Request for Help…
On Friday, September 9, I will be doing a FaceBook Live interview with Peggy Farren of Understand Photography in conjunction with my visit to Naples, FL to do a program for DPI-SIG on Saturday morning. Details on that will follow on the blog soon.
In the meantime, we need your help. If you have a question or questions about bird photography, about the business of photography, or about me that you have been dying to ask, please leave it or them in a comment below.
Artie,
I have learned a huge amount from you relating to taking pictures and processing them. I do not recall that you have reported much about the processes you use to print and mount your pictures for sale or exhibit.
I’d be fascinated to learn the processes you use.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Aubrey Mendelow
We rarely make prints in house. For the San Diego exhibit, I used Fine Print Imaging in Fort Collins, CO. Friend Mark Lukes oversaw the printing of the 67 exhibit images on Fuji Crystal Archive Matte finish paper. The prints were spectacular and the price was great. FPI does all the printing for iLCP, the International League of Conservation Photographers.
artie
Is it crucial to have your lens on the correct IS settings and if so, what are the consequences if you don’t?
Hi Bob, I use IS Mode 2 99.99% of the time to keep things simple…
a
These are great questions! I’m compiling the interview questions based on your responses. If you are not familiar with Facebook Live, just head over to http://www.facebook.com/understandphotography at 4 pm. on September 9. The Live streaming video will be right in the newsfeed. No need to do anything else!
Agree. So many great questions… How many days do we have for the interview???
artie
ps: there are still a few obvious and important ones that have not been asked…
Artie: On occasion I have the chance to photograph something I have wished to do for years. I try to find as much information and I can about the location, the subject etc. I check the weather, get up early, have a good breakfast, and leave home to arrive in plenty to get to the location. The wait begins, I check my camera, the settings and suddenly things start happening that require some changes, it happens so fast that I forget the simplest thing and my results do not meet my expectations. Do you have a mental check list that you use in this situation? Does the list have a priority order? Does the list vary based on subject, location, or other factors? Thanks for the opportunity to submit my question.
Hey Jim, After 33 years, it is all pretty much instinctual. I often figure the exposure beforehand. When the bird or birds show up it is just a matter of figuring the AF point that I need to get the composition that I want and keeping the lens still…
So no mental checklist for me; I’d forget it anyway. That is why I am not a pilot!
later and much love,
a
ps: you should come on the San Diego IPT; not much walking and tame, tame pelicans and ducks It would be grest to see you again.
Hi, Artie. What led you to make the transition from teaching to becoming Mr. Famous Bird Photographer? We’re you interested in photography even as a kid? It’s one thing to do more photography after you end your first career, but another to get into it so thoroughly and successfully.
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
What advice regarding gear would you give to someone who is just starting out in nature photography? Specifically, should they go to a camera store (or online shop) for advice and buy gear, *then* learn how to use it? Or should they do their own research (read books, blogs, take workshops), *then* decide on what gear to get?
Which is better and why: trusting “internet experts” or attending live seminars/workshops?
Hi Bug Bob,
Easy question. They should e-mail me. With all due respect, 99.9% of the folks in camera stores have no clue as to nature photography. And you can double that for bird photography.
Doing the research on forums like BPN is a great idea. Of course I recommend the two book bundle, ABP and ABP II (and save $15!). If only those had been available in 1983 🙂 You can learn a lot at seminar–I went to several by George Lepp and Rod Planck a few decades ago.
Best of all? Attend an IPT.
Thanks for the leading questions my friend 🙂
later and love, a
Artie what is your favorite shoot location in the world and why?
The answer to that is always the same, “The next place or places I will be photographing” Right now those would be Fort DeSoto and the Southern Ocean–South Georgia and the Falklands.
a
I greatly admire your bird photography! Over the years I have followed you, I noticed that most of your photography is of the larger birds such as waterfowls, shorebirds, raptors, etc. Have you ever in the past done any photography of the smaller passerines, the perching birds such as warblers, wrens, etc.? If not, why not?
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
Tell me about your zooming techniques regarding birds in flight… When you see a bird approaching, do you quickly zoom in tight right off the bat, hoping to keep the bird tightly in frame throughout its entire flight path? Or do you stay back a bit and allow the bird to fill the frame as it gets closer to you?
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
Artie, In reality does IS really make any difference in potential image quality at shutter speeds of 1/1,000 or above? Bruce Boswell
Not sure but for us older folks it helps to stabilize the position of the bird in the frame so I use it all the time.
a
What have you done with all your slides?
They are in a very large file cabinet. I am considering putting them in the trash before I croak…
a
You have a collection of some of the best avail images in the world. What drives you to keep going.
The thirst for the recognition that I never got from my WWII vet Dad and my love of the process including being in the field and working at the computer… And interacting with Happy Campers like you who really want to improve their skills.
a
I have the same questions as James Saxon. Years ago if a photographer worked hard and was productive, enough money could be earned through stock sales to support the business and a family. While digital changed the business in positive ways it’s people giving their images away that pretty much killed the stock business.
See my response to James below. I will expand on that hear. I often counsel young photographers who would like to become pros. I tell them that if they photograph what they love and have half a brain and tons of determination, they can succeed. Most other pros today tell them to look elsewhere for work 🙁
a
How did a guy from Brooklyn Tech, who drove a cab ever get any appreciation for wildlife. By the way, I signed your petition after seeing my photo in the Audubon piece.
Thanks for the petition.
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
Do you have a Top Ten list of the most common mistakes us amateurs make? That if we could eliminate we could greatly improve our images. Or is a Top Ten list to short!!!
Great question. We will likely address it in the interview (possibly in a slightly different form). If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
Who are some of your favourite photographers and what do they do to earn your admiration?
John Shaw, Rod Planck, Tim Fitzharris, Chas Glatzer, Denise Ippolito–the most creative photographer I know, Clemens van der Werf (a student), Paul McKenzie, Tim Laman, Todd Gustafson, and photojournalist/war photographer James Nachtwey. The late Fritz Pölking, and a thousand others who have produced wondrous images that I have been privileged to view.
artie
What will the impact of micro four thirds and mirrorless cameras have on wildlife photography?
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
Is there a bird that you have not been able to get a shot of yet that you have tried for before? Or a rare bird in an exotic location that is on your bucket list?
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
ps: got any cookies???
What is the most challenging place or bird subject in the world for avian photography?
What has been the most rewarding moment or achievement of your career?
Good questions. We may address them in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
I do not have info on DPI-SIG as I am not yet a member. I was looking forward to Sept 9, but will be up North. Sorry not being to help.
Cheers,
Jim
No problema but slightly confused…
a
I find myself in the same boat the older I get…
🙂 Me too.
a
I too would like to know your answer to Karl F’s question.
What was your most memorable capture, and why?
I’m retired, as are many of your readers, I presume. As I get older, I am becoming concerned about the ability to carry around all the gear I’ve traditionally used for bird and bird-in-flight photography: a pro body (or two), 500+mm lens, big tripod, gimbal mount, plus all the other cameras and lenses I carry along for landscape photos when I’m not photographing birds. My airport load can often exceed 50 pounds. So, my question is: how are you (or how do you anticipate) changing your gear and approach to photography as you age?
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
The Art of Bird Photography questions…
Who’s brainchild was that? Did it just come to you…did somebody else suggest it?
Were there any other titles floating around that you thought about using?
What actually was the driving force that said to you, Artie, a book has to be written about this subject?
Doug
Good question. We may address that in the interview. If not, I will respond in a blog post.
a
How has the bird photography business changed over the years with digital replacing film? Micro stock replacing normal stock agencies? Other than teaching how does a bird photographer make enough money to support themselves and their family?
Stock sales are down more than 90% for most of us in the last 15 years. What is micro stock?
All pros make money in different ways in different proportions…
For me monetizing the blog by promoting the use of my B&H affiliate links and the Used Gear Sales has helped. Answering tens of thousands of e-mails over the past 25 years has helped with the two preceding items…The educational PDFs have been huge and the few videos–I need to do more of those–have helped as well.
a
Over the years as a professional bird photographer what have you learned about people?
What have you learned about birds?
Aside from the finished product, what do you enjoy most about bird photography?
Can a person with a basic point-and-shoot camera have fun shooting birds? What suggestions do you have for a beginner?
I have learned that there are two basic types of folks. The great majority are Happy Campers. They are all pleasant and appreciative. As in any line of work, you run into a few Unhappy Campers who take pleasure in being negative. As happiness is a choice I feel sorry for them. Over the years I have had about six folks banned for life, most of those on a trip arranged by a third party…
Most of all, I enjoy the challenge: get close; find the best perspective, design a pleasing image; get it sharp if you want it sharp; get the right exposure. And the last three often have to be accomplished in as little as 1-3 seconds…
Having fun is a choice but for bird photography you need to have the reach when you need it. Most P&Ss do not offer that.
a