Photo Tip of the Week - Things I've learned in the last 35 years !

With spring just around the corner, I have compiled this short list of tips I have learned over the last 35 years.... These are 10 of my favorites.



1. Shoot and shoot again. I cannot overemphasize this.

2. Carry your camera everywhere you go. The best camera is the one you have with you.

3. There is no such thing as bad weather.

4. Find your own style. "Do something crazy".

5. Take photos of your friends and give them the prints. This is a personal gift that no one else can give them.

6. Show your work. Even if you don't think it's worthy. No risk..No fun !

7. Short photo trips are fun too...You do not have to spend the whole day taking pics.

8. The worlds best photographers sometimes fail. So can you.

9. Never, never, never.... go shooting without a tripod.

10. Always turn around....sometimes the best shot is behind you.



These are some off the top of my head. I'm sure I have missed a lot more. Happy shooting !



Crutch

Return to Florida - Saturday 1:30

Another early morning. I was in the marsh at St. Augustine at 8:00. The morning light was very good. The nest building here is just getting underway. Great White Egrets and Snowy Egrets where evident, but no Great Blues or White Ibis. There were three Rosette Spoonbills, but they were very shy and did not come close enough for capture. I captured these guys in the process of building a nest. I would guess, that because of the weather being so cold, that St. Augustine is about three to four weeks behind. April should be real good here and I will try to get back. It's been a great week and I will head home tomorrow. In addition to the photos, I have shot a lot of HD video this week and plan to put together a DVD, in the coming weeks. Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Return to Florida - Friday 6:00

Arrived at the marsh at 7:30 again...but this time the sun was actually coming up. I caught this soon to be mom, in that sweet early light. This is truly my favorite time of day to shoot. Stayed way to long, but I have moved on to St. Augustine. I will hit it again early and hope for some more of that fantastic light !

Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Return to Florida - Thursday 7:35

Just left the marsh area and the activity was great, but the light was fading fast . I got this guy as a last shot of the day. This great white egret was returning to its nest. Most of the birds are roosting and sitting for the night. Up and back in the morning at first light. Headed to St. Augustine in the afternoon. Everyone says it's really picking up there. Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Return to Florida -Thursday 1:25

I was in the marsh at 7:30 and found lots of activity with the birds. I caught this limpkin making a pass through the marsh. This one was the only limpkin I saw this morning. Lots of other photographers arriving as the action here is spreading throughout the birding world. Mike says the birds are about three weeks behind normal nesting activity because of the cold weather. It was 50 degrees at 7:30 and only warmed up about 5 degrees by noon. Taking a lunch break now and will head back around 4:00 for the sundown action. Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Return to Florida

After a trying drive, I arrived late yesterday and decided to unpack and use the time to clean cameras and lens. I was sound asleep at 10:00 and awoke at 6:00. I was in the marsh area about 7:30 and was thrilled to see so much activity. Mike Godwin and myself had the place to ourselves for about an hour and a half. I was surprised to see so many nests with chicks. Some were several weeks old and some that just recently hatched. The Great Whites are nesting just about everywhere and the wood storks are plentiful too. There are about 6 rosetta spoonbills cruising the area, but no nests so far. This pic was the same nest I posted before...sadly on one chick remains out of the three I photographed last month.

The weather is fine and I look forward to a great week of shooting. If you know of anyone that may like to sign up for my emails, just have them send me their name and email address and I will be glad to add them to my mailing list. If you would like to be removed, just shoot me an email and I will delete you from the notifications. As always thanks for following me and all comments are welcome. Happy Shooting !

Crutch

Back to Florida

Leaving tomorrow morning, early. Headed back to Florida for the birds. Plenty of nest building and newborn chicks. Hope to shoot some close up videos of nesting birds, this time around. Look for daily updates here. Maybe even a short video.

Crutch

The Story Behind the Photo

In November 2005, I made a trip west to the four corners area. This is where Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado come together. I was at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Area to photograph migrating birds in the western flyway. I was after sandhill cranes and was not having much luck in the early morning hours, until I noticed a pattern of these birds leaving the shallow pools and flying into the morning breeze which was coming in from the north. I followed this bird from the time he left the water, until he was out of sight. I shot 108 photos of this bird in 22 seconds. This was number 47. The moment came at 11:12 am on Thanksgiving Day, 2005. Canon 10D, EF 400mm Lens at F7.1, 1/2000 second. ISO 400.

Photo Tip of the Week

Stay close to your subjects ! You'll capture your subjects personality much better, if you fill the frame, with their faces. A great exercise is to take one shot from a medium distance and another from much closer. You will be surprised at how much better the second portrait is compared to the first. This technique is easier if you have a zoom lens, because you can zoom in close, without having to stand right on top of them. If you have a fixed focal lens, limit your portrait to the upper body, as getting close with this type of lens will sometimes distort the facial features. As always experiment and shoot from different angles. Happy shooting !

Crutch