Developing A System For Preparedness In The Field
Success as a nature photographer can be attributed to many things. Knowing your camera system front-to-back, intimately understanding the behaviours of wildlife, scrutinizing weather reports to predict amazing light - the list goes on. You might be surprised to know however, that from my experience, one of the main things that holds a considerable percentage of photographers back is simply the absence of a system that keeps themselves prepared and organized. In all fairness, there's a lot to think about - and carry around for that matter - but by simply following a few steps each time you head out into the field, even the less enjoyable parts of the process will become a lot less onerous.
In this post, I wanted to share with you a few thoughts that I hope can help you out in this regard...
Part 1 - Packing for an Outing
Clothing & Footwear.
No matter where in the world you're shooting, proper attire is hugely important. Think of it this way... adequate warmth, waterproofing, moisture wicking, sun protection - whatever the case may be - can mean the difference between packing things up early, or sticking it out and being rewarded with an amazing shot. If I look back on my favourite photographs, very rarely were the conditions comfortable. However, if you consider the weather conditions, your level of activity, and the type of terrain you’ll be in, you can pack appropriately and make the experience a whole lot more enjoyable.
A few of my quick tips...
If you think there's even a small chance you may need waterproof footwear on a given day, you do! Invest in a pair of good waterproof boots that you can comfortably walk a considerable distance in. Don't let something as small as a flooded section of trail get in the way of your shoot. I’ve been using XtraTuf insulated and non-insulated boots for many years.
If you haven’t already, purchase a small, packable waterproof rain shell that you can bring with you on those days where rain is possible. Having something on hand as an insurance that doesn’t take up a ton of valuable space in your bag can mean all the difference.
Photo Gear
Given the weight and bulk of nature photography gear (especially for wildlife shooters) it's important to put some forethought into what you choose to bring or leave behind on a shoot, especially if you’re planning to travel any serious distance on foot.
Considering your subject matter is the most important aspect. If I'm going to be photographing a hummingbird for example, I'll likely pack my extension tubes to allow for closer focusing. If I'm shooting landscapes in a rainforest environment, I'm sure to double check that my cable release and circular polarizing filter are in my bag. Remember to prepare for the unexpected as well. If you won't be travelling far on foot, it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
One of the biggest mistakes I see time and time again is photographers leaving their teleconverters behind. To me, the real advantage of having a large prime telephoto lens for wildlife is the ability to use teleconverters to further close in on distant subjects. I understand that for many, there are some concerns surrounding sharpness issues and general degradation of image quality, but to me, they’re incredibly useful. I recommend always having them on hand as you never know when you’ll need them. More information on how to get the most detail out of your cameras, lenses, and teleconverters can be found in my eBook: Sharper Images - A Guide for Nature Photographers.
Lastly, just as you'd prepare your clothing for a wet day, ensure that you have proper waterproofing for your camera gear and pack.
Without my 2x teleconverter and cable release on hand, I would’ve missed out on this great opportunity.
Part 2 - The "Preflight Check"
In one’s excitement to get started, it's very easy to neglect the few final steps. Leaving behind critical pieces of gear can seem like a minor inconvenience on paper, but missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to a silly oversight can be understandably frustrating. In addition to ensuring you have all the necessary odds and ends, taking the time to double check that your equipment is secure is hugely important as well. Having guided dozens of photo workshops over the last several years, you wouldn't believe the amount of gear I've seen hit the deck. While it's true that sometimes things just happen, these incidents are almost always caused by carelessness and are easily preventable. Seeing $20,000 lenses in pieces on many occasions really drives home the importance of developing and sticking to a system.
If you’re starting the shoot very close to the vehicle, be one step ahead and assemble your gear before you set off. If not, be sure your bag is packed in a way that leaves your most necessary items easily accessible. Arriving at your spot to see amazing action unfolding as you hastily scramble to assemble your rig is just asking for trouble.
Be sure to either pack all other valuables with you or tuck them away out of sight in your vehicle. Known birding/photography hotspots are sometimes targeted for car break-ins.
If photo opportunities are imminent, raise your tripod to a comfortable eye-level height. ***Always extend the lowest sections of your tripod legs first, so that adjustments can easily be made later on using the upper sections without the need to bend down and lift each tripod leg off the ground***.
To be ready for an unexpected encounter, it’s a good idea to either approximate your manual settings based on the lighting conditions, or switch to a more automatic mode such as Aperture Mode to be ready to shoot. My go-to standby mode/settings to prepare for an unexpected opportunity are AV (Aperture Mode), wide open aperture, even exposure compensation, relatively high ISO (dependent upon the light level). I leave my camera on almost always whenever I’m in the field. As far as battery consumption is concerned, it’s totally negligible.
Double check, do I have a fresh memory card in my camera? Is my battery adequately charged? Do I have extras of both in my bag?
This is 100% the most important step! Before lifting up your tripod to begin walking, double check the following:
• Are my tripod legs even and are the leg locks tightened?
• Is my tripod head properly secured to my tripod?
• Is my lens foot attached securely to the tripod head?• Is my lens tilted down as not to point up towards the potentially rainy skies or wet foliage? A front element covered in water droplets won’t do you any good.
• Are the knobs on your tripod head tightened?
Until you have ensured all of the above, do not set off. This has become a habit for me and takes between 5-10 seconds. What may seem redundant has saved myself and my clients countless times.
Having the right gear for days out in the snow and preemptively considering my camera settings was critical in capturing this fleeting moment with a Canada Lynx.