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Nikon
F5 AF 500mm+TC14E SB-26 flash + fresnel extender Aperture priority (1/250 at f/8), matrix balanced fill flash.
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| Some of my most memorable photographs are featured in this section, along with photo tips and the story behind the making of each photograph. I hope these images inspire you to go out and experience your own memorable moments. |
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Nikon
F5 AF 500mm+TC14E SB-26 flash + fresnel extender Aperture priority (1/250 at f/8), matrix balanced fill flash.
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| Luck was with us. We came upon a barred
owl about 100 feet from the boardwalk, perched on a branch covered with beautiful
air plants and moss -- perfect props for a photo taken in an old-growth cypress forest. As
we excitedly photographed, our bird started trading hoots with another owl, somewhere
nearby. Before we can insert fresh film, a second owl landed on the same branch, and the
pair started to groom each other. The owls were perched in dappled sunlight, so fill-flash was necessary to eliminate dark shadows. Unfortunately, I had left the flash remote cord back at the van, and could not take the flash off-camera to eliminate red eye. As expected, the result was horrendous red eye in most of the photos. Luckily, on two frames, I was able to record both birds with eyes closed -- for that "romantic" look. The above photograph was published in Destinations Magazine to illustrate an article about birding hot spots around the nation. Lessons learned: 1) Midday hours can still provide great wildlife photo opportunities. Use fill-flash if light is contrasty. Most standard flash brackets don't extend flash far enough away from lens axis to eliminate red eye on barred owls. Buy or make extension posts for the bracket, or hand-hold the flash at least two feet away from the lens axis. If the owl is not moving you can lock down the camera/composition, remove your eye from the viewfinder, and look at the owl's eyes when the flash goes off. If you see red reflected back, then your photo will show red eye; if flash properly illuminates the bird, and no red reflection is seen, you may be OK. 2) Organize the camera bag so that complementary equipment, such as flash, bracket, fresnel lens, and remote cord are together in the same compartment -- for speedy assembly, and to reduce the possibility of leaving behind an important component when transferring equipment from bag to vest.
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