Photographer's Corner...
Interview With Dee Spiller...
Interviewer from the Digital Secrets Team
DPS: Welcome everyone. I’d like to introduce an amazing new photographer to our site this month, Dee Spiller. Dee has redefined the Eagle. As you can see we don’t see this Eagle being all sure of himself, rather, he’s taking some time off from the “powerful hunter” image and resting quite politely in his tree.
Dee, can you tell me how you took this shot? Where were you and what were were the conditions on the day? I.e. what kind of light did you have to work with?
Dee: I was standing on the edge of a two lane county road next to the beach. It was a bright, but slightly hazy mid afternoon shot. Yes, it was the wrong time of the day, but you have to break the rules sometimes to get the shot!
DPS: What did you find the most challenging about this shot? Did you have to stand there a while before you got the perfect angle?
Dee: The most challenging aspect of this shot is getting them to stay put. I start shooting, and keep slowly angling closer. This shot is one of about ten frames I shot while approaching it. I then wanted him to move or take off. I tried talking to him only to get this pose in return. He never did take flight while I was there.
DPS: How did you get so close? Did you use a telephoto lense? Or were you just incredibly lucky to be right underneath him?
Dee: I got close through patience and moving very slow. They don’t consider you a direct threat if you walk towards them at an angle. I stood about 15 feet from the base of the tree, and he was about 20 feet up. I was using my 70 mm to 300 mm AF VR Nikor lens
DPS: What settings did you have your camera on? Shutter and aperture?
Dee: f/8 @ 1/250 I bracket 3 frames changing one full stop each frame,
DPS: When you take photos of animals what kinds of things do you strive to do as a photographer? What outcomes are you expecting to achieve? For example, the aim is for them not to pee on you!
Dee: Animals don’t much care where, when or what they land on. So it’s up to me to get to them. Sometimes that, in itself, is my biggest challenge. You have only two hands, and sometimes shooting pictures while focusing the camera and not trying to get hurt can test even the most persistent photographers! But it can really be discouraging to work so hard in getting to them only to have them fly off before you can catch your breath to take a steady shot. As for the “working end” of the eagle, I know first hand what they can do and the mess it makes. When you see it happen to a fellow photographer you learn real fast! Keep in mind, the bigger the bird the bigger the… well, you get my point! Don’t stand under them at all. They will hit their target. (Photo included)
DPS: Do you work the controls and settings a lot as you are taking pictures, or do you tend to set it up and then take the shot and edit it later if you need to?
Dee: I like to set my camera up for the first shot or two. Then I change the setting if I need to get a shot or two of them taking off. I will also change my camera to either aperture or shutter priority, then I only have to work at changing one setting when the shoot changes.
DPS: Do you find spontaneous or planned shots turn out the best? Can you give an example?
Dee: I come into the shoot with the idea of a planned type of shot, but ready to adjust immediately if the conditions change. I’ve had great shots of both types. I love taking shots of birds in flight. I focus on the eye of the bird, and pan the camera, keeping the bird’s eye in the frame as my focus point. It can be very hard to do depending on their speed.
DPS: What got you interested in photography? Was it a specific influence or a gradual thing? How long have you been doing it?
Dee: It was my stepfather who inspired my interest in photography. That was back in the mid 60’s. He loved taking shots of castles and the older ruins in Europe. He was in the Navy and we did a lot of travelling over seas. It was mostly a hobby for him, but he took it fairly seriously. I think he could have made it a career but my mother didn’t think it would pay the bills! So as a good daughter I listened a lot and didn’t do much until my son was born in the early 80’s. Now days I am never without my camera.
DPS: What would you say to people who want to master great shots like this of your Eagle, who are just starting out in photography?
Dee: Learn your camera. That is first and foremost. If you don’t know what it can do then you won’t be able to make it work correctly when you need it to. Then be very the patient, and practice. Then practice some more. Plus you have to know the behaviour of the animals you want to photograph. You are on their time, so knowing some of the basic behaviour traits of your subjects will save you some time and effort while setting up for a shot.
DPS: Do you use many additional lenses and equipment when you go out shooting animals or nature?
Dee: I use my 70-300mm AF VR as my primary lens. But I do have, and use a 28 -105 mm and my 60 mm macro lenses.
DPS: When did you turn to digital? Did you feel initial resistance, or did you embrace it?
Dee: I received the Nikon D-70 as a Christmas gift from my husband a few years ago. At first I didn’t really want to change. But as I got into it and read more about it, I came to love it even more then my 35 mm. It was all about the control you have over each and every shot. I have not looked back since. But I still have my Nikon F-100 and I don’t have any plans on parting with it. About two years ago, I was able to upgrade to the D200, so I gave my D70 to my sister in law, to get her into digital also. Nothing but grins from her ever since, too! I hope to get the D-300 in the near future. (By the way I don’t think Nikon is the only manufacture that makes great cameras. I stick with them due to the fact I can use most of my old 35 mm lens.)
DPS: Have you used any tricky things such as High Dynamic range or exposure bracketing to improve your pictures? If so when, and did you use anything like that for your Eagle?
Dee: As for the way I work, I love to bracket. It’s a fast way to get a good shot.
I can read the histogram for all of the shots, and really see where I’m at and what I need to do if I want to change on the fly. It’s all about getting the camera to do what you want it to, not the other way around.
DPS: What’s the most challenging thing about taking photos of animals?
Dee: Time of the day. Most animals are out and feed or hunt in the early morning or later in the afternoon. I have to be up and out when they are and hope for the right amount of light. I dream of one day to own a fast lens (f2.8) with 300 mm or longer zoom. But that’s only a dream.
DPS: And finally the fantastic watermark. What software did you use to put the copyright symbol over your photo? Can you get free software that does this or do you have to pay?
Dee: I have Photoshop 7 (old school I know but still love it) and Photoshop Elements 5 and 6. I design the water mark using Elements 5. It’s easy and wonderful to use. If you don’t want to be intimidated with the larger Photoshop it’s an easy way to go.
DPS: Any advice to our budding photographers?
Dee: If you want to learn, truly read your camera’s manual. Learn the controls and what they do. I for one have even gone so far as to print out my manual to a full size 81/2” to 11”, and place it in a large three ring binder. To see your manual that size makes it far less intimidating and a whole lot easier to read. And no matter how much you know, keep learning! This is an ever-changing field, and there’s always someone out there whom you can learn something new from. Itis a most magnificent way to see and share the world around us. This is way I brought Amy’s e-books. I seen her charts and thought what a fantastic item to learn to use. I know it took a lot of work to put it all together. I am still in the process of reading all the information.
DPS: Thanks so much for your time Dee!
Dee: My website is in the works right now. It should be up and running soon.
Thank you for this wonder opportunity to discuss something that I am so passionate about.
Sincerely,
DeeAnn Spiller
Oak Harbor, Washington
