A "Focus" in the Wild

July 29, 2009 - 8:39pm — GettingOutside
Raptor in the wild

Guest Article by Stacey Huston - The early morning sun filters down through the forest canopy, illuminating patches of earth in a peaceful golden light that contrast with the darker shadows of the surrounding forest. I am close. The smell permeates my nostrils as I move a bit closer. Every muscle is on edge as I ready for the shot.

The closest is a huge specimen, with antlers towering above his head. Seven points on each antler announce this to be an older bull. He goes through the trees around me leaving small dimples upon the forest floor with each step of his black hooves. I aim, and shoot! Once, twice, three times!

A second elk appears to my left. I turn slightly and shoot him straight on as he steps into one of the patches of light between the trees.

As the herd emerges around me, I continue to methodically picking them off one at a time. Dozens of shots later, they move on toward a high alpine meadow. I rise from my concealed position and take one last parting shot at the herd.

The shot is perfect! I lower my camera and smile into the now bright morning light. With any luck, there will be a cover shot in this group of photographs.

Zen and the Art of Wildlife Photography

I was once told that to take good wildlife photographs, you had to get the subject to look directly at the camera. Well in some cases, I would say that I agree, but not always. More often than not, it is the completely unexpected photographs that are the most unique.

Getting the right shot is rarely done with ease, and with wildlife photography in particular, there is always the added challenge of trying to get a wild animal to cooperate without invading their personal space.

In a photo studio, it is easy to control the light and move the subject around to create the perfect picture. When photographing scenery, you have plenty of time to set up the tripod, choose your settings, and play with the camera angle.

Not so with wildlife. When photographing wildlife, I have learned that being in the right place at the right time, and having patience can make all the difference in the world. But most importantly, be prepared for anything.

Expect the Unexpected

One day I set out hoping to capture a photograph of a pheasant against the snow. I had in my mind what I thought the “perfect shot” would look like.... After hours of trying to capture a good photo of a pheasant in the snow, I learned the valuable lesson that anyone who has ever perused these fast flying, fast running birds already knows. They just don’t stand there and pose. And, though the shot that I ended up with was not what I envisioned, I was able to capture the iridescent colors of a cock pheasant in motion, against a simple winter background. He was flying directly away from me, and this photograph turned out to be one of my very favorite.

I am self-taught as a photographer, every opportunity while working on my photographic portfolio has been an adventure. Learning how to use the natural light, shadows and movements of the wild creatures to my advantage has used up thousands of frames.

Still, for every great shot I am able to bring to life through my lens, there are literally dozens that don’t make the grade. I still use these photos to learn from, what to avoid, how I could have been more prepared, and what to try to remember to do, or not do, the next time around.

I honesty can’t say that I have ever taken a photograph that I already had pictured in my mind. And strangely some of my favorite shots do not fit into what the text books say are “good wildlife photography.”

So don’t let someone else’s opinion of what is beautiful limit what you photograph.

I was raised in the outdoors, with a great love and respect for all things wild. I would say to take good wildlife photographs you need to get out there and learn. Learn how the animals move, and what their body language is saying. Learn what their normal patterns are and how they travel and respond to danger.

I love to watch wildlife and learn from it. That is what is so exciting to me. I never know what I will see, or what the animals will do next. However, by reading their behavior I am sometimes able to capture those natural, unexpected moments. It is a thrill and a challenge, to capture the beauty of those moments and to be able to share what I have seen unfold before my lens. Just let things happen and try to stay “focused in the wild.”

http://afocusinthewild.blogspot.com/
(a collection of Stacey's wildlife photos)
www.staceyhuston.com

Photo of Elk in the Wild
Hidden Doe
Pheasant
Jump!
Raptor
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