Little Friends at St. Elmo's 2
Aug, 2016Views
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People's Choice in Unscripted Memories Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at St. Elmo in Colorado. There is an area designated for feeding squirrels, chipmunks, and small birds. If you sit still (and have enough food,) you can make quite a few little friends.Time
We were visiting the area in mid-afternoon one summer day. The area is shaded, so ambient lighting lasts for hours.Lighting
Trees can provide the best filter for harsh sunlight. If the sun is too bright for your subject, try shooting in shaded areas for softer looks.Equipment
This image was taken with a Canon Rebel t6i and a Sigma 70 - 300mm lens. The longer range lens allowed me to take the image at a distance, so the chipmunks weren't disturbed. They can be very skittish!Inspiration
Getting to feed wildlife like this is a once in a lifetime opportunity already. The chipmunks are so much fun to watch. When they get comfortable, the chipmunks will climb all over you. I even had one take the lid off of my seed container! You cannot feed them without smiling! I wanted to capture that one quality in this photograph, to let the viewer put themselves in the place of the person. It gives you an opportunity to imagine how enjoyable this experience can be!Editing
I did some cropping on this photograph to get the perspective just right. I consciously made the decision to take the face of the person out of the frame, so viewers could connect to the image in a more personal way. Now viewers aren't just looking at a subject; they can pretend to be the subject.In my camera bag
I carry a Canon Rebel t6i, and three lenses. My Sigma 70 -300 mm is perfect for longer range wildlife images. I also carry a Canon 18 - 55 mm lens with an attached Polaroid Wide Angle lens for landscapes.Feedback
For this image, be prepared with lots of food, time, and patience. Get comfortable too - you'll need to sit still for a while before the chipmunks trust you enough to sit on your legs. *Please don't attempt this in areas where feeding wildlife is not permitted.
