“F/11 and be there!” That’s an old photography expression to describe a subject so interesting or dramatic that merely recording the scene is enough to capture the interest of your audience. Nature offers intrinsic beauty and making nice pictures is often as simple as showing up when the light is good.
But nature can be fickle too; and, where wildlife is concered, downright unpredictable. On a recent trip to Mexico, I encountered a large school of jacks. While marveling at this “wall of fish” I soon noticed that I wasn’t the only one who was looking. A large barracuda was patroling the periphery of the school below me and seemed to be surveying the small fish like a hungry boy at a buffet. I quickly found the shutter release on my underwater housing and attempted to dive a few feet below the surface to line up a shot that would include both predator and prey. With a flick of its tail the barracuda disappeared into the murky blue ocean.
The next day I swam out to the channel and located the school of jacks. Sure enough, the barracuda was also in the vicinity. The wind had created choppy conditions that further hampered the under water visibility so I spent my time testing the comfort zone of the barracuda. For three more days, sometimes twice daily, I took my swim out to the jacks hoping to find the barracuda too and improved conditions for photography. Each time I was able to earn more trust and close the distance that the barracuda would allow.
One the fourth day the water was clear, the school of jacks were waiting and the barracuda seemed to regard me as some odd but harmless fish. When all of the elements (predator, prey, water quality and light) lined up I was ready. The result was worth the extra effort.
msw
It had been a quiet morning on British Columbia’s Blackfish Sound. I hadn’t seen a killer whale in two days, still the meter on my hired boat was running. Sometimes that’s the way it goes with nature photography.
I decided to cut my losses and head to port hoping for better luck in the evening. My guide gunned the motor and as we began to pick up speed I noticed torpedo-like objects zeroing on us off the starboard bow. In seconds, the Pacific White-sided Dolphins closed the gap making a 90 degree turn at the last instant to join with our wake.
One dolphin turned on it’s side and looked me in the eye, and I instinctively reached for my camera and let the shutter fly. The great joy dolphins project when they are engaged in play lifts the spirits. I excitedly changes lenses and loaded film (this was a long time ago) looking for the tight shot, then a wide scene setter. I felt giddy. The day was salvaged.
After the dolphins left us my guide asked a genuine question… does the camera interfere with your enjoyment of the experience? This was unexpected, and I believe I fumbled an answer that didn’t do justice to my passions. In fact, I had never considered there was any other way to experience wildlife. With camera in hand, I’ve always been looking for that which makes me say, wow! If i can record it, share it and make someone else say, WOW, then that’s like hearing an echo up the canyon. The echo becomes a part of the experience.
Photography is a driving force in my existence. I go places to see things that I believe will make great pictures and through this exercise my experiences mount in ways I would have never imagined. I love wildlife and observing the rhythms of nature. There is a yearning to interact, to be a part, in a way that is not invasive. Photography is a means to show others what moves my spirit. And, on a very personal level, a good photo stimulates a multitude of fond memories.
msw
In our digital age, anyone can become a publishing photographer by posting snapshots on the Internet. So what’s the difference between a photographer and someone who simply notices, “Wow, this phone takes pictures, too?”
The answer may lie in your degree of obsession and ability to edit. Do you take four pictures at a birthday party — or 40? If you lean to the trigger-happy side, driven by the promise of the next moment, yearning for peak action or a special blend of light and subject, you’re like many people who make a living from photography.
It’s a visual addiction, really, a quest to be there when everything lines up and a scene speaks for itself. Like other addictions, it’s hard to break. You can never quite get enough. The trick is learning to quickly discard those images that are simply refuse along the path to your masterpiece. Professional models don’t show their warts and good photographers shouldn’t either.
That, in fact, describes my own approach to photography. When I set my sights on a subject, I begin to imagine what it will take to create a definitive photo. I try to balance the larger view with the nuance that so often escapes the casual observer. Then I scrutinize my results mercilessly and often return to the subject, when possible, to act on what I’ve learned. On a good day, luck, serendipity and a little bit of that magic called life comes into play. The reward is a sliver of something so very tasty that I’m always hungry for more.
msw
