In Getting Close Tim Fitzharris gives basic rules for how to get close enough to wildlife to take good pictures without scaring them or getting hurt yourself. The first is to have respect for wild animals and only approach when they permit it, and than only as far as they are comfortable. This works best with animals that are used to the presence of humans, such as in a park reserve. Knowing about the animal you are shooting helps to know when they are most active and where they can be found. This will help you set up you camera so you can use your time wisely. Fitzharris points out that all animals have their own individual preferences, so if one does not like your approach, you may be able to find another who does. The easiest way to get close to an animal is to not--with a telephoto lens. This way you don't disturb teh animals. If you are going to approach the wildlife, there are three strategies; 1. approach directly and slowly, low to the ground being respectful of their comfort level and leaving a way out. 2. circle from the side and appear to be interested in something else. 3. hide, and let them approach you, using blinds such as your car or camouflage. Another little tip he gave which seems immoral is bribing your subject with peanut butter. Where's the integrity?
In learning how to shoot animals in action, what you really learn is all the preparation that goes into it beforehand. Rarely will you come across a good action shot and have your camera ready to capture it perfectly just by chance. you have to start by knowing where to show up, knowing what is happening with the animals and the seasons in that area, their behavior, and know when to show up. For action shots this usually means early morning or evening, when the light is faint. This is also when most animal activity occurs. Preparing you and your tripod low to the ground is less threatening to wildlife, and more complimentary to them in the pictures. Once you start shooting don't stop to check your pictures until you are done, you don't want to miss anything. Practice and knowledge of your different camera settings are needed for focus of different kinds of action shots, alternating between auto and manual. you can prepare for a shot by setting your stage area and waiting for an animal to come in it, this requires you to have a good idea of its behavior patterns.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Nick Brant
Nick Brant is a photographer from the UK now living in California who studied film and painting, and eventually gave up directing to go into photography full time. He takes black and white photographs of wildlife in East Africa. The reason he goes there is because, he says, "There is perhaps something profoundly iconic, mythical, mythilogical even, about the animals of East Africa, as opposed to say, the Arctic or South America". What's catching about his pictures is the up close personal feeling you get to being up close to these animals in the elegant black and white. Then you read about him and discover he does not use telephoto lenses because he wants to include as much sky and land as possible. So he really is getting close to these wild animals, sometimes within a few feet. And he really does do a good job of making the place look somewhat magical, like someplace unheard of. He has published his photographs in a book called "On This Earth".
"They're my elegy to a world that is steadily, tragically vanishing."
http://www.younggalleryphoto.com/photography/brandt/brandt.html
"They're my elegy to a world that is steadily, tragically vanishing."
http://www.younggalleryphoto.com/photography/brandt/brandt.html
Thursday, October 22, 2009
No_clever_names_left
The photographer I found is on Flickr and I could find only his first name Michael and the title of his blog which is No_clever_names_left's photostream. His name may not be clever but I'd say his photos are. His nature photography varies a bit with nature, wildlife and camera tricks but he is nice enough to put all the info of each shot below it to show how he got shots like the water shot above. That is just a shot he took with no tinkering. ISO 100, 400mm, f/40, .6 seconds, using a tripod. The shots he got of water swirls, of fog, of waterfalls, are amazing. He plays around with different lenghts of exposure so some of his photos are very sharp and some are blurred but in such a way that draws attention to the picture making it ingriguing. Some very cool pictures here.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Designing Picture Space
After reading Designing Picture Space I decided to go through my pictures and see what I could match to the components listed in the book, to have a more solid idea of what they are.
Light; people love light. The contrast of light with blue shadow draws more attention to the light highlights. Rule of thirds; the icicle as the center of interest is placed one third from the top. Contrast; the main point is outlined by shadow and then highlighted by light on the bottom.
Center of interest; the cat's face is in the center because of the tree trunk but leaning towards rule of thirds because it is farther towards the top 1/3 than in the center vertically. The diagonal stalk of grass draws the attention to the cat, particularly if you're a woman and start looking at the bottom left.
Dominance; the warm orange of the butterfly makes it the sole focus, while the cool green complements it without fighting for attention. The shadows in the back set a solid background that lets the light in front highlight the foreground to make the picture more 3d. Both of these also enhance the color of the butterfly. Center of interest; the butterfly in the center and also closest to the camera brings the eye to it first. The butterfly is also slanted diagonal which makes it more pleasing to the eye than it would be horizontal.
.JPG)
Center of interest; the sun is the main focus of attention even though it is farthest in the back because it is in the center, the strongest source of light and also the only warm color in the photo. The striking difference gets the lookers' attention first.
The first thing that grabs your attention is that it is such a huge close up- large draws more attention than small. A combination of contrast between light and dark in diagonal across Nick's face draws interest to it, also in the contrast between the blinding light in the top left with the soft dark hues of his eye. The brown freckles soften the picture so the light difference will not be too harsh.
Light; people love light. The contrast of light with blue shadow draws more attention to the light highlights. Rule of thirds; the icicle as the center of interest is placed one third from the top. Contrast; the main point is outlined by shadow and then highlighted by light on the bottom.
Center of interest; the cat's face is in the center because of the tree trunk but leaning towards rule of thirds because it is farther towards the top 1/3 than in the center vertically. The diagonal stalk of grass draws the attention to the cat, particularly if you're a woman and start looking at the bottom left.
Dominance; the warm orange of the butterfly makes it the sole focus, while the cool green complements it without fighting for attention. The shadows in the back set a solid background that lets the light in front highlight the foreground to make the picture more 3d. Both of these also enhance the color of the butterfly. Center of interest; the butterfly in the center and also closest to the camera brings the eye to it first. The butterfly is also slanted diagonal which makes it more pleasing to the eye than it would be horizontal..JPG)
Center of interest; the sun is the main focus of attention even though it is farthest in the back because it is in the center, the strongest source of light and also the only warm color in the photo. The striking difference gets the lookers' attention first.
The first thing that grabs your attention is that it is such a huge close up- large draws more attention than small. A combination of contrast between light and dark in diagonal across Nick's face draws interest to it, also in the contrast between the blinding light in the top left with the soft dark hues of his eye. The brown freckles soften the picture so the light difference will not be too harsh.Friday, October 16, 2009
Now What?
Whenever I see amazing photographs I feel inspired. But when I actually trot out into the world with my camera and look around, well, the light sort of fades. Even when I do see something that looks neat, looking at it on my camera screen just doesnt' capture it. Suddenly the challenge of taking the regular world as I see it and drawing out beautiful or interesting pictures is somewhat daunting. In class we've gone over how to photograph, so I looked up an article "How to take Compelling Photographs" that might give me a nudge on what to photograph.
1. Change perspective. Go close, or far away, from high or above, not just eye level from where you are standing.
2. Balance. Think of the picture as a painting, and you want everything in placed in a way to catch attention and be pleasing to the eye, not just randomly shot.
3.Try for contrast. It will be noticed faster.
4. Look at light and color. This I thought was interesting, is not to go looking for subjects but for 'beautiful formations of light and color'. To completely change the way you think of the world before you go looking for a shot so you will notice more and better situations to shoot, which involve the lighting and color often more than just the object.
5. Take pictures with your mind. Train yourself to see without the camera so you really notice what is going on. You will learn to see more of tiny details this way.
6. Tell a story with your picture. Before you take your shot ask what kind of story it tells.
7. Nature is always the best. Whenever you are stuck, surround yourself with nature and animals for inspiration.
8. Use Digital. It allows you to do more with your picture.
1. Change perspective. Go close, or far away, from high or above, not just eye level from where you are standing.
2. Balance. Think of the picture as a painting, and you want everything in placed in a way to catch attention and be pleasing to the eye, not just randomly shot.
3.Try for contrast. It will be noticed faster.
4. Look at light and color. This I thought was interesting, is not to go looking for subjects but for 'beautiful formations of light and color'. To completely change the way you think of the world before you go looking for a shot so you will notice more and better situations to shoot, which involve the lighting and color often more than just the object.
5. Take pictures with your mind. Train yourself to see without the camera so you really notice what is going on. You will learn to see more of tiny details this way.
6. Tell a story with your picture. Before you take your shot ask what kind of story it tells.
7. Nature is always the best. Whenever you are stuck, surround yourself with nature and animals for inspiration.
8. Use Digital. It allows you to do more with your picture.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Alaska
In this week's blog I decided to share the pictures that I found researching Alaska. Sites they can be found on are;
Monday, October 5, 2009
Callu
I found this amazing photographer/artist called Callu who I'm sure must not be new to everybody else, because these pictures are amazing. But all I found on him personally was him as a modest blogger. Most of his pictures use narrow depth of field focus shots using close ups of small things, insects, flowers, water drops. General romantic subjects with mind blowing results because of the techniques he uses. I don't know if these have been photoshopped or not, but very good use of color, lighting, and focus. I think I first got this feeling standing next to a bluegrass singer for the first time. That feeling of 'seriously? you can do that?' Just Wow.
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