I’m here in Kodiak where we meet the chartered seaplanes. We then fly to Geographic Harbor where we’ll pick up the chartered boat and finally embark on the final leg of the journey that will hopefully take us to the bears.
I’m trying to take some time to reflect on what I want to accomplish during this trip. One thing that sets pros apart from amateurs is we go into a photo shoot with specific goals in mind. I find it easier to get great shots when I have a theme. If I just go out and shoot everything I see, I am not focused enough (no pun intended) to come away with a solid portfolio of work.
So I am not even sure what my theme will be on this trip. But I have a few things in mind. Conditions will often help dictate the theme. Weather, subject, mood, light, and other considerations can cause me to change a theme.
Short of those situations, I think my theme this trip will be somewhat general… I want to make images that will help people look at life through the bear’s eyes. Perspective is something that’s often lacking in today’s busy world. I know my perspective. I might even know your perspective if I spend enough time with you. But do I really honor other perspectives? Do I really take time to learn from other people’s perspectives? And moreover – is there anything to be learned from the bear’s perspective?
This is the starting point for my theme this week. It could change. But that’s where I am going to begin.
And I’ll use my old standby photojournalism trick. . . EDFAT – Entire, Details, Focal Length, Angle and Time. I’ll shoot using this tool to remind myself to shoot scenes at different angles, with different lenses, closer and farther, higher and lower, at different times of day, using slow shutter speeds in some cases to capture the mood of motion or freezing action with a high shutter speed so that I can seriously study every detail in the bear’s face.
There’s a great deal to think about – and notice, nothing I’ve written here refers to gear or gadgets. Great photos start in the mind’s eye. Now I just have to capture in my camera over the next few days those photo’s I’ve already pre-visualized in my mind.
NOTE: There won’t be any more updates from me until the 10th but the blog will continue to be updated daily by Aaron with articles I’ve pre-written.
PLEASE be patient during these few days. Things like the Photo Challenge and the Flickr poll might not be updated exactly on time.
See you on the other side.
Hey Scott,
thanks for the updates on your trip. I am sure you are going to have a lot of fun with all your new toys.
Just to keep people up to date: canon is about ready to show us some new cameras. When canon, when??? Check out the links below; what a painful tease!
http://www.canon.com/moon/en/index.html
http://www.canon-europe.com/
Hey Scott,
thanks for the updates on your trip. I am sure you are going to have a lot of fun with all your new toys.
Just to keep people up to date: canon is about ready to show us some new cameras. When canon, when??? Check out the links below; what a painful tease!
http://www.canon.com/moon/en/index.html
http://www.canon-europe.com/
Good luck, get great images, and enjoy yourself!
Good luck, get great images, and enjoy yourself!
Good luck and enjoy the shoot.
Some good things to think about and a huge thanks to you and Aaron for pre-writing blog posts as I wonder what I was going to read for the next couple of weeks.
Good luck and enjoy the shoot.
Some good things to think about and a huge thanks to you and Aaron for pre-writing blog posts as I wonder what I was going to read for the next couple of weeks.
I must admit that I’ve spent too much time shooting without a theme, just hunting for some cool image, probably a photo I’ve seen somewhere sometime in the past. Thanks for pointing out the importance of having a theme.
I must admit that I’ve spent too much time shooting without a theme, just hunting for some cool image, probably a photo I’ve seen somewhere sometime in the past. Thanks for pointing out the importance of having a theme.
Ok when you get back I have a few questions.
Who all is on that trip? Will there be video or anything on TV? Art Wolfe and his show? How did you get this job and is there a particular mission of yours or the group other than shooting? Are you shooting for anyone specific?
Sorry, that’s a lot but it is just so interesting and I love nature and photography and electronics so that event equals total fun.
Ok when you get back I have a few questions.
Who all is on that trip? Will there be video or anything on TV? Art Wolfe and his show? How did you get this job and is there a particular mission of yours or the group other than shooting? Are you shooting for anyone specific?
Sorry, that’s a lot but it is just so interesting and I love nature and photography and electronics so that event equals total fun.
Hey Scott – go for it Buddy! I bet you are having one hell of a good time. And I tell you, its great to know that you will be shooting them bears with a D3 and not some firearm. Take good care, and thanks for the latest post.
Mark in the UK
Hey Scott – go for it Buddy! I bet you are having one hell of a good time. And I tell you, its great to know that you will be shooting them bears with a D3 and not some firearm. Take good care, and thanks for the latest post.
Mark in the UK