Garry Coldwells

Ray,

 

You probably have loads of testimonials but I wanted to complement you on the superb workshop last Saturday. You offered pertinent information and tips that helped with the Snowy shoot and made my experience memorable. The venue was superb and you handled the large group skillfully. I will be joining other workshops you host as this one proved to be good value. 

 

I have attached my favorite from this session. Ideally I would have liked symmetrical eyes but the gaping beak and breath made it for me anyway :)

 

Cheers,

 

Garry Coldwells   rugbyphoto.com

Peter Burian

" While I would prefer to photograph lynx, cougar, wolves and other animals in the wild, that's not practical due to time and financial constraints, making Ray's workshop at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre an excellent alternative. The general public does not get entry to the compounds and they don't get to photograph the Saw-whet owl, but we certainly did."

"That made the $200 fee a suitable investment. (In the US, you'd pay far more for a session at a similar facility.) And because we got close to the animals, there was no need for an expensive super telephoto lens. Ray is very knowledgeable and if you need advice, be sure to ask him. Don't be shy or hesitant in this respect, since the right camera settings and techniques definitely pay off in terms of pro-calibre images."

Peter Burian - www.peterkburian.com

John Reed

Greetings Ray

Just wanted to share with you some images that I have taken at I guess now 5 workshops that I have taken with you. Really would like to say a HUGE THANKS as I noted I am getting back into photography after 20 years and boy have things changed. Each workshop I have been able to come away with some super shots and its largely due to your guidance, suggestions throughout the various shoots, keeping the group happy maintaining sight lines and focus on customer service. You seem to make this happen seamlessly. Its hard work with different personalities and various skill levels. Congrats.

On a final note allowing me to use you favourite lens, to the detriment of your shooting, in helping me in my decisions on what equipment to purchase really speaks to the focus on your customer. I cannot thank you enough.

I would love to go on the Bella Coola trip and NFD trips and am at the moment planning to try and make it happen. Africa.... would be a dream come true to be in the company of such a great photography and host.

Best to you and your family.


John
http://www.pbase.com/johnreed

Gary Irwin

I just wanted to say thank you for another successful BIF workshop at the Canadian Raptor Conservancy a week ago. I really enjoy your flight workshops because of the unique photographic opportunity they offer. Being able to photograph these amazing raptors in flight up close is really something special -- something that very rarely happens in the wild. 

As always I appreciate your guidance and advice. Although I've been a number of your workshops I'm always learning new things and picking up some new idea to try out. I came home with some 1400 images but have honed my keepers down to a few of my favourites -- hope you like them. I'm already looking forward to joining you again in the future.

All the best,

Gary Irwin

London

Victor Martello

Ray,

I would just like to thank you again for the amazing raptor workshop you hosted at the Mountsberg Conservation area.

Being my first workshop with you, I found your instruction on creative photography and knack for setting up wonderful perches, provided the group with some fantastic opportunities to capture these amazing birds. I found It easy to get lost while shooting these beautiful creatures, but thanks for reminding us to check our camera settings during the shoot,  as this helped me capture some of the best images I have taken to date.

I've attached a few of my favourites.

Sincerely,
Vic

Ron Goodlin

"Ray Barlow is a master at bird and nature photography. His workshops
 are a must for any photographer."

George Harper

Bella Coola was a great experience.  My grandson Carter and I got to see 

grizzlies and blacks "up close and personal".  With
your coaching and help we learned a lot and got some 

great photos.  Thanks Ray.

George Harper

Petri Hoivanen

" A truly amazing experience! Breathtaking nature, clean air and unforgettable encounters with wildlife. That's Bella Coola… Nothing can prepare you for the encounter with a grizzly leisurely strolling past you in search of fish, and trust me, it will be something you will remember the rest of your life. Add to this a comfortable lodge with friendly staff and delicious food and your vacation will be unforgettable."

Jamie Strickland

Comments from Jamie, after his 3rd visit to the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, for a Birds in Flight workshop!

"I wouldn't drive nearly 4hrs each way unless it was worthwhile, where else are you going to find guaranteed birds in flight ? I like the fact there are various birds in different settings, but don't think its a cakewalk, its still not easy to nail a sharp photo of fast birds in flight."

(please click on the image for a larger view!)

Ann Brokelman

I was at the hummingbird workshop with Ray Barlow and

had a wonderful afternoon/evening.

Learning new techniques on taking amazing shots. 

 Also Ray was patient 

about helping me with exposures and histograms.

I highly recommend this workshop.

Ann Brokelman

Thank you thank you Ray

I enjoyed meeting the other photographers there.

Steve Matyas

“I've been on quite a number of Ray Barlow’s photo trips and I have to say they've all been very good. It’s difficult to imagine that I could have taken as many images traveling with another group or taken the time necessary to get the shots that we got on any particular trip. Most of Ray’s outings are not workshops, so you’re presumed to know something about your gear and the fundamentals of photography.

Ray has a wealth of photographic knowledge and is truly passionate about the craft.  No matter how special a place is, it can be spoiled or enhanced by the way people experience it. Ray is very aware of this and is quite accommodating and has a knack for making everyone feel comfortable. I'd like to think I have some fairly advanced photography skills, but am never surprised when I find that every tour has something to teach me. I'd highly recommend these trips. They’re good quality and relatively inexpensive.”

Steve Matyas - President : Staples Business Depot Canada

David Sparks

Everything about the photo safari exceeded my 
expectations. Both Nas and Nickson were very
 knowledgeable guides and did an outstanding 
job of locating the large animals. 
Their ability to spot and identify the amazing 
variety of birds was an unexpected bonus. Ray 
constantly "tweaked" the position of our vehicle so 
that we had the best possible lighting and background
for our photos. I learned a lot by 
observing his approach to photographing the wildlife, scenery,

and people we encountered. This 
was my first trip to Africa, but I hope it is not my last.

Dr. Robert Sofferman

I have been following Ray Barlow’s website for at least 3 years and have enjoyed nature photography through the use of a manual 500mm f4 lens which served me well but had some limitations. I had agonized over a new long lens purchase and re-kindled an interest in the special elements which Ray has continued to place on his website.

His avian images are truly remarkable in terms of resolution, variety of subject, and unparalleled skill in documentation. When I realized that most of his photographs were obtained with a Nikon 200-400mm lens and occasional amplification with tele-extenders I decided to follow suit.

This lens has become my favorite in a variety of situations which include a recent canoe trip on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe and lots of hobby work around Vermont where I reside. In spite of loving the lens and feeling comfortable with it in most situations, I wanted to understand how Ray can use it hand-held and obtain wonderful macro images of tiny subjects.

Most importantly, bird flight photography requires lots of practice and acquired skill, and I clearly admit that most of my best images were probably accidents, more a product of auto-focus and high speed motor drive than unbridled skill.

In early April of this year I traveled to Toronto for a several day meeting and planned to extend my stay to spend a much anticipated day one-on-one with Ray Barlow. In the weeks prior to the visit he maintained e-mail and telephone contact and helped me to understand just what we would be doing for the day. It was one of the most important photographic experiences I have had, with Ray helping me to clarify camera and lens settings for rapid sequence photography.He understands the environment which surrounds his subjects and has become as much a naturalist as a master photographic technician. He has a unique method of finding whatever bird is in the migratory path or indigenous to his Canadian locale. He is understated and very friendly.

As I read the comments from others who have had the privilege of working with Ray either in a workshop or just some advice long distance through his website, it is apparent that everyone has the same positive experiences I have described. We spent most of the day talking about photography, finding and photographing bluebirds, and eventually locating some red-necked grebes which are indeed especially beautiful subjects.

As a physician who is involved in teaching medical students and residents on a daily basis, I am particularly interested in how others get their points across. Ray posseses a special quality that endears him to HIS students and allows them to ask whatever is on their mind without feeling intimidated or uncomfortable. I am fortunate to have been one of those students and am privileged to realize that I have a new friend who likes and understands my extracurricular passion.

Bob Sofferman

Andrew McLachlan

Raymond Barlow workshops allow me to capture images that are extremely difficult and time consuming to achieve in the field. When I am on a tight deadline and need impressive images, Ray’s workshops deliver. Moreover, he has offered his lenses for use which again has helped me capture the images I need.

Andrew McLachlan

Robert Zakrison

Last Sunday I was on one of Ray Barlow's 'Birds in Flight' workshops. I did a rough review of my images once I was home. Out of about 400 total images, I'm down to 190 which could all be considered 'keepers'.

I got GREAT flying shots of all the birds except the kestrel, and he's so quick, just like Ray said, it takes practice. It was great seeing one so close up though. I really appreciated the 'in field' tips as to shooting position relative to the birds and camera settings. That helped immensely!

I highly recommend Ray's workshop for the instruction and the high success rate of great images. The other photographers were also a lot of fun!

Robert Zakrison,
Toronto

Carmelo Cannova

What a fantastic one on one songbird workshop I had with you last Sunday. It was worth every penny. The amount of information that I got from you will speed up my learning. The weather condition was not good but you made the best of it and we came home with some fantastic shots.
Thank you for taking time to answer my many questions and above all teaching me so much in such a short time. If I had to do it again I would not hesitate a bit.

Regards

Carmelo

Bill Wakeham

First let me say I participated in one of Ray’s workshops in Nov. of ’09 and though there was an issue w/the raptor handler.....lost.....Ray not only maintained contact w/the handler to vector him to the shoot site, but he also interacted w/us, the participants, talking photography and techniques for shooting BIFs.

By the end of the day I don’t think there was one disappointed photographer due to Ray’s personality and expertise.

But the raptor shoot isn’t the reason I’m writing this testimonial; the reason is to show how Ray goes that extra step to help photographers and to thank Ray for helping me.

Back on Feb. 10th I was given the opportunity to photograph a hockey game (Feb. 20th) between U of New Hampshire and the U of Vermont for an ad group at UNH.

Having never shot a hockey game (tough indoor lighting and fast movement) I was in a quandary to what lens(es) to rent (I knew my 2 lenses weren’t suitable for the task).

I put out a couple of questions to other photographers (including Ray) who recommended fast primes and/or fast zooms.

Now remember, this is 3 months after spending a few hours shooting raptors w/Ray and I was 1 in a group of about 12.....Ray not only remembered me, he quickly started giving me in depth suggestions (link to his shots of hockey games) on how to shoot the game via emails. He also offered to call me and help me w/some post processing tricks he had learned from his experience in shooting hockey games.

To say the least, I was overwhelmed by his willingness to put aside his tasks and spend time talking me through the process.

I received an email Friday, Mar. 5th from the UNH ad group and it began with the exclamation “WOW”.....I don’t think I would have received this enthusiastic response without Ray’s help.

Thank you so very much Ray

Bill Wakeham

Amol Khedgikar

"Ray is a fantastic guy. Fun to be with and work with. Thorough
professional and a good (read patient) teacher. I had the opportunity to attend two of his workshops. Not only does he give uncomplicated tips about shooting and camera settings but he completely changed the way I edit my pictures in PP in just one sitting. I was a photographer who shot more than 60% of my shots as record shots but now after attending his workshops I am no longer shooting "records" I am done shooting mediocre pictures.

Thanks Ray, for letting me use your equipment and everything else. I
am leaving Canada with a great friend added to my best friend's list!Amol Khedgikar

Joyce Benham

I had an opportunity to take in Ray's Mountsberg Owl photography workshop and it was everything Ray said it would be, 7 different birds including falcons..... I came away with amazing photos. I learned some key camera techniques and post processing that will be used in all my photography going forward.

Raymond's unique ability to get everyone excited and passionate about photographing these amazing creatures is what I found most impressive and set the pace for a great experience. Look forward to more photography workshops with Raymond

Cheers

Joyce

Carole Wiley

Ray, I had a great time at this workshop. You have a great no stress, have fun teaching style and did a great job seeing that everyone got what they need out of the day. I would love to attend another workshop in the future. I hope to send you an image from the day soon, there were so many it is hard to choose.

Thanks again,
Carole Wiley