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This is the blog for More Than A Snapshot's Online Photography Classes. In these blog posts I will give photography tips, tutorials, and show images.
Filtering by Tag: wildlife photography
Wildlife Photography Practice Session at my Local Pond
Gary Detonnancourt
Wildlife Photography Practice Session at my Local Pond
The purpose of this wildlife photo session was to practice getting down low at the bird's eye level. One thing I learned is I needed to put my 5D on the camera bag because when it was really low I had a hard time seeing through the viewfinder. I didn't have as much of a problem with the M50 because it has a tilt screen. Equipment used:
Cameras:
Canon 5D MIV
https://amzn.to/33JATtK
Canon M50
https://amzn.to/2XG4v7y
Lenses
Canon 500 mm f/4
https://amzn.to/3fHMJXU
Canon 1.4x Teleconverter III
https://amzn.to/3abc2jH
Canon 400 mm f/5.6
https://amzn.to/3ioNgQ1
Music by Bensound and NCS.
If You like Bears this looks like a Great Trip
Gary Detonnancourt
An overview of the experience of photographing bears at Lake Clark National Park
Featured
White-Tailed Deer: Doe and Faun
Gary Detonnancourt
by Gary Detonnancourt
I had just entered a wildlife refuge and saw a deer off in the distance and thought OK not too exciting, but I'll shoot her. Then I set up on a path she came out of the tall grass. OK, still not too exciting, then I see the fawn stumble out of the tall grass and I flipped. I got video too, but the heat waves distorted it.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Wildlife
Gary Detonnancourt
Every week you may post 2 of your best images for our photo challenge. To Enter please upload the images in the comment section below by clicking on the Landscape icon or if you use an image host like Flickr by pasting the embed link in the comment bar. Please post each image in a separate comment for voting purposes. You may earn bragging rights and maybe even some cool prizes.
I will post a new subject on Thursday of each week. The previous week's contest will end Thursday at 5 pm EST. The winner will be selected from the number of likes an image has acquired over the week and ties will be settled by the number of comments or by me.
THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE: Wildlife
PRIZE: FREE COUPON FOR MY ONLINE Photography CLASS
Voting: Please remember to visit often and to like (click the up arrow) then comment on your favorite image (with "My Vote"). Please vote before 5 pm on Thursday and only one time. Good Luck!
AND THE WINNER IS ... Arlene Ziencina
Why I Love Wildlife Photography
Gary Detonnancourt
Guest Blog Post by Nancy Marshall
My interest in photography started in High School with a Nikon FILM camera. Eight years ago I purchased my 1st DSLR, a Nikon D70s and now shoot with the Nikon D810. I have explored all avenues of photography including portraits, macro, landscape, etc. but it is with Nature and Wildlife that I have found my passion.
Red Fox Mother
Recently I was blessed and privileged to spend time with a Red Fox family. For 3 days I watched, photographed, and just enjoyed being in the presence of these amazing creatures. The kits would run, play, sleep, and explore while waiting for Mama to return from hunting. When she did return, it was a mad dash to get to her for nourishment since they were all nursing. To witness such an event was beyond exciting and memorable.
When photographing wildlife one must remember, IT IS WILDLIFE! Keep your distance and give them their space. So often, I have seen people approaching wild animals and infringing on their territory. This could prove dangerous for both you and them! This holds especially true if there are youngsters involved. Getting too close puts undo stress on the youngsters as well as the parents.
Nursing Kits.
As you can see from the above photos Mom and kits are quite comfortable going about their activities. All of these images were taken from a comfortable distance with a telephoto lens and cropped! I personally would never compromise the welfare of an animal for the sake of an image.
This image was taken at 600mm with an ISO of 500, Aperture 6.3 with a shutter speed of 1/3200 freezing the action, catching the kits running and playing.
When photographing wildlife I usually shoot in aperture priority maintaining an F/stop around 7.1/ 8. I have found that is a “sweet” spot with my lens. ISO depending on how bright the day is will be 400-500. The key is to stop action so it is important for the shutter speed to be fast.
Photographing wildlife takes patience and perseverance. Sometimes it really is a waiting game but the rewards can be immeasurable. Sit, watch, listen, and learn their movements and habits! Once you observe your subject for some time you will be able to anticipate their actions therefore giving you a much better chance at capturing a memorable image. And sometimes those memories are not meant to be captured digitally but meant solely for your memory.
Get out there, it is a wonderful world we live in and I can guarantee once you “tune in” you will SLOW DOWN, become more and more aware of your surroundings and all the beauty it has to offer.
Portrait of Mama, ISO 500, f/7.1, 1/3200 at 600 mm and cropped.