Posted by Brian Monk on October 31, 2006 at 9:41 PM
Hi y'all!
This winter and spring, I'll be spending an inordinate amount of time in the woods, searching for Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers in northwest Florida as part of the Auburn University search team. The Choctawhatchee River basin is composed of primeval, seasonally flooded cypress woods. My time will be spent in a canoe, paddling through this area, occasionally wading and hiking. I have spent time in this forest before, but never with the intent of taking photos of a specific bird.
Can anyone who is familiar with backwoods photography give me some advice so that A) I do the least amount of damage to my equipment as possible and B) I return with a reasonable collection of decent photographs (not necessarily of the Ivory-bill).
Keep it dry. Keep it handy. Keep it simple. Keep backups.
In canoes my favorite "dry bag" is actually an ice chest, which is easiest to get into and keeps the gear handy.
The more simple your setup, the easier to get it into action quickly and the less parts to lose or damage.
And of course, whatever you need most will be most likely to break first.
Posted by Mike Broderick on October 31, 2006 at 10:36 PM
I know nothing of backwoods photography, but you may get better answers if you clarify your goal--Based on your sig, I assume it is bird photographs (as you said, not necessarily the IVB), not landscapes?
Posted by Bill Chambers on October 31, 2006 at 10:52 PM
Hi Brian - I live about 2 hours from that area, and have canoed there as well. As you already mentioned, the woods are certainly primeval in nature, but I see no real danger of damage to your eqipment as long as you keep the canoe right side up. I canoed th3 streams of NW FL for 30+ years and the only equipment damage came out of stupidity or carelessness on my part. I generally keep a canoe dry bag handy in case of rain, or Hank's suggestion of a cooler would work also. The problem with photographing those woods comes from shooting in harsh light - really tough shadows. Try to shoot more on overcast days and you'll find much better results, and with winter approaching overcast conditions will be more prevalent. Sounds like a great opportunity - good luck.
Posted by Kent Staubus on October 31, 2006 at 11:41 PM
Why a canoe instead of a kayak? Kayaks are inherently more stable, easier to manuever, and easier/more efficient to paddle. Anyway, my suggestion would be to use a Pelican case. Some ice chests seal well, some don't. For a lens, get something like a Nikon 80-400mm V R or Canon 100-400mm IS. You want an image stabilized lens of some kind. You might also consider warm clothes because if you get cold, you'll wiggle around a lot and be more apt to spook anything that actually is around. If there are mosquitos, consider wearing net clothing for the same reason.
Kent in SD
Posted by John W. Wall on November 2, 2006 at 1:51 PM
Get a flash extender and use it! It'll help fill in shadows in dappled light and give you a faster exposure in low light.
Discussion
5 repliesThis winter and spring, I'll be spending an inordinate amount of time in the woods, searching for Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers in northwest Florida as part of the Auburn University search team. The Choctawhatchee River basin is composed of primeval, seasonally flooded cypress woods. My time will be spent in a canoe, paddling through this area, occasionally wading and hiking. I have spent time in this forest before, but never with the intent of taking photos of a specific bird.
Can anyone who is familiar with backwoods photography give me some advice so that A) I do the least amount of damage to my equipment as possible and B) I return with a reasonable collection of decent photographs (not necessarily of the Ivory-bill).
Thanks!
In canoes my favorite "dry bag" is actually an ice chest, which is easiest to get into and keeps the gear handy.
The more simple your setup, the easier to get it into action quickly and the less parts to lose or damage.
And of course, whatever you need most will be most likely to break first.
Kent in SD