ridgway-wavewash600
Feb, 2015Views
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at Holter Lake, (near Helena, Mt) at the first campground. Seagulls hang around the camp, hoping for scraps of fish. My husband and I went to Holter, hoping to capture some of their antics.Time
It was almost 11:00 am when I took this photo. The sun was high. It was a beautiful October day with just enough breeze to kick up some nice waves on the water.Lighting
This photo used natural light, but I think there is something special about the light in October in Montana. Warm colors seem to reflect in every direction and the air is especially clear.Equipment
When I met my husband in 2003, one of the first things he said to me was: "You need a good camera." We went to a camera shop in Kalispell, Mt and purchased a Canon 10D with a 300 mm lens. Up to that time, I'd only used an old 110 point and shoot. I used the Canon for several years, then we went to a Nikon D300. The day we went to Holter Lake, I decided for old times sake, to shoot with the well used and loved Canon 10D. I have such a fondness for that camera. Holding it is like meeting up with an old friend. That camera is slow compared to the newer Nikon. I was using the 300mm lens. I was hand holding the camera. I can't seem to get used to using a tripod and most of the time, I shoot wildlife so there isn't time for setting up equipment.Inspiration
As I watched the seagulls, I saw this one dipping into the oncoming waves. He had a bit of a shower with each wave. I set myself the challenge, to capture the exact moment the wave broke over the top of his head. As always with wildlife, I was afraid he'd move onto something else before I got my shot. After several tries, I got the timing down, and managed to click the shutter at this moment you see here.Editing
At the time I took this photo, I didn't have Lightroom, but I did have Photoshop Elements. It's been a while, but I think I opened the photo, and adjusted it a bit in camera raw. It's very close to the way it was shot.In my camera bag
My main camera now is a Mark ll 7D. I use two lenses, a Canon F2.8 200mm (with or without a doubler) and a Tamron 18-250 mm. I like the wide angle shots I get with the Tamron and the close up shots with the Canon lens. I keep the tripod in the truck, but I've yet to use it. I also carry plenty of batteries and memory cards. Because most of the time, we have our camper on the truck and my computer is with me, I carry a small inverter for keeping my equipment charged. I can plug it into the cigarette lighter in the truck to access power.Feedback
To capture this photo of the seagull, I sat quietly on the beach for some time, letting the birds get used to me being there. Before long, the gulls came down to the water, not far from where I sat. I moved about a bit, letting them know I wasn't going to sit there as still as a mouse. Even though they are used to people, they're also used to being hassled a bit when they become a nuisance, I wanted them to know I wasn't going to chase them off. From that point on, patience was the key. I was there by the water barely moving for a couple of hours. I wanted this specific shot, but after I got it, I remained, for you never know when the birds might do something else that's fun to capture! With some wildlife, if you move slowly, don't get in a hurry, and give them time to get used to you, it's possible to get photos of them. Elk, grizzlies and some others are more difficult for they run the second they notice you. It pays to learn your subject as much as you can. Find out how much they'll tolerate and plan accordingly. I allow them to let me know how much of my presence they can bear.
