. 1/160 SEC @ F5.6, ISO 1000

Opening shot

Down TimeNewsletters were in short supply in 2012. That’s because I didn’t have much to report. In fact, the opposite is true. Over the past few months I’ve been bust working on a new house and planning the management and manipulation of a 12 acre parcel of land that I hope will become a premier wildlife photography facility, and working on other side projects.

Speaking of side projects, I just launched a new website. Right now it is in the beta version as I try to flesh out any i s s u e s t h a t m a y a r i s e . T h e w e b s i t e i s texasnaturephotographers.com and it is meant as a site where members can showcase their work, get critiques, learn from others, share location ideas, and any other information that you may find helpful or informative.

Right now the community is small. However, I hope that it grows and becomes a valuable resource for people who are passionate about nature photography. The best part of the forum is that it is free. Therefore, I hope you’ll join.

Aside from the forum, be looking out for a new book I’ll be releasing soon. The book is about nature photography and will be an interactive publication designed for the iPad. It will include text, photos, videos, and interactive diagrams and I am super excited to release it.

If you get a chance, take a look at my new blog, buildmycountryhome.com. Here I am chronicling the build of my new home, photo studio, and wildlife photography area. Right now the project is in it’s infancy but as I go along, I’ll update the site often.

It is really a busy time so I hope you’ll understand why the newsletter release has been slow. However, as we move through 2013, expect the regular schedule to return.

Have a great month.

russell@russellgraves.com

3/12

Photo Tip When you are in the field, make sure you always look for details. Details help tell a story about a subject.

For example, when I am shooting pictures of animals, I always look for tracks, scat, or any other kinds of signs that animals leave behind.

Photo Specs:

Canon 5D Mark II85mm f1.2 lens1/6400 @ f2ISO 400

Look for Details4/12

F B ICON

Join the community!

Russell Graves Outdoors - Dutch’sAround Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, traditions run deep.  Right across University Avenue from the main TCU campus, a new tradition’s been building since first opening their doors in 2007. In December, I made my second trip Dutch’s restaurant to enjoy the down-home atmosphere and the incredible food.           I was first introduced to Dutch’s a few years back when proprietor Grady Spears invited me and my family to have dinner with his family. Grady is a renowned Texas chef and television host whom I had met when I photographed him f o r a s t o r y o n c o w b o y cooking. While Dutch’s is a distant cousin to the culinary stylings of R i a t a a n d t h e L i n e C a m p Steakhouse for which he is typically known, the hamburger restaurant is good food nonetheless.           Dutch’s Hamburgers is named in honor of legendary football coach Leo “Dutch” Meyer.  The TCU grad was the most successful coach in TCU history compiling a record of 109 wins and 17 losses from 1934 to 1952.  Under his direction, the TCU Horned Frogs won the national championship twice: once in 1935 and again in 1938.         

Throughout the restaurant, the decor pays homage to the TCU Horned Frogs of today and yesterday.  There’s a big panoramic picture of TCU’s 2011 Rose Bowl win by the front door and in other places in the small and cozy establishment, pictures of Coach Meyer adorn the walls.  Inside the restaurant, there are two rooms that seat about 100 while outdoor seating is available on a covered patio in the back. The kitchen is open and your food is prepared merely feet from where you order.         The decor is simple and rustic.  White walls wi th benches, bars, and tables are smattered throughout the restaurant.  In all, the place has a laid-back, comfortable feel.         Decor aside, the food is spot on.  Known primarily as a burger restaurant, it has other fare that is tempting.  My wife had the Dutch with thick, hand cut fries.  The Dutch is a traditionally prepared half pound hamburger with all the fixings.  While she ate most of it, I did have a taste and was delighted by the perfectly seasoned salt and pepper finish that complement the beef well.  She’s not much of an adventurous eater and opted for the plainest of nine different burger varieties including ones made with mushrooms, chili cheeseburgers, and one adorned with hickory bbq sauce and bacon.

For a change of pace, instead of a burger I opted for the turkey melt.  Served at a

“I WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO DUTCH’S A FEW YEARS BACK WHEN PROPRIETOR GRADY SPEARS INVITED ME

AND MY FAMILY TO HAVE DINNER WITH HIS FAMILY.”

Texas Food

perfectly warm temperature the turkey melt was a gooey mess of turkey and grilled onions that was fused onto the grilled rye bread by the stringy and smooth swiss cheese.  I complemented the turkey melt with some thick and beefy hand battered onion rings.         

HUNTING THE HUNTERS

Predators6/12

Predators - hunting the hunters

7/12

Predators - hunting the hunters

8/12

Predators - hunting the hunters

9/12

Predators - hunting the hunters

Join the Conversation

With the launch of texasnaturephotographers.com, I’ve learned a lot about building and maintaining an internet forum. I’ve had to learn a lot of jargon that I never thought I’d ever have to learn but the curve has been relatively straight forward.

If you get a chance, head over to the site and take a look around. Registration is free and the navigation is simple and straightforward.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know.

The New Site11/12

Speaking EventFebruary 9, 2012 @ 9amHeard Nature CenterMcKinney, Texas

Closing News

New ContentCheck out russellgraves.com for a couple of new articles, a new video, and new images.