ChelseaTracyPhotography

Precision

In a recent workshop through CreativeLive with internationally-renowned wildlife photographer Thomas Mangelsen, he spoke about knowing the behavior of the wildl...
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In a recent workshop through CreativeLive with internationally-renowned wildlife photographer Thomas Mangelsen, he spoke about knowing the behavior of the wildlife you are photographing and being able to set up the image in your head before the animal gets where you want them to be so that you are then prepared to take the shot. Additionally, he discussed images focused on the animal vs. "environmental" shots, where the animal is part of the larger environment that is in the image.

This evening, I stopped by Lake Eyak when I saw at least 70 swans on the lake and the mountains tinged with red from the setting sun. I did not have a long enough lens to get detail images of the swans, and the swans were hanging out in areas of the lake that had dark, muddy looking reflections. Practicing patience, I waited for some to enter the frame I had set up. As they swam across my frame, they separated from a tight group into an orderly line of perfect spacing and body positions.
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