Spring 2017

A Q&A with a Professional
For the past 15 years, Larry Ditto has been a full-time
nature photographer, a pursuit he has been engaged
in for more than 40 years. Prior to becoming a full-time
photographer, Ditto put his wildlife science degree from
Texas A&M to work as a refuge manager in the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System.
He has focused his camera primarily on South
Texas, but has shot extensively in the West and
Midwest. His work is featured in books such as Texas:
A Photographic Journey and magazines such as
Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Highways and Bird
Watcher’s Digest. In 2000, he along with Greg
Lasley won the prestigious Valley Land Fund Wildlife
Photo Contest.
According to Ditto, his science background has given
him an advantage as both a photographer and a leader/
instructor at the nature photography workshops and
instructional photo tours he hosts each year. In addition,
he judges various photography contests and lectures at
nature festivals across Texas.
I caught him on the fly, so to speak, and got his
perspective on nature photography destinations.
LAW: As a
photographer,
what makes a
good nature
photography
destination?
LD: For me, a good
nature photography
destination is one with lots of accessible and
approachable wildlife, especially birds. Most of us who
do this are at the age where “accessible” means we
can drive close or only have to walk a short distance to
get the photos. We all have way too much gear, so that
tends to hold us back from climbing to the mountain
tops, although that can be wonderful, too.
Ranches, parks and wildlands with unusual animals
and birds really attract photographers because we are all
looking for that shot that no one else has—or that critter
that few photographers get to see in a view finder.
This is why South Texas ranches are so successful
as photo destinations. They have green jays, great
kiskadees, Audubon’s orioles, and many other species
that are unusual, colorful and fun to photograph. In the
Hill Country, a ranch with golden-cheeked warblers and
black-capped vireos tends to be more attractive that
other Central Texas locations that have the more typical,
widespread birds.
Landscape is important as well. Backgrounds are a
critical component of most good nature photos, so a
nice earth-tone background is desirable.
Beyond that, photographers will be more
successful if there is good habitat around the area
where we are looking for wildlife: where there is good,
varied habitat there is a lot of wildlife. Of course,
that is more of a land management maxim than a
photography issue.
LAW: From an infrastructure perspective, what do
photographers want and need?
LD: I think most photographers prefer areas with little
human disturbance because part of nature photography
is enjoying the landscape, the solitude, the nature
sounds and the rest. Being immersed in nature makes
the trip worthwhile, even when we aren’t successful in
getting all the images we’d like to capture.
“Social media is an incredibly effective marketing tool for
photography, if you create a consistent presence. Facebook, photo
forums and the rest are hungry beasts and if you engage them, it’s
important that they be fed every day or every other day to create
a following. If you can’t commit to that then you might want to
hire someone to do it for you.” —John Martin
Now, highway access, ranch roads and relatively
comfortable and effective photo blinds are critical, too.
Many photographers fly in for a few days of shooting, so
they often rent small cars that aren’t really designed for
rough, rocky roads.
Most traveling photographers really appreciate a good
map provided by the landowner. A good map and good
roads gives them a lot of security, which they need.
Remember, most of these photographers are urbanites
and they’re not used to being out in the “wild” country.
If photographers visit ranches and parks without
a leader, then they need a ranch guide or very good
signage and orientation from the rancher or printed
literature. Always remember, the photographers are
going to be happiest when they know where they are,
know they are safe from the elements and the critters.
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