Category: opinion

A swallow banks right in this photograph.
Mission Trails – San Diego

After many years of experimental photography impressions, I have decided to make bird photographs. Not that I never did before. I include birds in many of my works. Those however were only suggestions, much like a watercolor painting. “Bird Photography” in its strictest philosophical sense requires tack sharp details. Fairly easy to do with a static subject.

Moving birds are another matter. Moving birds are (in my mind) the pinnacle of bird photography. This type of work depicts the bird “body” as it maneuvers in flight. It is an unmatched beauty within the mammalian atmosphere in my opinion.

It also requires all the experience the photographer brings to the moment. One cannot simply point-and-shoot to capture a racing bird in flight. Knowing how to technically control the camera is a must. As usual, I shoot manually. In other words, we set all the controls. We might use auto focus, or we might use manual focus (more than likely). Everything is set to support a fast shutter.

With all that said, I do not consider myself to be a “bird photographer.” Today I may subject my work to the rigors of traditional bird photography. Tomorrow, who knows? It is for the challenge and the love of image making that we do this. If tomorrow’s sunset brings clouds and color, I might ignore the philosophy of “bird photography” and jump wholly into impression making. There are no chains in art, other than the ones we place on ourselves.

Just a head’s up. There will be more birds. Many more birds.

A little photography stuff. No poetry in this entry….just a head’s up.

No, not back to work in my office. I do go to the office when efficiency is paramount. I’m talking about getting back to work creatively.
Covid has slapped us around for six months and put us in our own little jails for that time. My priorities changed drastically and the time typically spent creating was relegated to new responsibilities.
Initially, getting out to make (art) work became arduous. Now, after these six months, I’ve been able to streamline those new responsibilities and my focus is turning to those creative pangs that have been stifled.
I’ve made it out the last two days in spite of the near 100 degree heat (f). I made a decision to bring one camera and one lens…..that’s it, not even a camera bag.
For this trip I brought the Nikon 60mm 2.8D Micro. Here are some of the results and my impression of this lens:
The cover photo “Rock Fall” was made on the trail in a spot where the light falls wonderfully. It depicts the capability of this lens in its “normal” mode. The rest are close focus pieces.

This legacy lens is fast and sharp. It works well on my D750. Unfortunately, auto focus does not work with the newer mirrorless Z bodies (FTZ adapter).
The lens overall is fun in that it allows a micro view if the photographer decides to grab a close view of something interesting.
One of the downsides includes an inner barrel focus. While focusing, the barrel extends out. I’m ok with it, but prefer not to have this type of function. The barrel becomes a point of concern with dust etc. Anything that falls on the barrel while extended may end up inside the lens or may gum up usability.
The other thing to consider for very close focus is that the stop will change from 2.8 to 3.5. This is typically not an issue since macro results fare better stopped down and with flash. With this exercise, I use available light, and I want 2.8. Not too big of a deal overall.