Landscape | MiKS Media Photography

A Night Of Amazing Aurora – Alberta Landscape Photography

by Kasia Sokulska | May 13, 2015 | Landscape

Last night we were very lucky to witness on of the most spectacular displays of Northern Lights. We got the Aurora alert and decided to head to Elk Island to see if we finally get some decent shots of it. Well, we definitely lucked out. The whole sky was covered for quite some time and it was just a matter of pointing my camera whichever way and let it do it’s job. I had my fish eye lens with me and boy! I was happy I had it with me. I am sure I will share many more shots from last night (I did manage to take A LOT ;D) , as soon I have more time to work with them. For now just a taste. Hope you enjoy ;D

Kasia

Landscapes In The Middle Of The Day – Alberta Landscape Photography

by Kasia Sokulska | May 8, 2015 | Landscape

Some say, it’s not possible to shoot lovely landscapes in the middle of the day. Sometimes, however, you can’t wait for morning or evening and so you must do with whatever light there is. Especially, when you want to have certain types of the clouds that disappear towards the evening. Such was the case last weekend. We have taken a ride out to the country just to be able to capture the wonderful cloud formations that were sailing above us. It is truly amazing to watch the incredible cumulus clouds moving through a wonderfully blue sky. It is a pity, though, that they either disappear or combine together before sunset. In order to capture them you need to take pictures of them during the time of the harshest light. It can be a bit challenging at times, but if you set your camera carefully you can get away with not having to use any filters to darken the shot and still bring out the details of the gorgeous armada sailing above you.

Here is a few shots I was lucky to take during our last trip. I hope you enjoy the views as much as we did while traveling the country roads. Have a wonderful weekend guys!

Kasia

Zion – Landscape Photography

by Mac Sokulski | Apr 30, 2015 | Fuji Landscapes, Fuji X, Landscape

This little day trip, happened over a year ago, and the photos where sitting on my hard drive collecting digital dust. There are many others, that might see the light of day, or may not. Procrastination and the fact that I wasn’t overly happy with the images played into the fact why I waited so long. Personally I do not like changing my landscape photos, apart from small details and colors. I never been a fan of replacing skies either. First I find the task daunting, and second I like to leave some semblance of realism in my images. If there are no clouds, then there are no clouds. I have nothing against people who do that, nothing at all… I’m just lazy and frankly couldn’t be bothered.

Being an opportunistic photographer, I don’t have the luxury of time, and spending a few days at a location, waiting for mother nature to smile. I take what I’m given 🙂 Some say, that I’m wasting my time and pixels, but I disagree. Sometimes this works, and sometimes this doesn’t. My trip to Zion national park was an example where it didn’t. First it was in the wrong time. Time where there is no snow, yet the spring hasn’t “sprung” yet. Second, the sky was completely empty of clouds…. perfect blue and not really interesting. Thirdly it was a day trip from Las Vegas, so not a lot of time. The moral of the story is, what ever the opportunities present themselves make sure you take full advantage of them, and do your best. I don’t know when I will have a chance to return to this beautiful park, again. It was a chance and I took it. Damn the pictures 🙂

Jasper with Fuji – Alberta Landscape Photography

by Mac Sokulski | Apr 28, 2015 | Fuji Landscapes, Fuji X, Landscape

I have been off this blog for far too long. I got images that are piling up, and gathering digital dust, waiting for their turn. I think it’s time to stop hiding behind the camera.

Fuji has been with me for almost 4 years. The love affair started with X100. For some reason I did not mind it’s quirks and quickly adapted. All through these years, I’ve been shooting with Fuji, and I am still shooting with Fuji. Countless images of weddings, boudoir, family, and landscapes. Like fine wine, the cameras got better and better with age. This is due to Fujifilm actually updating and upgrading their cameras. There are not a lot of companies, which are so actively in touch with their user base. Companies that listen and release updates, instead of new camera bodies, seemingly every few months. I think this policy has won Fuji very loyal customers. Will it change? Possibly, but I believe the core will stay. Just because the camera does not have the latest wifi, gps, video, or some other gadget, to some it means it’s inferior. Fortunately for those of us, that care about the images, and not the gear that we use, this is a very short sighted complaint. There will always be something new around the corner. A camera with that latest gadget, which, many think, will make them a better photographer.

We know the true secret.

Here are images from a trip to Jasper National Park in Canada that happened sometime last year. I told you I got many images 🙂

Spring Sunsets on the Prairies – Landscape Photography

by Kasia Sokulska | Apr 18, 2015 | Landscape

We have been blessed with quite a beautiful weather lately. All the snow has finally melted and one can see that nature is waking up. We have not been able to wonder too far away from the city, but still managed to witness a couple of pretty sunsets. The fields are still empty, of course, but, with luck one can find a puddle reflecting the sky here and there, adding a bit of interest to a photo. Here is a few shots from the last two excursions. Hope you enjoy.

Kasia

Elk Island – Four Seasons – Winter – Part 2

by Kasia Sokulska | Mar 30, 2015 | Landscape

Finally, today, the last installment of this series allows me to share pictures from our last winter excursion to Elk Island… We were lucky, again, to arrive there just before a gorgeous sunset, along with many other photographers. I took advantage of them lining up on the ice covered surface of Astotin Lake, taking some candid shots from far away. ;D. It was a gorgeous evening, with the sky painted with wonderful colors and the low sun bathing the world in amazing light.. I know we are all a bit tired of wintery shots and snow, especially when it is finally gone from the ground here in Edmonton but, I hope, you will still enjoy these, for sunsets are quite wonderful regardless the time of year.

Kasia