OPTICS AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER
By Jim Foster
Working outside photographing wildlife is one of the best jobs I have ever had and don’t plan on giving it up anytime in the near future. Arriving at the point where I could afford a Canon 2.8 500 mm lens was thrilling and it didn’t take long for me to take that lens outside for a shakedown spin.
Producing images of elusive wildlife, especially birds, with a long lens is at times very frustrating. Just about the time you find the bird in the viewfinder and are about to focus it moves. Rats – time to start all over.
If you are a “sighting” birder you may have added a species to your list. The photographer may be sitting there mentally beating himself or herself up thinking the opportunity is gone forever. It may be but maybe not. If you stay calm, sit still and be quiet it may present itself again.
The key here is advance notice. You may learn just when and where the bird will next be in your cameras range. So how might this be accomplished? The answer - a good set of binoculars.
After spending hour after hour sitting in a photo blind waiting for the right shot to offer itself I use my binoculars to scan the area, especially around water holes, to see what has landed in the trees and just may fly in to a closer branch, for a drink or, some loafing time. With this visual information I will know what “might” be visiting and where it is located, watch for the move, and be ready to take the shot. Binoculars make this not only possible but also very doable.
If I have room in the blind, I will set up a spotting scope as well for getting that closer look. Many times though after locating the bird my long lens will give me a good look while the spotting scope provides another option to ID the bird and get ready.
Photographing birds is best accomplished in the morning and late afternoon light. Photographers call this the “golden light” and will produce the best images. Try to avoid the long shadows that will stretch across the ground as the sun falls lower in the Western sky.
Actually any type of photography is best in the “golden light” times of the day.
Photographing in the mountains evokes a whole new set of problems where the binoculars and spotting scopes can come in handy.
Viewing the world from the back of a horse is a great way to spot wildlife. Sometimes shooting photos from horseback can be a risky but spotting a photo subject from the back of a horse is rather easy. Using a set of binoculars like my Alpen Teton 10x42 do the job with room to spare.
Adding Alpen’s Binocular Harness System keeps my binoculars snug against my chest until they are needed. They also help making getting on and off a horse easier by keeping the binoculars from swinging around and getting in the way.
One morning I had been riding for a few hours when I spotted a small group of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep with several large rams. Using the binoculars to confirm the sighting, I dismounted and set up my spotting scope to watch a while. It became clear this grassy ledge was a regular feeding area, and the light would be good the next morning.
After watching the feeding rams for several hours I quietly left the area and was there at first light. At about eight the rams returned to feed and I spent the next couple of hours photographing these beautiful animals.
These are just a few examples of how binoculars and spotting scopes help me take better and closer photographs. Try it – it will help you as well.
As a SPECIAL NOTE - Field & Stream Magazine recently did a field test comparing five different spotting scopes to see which spotting scopes performed the best. A variety of tests were performed - how well they performed in low light, how easy they are to hold one-handed, how sharp they are, and how bright they are were a few of the tests performed. Out of all five spotting scopes tested, the Alpen model 711 20X50 mini spotting scope received top honors.
"We are very proud that magazines like Field & Stream continue to see the quality and value found in Alpen Optics. The 711 is a great spotting scope for birding, hunting or any sport where a compact spotting scope is needed," Said Vickie Gardner.
To find out more about Alpen Optics visit www.alpenoutdoor.com or call 1-877-987-8370.
If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com
