White in white
Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) - an animal in human care, falconry used.
Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) - an animal in human care, falconry used.
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Oct, 2017Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 36 Photo Contest
Peer Award
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Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
All Star
Virtuoso
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
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Behind The Lens
Location
I created this photo in the Czech Republic during private photo event with my good friends photographers. We took advantage of a unique opportunity to take a pictures of snow owl and others birds of prey, that moved freely in the countryside. The scene was carefully selected to faithfully match the natural biotope of the snow owl. It was an unusual experience, I was a little moment in the presence of this majestic animal.Time
I remember very well, it was the first wekend of year 2017, was winter morning around 11 am, was a big frost, the temperature dropped below minus 20 degrees, I was laying motionless in the snow and I waited for the right moment when the owl turn their head to me. Me and my friends we felt too cold, but the snow owl was in his best cool.Lighting
The morning haze over the landscape gave the scene the good diffuse light. Therefore, there are no highlights on the snow and the feather and there are no significant shadows on the owl.Equipment
I worked with my favourite very fast digital camera Nikon D5. And the first time I tried in action my new lens Nikkor 200-500 f/5,6. I have stabilized this kit on a carbon tripod Really Right Stuff TVC-32G Versa, thanks to him I could be very very low over the snow, right in the frog position.Inspiration
I love nature and especially wild animals, birds, reptiles and insects. But I'm very busy at work, now I can not take part in a time-consuming expedition or wait in nature for a good opportunity. That's why I'm looking for the opportunity to photograph wild animals in human care. Animal rescue stations provide a lot of opportunities to photograph animals with disabilities that can not return to nature. That's why I took advantage of the unique possibility of assisted photography of birds of prey and owls, which are tame, well tolerant of human presence, and represent little risk to the photographer.Editing
I love natural photos. Shots without big adjustments. I try to capture all my photos so I do not have to use the post-processing. I know it is very modern and trendy today, but I do not work with PS or LR or other software. I invoke my NEF only in Nikon Capture and make only minor edits. Maybe my photos could be even more attractive, but I want to show real reality.In my camera bag
The contents of my robust Tamrac bag is primarily a powerful digital camera that I can rely on in every weather. Now I'm normally using the body Nikon D5 and the backup body Nikon D850. I normally wear Nikkor lenses 24-70 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8. These "workers" have always been with me. On the "macro" action I take the excellent old micro lens Nikkor 200 f/4 or micro 105 f/2,8. For animals and birds photography I need to pack "heavier weight" - I'm using the lens Nikkor 400 f/2.8 and now also a new lens Nikkor 200 f/2 lens.Feedback
When it comes to photographing the endangered animal species, I recommend the form of "assisted photography". It's about photographing a species of wild animal that is in human care. The animal is tame, working well with it, and it is especially safe for humans. Most importantly, the photographer does not disturb wild animals in their natural biotop. Today there is a trend commercial group photographic expeditions to exotic countries. From the yield is funded the rescue of endangered animal species. But too frequent visits of groups of people in animal biotopes are very disturbing and stressful for endangered animals and their food chain. These expeditions can become very destructive for small animal populations and, instead of rescuing animals, can speed their extinction. We all photographers have to think, whether our money really helps those animals.
