Watching wildlife is pure pleasure and photographing wildlife empowers us to stop time, to capture a moment and share the image with others. If that moment includes an interesting interaction between birds or animals, then the image imparts greater appreciation than does a static wildlife portrait.
Photos of wildlife interactions stir our imaginations and we instinctively interpret the actions into human responses or emotions. In effect, we can almost hear the wildlife characters speaking to one another, just as Disney animations do.
The photo of the Red Fox siblings seems to say, “I’ve got your back,” or “It’s going to be all right.” Quite interestingly, this image contains no eyes, yet we instinctively read the emotion that it implies via the touch of one’s paw to the other’s back.
The whitetail deer doe and fawns photo transmits an impression of the mother’s caring for the fawn. Perhaps she is whispering into its ear, “It’s OK, the cameraman is no threat.”
To obtain such images, one must remain alert and keep the camera focused on the subjects as long as they are visible to the camera. Patience is needed to do so, but keeping the subjects in focus and your fingertip on the shutter release for extended periods of time will pay dividends in great images. Too often, we simply click the shutter and drop the camera away from the eye.
It is also helps to photograph wildlife with both eyes open. This enables you to observe imminent interactions as another animal approaches etc. This will seem difficult at first, but with practice, you will learn to appreciate the benefits of two-eyed photography.
~Tim Flanigan
Tim Flanigan was born and raised in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, where he was mentored as an outdoorsman by his paternal grandfather who ignited his lifelong thirst for knowledge of the natural world. Experimenting with photography at an early age, he soon realized that the camera enhanced his ability to study and record all things wild and natural. Throughout his career, he has been resolute to rapidly changing photographic technology and the skills requisite for success, from box cameras and black and white film to the digital cameras and electronic darkrooms of today.
According to Tim, “The great charm of photography is its ability to capture a unique moment in time and share it with others.” During a 30-year career in the outdoors, he used his camera to create and present educational and entertaining programs that he continues to update and present to diverse audiences. His presentations have appeared at outdoor shows, sportsmen clubs, garden clubs, state agencies, and various organizations and banquets. Subjects include much of the flora and fauna of North America. He also presents outdoor photography seminars and leads photographic and naturalists’ tours.
Tim has been producing top-quality photographic images for the print media for more than 30 years with photo credits in numerous venues including books, magazines, newspapers, greeting and postcards, calendars, travel brochures, phone books, advertisements, restaurant decor, on-line, etc. His photography and writing have garnered numerous national, regional and state awards.
Tim is the Southcentral Field Editor for the Pennsylvania Outdoor Times, a contributing photographer to The Upland Almanac, The Ruffed Grouse Society, Buckmasters and Buckmasters On-Line. He is published in Wildfowl Carving magazine, North American Whitetail magazine, Westsylvania magazine and Game and Fish Publications. His photography can also be seen on the covers of Pennsylvania Game News magazine and its annual calendar.
He enjoys membership in the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA), the North American Nature Photography Association, the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. He is also a Past-President and member of both the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and the Mason/Dixon Outdoor Writers Association. Membership he also enjoys includes the Bedford County Arts Council, Allegany Area Art Alliance and the Allegany Arts Council.
Tim, and his wife, Debbie, operate Nature Exposure, an outdoor writing and photography marketing business in Bedford, Pennsylvania, that specializes in supplying content and photography to outdoor publications. Nature Exposure also showcases limited editions of Tim’s award-winning fine art photography, as both framed giclée prints on canvas, as well as premium papers along with his notecard collection. His work is exhibited and sold at various art galleries, art shows and festivals. For more information, please visit their new website: www.natureexposure.com. E-mail Tim at tim-natureexposure@comcast.net, or call 814-623-7865.
Tim Flanigan has been producing top-quality photographic images for the print media for more than 30 years.Tim, and his wife, Debbie, operate Nature Exposure, an outdoor writing and photography marketing business in Bedford, Penn. View all posts by Tim Flanigan
Thanks, Anna, for your comment. That’s what I like about having so many great photographers’ input here … who would a thought that it’s OK to have feelings like that about animals, but it’s exactly why we connect with photographs at times!