One of the really handy features of modern digital cameras is the ability
to record EXIF data in the image files. EXIF data keeps track of
things like which shutter speed you used, which focal length and
a lot of
other stuff. It saves you from having to take a lot of notes. I especially
appreciated this example (above) telling me there was no red-eye
reduction. No arguing with that one.

Great Moments in Wildlife Photography
No. 2: Superb Fairy-wren |
Honing your reflexes
We’ve already established that photographers like things
to sit still (preferably for as long as it takes to change a few
lenses), and that a lot of nature is moving. So if a critter is
moving really,
really
fast,
then
you have to follow its action by ‘panning’.
Panning
looks easy enough but the truth is it takes some practice. The
first time I tried taking shots of a pelican flying overhead
I found it so difficult to keep the bird in the frame I almost
fell over. So if you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip
to some exotic wildlife haven then I’d encourage you to get
outside with your camera beforehand and practice taking pictures
of pigeons or something. The cool thing is, with digital you’re
not wasting film (although you might have to recharge your batteries)
I recommend this because when that magnificent
rare critter appears in full view of your lens for a millisecond
you’ll be mighty
glad you honed your reflexes (and familiarity with your camera)
on the pigeons. That’s why I enjoy practising on fast-moving
subjects. Here in Sydney, the Welcome Swallow definitely qualifies
as fast-moving. First time I tried on those guys was a complete
joke but lately I’ve
reached the stage where I’ve been getting quite a few sharp
shots as they fly past at approximately warp-nine. And without
falling over even once.
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I took this pic of a Welcome
Swallow at 1000th second to ‘freeze’ the
action, but despite that, the ground is still blurred due to
the speed I was panning. |
This is another area where
modern digital SLRs can help. They often have a special
kind of focusing mode especially for moving things. On my camera
it’s called ‘servo focus’ and it uses clever
algorithms to keep the subject in focus while also trying
to guess where the subject is going (closer or further
away). For that reason, it’s sometimes called ‘predictive
autofocus’. With Welcome Swallows it works more like ‘hope-like-hell’ focus
but whatever you choose to call it, it does the job a whole lot
faster than I can, and for that reason I’m grateful.
Part 3

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