A ramble through my woods; what has kept me energized while shooting wildlife
Posted by Dennis Corrick in General on the Big Photo Hunt community board, .
This started as a response to a post about what one does when they've lost their spark for photography. I guess I lost the plot, because I realized a few paragraphs in that I'm in a newly recharged phase with my photography.
In my working years, my photography opportunities were limited to weekends, and my weekends were often spent at our weekend cabin near a national forest, a state forest, a National Wildlife Refuge and several smaller preserves. So let's say cityscapes weren't really on the menu...
I was also running at the time, and one day chose a state forest to run in. I'd spook turkeys, deer, raccoons and various wildlife, and often saw bear tracks. And there was a planted field to attract turkeys! So I bought a 200-500 lens and went back with my camera. I get up early, so I'd head into this state forest and stake out that field. The pickings were good (lots of deer and turkeys, Sandhill Cranes and even an occasional bear), and I learned a lot, if more slowly than I liked.
It really never got old; it was a beautiful spot, I got exercise from walking almost 2 miles to my spot, and it was never exactly the same. But it was like Haiku; the form was limited, so I needed to work on being creative within some pretty strict confines: the backgrounds and the subjects didn't change a lot. The show is over by 0730, so light was always a challenge; so much of it was blurred. It also made me start to develop better editing skills. In hindsight, most of these images were mediocre at best, but it got me taking pictures, and taught me a lot.
I'm retired now, and am finally getting to travel more. But that takes away the benefit of familiarity, so I am having to think more on my feet. I know the Florida woods and landscape quite well, but drop me in New England, and I flounder a bit. But I do enjoy the challenge and the new experiences. I'm not hauling my supertele (now a 180-600) everywhere, so I'm learning to enjoy taking landscapes more (24-120; a great take-everywhere lens). New subjects require new skills, where willdlife mostly tells you what you can photograph.
Two trips to Alaska refreshed my love of wildlife photography, and I have some bucket-list trips planned for the coming 18 months that will put my skills to the test. And weight limits will make me choose my kit wisely.
Part of what has kept me focused on this genre is learning about wildlife I'd been missing, mostly birds, and expanding my photography to those smaller, faster targets. It's a whole different skillset; much more demanding of speed and camera mastery.
I know how lucky I am to live in a place where there are still a lot of natural places and wild creatures nearby. I never take it for granted.
I hope you find something that brings you as much joy.
