Bird studies with a camera : $b with introductory chapters on the outfit and methods of the bird photographerChapman, Frank M. (Frank Michler)
Science
Bird studies with a camera : $b with introductory chapters on the outfit and methods of the bird photographer
Chapman, Frank M. (Frank Michler)
Birds -- United States; Photography of birds
_Sundries._—The bird photographer will find that he requires numerous
articles not usually to be found in the regulation photographic outfit,
as, for example, climbers for ascending trees and stout cords for
hauling the camera up after him; a dark-cloth, green in color, to aid in
disguising the camera, and a mirror. The latter should be of plate
glass, and measure at least twelve by ten inches. A good plan is to buy
a piece of glass of desired size and frame it simply in white pine. It
may then be attached to a limb, a stick driven in the ground, or other
convenient object, by means of the ball-and-socket clamp mentioned under
Tripods, which may be screwed into the back or the outer border of the
frame. Such a mirror will reflect sunlight many yards to shaded nests,
where, in photographing old or young birds, a quick exposure is
necessary. A vest-pocket mirror, for use in reflecting the reading of
the diaphragms or time on the shutter, will permit one to make the
desired changes from the rear, and thus prove helpful when conditions do
not permit one to work in front of the camera.
A device which might be arranged on the principle of a trap, the trigger
to be sprung and exposure made when the bait is taken, would doubtless
capture some interesting pictures. An apparatus connected with an
automatically fired flash-light, has been employed by Mr. G. A. Shiras,
of Pittsburg, in photographing deer at night, with phenomenal success.
The connection with the camera shutter was so made that the deer, in
walking, touched a cord which exploded the flash-light, and, at the same
moment, made the exposure. The light weight of most birds, however,
requires a much more delicate apparatus, while an even greater
difficulty is found in the movement caused by the release of the
trigger, which startles the bird just as the exposure is made.
Thus far in my experiments I have been unable to overcome these
objections, but I trust some other bird photographer will be more
successful.
Those who are ambitious in the direction of cliff photography I would
refer to the Keartons’ admirable treatise on the subject in their Wild
Life at Home, for a description of the paraphernalia needed and the
manner in which it should be used. My own experience in this line is
limited, and I confess to the utter absence of a desire to increase it!
THE METHODS OF THE BIRD PHOTOGRAPHER
Claiming no special knowledge of the technique of pure photography, I
would refer the beginner to any of the several excellent books designed
to explain the rudiments of optical and chemical photography, and to
instruct in regard to the matters of exposing, developing, printing,
etc. Only such suggestions are given here, therefore, as relate directly
to the manner in which birds, their nests, eggs, and haunts may be
photographed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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