Spring has always signalled the renewal of the world; flowers and crops grow, mating takes place, and baby animals are born. It is also the time photographers dust off their cameras and head out to take pictures.
With a few tricks borrowed from the pros, anyone can make eye grabbing pictures. The key is to get out with the camera and shoot as much as possible.
Equipment
It is important to be honest when it comes to equipment. It is not realistic to take full frame pictures of eagles in the wild when using a point and shoot camera. This does not mean that high end telephotos are needed for every type of nature photography, but the equipment has to fit the application.
If using an SLR camera, take inventory of the lenses in the camera bag. With a 35mm camera, somewhere between 180mm and 500mm will be needed for wildlife. For scenics, carry something in the 20mm to 70mm range. For flowers, a tripod and a lens capable of doing macro will do the job.
Although aftermarket zooms are slower to work with, they can be a big savings on weight and the pocketbook. Look through the classified ads for used lenses. Some camera brands allow the use of older lenses that can represent huge savings.
Consider using a tele-converter lens. Also called a doubler, the lens will multiply the existing focal length, usually by 1.4x or 2x.
Look at renting a lens from a professional photography store if an outing demands a speciality item.
Stop Off at the Zoo
The zoo can be a rich environment for the nature photographer. Many images used professionally came from captive shooting situations. Make a point of getting to know the zoo staff as they are a wealth of information.
When shooting in a zoo, try for tight compositions to eliminate man made backgrounds. Get the camera lens right up to the barrier fence and open up the aperture to create shallow depths of field to eliminate the wire. At f2.8 to f3.5, chain link fence won’t even show up in a picture.
Mating and Birthing
Spring announces many births in the animal kingdom. It is also the time that birds and waterfowl are in their prime mating colours. Head out to the local park or duck pond to capture spring shots. When around animals, move slowly and never chase wildlife. Instead of walking directly to an animal, take a zigzag course that is not threatening. Always give moms and their babies enough room so they are not disturbed.
Blinds
Setting up a blind can be a great way to get wildlife pictures. Anything that camouflages the photographer’s presence will work. Remember, with the exception of crows and ravens, most animals cannot count. If two people go into a blind and one comes out, then most animals will think the blind is empty.
Time of Day
Many animals are diurnal, which means they are most active first thing in the morning and last thing in the evening. When photographing wildlife, follow the animal’s pattern. Golden light is just around sunrise and before sunset.
Look Down on Cloudy Days
Light is one of the most important factors in photography. When it is cloudy, pictures tend to be flat and low in contrast. This is actually a plus in flower and macro photography.
Edit
The big key to success in photography is to shoot as much and as often as possible. Also remember to edit without mercy. An average throw away rate should be around 75% from a day’s shoot.
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