Birds
Tora, Tora, Tora, as my grandfather use to say
12/09/09 18:56 Filed in: Photography
My grandfather was obsessed with air shows. Every year we would go to the air show in Elmira and watch the nostalgic fighter jets and bombers. He would scare the death out of me as a child and go running and yell “get outta the way!” when the fighters would pass over; and because I was naive I would dive under his old Mercury until he did the all clear sign. I can’t remember if I was scared out of my mind or just playing along. I suppose the trauma of it all has blocked the small details.
In may I was hiking and ended up near Silver Creek and I was reminded of the jets and my grandfather while photographing some Sea Fowl diving into the water for small fish. I used the opportunity to observe them and practice staying tight with fast moving objects with my gear. I think photographing/filming nature is one of the best ways to keep you on your toes technically. While on the surface this may sound absurd, I think if you give yourself adequate time your technique will improve. Birds, especially, are interesting and difficult to simply ‘go take photo’s of’. After spending time photographing fast paced nature you will realize that you are better equipped mentally for the common ‘shotgun’ type of work that my generation seems to be getting accustomed too. By shooting nature, you’re consistently making split decisions in fractions of seconds; what shutter speed? What aperture? Where’s the sun in conjunction to my position? Is anyone next to me because my elbows are flailing? Do I need more lens? All the while you’re keeping your subject in frame and because they aren’t making it easy they are flying or running in any direction at any moment.
I also think photographing nature is gratifying from a historical standpoint. While hiking that day I heard a tree fall and had one of those “if a tree fell” revelations. By photographing a bird diving into the water, or a snake bathing in the sun, you’re documenting a part of history that no one else is likely witnessing. In fact if you were to ask someone if they’ve ever seen Sea Fowl dive into the water for fish there’s a good chance they’d say no.
I need to shoot more nature scenes, if for anything to merely practice. The more we practice the better we will be at our day jobs. So to move on from sounding like a father, here’s some shots from Lake Erie
gallery can be found here
In may I was hiking and ended up near Silver Creek and I was reminded of the jets and my grandfather while photographing some Sea Fowl diving into the water for small fish. I used the opportunity to observe them and practice staying tight with fast moving objects with my gear. I think photographing/filming nature is one of the best ways to keep you on your toes technically. While on the surface this may sound absurd, I think if you give yourself adequate time your technique will improve. Birds, especially, are interesting and difficult to simply ‘go take photo’s of’. After spending time photographing fast paced nature you will realize that you are better equipped mentally for the common ‘shotgun’ type of work that my generation seems to be getting accustomed too. By shooting nature, you’re consistently making split decisions in fractions of seconds; what shutter speed? What aperture? Where’s the sun in conjunction to my position? Is anyone next to me because my elbows are flailing? Do I need more lens? All the while you’re keeping your subject in frame and because they aren’t making it easy they are flying or running in any direction at any moment.
I also think photographing nature is gratifying from a historical standpoint. While hiking that day I heard a tree fall and had one of those “if a tree fell” revelations. By photographing a bird diving into the water, or a snake bathing in the sun, you’re documenting a part of history that no one else is likely witnessing. In fact if you were to ask someone if they’ve ever seen Sea Fowl dive into the water for fish there’s a good chance they’d say no.
I need to shoot more nature scenes, if for anything to merely practice. The more we practice the better we will be at our day jobs. So to move on from sounding like a father, here’s some shots from Lake Erie
gallery can be found here
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