Platypod is coming out with a new and unique design for a ball head that is pure genius!  Funded via Kickstarter, there are two models, the Elite and the Ergo.  While Jim was an early backer of the project, due to Covid and supply chain issues, the final release of both units was delayed, but Skip Cohen, marketing VP for Platypod, loaned out two pre-production units.  This is an early look at the two ball heads.  The final versions should be available to the public after the first of the year!

Fotobug - Elusive Image Photography

Fotobug Episode 297 - First Look: Platyball

Fred and Jim are currently on their way to North and South Dakota to conduct photo workshops for the Black Hills Photo Shootout.  So, they decided to pull from The Fotobug vault a review of the Platypod Ultra that they conducted back in 2017 - but still relevant today!  Hope to see some of you in the Dakotas!

Fotobug Episode 296 - Platypod Ultra Review

Fred and Jim will be heading out shortly to conduct workshops in North and South Dakota and decided to share some of their travel tips with their viewers.  Jim does a lot of foreign travel and hopefully once Covid restrictions are lifted, both guys will be traveling more and we hope you will too!  So, check their tips out and be sure to share some of yours! Also check out the latest in photographic news!

Fotobug Episode 295 - Travel Tips

One way to embellish your macro photos of plants, flowers and cobwebs are by adding a few water drops like morning dew.  It is easy to "dew" (do?!) - just carry a little spray bottle with a mix of glycerin and water with you.  Both are inexpensive and then you will always have a little dew or rain drops in your pocket to enhance your plant photography! Registration for the Black Hills Photo Shootout is now available and the workshops are filling up fast!  Go to https://blackhillsphotoshootout.com now to sign up! Also check out the Dakota Adventure the week before at Teddy Roosevelt National Park.  Hope to see you there!

Fotobug Episode 294 - Dew Drops and Macro

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is located at the southern end of St. Petersburg bordering Lake Maggiore.  This is a great city park to view and photograph alligators, turtles, hawks, eagles, owls, and more.  It is also great for migratory birds in the fall and spring. The preserve is 245 acres and contains 6 miles of hiking trails.  There is also a raptor rehab center for rescued owls, eagles, and hawks. Fotobug recommended! Workshops at the Black Hills Photo Shootout at the end of September are filling up fast!  This includes the Dakota adventure at Teddy Roosevelt National Park and 1880 Town!  https://blackhillsphotoshootout.com/ to register!

Fotobug Episode 293 - Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

In The Fotobug continuing series on places to photograph in Florida, don't overlook Fort DeSoto in St. Petersburg.  Fort DeSoto is a Pinellas County park and is named after the Fort that was built there in the late 1800s to protect Tampa Bay but was never involved in any battles.  However, it is one of the best birding spots in Florida, especially in the Spring and Fall.  It is also one of the few places to spot the white morph reddish egret! Not much in current photographic news, but the Black Hills Photo Shootout registration is now available!  The Shootout will again be the last weekend in September and will take place in Sturgis South Dakota and a special event on Friday at 1880 Town.  Fred and Jim are conducting a pre-workshop at Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota September 22-24th and the spots are filling up quick - on the registration page it is labeled Dakota Adventure - so please go a sign up now! REGISTRATION Don't forget to subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel!

The Fotobug Episode 292 - Fort DeSoto Park

Fred and Jim welcome photographer Zoe Gregory to the podcast!  Zoe is a Washington D.C. based photographer who has tapped in to her entrepreneurial spirit in order to earn money from her photography and shares her story with us.  She recently took up photography seriously and we hope her story will motivate and encourage others with a desire to make money with their cameras in addition to just enjoy making great images!  We recommend you check out Zoe's Instagram page - ZoeGregoryPhoto on Instagram. Check out the podcast for recent photography news! Registration for the Black Hills Photo Shootout coming up this September is now open!  Go to https://blackhillsphotoshootout.com to register.  There are 3 big events this year: The main Black Hills Photo Shootout in Sturgis, a pre-workshop event at 1880 Town in South Dakota, and another pre-workshop at Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota hosted by Jim and Fred!  We hope to see you there!

Fotobug Episode 291 - Photographer Zoe Gregory

Two episodes back Jim and Fred tested out the Pluto camera trigger with the drip attachment.  In this episode the guys test out the sound and laser triggers and get really wet doing so!   First up is capturing water jumping out of wine glasses (plastic in this case!) and an apple Splashing into a glass salad bowl (real glass!). Also, the latest news of course!  Please subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel for even more photography related videos!

Fotobug Episode 290 - More Fun with the Pluto Trigger

A few weeks ago, Jim and Fred visited Cape Coral to photograph the burrowing owls that are very prevalent there.  However, they were a little early for the young hatchlings so they returned again, but this time the hatchlings were more like teenagers, but there were a lot of them!  They did get to photograph a rare owl, however, with a regressive genetic trait that causes the iris to be solid black.  This only occurs in 1% of the owl population, normally they have yellow irises!  There was plenty of news since the last podcast, so be sure to watch the entire episode to catch up on all the latest photo news!   Please check out the Lightroom Classic video course from our friend Mathew Cicanese.  Only $50 and worth the price!  go.cicanese.org/course-effortless-edit

Fotobug Episode 289 - Return to Cape Coral

Another way to work on your photography skills and have some fun at the same time is to capture water drops.  Jim and Fred use the Pluto system, although the MIOPS system is also a good option.  Regardless of the system used, we recommend adding a Guar gum on Xantham gum solution to the drip container and experiment with colored gels, milk, and food coloring!  Check out the podcast for more suggestions! Also, watch the podcast for the latest news in photography! Please check out and subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube channel for more great photography related videos!  http://www.youtube.com/thefotobug.

Fotobug Episode 288 - Water Drop Photography

Fred and Jim continue their travel for photo opportunities around the state of Florida.  A little known spot to photograph a rookery is Gatorland in Kissimmee.  In addition to the rookery for photographers, there is also plenty to do for non-photographers in your group!  Be sure to go in the spring and if willing, photographers can also pay to get in early to avoid the tourist crowds! Plenty of news in the podcast as well!  Be sure to watch and check out the upcoming Black Hills Photo Shootout in September along with some interesting pre-workshop workshop, such as wild horses at Teddy Roosevelt National Park.  Keep an eye on https://blackhillsphotoshootout.online for more details!

Fotobug Episode 287 - Gatorland Orlando

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is a little known, but great place to photograph birds and alligators!  The drive is 11 miles along Lake Apopka, the fourth largest lake in Florida, and is located near Disney World.  It is one of the major stop overs for migratory birds in the spring and fall.  There is no fee and the drive is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays from 7:00AM until 3:00pm, the exit gate closes at 5:00pm.  2850 Lust Rd, Apopka, FL 32703  Check the podcast for Jim and Fred's recent trip! For the latest photography news, be sure to watch the podcast!  Also, please subscribe the The Fotobug YouTube channel for more great photography related videos!  www.youtube.com/thefotobug

Fotobug Episode 286 - Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Jim and Fred are happy to welcome back Mathew Cicanese.  Mathew was on a few years back when he conducted workshops at the Tampa Bay Photo Shootout.  Since then, he has worked for National Geographic and has become an accomplished photographer.  We highly recommend you watch this podcast as Mathew has a lot of interesting projects he is working on and be sure to register at his website - www.thecuriouslens.org.  Be sure to listen to the podcast for the latest photography news about DJI, Canon and lots more!  Also, please go right now and subscribe to The Fotobug YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/thefotobug. 

Fotobug Episode 285 - Guest Photographer Mathew Cicanese

Jim and Fred are delighted to have Mike Matthews back as our guest.  Mike currently lives in Kentucky and specializes in bird and macro photography.  Mike organizes workshops around the country featuring frogs, lizards, spiders and other small creatures in natural settings for closeup and macro photography. For more information on Mike's upcoming workshops, go to www.mikematthewsphotography.com   For the latest photography news, watch the podcast!  Be sure to go out and subscribe to The Fotobug Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/thefotobug

Fotobug Episode 284 - Guest Mike Matthews

Jim and Fred grab their cameras and head to south Florida to the Everglades! The Everglades cover the entire southern part of the state and the parks can be considered the eastern and the western parks.  The Fotobug guys hit both sides and share what they find in this podcast!  Everything from alligators and crocodiles to rare tree snails! In addition to the Everglades, Jim and Fred share the latest photo news!   Be sure to subscribe to the Fotobug YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/thefotobug.

Fotobug Episode 283 - Everglades Photo Trek

The Fotobug Photography podcast for travel and nature photographers. Interviews, training, reviews, and more!

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Fotobug - Elusive Image Photography

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