Karen 2
Jan, 2016Views
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Action Award
Contender in the Visual Poetry Project
Zenith Award
Top Shot Award 22
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo of Karen when I was in San Diego, CA for an extended trip with my husband. He was there for a work trip so I met him and we extended the trip for a few extra days in an effort to get a mini-vacation. We spent a few days doing touristy type things and we were able to work in a day to see some of the animals there.Time
It started out a rainy, dreary morning and we thought the day would be a complete wash out, but it cleared up perfectly for the afternoon. There was enough cloud cover that it wasn't too bright to wash out the photos I took that day. We ended up having a great time, the morning weather kept the crowds away and I was able to take my time, be patient and wait for the shots I wanted.Lighting
Like I said, we thought for sure that the morning storms would have ruined the day outdoors but the cloud cover in the afternoon really worked to my advantage.Equipment
It was a tourist day so I had the minimum with me. I like to carry less and less with me if I really want to enjoy my day rather than simply document it. So many times we limit what we experience by only looking through the lens and trying to picture the shot rather than just taking it in. There are times for both mindsets but it's easy for me to get wrapped into watching rather than participating so I limit myself intentionally sometimes. This was shot handheld with a basic Nikon D3100 and a Nikkor 18-55mm lens.Inspiration
I'd been standing near the enclosure for quite some time, just watching the various antics. Before too long, people moved away and on to their next thing to see and Karen came over right in front of me with her branches, built herself a little nest, covered herself up with a burlap and nestled in, facing me. She looked so tired and ready for a nap and just kept looking up at me. It was a sweet moment.Editing
I only did minimal post processing on this shot. I cropped it a bit just to straighten it out and lifted the highlights slightly.In my camera bag
Since I've gone digital, I feel like I carry even more than when I was shooting film, despite the fact that I'm sure I'm not. I carry my Nikon body, standard 18-55mm lens, 55-300mm zoom, various filters, memory cards and an extra battery or two. Depending on my plan for the day, I often throw my little point and shoot in there too. Sometimes that's just more convenient and will get the look I'm going for. Honestly, it's small, lightweight, will fit in my front pocket and is more water friendly than my Nikon so I don't worry about it if I drop it in a stream hopping rock to rock. For quick behind the scenes or social media shots, I use my iPhone. If I'm on a multi-day field trip, I have my iPad and download cables with me to quick view and back up the day's work.Feedback
Be patient. Very very patient. Animals are interesting creatures and they'll surprise you with what opportunities they give you. The more patient you are, the more they'll get used to your being there. Sit still and just observe. On more occasions than not, my best shots come from when I've sat there for hours and they start to interact with me rather than just their environment. Personality starts to show and that's when you'll get your best shots.
