| Photographing static objects like bowls of colourful | | | | endorphins that jack up your adrenaline level. |
| fruit on black Perspex with a stained glass | | | | Without getting hugely technical, for you to get a |
| backdrop casting multi-coloured washes across | | | | good shot of a moving Leopard, you have to be |
| the image is relatively easy - Oh boy, I could be in | | | | on a rapid-fire camera with a 100mm to 300mm |
| trouble, I can't believe I just said that? I can just | | | | lens, which is extremely restricting even for the |
| imagine hundreds of 'still life' and portrait | | | | more experienced photographer. If your subject |
| photographers saying 'What did he just say, did I | | | | is moving fast you have to frame, focus and fire |
| hear easy? Who is this guy?' | | | | on the fly (as they say) the majority of time, |
| It is an accepted fact that photographing children | | | | hoping to God you got it. |
| and animals is reserved for the brave hearted - | | | | Longer lenses need more light than wider lenses. |
| with oodles of patience and possibly some | | | | Most wide angle lenses have apertures of |
| encouragement from Jack Daniels. I'm not sure | | | | between 1.8 and 2.8, whereas 300 to 500mm |
| who should take the credit for the phrase 'If | | | | lenses start with an aperture of between 5.6 |
| you're looking for an organised and a tranquil | | | | & 11- so you do need light. If there isn't the |
| shoot - stay away from children and animals', but | | | | required light aperture, you need to be on very |
| whoever uttered that profundity knew what they | | | | fast film in order to enhance the available light and |
| were talking about. By the same token there are | | | | capture a hit-and-miss series of frames that you |
| many photographers and movie makers who | | | | will either ditch in the bin or leave the podium |
| have stacked their awards on the mantle piece | | | | carrying the award. Forgive me I'm a kind of |
| by producing stunning work. | | | | purist when it comes to technology, I'm certainly |
| Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to prevent | | | | up to speed with digital technology, but the test |
| you from taking pictures of your Jack Russell or | | | | of the real artist, be it stills or movies - when it |
| your little toddler or even the neighbours' | | | | comes to measuring the heat of a light, |
| parakeet - if you're doing it for fun that's cool, but | | | | understanding apertures and speed and what the |
| if you decide to take the subject more seriously, | | | | latitude of a film emulsion does for the end |
| you're going to need some help. | | | | product - is the ultimate art. |
| The truth is if you're shooting in a controlled | | | | Okay, so where are we going with this? I suggest |
| environment, you'll most probably have your | | | | you start practicing on Peefer the parrot to get |
| camera mounted on a tripod with a bunch of | | | | the feel of a moving object. You must understand |
| assistants moving in and out tweaking the lights, | | | | that Peefer, your Labrador, your child or any |
| dressing the shot meticulously through the lens | | | | other uncontrollable subject is not going to do |
| creating a relaxed environment. The classic studio | | | | what you want them to do - so if Peefer offers |
| shoot. But you have to agree that photographing | | | | you a great profile shot, you can put money on it |
| a Leopard chasing his lunch is a totally different | | | | that as you hit the shutter, he will drop out of |
| ball game. Hitting a static target at the shooting | | | | frame or give you a beautiful close-up of the |
| range is difficult enough, but it takes a special skill | | | | back of his head. It takes a lot of practice and |
| to hit the same target if it's on the move. Moving | | | | even more patience to get the perfect shot. |
| objects create a whole new set of problems and | | | | If you really want to learn about composition and |
| mindset. Instead of the luxury of a composed lit | | | | action framing, take yourself and your camera off |
| frame with exact apertures and wide lenses, you | | | | to the local sports stadium and snap at athletes |
| are thrown into unpredictable moves that directly | | | | or baseball players in action - it'll be your first step |
| impact on your film speed, your focus, the | | | | to shooting wildlife stills. Let me know how you |
| amount of available light and the choice of lens. It | | | | do. |
| also drastically increases the production of | | | | |