Wildlife Photography_ From Snapshots to Great Shots - Laurie Excell [7]
Figure 1.10 The Better Beamer uses a Fresnel to concentrate the light to a narrow beam, giving it greater reach with a spot effect to illuminate just your subject. By concentrating the light, the output may not be as much of a drain on the batteries.
Figure 1.11 Exposing to get an average of the bright background and the darker, backlit owl resulted in an exposure that was too dark for the owl (left). Dialing in plus exposure compensation would have resulted in an even brighter background that would draw attention away from the owl. Leaving the ambient light as it was and using Nikon’s Creative Light System to get the base exposure, I dialed down (minus) the flash power, adding just enough fill light to brighten the owl (right) and make its eyes pop with catchlights and color.
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Tip
If I will be using flash extensively in continuous firing mode, I’ll add an external power pack to enable the flash to recycle faster and give me more flashes between recharges.
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Tip
The TTL (through the lens) tends to do too good of a job at matching the fill light with the ambient light. I prefer the moodiness of just a hint of flash fill, so I usually dial down the flash to minus output.
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Utilizing Tripods and Heads
For improved image quality, I am a firm believer of tripod use. I realize there are times that in order to even get the shot, you need to be extremely mobile and a tripod is not an option, or that some locations forbid the use of tripods. But for those times when you can set up a tripod and utilize it for support, you will find a noticeable improvement in your images. In my experience, a tripod is invaluable in not only aiding me in making sharp images, but it allows me to shoot for hours without becoming fatigued from handholding a heavy camera and lens. A stable tripod combined with a fluid gimbal head allows me to pan smoothly along with a moving subject, enabling me to capture tack-sharp images during peak action. A stable support is worth its weight in gold. Just like camera bodies and lenses, there are tripods and heads for every type of photography and every budget. You have a lot of money invested in your equipment, so purchasing a tripod is not the time to become too budget conscious. A good tripod will serve you well for years. Flashpoint tripods and heads (Figure 1.12) are excellent options for the budget-minded photographer with a good selection to match the tripod and head with the equipment you own.
Figure 1.12 A tripod is an investment in your equipment’s safety as well as all the future sharp images you will make when using a tripod properly. You don’t have to break the bank to get good quality, as proven with the Flashpoint brand of tripods and heads.
Important features to consider when purchasing a new tripod include:
• Maximum extended height (preferably without a center column). You’ll want a tripod that will extend to at least your full height. This will prevent fatigue from bending over your tripod all day and avoid tilted horizons from bending over at an angle to look through the viewfinder. If you can stand at ease with your tripod at eye level, you will be able to shoot in a more relaxed fashion for a greater length of time.
• Maximum weight. You’ll want a sturdy tripod that can support at least twice the weight you’ll ever mount on it. Not only does the additional weight of the tripod add to its stability in windy conditions, but you’ll have room to grow and add longer lenses without the need to upgrade. The compromise is worth the little