2019 Summer Guide

Page 6 2019 Summer Guide World Journal
Wildlife and scenic photography:
Colorado memories to cherish
lower shutter speed. Most modern digital
cameras have pre-set shutter speeds
to accommodate both portrait and
sports photos and nearly everything in
between.
• Some photographers love to take
everything they may need into the
field, others prefer a more compact kit.
If you want, you might trade your tripod
for a mono-pod; a single shaft stabilizer.
Some shooters like the filled
rice bag as something they cradle their
cameras on, especially on car window
frames. If your digital camera lens has
a stabilizer or anti-vibration button, set
it to ‘on’ as often in Colorado county
high winds can effect your grip on your
camera especially when using longer or
zoon lenses.
Both native and migratory species
make good photo subjects in Colorado.
flower or even bug that you want to get
a really close up shot of!
When I go afield, I carry a 70mm-
300mm zoom and a standard 52mm
macro. I rarely carry a tripod or monopod
because I am very used to the
weight of my camera and will compensate
with my lens settings and shooting
speed to adjust for any minor movement
that may affect the finished
photo.
While hiking trails and wilderness
areas are, of course, perfect places for
A macro lens or macro attachment will bring you right down into some of
the smallest worlds for spectacular photographs.
Wildlife Officers are great assets to the
budding or experienced wildlife photographer.
They know what species are
in a given area, the times they are most
active and where you can find them.
• Another often overlooked asset
to the photographer is local historians,
historical societies and museums.
These folks love to share their knowledge
of their areas and may provide
tips (and even directions) to highly
photogenic sites like specific vistas,
ghost towns and other locales. Old
mining sites are favorites with some
photographers but remember many are
located on private property and all old
mining areas may be very dangerous!
It may be best to contact a landowner
and see if you can arrange a private
guide into an area that interests you.
• While Colorado is a very beautiful
state, remember, much of it is private
property. If you don’t have
specific permission to be on private
property, then use that long or zoom
lens to photograph that herd of deer or
antelope from the side of the roadway.
Don’t trespass and a good rule to keep
in mind is, ‘take only photos and leave
only footprints’, don’t litter and be a
good neighbor of wildlife and private
Remember, don’t limit your scenic and nature photography to just one
season of the year here in Colorado. Summer, winter, spring, and especially
fall provides colorful scenic photo opportunities throughout the
Spanish Peaks region. All photos by Eric Mullens.
• The choice of lens is up to the
photographer and may be matched to
a certain subject one is seeking, or a variety
may be taken to the field so you
are ready for anything. I suggest zoom
lenses, which provide versatility; a
good 70mm to 300mm zoom will allow
for both medium close up and the
300mm has a pretty good reach. A
larger zoom extending into the 500mm
to 700mm range (and longer) will bring
those far-a-way subjects close in, but remember,
if you’re hiking all day, some
models can get fairly heavy (always
check the condition of your camera
strap too!). When using very long zoom
or telephoto (fixed) lenses, a tripod or
monopod is necessary, as any slight
movement may ruin your overall
image.
While most cameras, digital and
film come with standard 50mm lenses,
you might want to invest in a 50mm to
70mm macro zoom, or standard 50mm
macro. That macro will come in handy
when you spy a beautiful butterfly,
wildlife photography, they may be
crowded at times and wildlife may shy
away from campground noise. Of
course the human activity sometimes
draws in some opportunistic critters,
such as squirrels, chipmunks, and
even deer looking for a handout, don’t
fall victim to them. Wildlife officials
ask human visitors to NOT feed the
wildlife.
Unlimited possibilities;
While we’ve presented a quick
overview of wildlife photo, don’t forget
Colorado’s scenic vistas and remember,
if you have bird feeders where you live
or were you are staying they are the
perfect location to photograph songbirds
and hummingbirds and of course,
flowers.
But do feed you sense of adventure
and creativity and don’t venture out
without your camera, even you pocket
camera or phone camera will help you
bring back great memories of Colorado.
Keep your eyes open for the unusual, like this rustic find in a backyard in
by eric mullens
One of the very best ways to keep
your Colorado adventure alive for
years is to venture afield and capture
some of the state’s abundant wildlife
on film or in the memory of your digital
camera.
You don’t have to be a big game
stalker to photograph some of Colorado’s
wildlife, but quiet movement,
the knowledge of what your camera
and lens’ can and cannot do and some
general rules are important to keep in
mind.
• Do your homework. Know what
area you’re heading into; do some preplanning.
Walk the trail or the shoreline
of the lake and take note of the time of
day your photographic subjects are
most active. If you’re seeking that early
morning or late evening sunrise or sunset,
pick your spot(s) in advance and be
there when the ducks land, or the fox
kits are active and plan your shots in
advance.
• Be aware of the area(s) you will
be in; take precautions in bear and lion
county and make sure you have what
you might need in an emergency if you
are taking an extended trip into the
back country. As with all Colorado out-
La Veta.
door adventures, tell someone where
you are going, take along water, food,
a charged cell photo (with GPS if possible),
appropriate clothing (the
weather can change very quickly during
any season) and always use your
common sense.
• If you are venturing into state or
federal forests, mountains, camping
areas, or wildlife preserves, contact a
ranger and ask advise concerning the
types and locations of wildlife you
might be able to find and photograph.
USFS Rangers and Colorado Parks and
and public property owners.
• Photographing wildlife is full of
surprises, unexpected shots are sometimes
the best, so know what the settings
on your camera will and will not
do. If you seek a crisp, clear photo,
make sure your camera ( or lens) is set
at a higher f-stop ( f 16 or above will ensure
your main subject and the background
are both in focus and a faster
shutter speed will freeze the action). If
you seek the blur of wing movement,
and a soft, almost abstract background
use a lower f-stop (1.2, 2.4, 5.6) and a
You will often find the opportunity to photograph more than ‘birds of a
feather’ together as many waterfowl share the same lakes, ponds and protected
water sources in Colorado.