Do We Really Need All of the New Gear?

 

 

 

       After years of answering questions regarding what kind of camera gear I use, I think it's time to share a few thoughts regarding this subject.

 

       Like so many of you, I enjoy learning about all of the new technical stuff that is being loaded into all of the newest cameras. Today's cameras are capable of doing so much more than just taking a simple photograph. Simply put, they are more like a computer than just a camera. The higher end cameras can now record video, do in camera HDR, in camera panoramas, auto adjust for dynamic range, and countless other tasks. Depending upon your own personal pocketbook, you can pretty much find one that will do just about anything you want. The question, however, is just how much do we really need?

 

      The photo above is one of my top three selling images, and it has held that title for nearly eight years. By today's standards, it was shot with an antique camera. Not really, but would you believe a six mega pixel APS sensor. While we have all been convinced by the manufactures that we need a full-frame 20+ mg. sensor, the simple truth is that we don't. Good photography is about composition and light, not about mega pixels. Although the image above was shot with the Minolta 7D and its' 6 mg. sensor, I am still continually printing the image at 20 x 40 inches with remarkable results. In all of the years that I have exhibited the image, no one has ever suggested that it was in any way inferior to those shot with my newest gear.  Why? ........because the image speaks for itself. It does not reflect the voice of the camera, but rather the heart of the photographer. The eye and the vision of the man or woman holding the camera will always trump the camera being held. I hope all of you will remember this lesson, and that you'll decide to spend your money on seeking out great images rather than filling your camera bags with more gear. I love new cameras.......but I cherish making new images with whatever camera is in my hand. We are not limited by our gear, but only by our dreams.

 



Pulling Back and Taking It In.....

 

 

 

      Sometimes we are tempted to reach for the long lens and fill the frame of our image with what our brain tells us is our subject, but occasionally we need to take a moment to reflect on the entire scene. As photographers, we need to "slow down" and allow our hearts to speak to us. Too often, the messages we receive from our brain are of a technical nature, but those from the heart are of a softer side.......and perhaps a more artistic side.

     In the photo above, while roaming the countryside near Yellowstone National Park, I came across this quiet pond, which had been formed from recently melting snow. I was taken by the serenity of the place, when suddenly an Elk stepped into view. I happen to have two camera around my neck, one with a 400mm telephoto attached and the other with a 17 - 85mm zoom. Instinctively, the brain told me to grab the long lens and capture the detail of the bugling elk, but instead I raised the wide angle lens and captured the entirety of the scene. This image best takes me back to that moment in time and the splendor of that morning. The image conveys the vastness of the mountain range and speaks to the wildness of the place and the animals that live there. Had I selected the telephoto lens, much of the story would have gone untold. As nature photographers, our mission is to share the entire story with our viewers, thereby allowing them to "feel the moment." Happy Shooting.

What's Really Important.......

 

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      Nature photography is often about making decisions. We have to ask ourselves what is important in an image, and why are we shooting this image. We make decisions about lighting angles, f stops, shutter speeds, iso settings, and so much more before we even hit the shutter. Too often, however, we shoot without making the most important decision of all........."What is it I am trying to convey with this photo?"

      While I am a bird photographer, I like to think that my images are about so much more than birds. I consider myself to be an environmentalist and an advocate for conservation of our natural resources around the planet. I love the world in which I live, and I attempt to share that love in my photographs. Nature has provided me with an amazing life, and it seems only fair that I should be working to give back to the cause of protecting  our environment.

    I look for images that bring the beauty of our surroundings into our homes and offices. More often than not, I am blown away by the simple splendor that shows itself in all aspects of nature. The often ignored ditch along the side of the road can hold a special moment in time just waiting to be discovered. The lesson for us all is to simply slow down and allow ourselves to see what is already there. Another lesson is to look beyond our intended target to see that which surrounds us.

    In the photo above, the movement of the little warbler caught my eye, but the real beauty seemed to be in the weeds that formed a natural frame for the bird. In this photo the question becomes "Was the target the bird or was it the weeds?" Both are beautiful, and each compliments the other. Nature is like that in all things. We need only to look closely, allowing our eyes to see the whole picture......not just what we thought was the target of the shot. Happy shooting folks.

Shooting With the Long Lens

 

 

 

 

 

 

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       As a professional bird photographer, I am forced to carry some very long lens. Unfortunately, these lens are both heavy and expensive, but without them I simply could not do my job. The kinds of images that I pursue require keeping a discrete distance from my feathered subjects. Anyone who has ever attempted to photograph birds can testify to just how difficult it is to get your shot without spooking the subject.

       My arsenal of glass includes the Canon 100 - 400L, Canon 300/ 2.8L, and the Canon 600/ 4L, along with several more that rarely get used. These three incredible lens are my "tools of the trade." All three do an outstanding job, while getting abused on a daily basis. In freezing cold, burning heat, and pouring rain, they continued to do the job for which they were designed. These lens are rugged optics designed for working professionals, who risk almost anything to "get the shot."

      The beauty of the long lens is their reach, and their ability to make distracting backgrounds disappear. Not only can you reach out to the subject without disturbing it, but because of their extremely limited depth of field, you can isolate the subject from its' background. Nothing takes your eye to the subject like a truly blurred background. It forces the eye to see your target in a way that makes the image explode. There just simply is no replacement for this effect.

      I'm often ask about various lens that someone might be considering for purchase. My advise is the same for everyone. Simply put.....Quality Costs.  There's no getting around it. Regardless of which camera system you may use, buy the best your budget can afford. Anything less will disappoint you.  





Losing the Color and Capturing the Mood

 

        

         I certainly don't claim to be a black and white photographer, as my photos tend to be extremely colorful. However, occasionally a scene calls for something different. Over the years I have learned that fog is often best shown in black and white. The example above makes the point of which I speak. The photograph is more about composition than it is about color. On this very grey morning, as I paddled my kayak across the lake, the fog set in and created a mood that caused me to stop seeing color and only see shapes and forms unfold before me. When this Osprey appeared out of the dense fog, I knew I had my shot. With my camera set on AServo mode of focus, I managed to keep the Osprey in focus as he flew directly toward me. A split second after hitting the shutter he quickly changed directions and left the frame. While the shot was originally taken in color, I felt the absence of color best portrayed the scene as I saw it unfold. Using Lightroom 3, I converted the shot to black and white. In this instance, I feel that the conversion best takes me back to that moment in time, when just me and the Osprey shared the solitude.



The Magic Minute Before Sunrise

 

 

           None of us like leaving the warmth and comfort of our beds in the morning, but unless we push ourselves to do it, we eliminate our chances of capturing some of the very best light of the day. For this photographer, the fast moving minutes that proceed a sunrise can be the magic moments of our lives. Just minutes before the sun shows it face for another day, it shares its' most intimate of light. While the wind has not yet begun to blow, and while the clouds still hold onto a bit of moisture, some of the most amazing scenes unfold to those of us on sight and prepared to make lasting memories.

          Today we have some wonderful cameras that permit us to shoot images in very low light with truly incredible results. My Canon 5D Mk II is always along on these earliest of morning shoots. Even at 1600 iso, my images are clean and noise free. What little digital noise  may be present can easily be removed with a bit of software noise reduction. I am rarely disappointed with the final images.

         The goal for me is to capture the image and reproduce it as I saw it in the moment. Exposure is critical to accomplish this goal. With the use of today's technology, we can quickly check our exposures with the onboard histogram of our cameras. It leaves little excuse for any of us to miss the correct setting for a perfect exposure. The soft glowing colors of the morning light demand that we get the exposures correct "in camera", rather than relying on software to make correction later. If you want the image to appear as you witnessed it, then make sure the exposure is correct.

         Finally, do not leave the tripod at home.  YOU NEED YOUR TRIPOD !  No excuses. And, don't forget to throw your cable release in the bag as well. These kinds of images require that we use proper technique. It only takes a few seconds longer to get it right. Happy shooting.



Using HDR for Tough Exposures

        Digital photography has changed the way we now think about exposure. It's no longer accepted to simply think about shutter speed and f-stop to make a perfect photographic exposure. The restrictions of the old film days are gone, and they have been replaced with all  sorts of new ways to arrive at a well  exposed image. Latest developments in imaging software have made it possible to get images that would have been difficult and sometimes impossible with film.
       This image was taken last evening here on  the lake. This time of year we have lots of weed growth occurring across the lake, and it's a huge draw to our waterbirds, who find an endless food source amongst the weeds. Simply by walking through the weeds, waterbirds can find a feast of frogs and small fish. I am drawn to the same weeds because of the way water and light play against this background. Add a sunset or sunrise to the mix, and you can see some amazing photos unfold before your eyes.
      The Great Blue Heron has always been one of my favorite subjects, but this heron presented a unique photographic situation. Back lighting can be tough, and sometimes just impossible. Over the years I have passed on so many shots, because I knew the results would be ultimately disappointing. Today, however,  I never pass up shots like this one. Using some of the tricks in my digital bag of goodies, I know that double processing a raw file can mean getting the shot you see in your lens. Unrestricted by the finality of film, I can over expose one file, while  underexposing another. By combining the two exposures, I can arrive at a perfectly exposed image. Oh....I do love digital imaging!
      All of the arguments about film vs. digital seem to have gone the way of the 8 track players. We have embraced the digital world, and we're better for  it..........at least when it comes to getting great exposures.
     

Finding the Action..........and Getting the Shot

      Last weekend I had the privilege of exhibiting my photos in Myrtle Beach, S.C.. About 20,000 people attended the event, and it was wonderful to see the reaction of the public to my newest images. I have always felt that artists, regardless of their chosen medium, need to get their work in front of the public in order to receive genuine feedback. While that can be tough at times, it is one of the very best ways to truly grow as an artist.
     Every time I do one of these exhibitions, I am ask just how I find these subjects, and where do I have to travel in order to capture my photos. The assumption is that beautiful wildlife subjects must surely live in remote locales. But, that just couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, incredibly interesting subjects can be found all around us.....regardless of where we are located. We only need to open our eyes to the possibilities of what lies just outside the door.
     The photograph above is an example of what I mean. In the midst of my busy weekend in Myrtle Beach, I decided to have a look around. The massive convention center, where my exhibit was being hosted, was surrounded by acres of paved parking lots. It was your typical urban setting of office buildings and parking garages. However, directly in the front of the building I noticed a beautifully landscaped garden filled with brilliant red Hibiscus plants. I took note of the location of the sun, and I quickly calculated in which direction the sun would rise the following morning.
      The next day I arrived at the location of the garden just after sunrise and quickly began scouting the landscape, taking care to look for a water source. I have learned over the years that most of these kinds of gardens have automatic sprinkler systems that activate early in the day. My years spent photographing hummingbirds has taught me that they do much the same. They love an early morning spritz in the water, and they can't resist red flowers. The location seemed to have all of the elements I needed, and best of all the annual fall hummingbird migration was just getting underway. I felt my chances were good, although I don't always find it all works as well as I might wish.
       This time, however, all of the elements came together, and I managed to capture several nice images of the newly arriving hummingbirds. Rarely do shots like the one above just simply happen. As with so many things, knowledge of your subject can be your best friend. Checking the light and preparing your gear can be equally important, but getting out there and pushing yourself to make it happen is your answer to great photos. I'd love to hear what you think, and how you approach your own work. Have some fun.

Golden Light.....the Sunrise Version

       Light is a subject that I never grow weary of discussing, as it can determine so much of the success or the failure of a photograph. I captured the image above earlier this month, while visiting one of the few remaining plantations in southern Georgia. This old weathered wooden door was being used as a decorative piece in one of the many floral gardens, and this Robin decided to nest in the attached basket. While that alone would have drawn me to make a photo, it was the golden light of sunrise that turned the photo into something special. The intensity of the sunrise light made the door glow as though it had been painted gold. The low angle of the light cast a shadow from both the bird and the basket onto the peeling paint of the old door, which gave the image some much needed depth to what might otherwise have been a very flat image. Adding to the mix, the soft orange hue of the Robin's breast feathers completed the transition from the weathered door to the wildlife subject.
       I really love capturing images that include the elements of man, while respecting the focus on wildlife. I know for many,  I am breaking some basic rules of "Wildlife Photography", but I never was one for following the rules. I hope you all enjoy this image, as I can't wait to print it.