Friday Funnies - April 13th

No, REALLY  . . . It Was THIS BIG!!

Courtship and mating season are an awesome time for wildlife photographers, I love the shows that are put on!  Many species are at their most colorful and you can always count on a fight breaking out early on.

Males can suffer in many ways, loosing a fight is just one of them.  I've seen many male Cormorants (like the ones above) put on the most detailed courtship dance . . . to a female that could care less, or wose yet - to one that was "already married"!

It's spring, and love is in the air!

Stay focused,

Mark

Friday Funnies - April 6th

Yea, You'd Better Run!!!!

One of the neat benefits about nature photography is the opportunity to observe the creatures you're seeking to capture.  We can spend so much time around our subjects that we learn a tremendous amount about their behavior through the long hours of observation.  Over time, I've learned (and enjoyed) the courtship rituals of many birds and water fowl.  I can usually tell when a fight is going to breakout - or when I fish has been spied by a heron.

In addition to just being plain down right fascinating, you can use this behavioral information to your advantage.  I'd been watching a mating pair of Canada Geese as I saw another one looking for a place to land.  I knew if he landed too close to the others that he was going to get run off.  I prepared for the opportunity and was easily able to get a nice series of shots.

Waiting around for the perfect shot can either be boring or educational - your choice!

Stay in focus,

Mark

Friday Funnies - March 16th

Just Hanging Around . . . Waiting for a Chance to Split

Sometimes you just never know what the lens of your camera will find - so take it as it comes!

I've seen others create images with this pose - and have actively tried to get my own for the past several years with no success.  While chasing a Wood Duck recently (also with no success) - this little fellow decided to pose right in front of me for a few seconds.

• First lesson learned:  All the shots you're looking for will come your way . . . but it will be in nature's time, not necessarily yours.
• Second lesson learned:  That shot may come your way and only stay for a moment - so be prepared.  Understand your equipment, settings and exposure requirements intimately so you can switch on the fly - and take advantage of the beauty nature has chosen to place in front of you.

Stay in focus,

Mark

Are You Ready For "The Action"?

More that once, a simple morning stroll through the local park or afternoon hike has resulted in some "interesting" shots.

I've developed the habit to always have my camera set on "action" when just out walking around or doing landscape shoots.  Too many times in the past, something very interesting and action oriented would present itself (like a quiet pond of waterfowl breaking out into the "fight" shot above).  I'd swing my camera to sudden action, only realize after it was all over that my settings were all wrong.  My new habit is to:

• always walk around with my camera set to a basic "action setting":
  • Shutter at 1/1000th or better
  • ISO set to "auto"
  • Aperture of at least 5.6 with f/8 a better choice
  • Exposure compensation balanced for current lighting conditions to grab an acceptable ground/sky combo shot
  • when I come upon static or other shots I'd like to make, I adjust to the need - but AWALYS return to my action settings before moving down the road.

MCT_2011-11-28_3550.jpg

Without following this habit, some of my most treasured shots would have been blurred throw aways.  I won't always get the settings just right, but being prepped for a general action shot gives me a fighting chance.

Stay in focus!

Mark

Always Look Behind You

I had the opportunity to visit Fossil Rim Wildlife Park south of Dallas Fort Worth recently (a separate review coming soon) and was shooting out of my driver's window.  I was so focused on what was in front of me, that I neglected to notice the interloper behind me - until he already had my lunch in his mouth!

Now, from a serious point of view - do make sure you "look behind you" when on nature and landscape shoots.  Some of the best shots I've gotten were 180 degrees opposite of my primary subject that day.  For example, the light in a sunrise shoot can be just as dramatic on the landscape behind you as the sunrise itself.

Use your eyes as well as your lens when out in the field.  Constantly scan the field around you and keep your eyes sharp for interesting shadows and lighting - not to mention the occasional critter!

Stay in Focus,

Mark

The Real World - Cold Weather Shooting Tips

3 years of cold weather shooting (down to -23F) has taught me a thing or two.  Here are a few rock solid tips - some you've probably read a few times, along with a few that will be unique!

Camera and Gear

• Moving from cold to warm - and vise versa
  • Probably the most common topic addressed, my answer is very simple - pack your gear in a photo bag, and leave it there for a little while. For example, the pack will be warm when leaving your house and will allow the camera gear to gradually cool down in the car or field.  The same concept works when going back into the house - I take my memory cards out of my camera/bag (and anything else I want to get to immediately) and then let the bag sit for a few hours in the warm house.  The camera gear will gradually adjust to room temperature.
• Keeping your breath in check on a really cold day (this is the really big one)
  • Use a lens hood  - the shorter the lens the more critical this tip is.  Your breath (even straight from your nose on a really really cold day) will roll around and frost up the front of your lens - and there is no easy way to get it off without warming up the lens.  This is a real killer just as the sun starts to crest above the horizon on a fantastic cold weather sunrise shoot (yea, ask me how I know about this!)
  • Use some "Scope Dope" to help keep your LCD clear.  This stuff does a pretty decent job on the LCD and an ok job on the view finder.
  • Use a Hoodman Eye Cup to keep your breath away from your view finder.  Actually turn it vertical like in the image below for the best results, it does a great job of keeping your view finder fog/frost free in all cool to cold weather.

The Photographer

Feet

• Keep your feet warm, dry - and on the ground where they belong
  • Don't slip!  There are now plenty versions of the YaK Trax seen in the image below.  Get a pair, they work wonders on ice (including ice that is hidden below a layer of snow)  There are even versions now that have actual spikes.

• Dry feet are happy feet!
  • If you're in wet or snowy conditions, it goes without saying to at least have water-proof boots/shoes.  In light snowy conditions (1" - 3") consider a simple pair of elastic leg gaiters (as seen above) to keep the snow out of the top your boots.
  • In heavier snow (greater than 3 inches and up to 7 inches) try some of the Neos brand products.  The image below shows me using the Neos Trekkers in water but they do the job in snow as well.  Warmer versions are also available - to cover both the "dry" and "warm" requirements.  And yes, you CAN COMBINE the Neos product with Yak Trax.

• Warm feet are also happy feet!
  • There are many ways to do this, including the Neos Explorer Insulated Overshoes- but I'll give you my particular formula.
    • 1 layer of foot liner socks
    • Toe Warmers (the advertisement claim longer durations, but I find these are usually good for about 3 hours)
    • Regular hiking socks
    • Second pair of HD socks (if it's really cold)
    • Hiking boots

Hands

• My hands are the hardest body part to keep really warm.  Before I talk about gear, here is the most important tip I've learned over the years - once your hands (fingers) get cold, you're in trouble.  Get out of the cold and get them plenty warmed up again.  So the best tip is to have your hands fully warmed up before you set foot outside - "gear up" in advance so you move into the cold with maximum advantage.
  • 1st layer of protection - liners with pockets for warmer packs.  The pockets locate the warmer packs on the back of your hand, above your blood vessels, enhancing the warming impact for your fingers.
  • 2nd layer of protection - primary winter gloves, water proof with thinsulate or other warming material.  How heavy this primary pair of gloves are is up to your personal needs.
  • 3rd layer of protection - Mega Size Hand Warmers. Depending on how cold it is, I'll keep 2 or 4 of these in my coat pockets.  Hands go in the pockets when not in use and I'll actually hold these mega warmers in my hands (between my hand and the camera) when I'm doing extending shooting in really cold weather.

Body

• Keeping your core body temperature up helps you stay warm longer.  So similar to your hands, get toasty (without sweating) before you head outside.  Staying dry is a very critical component of staying warm, and layers are the other key.
  • 1st layer of protection:  Light duty long underwear made of water wicking material (not cotton) to help you stay dry
  • 2nd layer of protection: Medium duty long underwear is added as a layer to increase warmth
  • 3rd layer of protection: Heavy duty long underwear is added (depending on how cold it is)
  • 4th layer of protection:  Outer shell winter coat this is roomy (with your layers on) wind and water proof.  Collar protection and an insulated hood are a must as well

Head

• Your head is one of the primary places heat escapes your body, so keep protection on and layer it as much as needed.  I'll typically wear a full face mask and my winter coat's insulated hood.  When it's needed, I'll add a neck gaiter or a warm cap.

Staying warm is not only the safe and smart way to shoot in the winter, it's also the path to great images.  When you're warm and comfortable, you can place all your energy on the task at hand - getting some great shots!!

Stay in focus,

Mark