Loon
Echo Photo
A
Beginner's Guide to Wildlife and Nature Photography
Tripod
A tripod will be
necessary if you are using telephoto lenses, shooting in low lighting
conditions, and for some specialty shots (such as capturing a
hummingbird). They all do the same thing - stabilize the camera- and
will all get the job done. The heavier and sturdier the construction,
the easier it will be to use. If you’re going to be doing a
lot
of hiking with it though, I’d suggest one as light as you can
find. One neat feature, and the only one that I feel is worth noting,
is a quick-disconnect. This is a small plate which screws into the
cameras tripod mount and allows the camera to be handheld. It can then
can be clicked into place and released very quickly with a simple
lever. If you’re going back and forth, this is an awesome
feature.
Be careful with
tripods! it is possible that a cheap or lightweight tripod can be
tipped over, or have a telescoping leg malfunction and topple over the
setup. This fall isn’t conducive to sensitive electronics and
expensive glass. The former problem can be addressed by hanging a heavy
object from the center of the tripod so that its center of gravity is
lowered.
Just buy whatever you feel comfortable spending. When it’s
time to upgrade, you’ll know.
Accesories
Filters are pieces
of glass which screw onto the lens to alter the image. They will
inevitably degrade the quality of the image somewhat, but this
shouldn‘t be a concern at our level. A simple clear or
UV-blocking filter will protect your lens from scratches and dirt (the
cheap filter will take the blow instead of the expensive lens). A
polarizing filter will reduce the light that reaches the camera and
basically has the same impact as high quality sunglasses. By polarizing
the light, clouds will appear much more interesting, and
you’ll
be able to cut through glare on water or bright objects. Neutral
density filters lower the amount of light which can be helpful for
photographing bright subjects (such as reflecting snow). For film
especially, warming and cooling filters can be used to alter the tone
of the image (digital cameras can do this automatically).
You’ll
also need something to carry them in.
One of the
aforementioned remote releases can be useful. Mechanical ones screw
into the camera body (typically the shutter release button), while
digital cables plug in, and infrared devices work with a
camera’s
infrared sensor. They all work well at keeping the camera from being
disturbed (which would make a blurry picture, or alter focus).
An external flash
can be quite useful for illuminating backlit subjects or those in dim
light. Please though, do not use the flash on animals at night. Some
can be permanently blinded, while all will lose their night vision.
That’s really not worth a picture.
A bag is of course
going to be wanted to carry all of this stuff around. Find one that is
no larger than you need, that will be comfortable for extended periods
of time, and that provides easy access to your equipment.
Things
You'll Find Useful
A vest, jacket, or
pair of pants with many pockets is surprisingly convenient when toting
around a lot of gear.
A good knife or
Leatherman multitool can be invaluable while out in the wild, and may
even end up saving your life.
Sunglasses and/or
hats can be nice while near water or snow (just remember to not use
sunglasses while taking a picture).
Firestarter (lighter, matches, flint) for same reason as knife.
Duct tape for just
about anything (put some on hotspots to prevent blisters while hiking-
works better than any commercial product).
Comfortable sneakers for casual trips and a well fitted pair of hiking
boots for more serious endeavors.