Friday Funnies - April 27th

That'll teach ya to steal my fish!!

We're always starving for light when shooting birds, especially action shots - but consider the potential for interaction before you drive down to a wide open aperture.  As I started shooting more than a single eagle, I increased my aperture to ensure I had enough depth of field to capture the two birds.  Not wanting to lower my shutter speed for an action shot, I increased my ISO to compensate (Don't be afraid to shoot at higher ISO's - it's a better alternative that an underexposed or blurry shot).

Learn to always have a feel for what your depth of field should be - pay attention to your subjects and adjust accordingly.  It takes some time to build this thought process into "muscle memory" - but it's worth it.  Try this online Depth of Field Calculator to help gain a better understanding of the impacts of distance, lens size and aperture.  There are also some good iPhone and Android apps that allow you to take your calculations out into the field with you.

Stay in focus,

Mark

Friday Funnies - April 20th

Kick Me!  I'll Kick Ya Back - Get Out Of My Pond!

Another lesson in always being ready for the action.  The Coot on the left was being mercilessly chased by the other for about five minutes - you knew something had to give.  Sure enough, the "chasee" turned around and proceeded to kick the snot out of the "chaser" - and those are some serious feet to get kicked with!

I almost left this pond, but decided to hang around just in case.  It's a good thing I was prepared, this brawl was over in about 15 seconds!

Stay in focus,

Mark

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