BROADCAST: Thursday June 18, 2:30 PM

“The right picture can have a dramatic impact on a single person. It can inspire them. It can easily conjure up some long-lost memory that has been buried deep within the gray matter for years, and with that memory comes a flood of emotions,” says photographer Mark Smith. SERIES: Awesome Osprey Project / Learning Adventure: Osprey Photography

His photos will wow you, his videos engage you, and his stories will educate you.

This week, the art of birds takes center stage on our Awesome Osprey Project (AOP) broadcast on Thursday, June 18. You're familiar with the oft-quoted, "a picture paints a thousand words," but this week’s AOP guest, Mark Smith, an avid birder and wildlife photographer, takes that art to a whole other level.

Through his books, blog posts, videos and stories on his website, he inspires novice to pro photographers alike to be their best. He also offers classes and hands-on workshops as well as equipment reviews.

Mostly he is just so danged enthusiastic about the art of wildlife that it comes through vividly in his photography. He loves ospreys. He loves photographing them and talking about them. If I didn't know better, I'd say they pose for him. He's that good.

And if you’ve been following along in the AOP broadcasts, you know that Mark Smith is the same photographer whose work appears on some of the merchandise that is being offered as prizes for the top participants in this year’s AOP research project conducted by Michael Academia.

To enjoy some incredible osprey photography—not to mention get an idea of the quality that Mark Smith will bring to this week’s broadcast—check out what a great storyteller he is in this video on his channel. As one viewer noted in the comments, "This is absolutely incredible. The images are mind-blowing and the story was fascinating. You are doing something really special here, and I can't wait to check out your other videos."

Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer who wants to learn more about taking better bird photos (this video will pop up aperture and film speed settings from time to time), or you just want to enjoy the magic that is Mark Smith, go to his website. He has oodles of great info there and eye candy to last a lifetime for raptor enthusiasts.

He also has written some books on photography, like this Beginning Bird Photography book, and he has designed merchandise from some of his photography, which, as we mentioned, will show up in some of the prizes for the Awesome Osprey Project!  Mark doesn't have sponsors (yet, I say), so merchandise sales serve to support the plethora of work and information he so generously shares on his website. Another way to thank him is to just share his videos on your favorite social media outlet.

Please join us in the Awesome Osprey Classroom this Thursday June 18, 2020, for an experience with Mark Smith. If you have questions about photography or gear, this is the time to jump on the Aswesome Osrpey chat with us and ask away!

Broadcast Thursday June 18, 2020 at 2:30 PM (MDT).

Awesome Osprey Project 06-18-2020 from dunrovincams on Vimeo.