 |
| Lesser Flamingos in a Row (Phoenicopterus minor) - Lake Navaisha, Kenya Canon 7D + 300mm f2.8IS L |
Bird photography is one subset of the broader nature genre I pursue. In keeping with the philosophy of a nature generalist... “take what you can get when you can get it,” I am always looking to make serendipity happen. For many, the wildlife landscape is the pre-shoot or safety image. It is the picture to get before the picture you want. A healthy fear of predation makes our subjects skittish, even during a patient approach. As such, experienced photographers have learned to shoot a “safety” first, make the “I got it shot,”...and then move in for a “best.”
My approach to the wildlife landscape is dramatically different. A bird in its environment tells an ecological story about a niche, interactions, and biology. The interesting “Birdscape” is not a safety, it is a thoughtful photograph created with the intent to illustrate a sense of place and time.
 |
| Sandhill Cranes at Dusk (Grus canadensis) - Crex Meadows, WI Canon 7D + 300mm f2.8IS L with a 15 second exposure |
To make a birdscape consider the following suggestions...
- Use a tripod to lock down the camera and reduce vibration.
- Level your horizon before you begin to shoot.
- Scan the edges of your frame as you consider the final composition. This prevents the inclusion distracting elements that seem to appear from nowhere.
- Consider the whole landscape and the story you want to tell.
- Seek dramatic and flattering light by shooting your wildlife landscapes during sunrise and sunset.
- Plan ahead. Make your bird landscapes a viable choice rather than the safety shot.
- Make this an opportunity to experiment with long exposures or telephoto landscapes.
©2000-2012 BTLeventhal.com / Bruce & Tamy Leventhal. All rights reserved. No image on this site may be used without permission.
No comments:
Post a Comment