Guarding his nuts
Nov, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This shot was set up on a small stump next to a quiet rural road where there I live. I remember Ansel Adams said something to the effect that " A great shot is not taken, It is made." I believe that is true. I have to tell you the morbid truth about this squirrel. It was a roadkill from the only car that passed by in several hours. I couldn't help but notice that it was in such good shape after being runover. I positioned him on the stump and arranged a few acorns around him.Time
I walk this section of road about every day with my camera. There are always shots to be taken there. The road meanders along fields and wooded areas. There is also a small marsh that is along the way that has enough open water to hold waterfowl. The day of the Squirrel was sunny and bright as I wandered along.Lighting
As I was setting up this shot, I noticed that the light made a nice backlight for his hair and the top of the acorns. I had to rearrange things a couple of times to get the right look.Equipment
As I wander around the roads near my house I usually only carry my old Nikon D50 with the 18 / 200 kit lens on. I shoot handheld most of the time. As I recall there was a small sapling in front of the stump I was set up on so I used that as a steadyrest for the shot.Inspiration
Nature provides most of my shots and I have to use my imagination to make the most of them work. I watched this Squirrel get run down by the car and thought " what a waste of life". When I got to where he was, I could see that there was little visible damage done so I thought I might as well make a picture of this pretty little creature.Editing
I try to only do as much post as required to make a presentable picture that conveys my intent. I don't think I did much to this shot other than maybe a little crop to remove a small branch that was intruding in the corner of the shot.In my camera bag
Most of the time I only carry a single camera and lens as my walks can be for hours at a time or miles. I have multiple cameras and lenses, but will usually pick one combination and go. Some days I carry a Sigma 50/ 500 lens, but that lens is for when I am heading to the marsh area for waterfowl. It is much too heavy to carry for long!Feedback
Many days I will meander for hours or miles to find a shot that I want to make, other times the shot will present itself without any thought from me. One has to be observant and willing to take a chance. Even a bad day with a camera is better than a good day at work. Unless... All I could offer to a newbee is to practice with your camera, get to know what it can do, what dial does what to the picture. Plan on missing tons of shots from missing the proper exposure to blurry pics. Most good photographers will admit they missed some shots for one reason or another. The key to making good shots is to take a lot of them, experiment with your gear, and most of all, Have fun!
