My Photography Tips
Be Ready!
Today I relearned a valuable lesson while out with my camera…make sure its ready! As soon as you remove it from its storage location, check to make sure it is ready for immediate action. Check the settings and the lens! Make sure its at least on full auto, your not at full zoom and it has ample power and a memory card inserted. Today while I was at a farm I was exploring a large area of flowers and plants along the side of the barn. The bushes were filled with various forms of insect life such as this rather large spider. The spiders were not a surprise find, what was that which I didn’t get an image of because I wasn’t completely ready. A uniquely marked tree frog was basking on the dew covered leaves. When I finally registered what it was and raised the camera it managed to crawl away. Had the camera been “ready” I would have had time to capture at least a couple good shots. But because I didn’t check over the camera before I started my exploring, I missed a great opportunity! So CHECK your CAMERA before you begin your exploring!
Window Blind
When I take images of birds I like to be as close as possible, preferably from the comfort of my dwelling. Having a variety of feeders is a must, but also a means to allow you and your camera an unobstructed view of the birds too.
A simple way to do this is to use a window as a shooting blind. Remove your window’s screen and insert a camera blind in the window. It can be as simple as a piece of cardboard cut to fit the width of the window with a suitable sized hole in it for the camera lens to poke through.
Or something such as this rig I came up with made from Foam Core Board. I took measurements of my window opening and the size of the hole for the lens portal. Then laid out the design in pencil on the foam core board. I used simple tools, a long steel straight edge…actually a drywall square, pencil, tape ruler and a hobby knife with a fresh blade.
I gave the design of the lens portal piece an offset, so if you install it in the window one way it gives you the ability to shoot level and pan upwards. Flip it over and you can shoot level and pan downwards. Perfect for my purposes!
I purchased the four pieces of Foam Core Board at my local craft store. Each sheet measured approximately 30″x20″x1/8″ and cost under $4.00/each. The layout and assembly took about an hour. I used masking tape to hold it together.
I have a small ledge under one window of my home. This new set up allows me to move it from window to window and is perfect for shooting the Bluejays as they land on the ledge to snatch up the peanuts place there for them.
I left the blind white for now, given we are experiencing cloudy weather, it will help to reflect some light to illuminate the birds I am photographing. You could also spray it with some flat black spray paint from an can if you wanted to.
Version II
For a blind that is more weather tight, you can make this version which I had made by a friend of mine from a sketch I drew him.
It simply inserts into the window and is held securely in place as the window is slid down on top of it. I added weatherstripping to help seal out winter’s cold draft as well as protect my camera lens as it extends through the openings…whether I’m using the hole or the top with the window slightly opened.
You can paint it to match both interior and exterior colors. I gave my a sealing coat of polyurethane to protect it from the elements. I don’t leave it in 24/7, just when I am going to watch the yard and feeders. You can even mount a small feeder in front of the opening for ultra close shots! I plan on doing just that with a Hummingbird feeder.