Cat’s Eye

ISO 1600 — 100 mm — ƒ4 — 1/100 s

Canon R6 Mark III + RF 100 mm ƒ2.8 L Macro IS USM
A close-up shot of a cat's eye. Most of the image is out of focus, but the extremely shallow depth of field perfectly aligns with the very thin pupil, almost a slit. The iris has pastel green and yellow hues.

Black-Headed Gull & Crayfish

ISO 1600 — 800 mm — ƒ11 — 1/640 s

Canon R6 Mark III + RF 800 mm ƒ11 IS STM
A white gull stands on a frozen surface holding a crayfish in its beak, its orange legs reflected in the ice. Two geese rest nearby with heads tucked, creating contrast between the alert gull and the calm, darker birds on the icy water.

Flock

ISO 32 — 77 mm — ƒ2.8 — 1/2096 s

iPhone 14 Pro Telephoto Camera
A group of dark birds flies above a steep, snow-dusted mountain slope. The rocky ridge is partially covered in snow and fades into mist near the peak. The birds are silhouetted against a pale gray sky, creating a stark, wintry scene with a sense of cold, open space and altitude.

Great Cormorant

ISO 12800 — 400 mm — ƒ8 — 1/1000 s

Canon R6 Mark III + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A black cormorant flies low over a calm river with its wings fully outstretched. Water droplets trail from its feathers, suggesting it has just taken off from the surface. The bird’s pale throat and long hooked beak stand out against its dark body. The softly blurred background shows reflections of trees along the riverbank.

Common Kestrel

ISO 2000 — 400 mm — ƒ9 — 1/1000 s

Canon R6 Mark III + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A small kestrel perches on a bare tree branch, surrounded by a web of leafless twigs. The bird faces the camera, its light brown and gray feathers softly lit by warm sunlight. The background is a clear blue sky, and the branches frame the bird, creating a calm, late-afternoon woodland scene.

Common Kingfisher

ISO 3200 — 400 mm — ƒ9 — 1/1000 s

Canon R6 Mark III + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A small kingfisher with bright blue and orange plumage perches on top of an ivy-covered post beside a calm canal. The water reflects soft daylight, and grassy banks line the channel. Bare trees and a blurred path stretch into the distance, creating a quiet, peaceful riverside scene.

Eurasian Magpie

ISO 320 — 150 mm — ƒ7.1 — 1/1000 s

Canon R7 + RF-S 18–150 mm ƒ3.5–6.3 IS STM
A black-and-white magpie perches on a thin tree branch surrounded by fresh green leaves. The bird faces slightly to the left, showing its glossy black head and chest contrasted with a fluffy white belly. Its long black tail hangs straight down, and the softly blurred green background suggests a bright springtime setting.

Sacré-Cœur

ISO 6400 — 400 mm — ƒ8 — 1/500 s

Canon R7 + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A distant view of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica rises above a dense cluster of Parisian buildings. The white domes and towers stand out against a pale, hazy sky. In the foreground, rooftops with chimneys and antennas frame the scene, while the hillside neighborhood spreads below the basilica.

Carrion Crow

ISO 800 — 150 mm — ƒ7.1 — 1/1000 s

Canon R7 + RF-S 18–150 mm ƒ3.5–6.3 IS STM
A black crow perches on bare tree branches against a vivid blue sky. The bird faces slightly upward, its glossy feathers catching the light. Thin, leafless branches crisscross the frame, and a pale, partially visible moon appears softly blurred in the background.

I. M. Pei

ISO 50 — 26 mm — ƒ1.5 — 1/591 s

iPhone 13 Pro Wide Camera
An elegant interior space with a sweeping curved staircase and smooth beige stone walls. Above, a large triangular glass skylight framed by metal grids lets in soft daylight. The staircase railing follows the curve upward, creating clean lines and a symmetrical, modern architectural composition.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

ISO 4000 — 400 mm — ƒ9 — 1/500 s

Canon R7 + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A black-and-white sapsucker clings vertically to a pale birch tree trunk riddled with rows of small holes. The bird grips the bark with its claws and tail while pecking at the wood. Curling strips of peeled bark surround the holes. A bright green, softly blurred forest fills the background.

lala

ISO 200 — 50 mm — ƒ2.8 — 1/4000 s

Canon R7 + EF 50 mm ƒ1.8 STM
The back of a river navigation sign stands behind a metal railing on a pedestrian bridge, overlooking a wide river. The gray sign is covered with assorted stickers, and a gold script word reading “lala” is attached to it. In the background, a stone arch bridge, boats on the water, and city buildings line the riverbanks, softly blurred in daylight.

Heron

ISO 6400 — 200 mm — ƒ4 — 1/100 s

Canon R7 + RF 70–200 mm ƒ4 L IS USM
A tall grey heron stands in shallow water, holding a small fish in its long yellow beak. Water droplets fall from the fish as the bird pauses mid-stride. The heron’s feathers are a mix of grey and white, and it is framed by dark rocks and soft reflections on the water’s surface.

Paraglider

ISO 200 — 100 mm — ƒ5.6 — 1/2000 s

Canon R7 + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A paraglider with an orange canopy soars high above a hazy landscape. The pilot hangs suspended beneath the curved wing, arms slightly raised as they glide. Below, layers of rolling hills and distant fields fade into the soft atmospheric haze. The sky is pale and clear, giving the scene a calm, spacious feeling.

About the Author

ISO 1600 — 50 mm — ƒ1.8 — 1/80 s

Canon R6 Mark III + RF 50 mm ƒ1.8 STM
A tabby-and-white cat lies with its front paws resting on a blue book. The cat looks directly at the camera with calm, green eyes. The book cover shows a paraglider in a bright sky with clouds. Visible text on the book reads: “LE MANUEL DU VOL LIBRE – PARAPENTE”

Pine Warbler

ISO 6400 — 400 mm — ƒ8 — 1/1000 s

Canon R7 + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A small yellow songbird perches on a thin tree branch, surrounded by pine needles and textured bark. The bird’s feathers are bright yellow with light streaking, and it faces slightly upward as if singing or listening. The background is softly blurred with green and brown tones, creating a peaceful forest setting.

Val d’Isère

ISO 32 — 77 mm — ƒ2.8 — 1/619 s

iPhone 14 Pro Telephoto Camera
A rugged, sunlit mountain cliff rises sharply under a deep blue sky. The rock face is textured with warm tones of tan, gray, and rust. Patches of snow cling to ledges and slopes, with small evergreen trees scattered across the snowy lower sections. The overall scene feels crisp and bright, highlighting the contrast between the rocky cliff and the smooth snow.

Track

ISO 100 — 73 mm — ƒ4 — 1/160 s

Canon R7 + RF 70–200 mm ƒ4 L IS USM
A racetrack curb painted in alternating red and white stripes is covered with scattered brown autumn leaves. The curb curves gently alongside a smooth gray track bordered by a white wall on the left. The fallen leaves create a textured, seasonal look across both the curb and the pavement.

Eurasian Jay

ISO 6400 — 800 mm — ƒ11 — 1/1000 s

Canon R7 + RF 800 mm ƒ11 IS STM
A eurasion jay with soft pinkish-brown feathers, a black eye patch, and bright blue patterned wing markings perches on a weathered wooden fence. The bird faces left with its head turned slightly toward the camera. The background is blurred in green and brown tones, creating a calm outdoor setting.

Sunflower

ISO 800 — 400 mm — ƒ8 — 1/640 s

Canon R7 + RF 100–400 mm ƒ5.6–8 IS USM
A single bright yellow sunflower stands tall in the center of a blurred green field. Its round brown center faces the camera, surrounded by vibrant petals. The background is soft and out of focus, filled with other sunflowers and foliage.