|
ZenOptic Wetlands Dawn Digital Capture at First Light |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| f3.5, 1/750 sec, ISO 800, -1.0 EV in Aperture Priority mode, 400mm lens. 12/25/07, 7:20 am |
| Dawn Flight on Christmas Morning |
| While you're visiting ShareTheRoad Productions you may wish to surf on over to the Crane Connections page for links to Sandhill crane media (photo, video and audio), organizations and viewing information. |
© 2011 ShareTheRoad Productions
It happens every day. In the east a glow hints at the end of darkness. The chorus slowly builds. An opera written before the
age of man gains momentum and grows to a crescendo. Cacophony ensues as shadows assume form and the newest day
reveals itself. Before light brings sharpness and clarity creatures of the wild have already begun to stir and issue the call. Dawn
is nature’s rebirth, her circadian proclamation of certainty. And it happens every day.
Amidst this evolving revelation the nature photographer, steeled against the cold and damp, waits. He is reminded of the fine
print that warns that -40 degree rated boots won’t keep the feet warm if they’re not moving. And they’re not moving.
Movement is the “tell” of nature. Movement may warm the feet but at the expense of unwanted attention. It is better to be
cold and non-threatening than warm and alone. After all, the price of admission to this show was paid with hours of
preparation, short sleep, dark travel, and long draws on now cold coffee. It would be a shame to blow it all just to feel toes
or fingers again.
In position awaiting the light a special opportunity reveals itself. For a long, cold moment a chance to feel another world, the
natural world, is offered. It can be attended to or it can be squashed and wasted by thoughts of technique and the challenges
that lay ahead. It is a special moment. A rare quiet of the mind as thoughts and concerns about the task soon to come are
subsumed; allowed to be stilled and geared into perspective by the machinery of the wild as it sings and whirls through the
vastness coming into view. This is the cherished moment. Rarely spoken of but deeply felt. This is the moment that brings it all
into perspective. With the ceaseless mental chatter quelled and the senses expanding out from a still point of clarity nature
dawns.
Then it’s time to go to work. Right brain artistry is brought to life by conscious enjoyment of nature and it’s helpful to keep it
in the mix but soon the left hemisphere becomes dominant. Thoughts get analytical as critical assessments inform choices of
sensor sensitivity (ISO), light allowances vs. depth of field (f-stop) and woefully slow shutter speeds complicate the entire
picture. The natural world has not disappeared. It is now viewed through a matrix of technical possibilities with a goal in mind
– to get that one iconic shot.
The challenge is to maintain the natural connection while simultaneously objectifying the perception and manipulating a digital
representation of the vision. This is the ZenOptic approach to wildlife photography. Simply put, be natural, quiet of mind yet
attentive as much as possible. When analysis and weighing of options is required, do so. When not, be still and enjoy the sights
and sounds. Allow yourself to be receptive to the experience, to observe and to learn. Your ability to artistically observe will
directly influence your ability to capture images reflective of the beauty of the natural world.
| The ZenOptic Approach to Wildlife Photography |
| Sandhill Crane - The One |
| f8, 1/350 sec, ISO 200, -1 EV in Aperture Priority mode, 1.4x TC on 400mm lens. 12/15/07, 8:22 am |
| ZenOptic Wetlands Dawn 1 - ZenOptic Approach to Wildlife Photography 2 - The Preparation Question(s) 3 - Shooting Before Sunrise 4 - Unique Dawn Challenges |
| Your reward for making the effort to be in the wetlands before the sun rises can be a beautiful gift from nature. Dawn Flight was our Christmas present in 2007. Who goes to the wetlands before the sun on Christmas morning? Well, you'd be surprised. You may not be alone. |
| Christmas 2009 brought a different present |
ZenOptic Wetlands Dawn
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
| ZenOptic Wetlands Dawn - Digital Capture at First Light: MP3 audio of live presentation at the Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival 11/6/2011. First few minutes of introduction (with definition of ZenOptic) were not recorded. Total run time 65 minutes. |