When I’m in the field I sometimes curse the snow but for bird photographers that white, messy stuff can often be a blessing in disguise.
Deep shadows on your subject that contain little or no detail are generally something to be avoided, which is one of several reasons most wildlife photographers prefer to shoot when the sun is low on the horizon and the light is less harsh. This is particularly true for birds in flight because a midday sun would cast heavy shadows on the ventral surfaces of the bird – the very surfaces the viewer is most likely to see while looking up at the bird.
But the reflective qualities of fresh, white snow can fill in those shadows and bring out detail nicely (something I touched on in yesterday’s post).
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this Northern Harrier just over two months ago at Farmington Bay. The image was taken at 10:18 AM so the sun was relatively high in the sky and under normal conditions the underside of the left wing would have been deeply shaded with little detail.
But on this morning there was fresh, white snow on the ground that reflected light back toward the bird which provided plenty of detail under the wing. Photographing birds in flight in conditions like this is almost like shooting them in a lightbox (the apparatus used in photo studios to provide diffuse, even illumination on the subject).
I’m very much a creature of habit and after all these years of photographing birds it’s almost engrained in my DNA to only shoot in early morning (or evening) light. On winter days I have to remind myself that I’m missing opportunities like this one when there’s snow on the ground and the sun is higher in the sky.
Ron
PS – On an unrelated note, in a recent post I mentioned that I was selling my Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens (“Ken’s lens”) and asked if any of my readers might be interested. I sold that lens locally yesterday. Yay! I hope the new owner loves that lens half as much as I did.
Works very well.great details shown here.
Great photo and good advice about using Mother Nature’s reflector for mid-day shots. The nice positions of the wings helped too. Hopefully, someday I will learn to stop pressing the shutter in the middle of the day. I’ve worn out several Delete Keys by not doing so.
Love the detail on that plumage. Beautiful, heart stirring sight. Thank you.
Off topic – on another blog yesterday I read that one of the laws which remain on Utah’s books (despite not being used) is that birds have right of way on the highways. And thought of you, and of the birds, and smiled. A law which SHOULD be enforced. Some of the others were a touch odd.
Great advice on using what nature provides to help improve the chance for a better shot! Superb photograph of the Harrier!
I’m trying to learn to use our Florida sand in much the same way. It’s not as much fun as cold, wet snow, but I’m attempting to cope. 🙂
So lovely! It makes me wish we had snow here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Congratulations on selling your lens. The purchaser is one lucky photographer.
Exquisite detail, especially in the underside of the wing, the “necklace” and the expression…a real beauty…
Snow does have the same sort of qualities as a giant reflector, doesn’t it? Lovely image of the Northern Harrier too – a species I managed to see for the first time near Vancouver while looking for a Snowy Owl.
What a sensational shot! Thanks so much for sharing both the shot and the shooting tips Ron!
Charlotte
Glad you enjoyed both, Charlotte. Thank you.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
One of these days I’ll get close enough!
Thanks, Dick. Keep at it. It’ll happen!