Many photographers, when talking about how they got hooked on bird photography, will mention the thrill of capturing some unique moments. It could be a bird-in-flight, birds fighting, a parent bird feeding an offspring, an unusual posture, special lighting, or a bird hunting. This article features a selection of images of a heron catching two fish simultaneously. Continue reading Heron Catching Two Fish Simultaneously
Category Archives: Animals
Photographing Northern Water Snakes
Last month during my regular visits to the Hendrie Valley Sanctuary I had a number of opportunities to capture some images of northern water snakes. This article shares some of the considerations that come into play when photographing water snakes. Continue reading Photographing Northern Water Snakes
Great Blue Heron Taking Off at 20 FPS
I’ve been making regular trips to the Hendrie Valley Sanctuary the past little while, as I’ve been doing some fieldwork for an upcoming eBook on bird photography. This article shares some images of a Great Blue Heron taking off shot at 20 fps in continuous auto-focus with subject tracking. Continue reading Great Blue Heron Taking Off at 20 FPS
Frame Rate and Buffer Size Considerations
When considering camera gear for nature photography many people primarily focus on sensor size and lens focal length/aperture. These are important factors, especially when shooting in lower light conditions. Camera frame rate and buffer size are also important factors to consider if you plan on regularly photographing birds-in-flight and other action subjects. This article features 40 consecutive images of a goose running on the surface of a pond, captured during a recent visit to the Hendrie Valley Sanctuary. I would have missed many of the photographs in this image series if I had been using a camera with a slower frame rate and a smaller buffer. Continue reading Frame Rate and Buffer Size Considerations
Benefits of Cooperation and Communication
When it comes to nature photography I’ve found that people tend to fall into one of two basic groups. The first group is highly protective of their knowledge base when it comes to wildlife locations, camera settings used, shooting technique etc. The second group is open and approachable, and is willing to help other photographers grow in their craft. This short article shares some examples of the benefits of cooperation and communication. Continue reading Benefits of Cooperation and Communication
Anticipating Bird Behaviour
As folks who enjoy bird photography can attest, anticipating bird behaviour takes quite a bit of observation time as well as some understanding of the environment in which you are shooting. While many birds still puzzle me, this short article shares some images when I correctly anticipated bird behaviour. Continue reading Anticipating Bird Behaviour
Snapping Turtle Basking
During a recent trip to Hendrie Valley to do some bird photography I had the opportunity to capture some images of a snapping turtle basking on a log. Continue reading Snapping Turtle Basking
Working with Feather Details in Post
Many people enjoy bird photography for a range of reasons. Some folks like exploring nature, finding and photographing birds in the wild. Others love the challenge of capturing birds-in-flight. And, some of us enjoy getting in close and personal, capturing the intricate beauty of birds. Regardless of our orientation to bird photography, most of us spend time working with feather details in post, as it can greatly enhance our bird images. Continue reading Working with Feather Details in Post
The Importance of Pixels on Subject
In response to reader requests, I’ve been pondering how to best address the subject of post processing bird images. After giving it some thought I’ve decided that doing one article based on a sample image (as I did for landscape photography) isn’t the best solution. So, I’ll be discussing post processing in a small selection of articles instead. This first article deals with the importance of pixels on subject. Continue reading The Importance of Pixels on Subject
Doubling Down on the 1 Nikon CX 70-300
Many Nikon 1 owners have been in a quandary for the past several years, unsure of what to do with their camera gear given the uncertainty that has surrounded the Nikon 1 system. Some people are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. Other photographers have sold their Nikon 1 gear and moved on to a different system, frequently migrating to M4/3. Some folks have decided to add to their Nikon 1 kit to try to ‘future proof’ it as best they can. There is no right answer as everyone needs to make the best decision based on their specific camera needs. I’ve been adding to my Nikon 1 kit for the past couple of years and I’m doubling down on the 1 Nikon CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom lens. Continue reading Doubling Down on the 1 Nikon CX 70-300