Whenever I encounter an animal out in nature, they always manage to flee before I can snap a shot of them (deer, hares etc).
Do you ever succeed?
Whenever I encounter an animal out in nature, they always manage to flee before I can snap a shot of them (deer, hares etc).
Do you ever succeed?
Since I am not the least bit interested in wild animal photography, I tend to be very still and just absorb the experience.
Thanks,
Kirk
at age 73:
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep"
Lots of times, all on digi or 35mm though, have had birds ruin a LF shot or two leaving their blured image across a long exposure.Originally Posted by pbryld
Yes. I used to have a lot of success in the Everglades and points north (Big Cypress, Loxahatchee, etc).
Don't use jerky movements. Slowly move your camera into place.
Walk slowly. Try not to drag your feet or plow through brush or piles of leaves.
Stop walking and stand or sit still. Sometimes they will ignore you if you don't appear to be a threat.
Most of all, be patient. Very patient. Successful birdwatchers scout an area, then go back and wait. If you're after a particular critter in a particular location, consider camouflage. Blinds work well for providing cover when photographing birds. Same with deer and animals that will not cause harm to you.
Always use caution. You never know what else is out there!
For photo purposes I've called a lot of wildlife to me over the years: bobcats, foxes, coyote, mountain lions, turkeys. Almost exclusively shooting 35mm film or DSLR as the focal lengths and wide apertures tend to dictate. But LF? It'd be really frustrating with any of those species I listed. Might be doable with a remotely triggered cam at night with flash. For some inspiration, look to Birds of North America by Elliot Porter. His early work was with solenoid triggered 4x5 cameras.
Clever animals know when your back is turned, so keep your ears open!
This coyote, I’m convinced, saw me go under the darkcloth before entering the field to hunt. I heard the grass rustle, came out from my darkcloth, looked behind, swung my Tachi, and captured the wily fellow – right before he pulled a small animal out of its burrow, swallowed it whole, and trotted back into the screen of trees, never looking me in the eyes.
Someday, I’ll get a wolf, grizzly, or cougar if they don’t get me first...
Tachi 4x5
Fuji A 240mm/9
Old Fuji Pro 160s
Epson 4990/Epson Scan
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