Behind The Lens

A spontaneous moment at sunset along Imperial Beach

Recently, I was asked about the work behind my photos. Photography is a fantastic way to tell a story and help inspire the writer to write. But there's a lot of thought that goes on behind the camera work.  It also helps having a great lens for a decent price(the AF-S Nikkor 200-500 mm f/5.6E ED VR lens). It's a heavy lens, but still "light" enough for me to carry around on my wildlife shoots.  Today I'll share some of the thinking behind the pictures taken with my camera. 

a spontaneous moment at Lover's Point near Monterey, CA

Practice practice practice.  I look at my old photos, which I thought were great at the time, and scratch my head.  How in the world did I think those were ever good?  Of course, we are our own worst critics when it comes to our own work.  The simple fact is that it takes time and practice to capture that "perfect" moment. And I'm still perfecting my craft.....

a good example about keeping a steady hand while on a rocking boat in Monterey Bay, CA

Be ready at any time for that "spontaneous" moment. Never leave your camera home thinking you won't need it. This summer, I missed an opportunity to snap a photo of the American Woodcock in flight because I was too lazy to bring my camera with me. I am still kicking myself over it:)

Gray-collared Chipmunk in Greer, AZ, "shhhhhhh, be very very quiet."

Be patient.  That's something I still need to practice.  I get antsy and like to move around a lot. But with wildlife, we have to move slowly or stand perfectly still for that perfect moment.

Pronghorn at Las Ciénagas Grasslands, near Sonoita, AZ

Lighting. I always have to remember where the sun is located when I'm snapping off photos of my subjects.  Never shoot directly into the sun as you can burn out your lens and always try to have the sun behind you as you are filming your subject.  And remember, sunsets always have a special kind of lighting that makes for great selfies:) In Arizona, we often can have too much light which makes for terrible and overexposed photos. So it's important for me to attach the hood to the lens and filter out the extra light.  Also, certain times of the day are worse than others.  Mid-afternoon is way too bright. So time of day is also important.

the Botteri's Sparrow poses nicely at the Ciénagas Grasslands in Southern Arizona.  Perfect lighting and perfect pose.

Sports mode. Capturing wildlife while out in the field can be tricky.  I recommend using the sports mode to shoot off a rapid line of photos for those action shots.  You may take 500 photos of nothing, but there is a rare chance that you will get one "perfect" picture that makes it into a national magazine.  That's part of the fun and challenge of photography.

A Snow Goose in flight, use the sports mode on your camera to capture a bird in flight

Random moments.  I am not a fan of people posing for photos.  Like many photographers, we want to capture that random moment. Take for example my niece(below) this summer in Wisconsin.  She was looking out from the bow of the ship when she turned to ask me a question.  I was ready to capture that moment.

ISO settings. Wildlife can be tricky and lighting is always an issue because wildlife is spontaneous.  So on overcast days or in shady woods bump your ISO up.

A Five-striped Sparrow perches on a limb in the infamous California Gulch along the Mexican-US border during a rainy day.

Composition. Or what I like to call the artistic side of photography is very important.  A lot of thought and prep can go into capturing the right kind of color, movement, lighting, etc.  Here are two photos that I love.  One was random and the other was planned. 

A Cedar Waxwing makes for the perfect picture on a farm near Brillion, WI

Research beforehand helps put together the "perfect picture" A Rosy-faced Lovebird feeds from the blossoms of an Ocotillo plant in Tucson, AZ

A steady hand. I must be able to hike. In my opinion, anything over 6 pounds is too heavy...especially when you're carrying binoculars and a water pack(for our summers here in Arizona or in Central America). Some would even say that 6 pounds is too heavy. So, make sure you can handle the camera out in the field.  A camera that is too heavy will make your steady hand shaky. There is a camera and lens that is just right for YOU. But you need to find it.

Sunrise makes for a great morning during this shoot with a Sandhill Crane in Manitowoc, WI

When I photograph from the car, I always make sure I shut the engine off to cut the vibration down so that I won't have blurry photos. When I'm on a pelagic(an ocean trek) where the boat is constantly moving, I try to find a rail or a wall to lean against to help keep my hands steady.  That is TRULY challenging!  Sometimes I just sit down and plant my feet in a good spot to anchor myself.

Ring-necked Pheasant at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.  I took this shot to see how the colors and feather detail would sort out in the photo. 

Safety first. Always be careful while you're out in the field.  I've heard funny stories and sad ones about the photographer being so focused on their subject that they actually put themselves in danger!  Take for example a birder who was looking at an Elegant Trogon in Madera Canyon.  She was so focused on the bird that she didn't realize she was next to a bear!  When both bear and birder noticed one another, both parties ran in opposite directions.

A lot of hiking went into this first ever reported Pine Flycatcher; we brought our waterpacks and cameras. Experiment with different cameras and find the right fit for you. 

In the desert, I have been known to almost step on a rattlesnake or fall into a cactus while capturing my subjects on camera. I do my best to understand my surroundings but there are times I am not paying attention like I should be on the trails. In any case, these treks always come with lots of great stories:)

Understanding habitat can help connect the dots between plant and wildlife.  Here a Gilded Flicker hangs out on top of a Saguaro Cactus at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, AZ

When you find something sacred like an owl or rare animal, always remember THEIR safety.  I only tell people where these special critters are if I  know and trust them.  Why?  Well, I have discovered that there are people who will do anything to get that picture.  I'm not one of them.  I'll never risk the life of bird, reptile or mammal to get that picture.

Spotted Owls pose for perfectly for the camera in Miller Canyon near Sierra Vista, AZ

The most important part about photography is to have fun.  Experiment with settings or angles or lighting.......

A random moment in Avalon on Catalina Island makes for a fun pic

And remember, it's all about the lens. When I first began my photography, I used a simple point and shoot.  But as I worked my way up the "photography ladder", I wanted clearer and more detailed photos.  There's always a better lens out there, but my attitude is that if I can't hike because I need to bring a tripod with me, it's not worth it.  I like the mobility factor.  The bigger and more expensive the lens; the heavier the camera can get.

Detail is everything to a wildlife photographer.  A Broad-billed Hummingbird poses at a feeder at Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon, AZ

Every shoot is different.  And each day brings with it a new challenge.  It's what makes photography so much fun.  Until next time.....

A coatimundi surprises me on a winter's day in Ramsey Canyon, AZ

My "Spark" Bird

I had recently read the book about Phoebe Snetsinger's addiction to birding called Lifelist.  It was an interesting read full of new vocab.  So I wrote down the new words that birders use out in the field.  I found it a fascinating read.  While it wasn't complex or full of deep revelations, it did make me think about my own beginnings.  And the word "Spark bird" was used.  I think I thought about this for 2 weeks.  What was my "spark bird"?  How did this crazy addicting photography challenge happen?  Instead of visiting every Spanish speaking country, which is still my goal, I found myself targeting places that have interesting birds and critters to capture on camera.  

RIP Phoebe Snetsinger

A very funny man by the name of Ivan in Panama told me that I was a birder whether I admitted it or not. And that I was going to become one whether I liked it or not.  I thought he was crazy.  A birder?  NO WAY! Those people were weird and have addictive personalities. Detective work. ID'ing. Research. All things I love to do. Um....yeah:)

Ivan in the blue shirt at his B & B in Gamboa and me the giant with  the Spanish crew.

This past year I have stayed close to home because there is much work to do at El Presidio PLUS I had a limited budget etc.  And that was okay because I realized I had a lot of work to do here in Arizona before attempting to take it elsewhere. 

In a lot of the photography, you may notice that I like birds in motion.  Whether it be a Kingbird going after a bug, a Vermilion Flycatcher with a dragonfly in its beak, a gull dipping into the water, etc.  Those are the shots I'm working on everytime I go out into the field. I just don't want to be that birder who crosses that line to get a shot of a tiger only to find himself taking pics of his final moments. 

Lance-Tailed Manakin- My "Spark B ird"

After much thought about my "Spark bird", I realized it wasn't a Scarlet Macaw or a Crimson-backed Tanager......it was the Lance Tailed Manakin on Coiba Island.   I remember sweating to get those shots of this blue gem on the branches.  There were several flying around me and I thought, these are the most beautiful birds I've ever seen in my life.  And I love owls!  But they are in a different category....beyond birds:)  I'd call them Gods.  I also wondered if "Mourning Doves" were a spark bird for several birders.  I'd love to meet them:) But the simple truth is that all birds are cool.  It just took this bird to get me hooked.

Sandwich Terns-I'm not sure I'd like to eat them

And then, it would roller coaster into everything else.....a better camera, crazy adventures, finding plants that would attract the birds to the gardens here, meeting awesome people, setting up bird feeders.....and oh yeah....that life list:)  The latest craze for me has been my work on flycatchers and seabirds.....like Terns!  Who calls a bird the "Sandwich Tern?"    Putting a sacred thing like sandwich with a bird is just wrong. 

As I review my work, I realize how much stronger my observation skills have gotten but thanks to EBIRD and Kathie, I realize I have to do a better job on counting and bringing that notebook along during my treks.  I had been going through my photo albums to help me ID the birds and I realized that I had seen so many birds that I didn't document.  Thanks to EBIRD I've spent many hours recording info.  In fact, I spent 2 hours on one bird outing to get the details right!  But going back on the albums revealed something more........I could ID the birds easily.  And the ones I couldn't ID then are now possible!  If it hadn't been for that "Spark bird" on Coiba island, I wonder if I'd even have a thistle seed feeder now in our gardens here at El Presidio:)  What's your "Spark bird?" And if you're not a birder, do you have a "Spark Plant", "Mammal"?  I know this blog focuses a lot on the critters but I truly do love plants:)  And I'll be updating soon.  I've been working on lots of things.....and updates will be coming:)

Kiskadee

Spark Bird=The bird species that initially stimulates an interest in more serious bird watching or birding. Spark birds vary for every birder and might include a unique or rare bird sighting, a favorite and familiar bird species or a bird seen when introduced to the hobby by an experienced birder. For many birders, spark birds are unknown species that lead to a curiosity about identification, and after successfully identified, the beginning birder is curious to learn more about both familiar and unfamiliar species as they discover the diversity of birds.

Squint

Do your eyes ever "shut down" after long hours on the computer?  Or after long hours on the trail searching for life?  Sometimes I have to squint my eyes to catch what it is I'm searching for.  And if I didn't squint, I might miss some of the fun shots that happen all around me.

What's that with wings on a dark shadowy branch?  What's that glistening thing sticking out on the twig?

Or that rustle in bushes?  Will it bite me?  Is that a lizard or a dinosaur up ahead?  How big do these guys get anyway?

Desert Spiny

And the birds off in the distance......like this American Avocet below.  You can definitely strain your eyes trying to focus on the shot.

During this shoot, I was by a thorny mesquite tree.  I cleared the branches away so I wouldn't poke my eyes out.

Would I get these Black Neck Stilts finally?  Was the lighting finally going to work with the shot?  It was all so far away.....

So my question to you is, "What do you do when your eyes get tired?"  or  "Do your eyes get blurry after many hours of using them with your camera?" 

Fire Spirits

 This is from my "fire" series. I had done this photo shoot during the Pima County Fair. 

Today I'm showing you the more interesting side to humanity. Fire and movement with the body. It's more abstract but I'm working on capturing the "spirit".

 Humans can at times inspire photography. Not often:) I still like my birds, unicorns, and hidden gems. But I am also fascinated by the art of movement. In fact, one of my favorite shows is anything that has to do with Cirque De Soleil.

 I think these images capture the desert well. When I look at these two shots above and below, I imagine the ancient Native Americans moving with fire to ceremonial dances. And during this night event, I am reminded of their presence. Until tomorrow....

Fire

Sometimes while I'm with others, my mind wanders to other places. I escape to another space and explore the mystery behind the motion. Here is what I saw......

......a spark.........a twirl.....an image.......

.....as the fire swirl created a person in the center......and only briefly.....the spirit of the ancient one dancing......

......dancing and twirling.....never ceasing to stop........marking the dark skies.......

.....enlightening others to their presence.....making it known......that fire connects us to the very basic and elemental need of humankind........

A blaze. A swirl.  A loop. Vibrations and waves of flames.  Looping over and under and all around.......

......to my delight and awe.  This is what I see.

My First Job As "Photographer"

Doesn't it happen eventually to all amateur photographers? Recently, I was asked to be the "photographer" at a local Tucson event.  There were many things I learned on this first outing.

1. Find interesting shots.  It's difficult to do if you don't like whatever it is you have to photograph.  Luckily, I enjoyed this program which related to literacy among kids.  But imagine being forced to take pics of something you DISLIKE!  Could be painful.
2. Deadlines.  Pictures take time to edit....and with my camera, it's mostly cropping!
3. Being forced to cope with lighting conditions during the time of the event!!  My battle happened with intense sunlight.

Matters of the Human Kind

1.  Bring pens and permission slips. Otherwise people's faces are off limits!
2. Find out what events are going on so that you can be there for each of them.
3. Get a list of things people may want taken.
4. Investigate the event before the shoot and think of ways you'd like to capture the images.
5. Bring your professional cards....you never know who you'll meet.  During that day, I gave away 3 of my cards.
6. Talk to the crowd.  Let them know who you are so that they aren't scared of the mysterious man.

Physicality

1. Watch where you're standing or you may get trampled.  In my case...runners!
2. Bring a notepad to jot things down.
3. Stuff as many lenses as you can physically carry into your pocket to switch around during the event.
4. Take a break every once and awhile:)
5. Credit your work!

There's probably more that I'm forgetting but please note that these are the only shots that I am able to show on today's post. Note the clever ways to avoid showing the person's face.  In a 4 hour time period, I snapped off around 1500 photos!!!  This was a fantastic event and I'm really glad I was given the opportunity to perform my first gig.  I love wildlife and flowers more, but I did enjoy the challenges that people present.   Here are some comments on the photos you see today.  Literacy for children is an important one so finding a shot with a kid reading was essential.  There are actually better shots out there but their faces were showing.  The little boy with the helmet was absolutely adorable.  He, like many of us, enjoy sitting and reading or writing while eating a donut or salad or whatever.  I think he captures the inner child in each of us.  The last photos make me laugh very very much.  A runner and his pooch.  They did the Laps for Literacy run and it was really fun watching this particular event.  However, after the race was done, the pooch needed to stretch.  I've NEVER seen anything like this so I shot pics.  I move up the hill a ways and there is a gaggle of women...older women.  And they say, "Did you get that shot of the dog?"  But while they were saying it, they were giggling like little girls which makes me think the dog wasn't the focus of their attention:)  That made me laugh even harder.  I enjoy photography but more for the art and discovery and it's not something I'd want to do on a regular basis for a job.  The idea of filming a car race would kill me.  But, I'll leave you with this thought and a question.  I love that photography takes you places or gives you permission to go places that we normally wouldn't explore on our own.  And that is the beauty of being a photographer....you never know what each day will bring.  If you could, would you do photography full time?