The eyes have it

Much like in meeting people, the first rule of photography is to focus on the eyes. By looking someone in the eyes, we show we are paying attention. When we get distracted we lose focus on the person and what they have to communicate.

In photography you have to focus in on the eyes, they have a lot to tell us. They convey emotion. They are expressive and can entirely change the way a face looks, even if nothing else changes in the expression. If the eyes are out of focus, the entire picture loses its clarity.

Eyes are beautiful. Arguably they are the most beautiful element in any frame — that goes for people, other mammals and even birds. Think about the most powerful photos you have seen and what you remember about them, invariably the ones I remember include a powerful gaze. Think about the stunning photo of a green-eyed Afghan girl on the cover of National Geographic in the mid-2000s or your favorite portrait of Princess Diana.

The eyes bear power in animal photos too. In bird photography, we often talk about the color and beauty of the feathers, but the eyes of many birds are some of the most vivid you will ever see. The American Bald Eagle has piercing eyes. The Roseate Spoonbill has gorgeous colorful pink and yellow feathers, but their faces are set with warm red eyes. You definitely don’t want to miss out on the beauty in a bird’s eye.

And if you want to ensure your bird photos are sharp, you simply need to focus on the eyes. If the eyes are clear, you can be sure your photos will be as sharp as an Eagle’s gaze..

Landscapes can take you places

I was recently showing a new client some of my work. She had visited the exhibit on imperiled birds at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature but was more enamored with my landscape photography. She was particularly fascinated with the black and white landscapes for what they reveal and what she saw in them.

We discussed the textures, the focal point, the mood, the sky, the horizon, the things you might miss in a color photo. We also talked about the memory of place, how a photo can take you to a certain time or event in your mind. She had grown up on Longboat Key and worked in Sarasota for decades. I showed her my photo titled Longboat Light and she immediately went back to her childhood and sitting under the trees at Beer Can Island reading books. Her story reminded me that there is power and emotion in place.

Because I have the exhibit on imperiled birds, I have spent much of 2019 more focused on my bird photography than my sea and landscape photography. In some ways birds are easier. They can be comical, they have personality, their colors are vibrant and they usually are active. While getting those shots can be tough, I always come back with something I am willing to share.

Landscape photography is a different sort of challenge. So much depends on the mood, the perspective, the light and the scene. It takes patience and care to find just the right shot. When I come back with a landscape or seascape photo, unlike bird photos, there is usually just one that stands out — only one I will print from a day of shooting.

I love landscape photography for several reasons. The first is that landscapes change, so I know that when I get that shot I want, it won’t be duplicated. The light will never be exactly the same against the plants and grasses; the water levels ebb and flow; there may be footprints next time where there were none. The second reason is that landscape photography is as much about preservation as my bird photography is. The birds are disappearing because their habitats are disappearing. Part of my mission as a photographer is to raise awareness about our environment so we all have the good sense to preserve it for the future. My third reason is that landscape photography evokes emotion. It can bring a sense of serenity, prompt memories and take you away from the chaos of the moment into some place wild and wonderful and can cause people to reflect on what’s important..

The conversation about landscape photography prompted me to think about what I love and it got me itching to go back out there and look around Florida for something I want to bring home and print.

The photograph below was taken in Myakka River State Park with a Nikon 810 using a Nikkor 19mm PC lens. It is two photographs stiched together using Photomerge in Photoshop. What you do not see is the mud that I am sharing with tripod.

The snowbirds are back and it's beautiful

In case you hadn’t noticed the snowbirds are back. I know you have probably experienced an uptick in traffic. And if you shop for groceries on a Saturday, certainly you have pushed through the clogged aisles and maybe even had to hunt for a grocery cart. But I’m not here to remind you of life’s little irritations. I’m here to tell you the snowbirds are back and it’s beautiful.

I witnessed a traffic jam of epic proportions this morning as dozens of White Pelicans all tried to land at the grocery store known as the pond at Robinson Preserve. Seeing those elegant birds glide above the Preserve, drop down and lower their big feet like landing gear, and then ski across the water is something to behold. I could stand for hours watching — and taking photos of this wonderful phenomena. It was an amazing sight and it reminded me to be grateful for all of those who visit Florida for a week or for a season. This is the time of year that brings variety — whether in the people or the wildlife and sometimes there’s the combination of both. And yes, sometimes it tests our patience, but more often it brings wonderful opportunities.

I love the variety of birds that come in this time of year. I enjoy trying to identify the different ducks by their plumage. I relish the mix of colors, roseate spoonbills and yellow-crowned herons mixed in with the White Pelicans, with their black-tipped wings. I am thrilled with the different scenes across Florida. And the human snowbirds mean it’s the season for all sorts of activities. The restaurants are livelier, there are festivals and celebrations of all types, there is a variety of music as bands are playing throughout the region and there are parties everywhere. You certainly can’t claim boredom this time of year.

I have developed lasting friendships with a few photographers and birders who visit Florida during the season. I learn something from all of these seasonal residents and I enjoy their company here and even online when they are at their summer homes. I’ll even say something like, “I wish JoAnne (the most knowledgeable birder I know) was here to tell me about this bird I’m looking at.” So yes, I miss the snowbirds when they head north. And that means today, I greeted the snowbirds with a wide smile and my best lens.

There is Always Something to See

I recently spent a morning with my friend and fellow photographer Steve Nelson. After debating several options for places to photograph, we settled on Robinson Preserve in Manatee County, Florida. We figured it was pretty reliable and we only had a couple of hours in the morning to allow Steve to try out his new video equipment and for me to get some nature shots.

When we arrived at the preserve we were greeted by a frustrated photographer who told us there was nothing out there that day. We decided to give it a try anyway: Here’s what we found.

My best advice to fellow photographers is to not get discouraged if you don’t see what you came out looking for. There is always something out there to see. Sometimes you just have to change your perspective. When I don’t see wildlife, I look at the landscape. Sometimes I look up, sometimes I get low to the ground. The world is an amazing place and there is always something there that others might not see. Sometimes they’re just not looking for what someone else might find fascinating.