Just Look Up (with Glenn Nelson)
Refuge Outdoor Festival, Sept. 28, 2021
Watch on Facebook Live (starts a few minutes into): Just Look Up
Bird & Wildlife Photo Tips:
Basics: Use longest lens you can rent or afford, use back-button focus (Google for setup instructions for your brand of camera), shoot manual, shoot wide open, shoot 1/1000 or faster if possible, use auto-ISO, use continuous auto-focus, use fastest frames-per-second, learn how to read histograms and shoot to the right.
1. Best Light: 30 minutes before and 90 minutes after sunrise and sunset. Itβs also when most wildlife is most active. Cloudy skies change the equation, creating filtered, more disperse light.
2. Directional Light: Front lit produces fewer harsh shadows. Point your own shadow at your subject.
3. Gesture: Catch them doing something different, to evoke emotion. Eg., expressions, action, interaction (especially with young).
4. Even Background: Shoot wide open (lowest numbered f-stop for your lens) and have your subject closer to you than its background. Choose an evenly lit and colored background. Change your angle and shoot at subjectβs eye level.
5. Study Behavior and Habitat: Remember the βcreature of habitβ term, which applies to all animals (even humans) to varying degrees. Knowing your subject allows you to plan and maybe even get closer (also, donβt make eye contact and donβt move in straight lines).
6. The Eyes Have It: The eyes must be in focus! Capturing catch light reveals life/soul. And, again, be eye level with subject.
Readings Referenced:
Chevon Powell And Refuge Outdoor Festival
https://trailposse.com/2019/09/nature-keeps-me-grounded/
Why Are Our Parks So White?
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/opinion/sunday/diversify-our-national-parks.html
After The Camber Equity Pledge Blowup
https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/opinion/camber-equity-pledge-controversy/
What If Iβm Not White?
https://trailposse.com/2017/07/not-white/
Itβs Time to Think Beyond Bears Ears (nearby nature)
https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/opinion/beyond-bears-ears/
Whatβs In A Name?
https://southseattleemerald.com/2021/08/25/whats-in-a-name-plenty-if-it-belongs-to-a-slaveholder-or-white-supremacist/
Some of my best photographic work: https://trailposse.com/portfolio/
Follow me: @thetrailposse
Follow Seattle Audubon: @seattleaudubon
Seattle Audubon Guide to Birds: Bird Web
Bird Names for Birds: Bird Names for Birds
Merlin App: All About Birds
