Ecology

(6/2109) At least half of the importance of an endeavor put forth by the conservationist or naturalist is aimed at observation and related research. The other half pertains to the sharing of anything gained by that work with others. Perhaps the most effective way of communicating the related subject matter is by a combination of dialogue with one’s peers, written material, and photographic images. One’s choice of photo equipment should at least be weather resistant.

In the last couple of decades, auto and programmed exposure have been taken for granted, along with a host of other features. However, none of this technology will enable the amateur snap-shooter to produce professional results in and of itself. The same compositional skills such as controlled depth of field, rule of thirds, leading lines, etc. are more important than ever. A recent report states that about 90% of photo submissions to social media for commercial consideration are trashed. In short, they never even make it to a listing for sale.

Now for the good news! Because of the increased interest in environmental issues, forest management, wildlife, bird watching, travel, and a host of other related issues, the demand for "quality photos" is very high.

For the novice, a trip to the camera shop or thumbing through a B+H catalogue, either hardcopy or online, may be confusing. A lot has changed in the last decade.

A beginning photographer should also make other considerations based on their objective, such as traveling, social media, magazines, newsprint, or maybe framed prints for public auction. Will you be using Power Point to make your presentations? Or could it be all of the above, and more maybe? Flexibility is the keyword here. You will most likely find that your methods change as your needs change. So, keep an eye on future trends and remember that trends will come and go, some more quickly than others.

A commonly overlooked part of the equation is the form or image captured and storage. Ten years ago, a 2 GB SD card was kind of special! Try finding one that small now. In addition to SD cards, we see a resurgence in the use of the compact flash. And don’t rule out film! Film is currently enjoying a bit of a renaissance and some of those mechanical cameras from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s are going back up in price. You don’t have to worry about batteries going dead in cold weather. KODAK and Fuji have both introduced some new films and resurrected some of the classics. For large prints suitable for framing they are hard to beat. Big picture: more options for imaging exists now than ever before.

When budget concerns are a priority you may want to check out the super zoom cameras. These are small and light but are similar to a DSLR in configuration. A DSLR (or Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera has the mechanisms of a film camera, but a digital imaging sensor (instead of film) of a digital camera. I have used P500 and P510 DSLR cameras in the past while doing promo photos for a conservation camp. The results were surprising and more than adequate for the publications in the magazines we used them in. If budget concerns are a necessity, you may want to give them a serious look. They do the job and have good image quality. And you don’t need to change lenses. But they are not really in the same league as a good DSLR.

Much has been said about the newer mirror lenses (aka mile) cameras. But, for series birding work, a good DSLR camera is the way to go. They are faster to focus on flying birds than anything else available. More lenses and other accessories are available for "your system" as well. This all may change at some time in the future. But for now, DSLRs and birds are the best combination.

Size is important too. I have found that some of the small "touch cameras" that are waterproof, shock proof, and freeze proof, are a good ugly weather alternative. Most are about the size of a cigarette pack. The two with the highest reviews are the Olympus TG-4 or TG-5, and the Nikon AW 130. I have the earlier Nikon AW 100 model and have been using it for about six years. Image quality is great and I can shoot macro at 4/10ths of an inch. The video surpasses my expectations and I liken it to ergonomics. The price of one of these is surprisingly inexpensive and it’s great to just grab when you’re on the go when the weather is iffy. I find that this is my go to camera for when I’m hopping in the truck with no idea as to what I may encounter. Many models are available from most manufacturers.

Perhaps the most important and overlooked accessories are the tripods, flashes, bulb blowers, filters, and lens cleaners. By all means, do not buy a cheap tripod. Spend a little extra for a basic, sturdy tripod. You’ll be glad you did. Most cameras have a built-in flash, but if lighting is an issue investigate your options. As for a bulb blower accessory, this is simply a flexible, rubber bulb with an attached hollow tube to direct forced air to remove dust from your camera and lenses. If you change lenses a lot, this is important. When changing your lens, hold the camera or lens mount side down so that dust will fall away, instead of into the camera. I do not recommend the canned aerosol blowers as the increased pressure could damage your cameras’ sensor.

Lens maintenance can directly affect image quality. To remove dust and debris, first use the bulb blower. Then, if necessary, a photo grade microfiber cloth will remove any residue. Lens cleaner fluid and lens tissue may also be used. To protect the lens glass, a screw on filter lens will protect the camera lens glass from damage, plus it can add special effects to your photos as you desire.

Once you’ve armed yourself with the shooting machine of your choice, do yourself a favor and rake at least one course in photo composition. Maybe join a club or seek out like-minded individuals! Subscribe to Outdoor Photographer or a similar publication. Either online or the hard copy magazine. And although ergonomics are fairly intuitive on many models, you should check out the owner’s manual. Much information is available online in the form of reviews and related material.

In any case, go out and shoot. The more you shoot, the more natural it will become. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques, styles or "moves." Once you get in the field or woods, you’ll find much more to work with than you may have thought. Who knows where photography might take you in this adventure. Go have some fun no matter what!

Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and Environmental Center is a non-profit environmental education and conservation organization located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. To learn more about all they offer, we encourage you to visit them at 1537 Mt Hope Rd, Fairfield, PA 17320, or visit them on-line at www.strawberryhill.org

Read other articles by Mick Groop