Owl
Mar, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in Botswana's Okovango Delta in the middle of summer. I was on holiday with my family. We were on our way back to camp after a long game drive when the game ranger just stopped the car and pointed into the night. It took us a while to spot this little guy not two meters away staring back at us. I think he was just as surprised as we were! I snapped this photo just before he turned his back to us and flew off into the night. It was breathtaking!Time
It was just past dusk when we spotted this beautiful owl. We'd already spent the day exploring the wetlands and encountering countless elephants and wild buck. The last thing we expected was to come eye-to-eye with this small majesty. He'd just woken from his nap and was cleaning his feathers before the night's hunt when we pulled up next to him.Lighting
It was already too dark to see clearly although there was a beautiful glow from the sunset behind. I choose to use the flash to better bring out the contrast of the Owls' eyes and spots against the night. It brought about a solitary, mysterious feel to the photo.Equipment
I used a camera and flash to take this photo. I didn't have any fancy lenses or equipment. It was just me, the camera and the natural beauty before me. I believe that nobody really needs any special equipment to take a great photo, although it can help. To capture a great photo you must simply have an eye to see the beauty in even the simplest of things, and have the courage to take it.Inspiration
The inspiration behind this photo is as simple as the photo itself. It was a spur of the moment capture. I saw something wonderful and captured it on film to show the rest of the world. That is, after all, the essence of photography. To share your view of the world with others so that they might see it differently.Editing
There was no post-processing involved. This picture is naturally pure.In my camera bag
Normally I simply have my Canon Powershot 26mm strapped to my belt. Many of my pictures were taken while I was walking home or sitting outside. They are what I see as I live my life. The photos find me. I never use any special tricks, artificial lighting or big equipment to capture these moments. My photography is aimed at showing natural beauty in different ways, angles and places. Most people are oblivious to the small wonders in the world around them. It is my aim as a photographer to show people a new way of seeing and maybe even a new way of living. A way of stopping to smell the roses and rejoicing in the beauty of our lives.Feedback
There's nothing special to the way I take my photos. My advice to anyone wanting to take a photo like this is to just stop and see. Looking doesn't cut it. You have to concentrate to see what is around you, not just for what it is, but for what it could be. Just take photos. It's not a science. Just grab your camera and start capturing the world. Find different angles to work with, different viewpoints and perspectives. Try to see things differently. It doesn't always work, but you'll see more of the world that way!
