Monday, November 06, 2006

Naturescapes Image of the Week winner

I was absolutely thrilled when my image of a Sora, a highly-secretive bird that is more often heard than seen, was selected by Naturescapes as the Image of the Week in October. :) (Click on the image at the left to see a larger version of the winning image.)

The Sora is a species of rail that can be found in freshwater marshes across much of North America. Sora tend to remain hidden within vegetation, and often the only clue that they are present is their unique descending call.

This image, like most of my images, is the result of a lot of patient waiting. I was crouched down in knee-high grass next to a pond at a local water reclamation facility shooting sandpipers and dowitchers when friend and fellow photographer Rich Ditch cried out that a Sora was on the move. We watched incredulously as the normally reclusive Sora walked about 150 yards away from us across the open shallow pond! Hoping that the Sora would return, I stayed crouched and hidden in the grass, and sure enough, after about an hour of waiting, the Sora came back. He only made one quick pass close to my position, so I had to make the most of the opportunity. The pond is very muddy, but I was able to make this image when the Sora was in a very small patch of clean water between two large patches of mud.

There are a couple of lessons that can be learned from this image:

  • Stay low - Birds that are normally reclusive may be less wary if you stay low to the ground. A low perspective also creates an intimate and pleasing image of a bird on the ground or water.
  • Be patient - In bird photography, being patient and quiet can result in close encounters with birds that are generally skittish.
  • Know your equipment - When the Sora finally came, I only had about three to four seconds of potential shooting time as he ran quickly by my position, and less than a second of time when the Sora was in the most pleasing position. Knowing your equipment well and being able to make split-second decisions on the fly regarding composition, exposure and focus allows you to make the most of every opportunity.
  • Know your subject - If you want to photograph birds in the wild, it is imperative that you learn everything you can about your subjects. Knowing how rare it was for a Sora to be out in the open, I didn't mind a bit waiting an hour to see if he would return. Knowledge of your subjects deeply enhances the joy of capturing the lives of birds on camera.

If you would like to see more images of the elusive Sora, please visit http://www.pbase.com/jamesjerome/sora.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Nature photographer communities

Burrowing OwlOne of the best ways to improve as a photographer is to have your images critiqued by an expert. I can highly recommend two online communities that specialize in nature photography, and offer forums where anyone can post photos and receive critiques from a wide array of photographers, including professionals and highly-advanced amateurs.

  • Photomigrations - The Photomigrations community caters to both nature photography beginners and experts. One great thing about the Photomigrations site is that it offers free hosting for images that you would like critiqued--there is no need to host your images on a separate site. Although criticism can sometimes sting (just a bit!), members of the community are always positive and constructive.
  • Naturescapes - The Naturescapes community is most helpful, in my opinion, for the intermediate and advanced nature photographer. Some of the top professional nature photographers in the world post on the Naturescapes site, and often comment on photographs submitted by others. Note that unless you become a paid member of the site, if you want to submit images for critiques they will need to be hosted elsewhere (e.g., on your own site, on Pbase, etc.). The Naturescapes forums also include an incredible amount of information on nature photography equipment, tactics and locations, as well as information regarding the business aspects of selling nature images. Naturescapes also has an excellent online store that carries a wide array of equipment designed for the nature photographer.
I am an active member of both communities, and post images on a regular basis--please feel free to comment on my images if you get the opportunity. When you get a chance, check out these sites--they are among the best resources available for improving your photography!

Welcome!

Welcome to my nature photography blog! My name is James Jerome, and I am a bird photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. I enjoy sharing the wonder and beauty of the natural world through photography. Birds are magnificent creatures, and it is impossible to view birds in the wild without realizing how critical it is to protect natural habitats in our world.

The purpose of this blog will be twofold:
  1. To share tips, tricks and equipment reviews for the nature photographer
  2. To share my latest nature images and accomplishments
If you would like to see a gallery of my images, please visit http://www.pbase.com/jamesjerome.

Enjoy the images on this site, and please let me know if you have any questions!