Nature Photography - It's More Than Just Finding the Animals

 

I've been working on my nature photography this spring, and have been enjoying my new Nikkor 200-400mm f4 VR lens in the process. While I'm now quite comfortable with the lens, and very impressed with the image quality it produces, I haven't really nailed any nature shots that make me super proud yet.

Here's an example of what the lens can do:

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 200-400mm f4 AFS VR Lens

This is a perfectly acceptable photo of a bald eagle, in a technical sense, but it sure doesn't tell much of a story. Really, I just found the animal, and got a decent shot of him. Then it was over.

 

Here's a shot below that I made some time back, of a much less exotic animal, with less exotic optics, but with more of a story. I love how the toad's singing, exhibited by the extended throat, and more importantly, by the standing waves in the water surrounding it, tell you more than "This is a toad." I aspire to finding more stories like this.

 

Eastern American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus), by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, 14-140mm Zoom Lens

The reason I'm thinking about this is that I read an interesting story about Frans Lanting, famed National Geographic nature photographer, on the Smithsonian website. (Click Here) to read that post. Lanting is a very interesting person, and the TED talk video embedded in the story tells a lot about how he feels about his work.

 

I've seen a lot of his night photography, where he sets up remote camera traps for elusive species. I see these as mainly challenges to find the animal and document it. However, he has other images, some of which he describes in the blog piece, that really tell much bigger stories. Read about the hunters reflected in the zebra's eye, and the African bullfrog, with approaching clouds above. Interesting stuff.

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Chase Jarvis Shares Ten Things Every Creative Photographer Must Know

 

Hearts, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

iso 400, f1.5, 1/50 sec.

 

I like to read about how to stay (or become more) creative. Many themes are repeated over and over in books or posts regarding creativity, but I figure, hey - until I'm actually using them all, I can stand to read about them again.

 

Chase Jarvis recently shared ten things every creative person should remember:

 

1. The "experts" don't know it all.
2. Clients can't express what they want.
3. Try to be "different" as opposed to "better."
4. Challenges are good.
5. Knowing good design concepts is important.
6. Simplify.
7. Don't be afraid of mistakes, learn from them.
8. Make your work so valuable that price doesn't matter.
9. Work with great people.
10. Really create something.

I like these concepts, and agree with them. For me, #3 is one of the most interesting. I don't think Chase means that you should be different just for the sake of being different. But, if you can bring a fresh perspective to your art, it doesn't necessarily have to be better than someone else's. Just fresh and new.

 

Of course, #10 makes a lot of sense, too. I remember putting together my first project submission for a magazine. It failed to get published in my target journal, but the experience of putting it together, really finishing it, did pay off. Finish things. If you don't, there's no chance they'll succeed.

 

(Click Here) to read Chase's thoughts in more detail. Worthwhile reading.

 

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Decisive Challenge on Rangefinder Forum - Winners Posted

 

First Place: Man Centered Square Triangles by Clint Troy

Image Source: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128570

 

Rangefinder Forum has just completed a photo contest, and the winners have been announced. The winner of the first prize is shown above. Congratulations, Clint Troy!

 

(Click Here) to see all of the winners.

 

There are some really great images here. And the prizes were awesome as well - a vintage Leica camera and lens included! Wow.

 

I need to keep my eyes open for these challenges.

 

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Interesting Photo Challenge - Simplify, Focus on Framing and Timing

Here's a challenge, presented on the facebook page of Next Cameras (http://www.facebook.com/NextCameras?ref=stream
 
"...Hmmm. So here's a simple technique to try: shoot like a Reuter's PJ next time you head out. Bring a wide angle zoom and start with it at the widest focal length. Set aperture priority with your fastest aperture. Change only one camera setting: ISO value to keep your shutter speed in a range you're comfortable that you'll get sharp images from (and if

you're really following the rules, set your Nikon body to one-stop increments for ISO ;~). Spend all your remaining energy on just three things: framing, focus, and timing. Note that "framing" may mean moving forward, backward, and sideways! You, not the zoom. (For those that think landscape photography can't be done this way, think again. It's actually very close to the way I learned from Galen Rowell and still practice, only we don't usually set maximum aperture, but rather something like f/8.

I'll make a small wager: you get better images by concentrating this way. PJs do, so why should you be any different? ;~)

Thanks to Thom Hogan for the idea."

I like this. It reminds me of the shooting I recently did with my new Holga lens on the Lumix DMC-G3.

 

Shot With Holga 25mm f8 Lens on Lumix DMC-G3

Sometimes it's just plain good to narrow the variables. I will try Thom's suggestion above.
 
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Film Challenge Results - Seven Rolls in Seven Days

 

Oklahoma Irrigation, by Reed A. George
Leica M4-2, 50mm f2 Summicron
Exposure Not Recorded
 
 

American Girl, by Reed A. George
Leica III Model G, Canon 50mm f1.4
Exposure Not Recorded
 
 

Red Rock Canyon, by Reed A. George
Leica CL, 3.5cm Elmar f3.5
Exposure Not Recorded
 
I wrote earlier about the experience of entering the July Seven Rolls in Seven Days Challenge on rangefinderforum.
 
(Click Here) to see all of the results, and comments by the OP on rangefinderforum.com
 
Each entrant was asked to pick three best shots to share; most of us got the message (not all).
 
As I've mentioned before, this was a wonderful experience for me. I got to shoot some of my old Leica cameras, and the drive it took to shoot a full roll per day, even on boring days, was great. In fact, I got very ill during the experience, but pushed through, finishing my roll on a couple of consecutive days between the hours of 11:30PM and midnight. But, I made it.
 
Everyone should try this.
 
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I Finished the July 7 Day Film Challenge - and LOVED IT!

 

Sunrise Watering, Hinton, Oklahoma, by Reed A. George

Leica M4-2, Leica Summicron 50mm f2, exposure unrecorded

 
I finished up the "one roll per day for seven day" challenge this week. The challenge was posted on the rangefinder forum.
 
(Click Here) to read more about it.
 
I was able to complete it between July 3 and 7, but it was not easy. First, it was challenging to find enough interesting things to shoot on regular workdays. Then, I got very ill on the trip to Oklahoma where the image above was shot. On two consecutive evenings, I got up at 11:30PM in a fevered haze and shot pictures around my Mom's house, just to make sure I stayed in the challenge. As it turned out, those pictures are very meaningful to me, and really remind me of exactly how badly I felt. Not exactly pretty pictures, but full of feeling for me.
 
I shot Leica film bodies the entire time. I shot a 3.5cm Elmar f3.5, 50mm f2 Summicron, 90mm Elmarit f2.8, and Canon 50mm f1.4.
 
So, now I'm considering becoming the "Panalog Photographer," mainly focusing my digital work on Lumix as before, but including a lot more analog (film) photography. Just for fun, I've posted a poll at the top of the blog page. Let me know what you think of that idea.

None of this is exclusive, and you'll still see my work with Nikon and Leica digital from time to time. The main change is that you'll see film work much more often.

So, I hope that sits well with my readers. I'm very excited about the idea.
 
I'll post my selected three images once I submit them to the challenge forum page.
 
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Better Than Halfway Through the July Film Challenge!

 

T. Rex, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, by Reed A. George

Leica M4P, 50mm Summicron f2

 
I am on day five of the seven day film challenge, started on Rangefinder Forum.
 
(Click Here) to read more about the challenge.
 
I have been shooting Leica film cameras exclusively for this one, beginning with a Barnack-designed Leica IIIa(G) from 1937. I am visiting my parents now, shooting with a Leica CL and 3.5cm Elmar f3.5, and a Leica M4-2 with Summicron 50mm f2 and Elmarit 90mm f2.8.
 
I have been thoroughly enjoying the experience of shooting with film for several days in a row. The experience has been different every day. Starting out, on a regular work day, I was challenged to find enough to shoot to finish a roll. Now, that problem has passed. For example, I went to the rifle range with my step-dad this morning, and shot several exposures there.
 
Anyway, part of the challenge is to select three favorites, and write about the experience of using film for seven days. Hopefully, it will be hard to select three favorites. We'll see.
 
So far, so good.
 
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Seven Day Film Challenge - What Film Will You Use?

 

Image Source: http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium/pm.cgi?action=display&login=kodak_film

 
Keith on RangeFinderForum.com has posted a July film challenge.
 
(Click Here) to read the rules.
 
In order to qualify, you must shoot one roll of film per day (any film format), or two sheets of large format film on seven CONSECUTIVE days, between July 1 and July 28. No excuses are accepted - if you miss a day, you are disqualified. I suppose if you start your seven days early enough in the month, you could always start again in the case of catastrophe.
 
You can use any film and any film camera. On August 1, go back to the post (Here), and Keith will announce where to post your three best pictures from your seven day experience. You can also post about any experiences involved in meeting the seven day challenge.
 
I think I will do this. I am going to visit my parents in Oklahoma in early July, which will give me four of those seven days to kick back and shoot some film. I sure wish I had a Panasonic film camera, to keep in my Lumix theme for this blog. So, what's the closest? Well, I suppose since Panasonic and Leica have a relationship, shooting a film Leica will have to suffice. Gosh, what a burden. :)
 
Anyway, join in the fun! Let's see what you can do with analog for a week!
 
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