'murca
I took this image at the local zoo.
I took this image at the local zoo.
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Jun, 2015Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at the Houston Zoo. They have a bald eagle exhibit there and this guy was just looking at me.Time
This photo was taken at about noon or so. The lighting conditions for most of the Zoo were absolutely terrible. Bright light, harsh shadows, etc.Lighting
I think the main thing I would share about the lighting was just how terrible it was. I think the key to shooting in bad light is patience. I just waited for the eagle to go to a place in the pen where the light was softer and more disbursed. Even in bad lighting one can just wait for things to line up and work to take the picture. Obviously, nice light helps to make nice pictures, but if you choose your moments, you can get decent images even in challenging light.Equipment
I used a Fuji X-e2 and a "entry level" XC 50-230mm lens. This shot was handheld which is made easier by the lens' image stabilization. I LOVE MY FUJI! I think it's a great camera and it travels everywhere with me. I also think the XC zoom lens is very underrated. It's obviously not as sharp or as fast as some of Fuji's other zoom lenses, but I've shot the XC a lot and I think it holds up. I'm a big believer that it's the photographer not the gear.Inspiration
I love nature photography. Being an attorney in Houston with a family of five, I don't get much of an opportunity for African safaris or hiking through Alaska. I have to go to local zoos, aquariums, and other places where animals are kept to take nature pictures that involve animals more exotic than squirrels and pigeons. I really think that where there's a will there's a way to get out there and take the shots you want. Limitations in equipment, money, schedule, or other obligations just mean you have to be creative in how you get the shots you want.Editing
I'm still in the process of learning about Photoshop. All the editing in this photo is extremely basic Lightroom stuff.In my camera bag
I carry a Filson medium field bag with an Ape Case Insert. I carry my Fuji X-E2, Fuji 35mm, Adapted Canon FD 50mm 1.4, and the XC 50-230. I carry a handful of spare batteries, a pelican SD card case full of cards, an ultra-pod II mini tripod, a yongnuo flash, a yongnuo wireless trigger, a handmade flash snoot (made out of the box the flash came in and duck tape), lens pen, and an Ipad mini 2 64gb.Feedback
The main thing that I've noticed about this shot and others that I've taken like it is patience. The more you wait, the more animals get used to you being there. The more they get used to you being there, the more they go back to doing what they naturally do. The more they do that, the better quality shots you get. The animal will wander into good light or do something interesting. At that point you're just part of the backdrop. This seems to work well whether you're in the zoo or in the wild. Also realize that if you don't get the shot today, you'll get it tomorrow, or the next time, or the time after that. Patience is the most important thing to learn about photography.
