Learning the art of digital nature photography
Calgary wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch has just returned from an underwater alligator shoot in Florida. He’s travelled the globe snapping everything from polar bears to three-toed sloths. Subsequently Lynch and Darwin Wiggett landscape and stock photographer have a lot to teach others about the art of picture taking in their upcoming weekend seminar Nuts & Bolts of Nature Photography.
You’re an avid shutterbug with no easy access to boa constrictors or mountain lions? Not a problem. Taking wildlife photographs such as Lynch’s is a highly specialized process — you’ve got to walk before you can run. Lynch and Wiggett will use some wild and woolly shots to illustrate photo composition and so on but will concentrate on natural subjects that are much more accessible — plants flowers squirrels the textures of nature and even pets and outdoor adventure activities.
The intent of their seminar is to bring aspiring nature photographers up to speed with digital photo technology. This will include two components. The first is general photographic principals that apply to nature photography. For example where do you place the subject — be it a moose or a daffodil — in the frame? The second is the demystification of digital photography and its accompanying jargon. (What are colour space and white balance for e.g.?) “We’re going to explore all these different principals” says Lynch “and hopefully give people some insight so they can take better pictures.”
Participants will need to know a little about photography like what shutter speed and f-stop are but not a lot. The new digital photographic technology is so good explains Lynch that one can go out in the field with little photographic knowledge program some basics into their camera and take reasonable pictures. Most people as a result don’t know anything about their cameras. “That can really interfere with their creativity. Once they get to a certain level they can’t get any farther than that.” Lynch also recommends the seminar to more advanced photographers. The second day will focus on selling and publishing one’s images.
Lynch is the author of numerous books including his latest Owls of the United States and Canada . He is an occasional Fast Forward photo contributor. Wiggett is a nationally recognized professional stock photographer specializing in Canadian landscapes outdoor recreation kids and funny animals. His work has been published worldwide.
Nuts & Bolts of Digital Nature Photography runs April 12 (8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and 13 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the University of Calgary in room EN A201. Admission fee for Saturday (Digital Nature Photography) or Sunday (Advanced Digital Photography) is $125 ($140 at the door) or attend both for $199. For more information e-mail wiggett@telusplanet.net .
