How do you find/photograph your wildlife subjects?
Apr 28, 2022 09:50:37 #
When I first became interested in photographing birds, I would spend my time walking around in parks, forests, etc., looking for birds to photograph. Great fun, but not very productive. Most birds are better at seeing me than I am seeing them. Now I am much more commonly sitting quietly in a place that I have identified as a likely spot for birds and waiting for them to come to me. This is an example of that. A Black-throated Sparrow in Portal, AZ. This bird would come to this perch repeatedly at sunrise to warm up. Simple matter to set up my camera (in the dark before sunrise) and sit quietly waiting. Sure enough, right on time, here he was. This is an example (IMO) of a bird that does not have to be colorful to be beautiful.
Shot with a Canon R5, 600 mm lens + 1.4 extender, ISO 1250, SS 1/2500, f/5.6, converted in DXO Pure Raw, processed in PS (small amount of poop cloned out, small crop from L and bottom).
Shot with a Canon R5, 600 mm lens + 1.4 extender, ISO 1250, SS 1/2500, f/5.6, converted in DXO Pure Raw, processed in PS (small amount of poop cloned out, small crop from L and bottom).
Apr 28, 2022 10:05:21 #
Not colourful?
Did you have a good look to see how many different colours and shades of colours there are on this little bird?
Did you have a good look to see how many different colours and shades of colours there are on this little bird?
Apr 28, 2022 10:05:50 #
bajadreamer wrote:
When I first became interested in photographing bi... (show quote)
Great image!!!
You'er on the right track!!
Before I moved there was a Black Oak about 15ft from my covered deck, I could go out and setup my camera and then sit down and wait for the birds to come back, sometimes it would take 15-20 mins but they always came back.
Apr 28, 2022 10:09:15 #
Apr 28, 2022 10:11:31 #
Apr 28, 2022 10:11:43 #
Morning Star wrote:
Not colourful?
Did you have a good look to see how many different colours and shades of colours there are on this little bird?
Did you have a good look to see how many different colours and shades of colours there are on this little bird?
Certainly a relative judgement. When compared to a Northern Cardinal not so colorful. When compared to a House Sparrow, very colorful. Yes, you are absolutely correct-subtle, but beautiful.
Apr 28, 2022 10:13:55 #
Manglesphoto wrote:
Great image!!!
You'er on the right track!!
Before I moved there was a Black Oak about 15ft from my covered deck, I could go out and setup my camera and then sit down and wait for the birds to come back, sometimes it would take 15-20 mins but they always came back.
You'er on the right track!!
Before I moved there was a Black Oak about 15ft from my covered deck, I could go out and setup my camera and then sit down and wait for the birds to come back, sometimes it would take 15-20 mins but they always came back.
Exactly! On top of being more productive, sometimes more comfortable too.
Apr 28, 2022 10:16:27 #
RoswellAlien wrote:
Know the area and its critters, patience and luck! (F/8 and be there?)
Yes, studying the birds and their behaviors is crucial. Just trusting to blind luck will take more time than I have, but birds often (usually) are creatures of habit. If they have used a perch in the past, odds are good they will return. Just wait until the light is right, composure good and use f/8 (or what is needed) and push the shutter.
Apr 28, 2022 11:16:43 #
I have a bird feeder with spring loaded perches (to keep squirrels out) outside my window. In winter I add suet to a Shepard's hook. This brings many birds to the area.
Apr 28, 2022 11:17:06 #
"Now I am much more commonly sitting quietly in a place that I have identified as a likely spot"
My favorite wildlife photographer is Tom Mangelsen. He has taken a lot of pictures of a Grizzly known as "#399". She has been raising 3 cubs the last couple years. Tom wanted images of her emerging from hibernation. Last week he got what he wanted after waiting in the same spot for 23 days.
My favorite wildlife photographer is Tom Mangelsen. He has taken a lot of pictures of a Grizzly known as "#399". She has been raising 3 cubs the last couple years. Tom wanted images of her emerging from hibernation. Last week he got what he wanted after waiting in the same spot for 23 days.
Apr 28, 2022 11:19:11 #
Small birds seem to adjust to our presence quickly. Shooting from the car can be an option for some folks - it makes a good "blind." I had a fun photo op of redwing blackbirds enjoying end-of-season sunflowers one autumn that way. I've been able to photograph great blue herons at local parks with small ponds by arriving while most people are still in bed, and then moving slowly to water's edge.
I'm also very fortunate to live near the Yakima River Canyon, which has mule deer, eagles and bighorn sheep. As you mentioned, success depends on learning when and where your favorite critters are most likely to be - or learning how to attract them to your yard, if you're a city/suburb dweller.
I'm also very fortunate to live near the Yakima River Canyon, which has mule deer, eagles and bighorn sheep. As you mentioned, success depends on learning when and where your favorite critters are most likely to be - or learning how to attract them to your yard, if you're a city/suburb dweller.
Apr 28, 2022 14:58:00 #
I purchased a small (2-person) camouflage portable hunting blind which I can easily set up and use for wildlife photography on my property or off. Brand was Ameristep but there are others.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/ameristep-doghouse-ground-blind
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/ameristep-doghouse-ground-blind
Apr 28, 2022 15:33:15 #
[quote=Linda From Maine]Small birds seem to adjust to our presence quickly. Shooting from the car can be an option for some folks - it makes a good "blind."
Absolutely right. I just returned from a trip during which I had professional guides helping me. Most of the shooting was from a car. The birds in this area did not tolerate any human approach within 50 yards, but were very tolerant of the car. The guide would slowly approach the bird, slightly turn whichever way was needed to give me a clear shot, and I would brace the camera on the window frame and shoot away. Unable to get many low perspective shots, but without the car would have had no shots.
Absolutely right. I just returned from a trip during which I had professional guides helping me. Most of the shooting was from a car. The birds in this area did not tolerate any human approach within 50 yards, but were very tolerant of the car. The guide would slowly approach the bird, slightly turn whichever way was needed to give me a clear shot, and I would brace the camera on the window frame and shoot away. Unable to get many low perspective shots, but without the car would have had no shots.
Apr 28, 2022 15:35:20 #
MDI Mainer wrote:
I purchased a small (2-person) camouflage portable hunting blind which I can easily set up and use for wildlife photography on my property or off. Brand was Ameristep but there are others.
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/ameristep-doghouse-ground-blind
https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/ameristep-doghouse-ground-blind
In my experience these blinds work great. I use one frequently. Only problem comes when it is time to fold the damn thing up. Watching videos and using the blind dozens of times still has not gained me any proficiency in folding it up so it fits back into the cover.
Apr 28, 2022 17:32:31 #
bajadreamer wrote:
In my experience these blinds work great. I use one frequently. Only problem comes when it is time to fold the damn thing up. Watching videos and using the blind dozens of times still has not gained me any proficiency in folding it up so it fits back into the cover.
It's like those spring-loaded car sunshields. Either it pops flat right away, or you could wrestle with it for some time without success. Can never quite figure out what the trick is.
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