Tips, Tricks and useful stuff

On photographing wildlife

I have been asked what my techniques are when photographing wildlife. The answer is quite broad, but really it is all down to fieldcraft and perseverance. Remember, a big long lens is no substitute for quiet stealth when approaching nature.

If you have a specific creature in mind, learn about it - what it eats, where it lives, what its droppings look like, and how you can identify its presence without actually seeing it - that will give you a fair chance of seeing one long enough to take its photograph

Fieldcraft is very much about becoming part of the scene - remaining quiet, and doing nothing to startle that which you seek. You should consider dressing to match your surroundings - this does not necessarily mean full camouflage gear - a dark shirt and trousers will do, especially if you can break up your outline with standing foliage between yourself and your subject. Also, approach from downwind, or better still, remain in cover if you can. I often use a long lens (Sigma 170-500mm) for birds and mammals, and usually pick a spot where I am comfortable enough to stay for a while, and wait for the wildlife to come within range, but many of my photos have been taken with shorter lenses and use of good fieldcraft skills. If I am comfortable, I can stay without moving for long periods, enhancing my chances of getting the photograph I want.

A tripod is often a hinderance when on the move, and a good stance or use of available supports around usually suffices. I take my opportunities as they present themselves - and just because I am after one creature, does not mean I will not photograph something else if it presents itself. Learn also to tread softly, even in boots - it takes practice not to thunder through the undergrowth like a charging rhino, and to use available cover - this may only be shadow, but it all helps. If what you seek is looking in your direction, and you move, it will see you, so learn to play statues. Take your opportunity to click the shutter - if the creature does not move, you can refine it for a second shot. The final tip, is do not give up - there is always another day. Wildlife and dayglo clothing do not mix - and turn the mobile phone off (or better still, leave it at home).

If you have a second camera and a remote shutter release, and the creature is one of habit, then setting up a second camera pointed at, and focussed on a known perch or feeding point, will often get you a shot you may otherwise have missed, but not everyone has that luxury......I just set up an old one I use now and again...

Monitor Calibration.

When viewing images online, or editing, it is important that your monitor is set up correctly in order that you can see the tonal variation in an image. If you use the panel below, and set your monitor accordingly, you will view my pictures as I intended without loss of detail. This is an industry standard setting, and will allow you to view all works to their best. I provide it for your convenience.

Please calibrate your monitor so you can see all 16 different shades from pure white to black, by use of your brightness and contrast settings.

Keeping it all clean

For lenses, I use two methods - a dry cloth after giving them a blow out with a Giotto Pocket Rocket, or, a damp, almost dry cloth, lint free, with a little distilled water. By using the latter, you dont get any deposits such as lime rings and dots if you dont dry quickly enough, and do not abrade any coatings.

I also have a computer cleaning kit, with a small vacuum cleaner which I have fitted with a long rubber nozzle which pulls the odd hair or whatever out of zoom bodies - cheap, and works for me, especially when fitted with a bendy plastic straw to get a bit deeper.

Muck is the bane of digital camera bodies - Many try to overclean their sensors and frequently use the wrong materials.

Whilst there are many methods and tools available, I have been seriously trialling the SensorClean system with SensorScope from Delkin Devices for two years, and have found it an invaluable aid to keeping my equipment cleaned and well maintained.

Using this tool, I can see the problems magnified, remove them with relative ease, and guaruntee to myself that my sensor is clean and dust/grease free. A wonderful self contained kit,worth every penny I spent on it - Have a look at the video - right.

Some basic thoughts

Be assured, the price of whatever you have chosen, will drop as new models come on stream from manufacturers, so hold on, and hunt around for the best deal at your chosen purchase point.

Whatever you choose to buy, handle one first and see if you like it. I used this principle in buying my Sony Alpha 100. I upgraded to the Alpha 700 - it is a much better camera in my opinion, but the Depth of Field preview button is is a place my short fingers cannot reach easily, meaning that I have had to change my grip - perhaps to the detriment of long exposure or macro shots. Sony have a range of even better cameras planned but my next choice remains an upgrade to their Pro unit - the A900 - unless something better comes along.

When you buy something, whatever it is - learn how to use it, and make the best of all its features. Having all the gear will not make you a better photographer, but using what you have properly may well do.

Post production with software will not make a bad photo into a good one - better to delete it and take a better pic to start with - sometimes you can salvage a minor error through editing, but you will rarely be satisfied with the result in the long term.

None of us is perfect - but do turn the camera on and take the lens cap off first - then remember to focus properly, and hold the camera firmly but gently - even anti-shake has its limits in moments of excitement and elation at you seeing something worthy of photographing (I know through bitter experience and the heat of the moment - the frustration of not being prepared is irksome).

Time is always too short, so be prepared - do not sit looking at something wondering whether it will make a good picture, as you will probably miss your chance - shoot first, wonder later.

Take only pictures and memories, and leave nothing but goodwill and the odd footprint if you must. Take your rubbish home with you, and watch where you put your camera bag down - some wonderful creature or rare plant may call that spot home.

If you must park - do not do it in farm gates. The country community need access at what may, to you, seem very odd times. Oh, and that cow with the funny udders, is our prize bull, and he has a temper - We country folk will not be held responsible for your stupidity. The countryside you love so much, is a factory for food - you would not expect a farmer to walk through the average town workplace and sit where he likes, damage equipment, or generally get in the way, so please do not do it to us in our work area.