Transcript: Dave Northcott
Wildlife Photography
February 14, 2009
PHFaust: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at kingsnake.com, Dave Northcott to our 11 annual Chat Month..
PHFaust: David Northcott has been photographing wildlife for over 35 years. It all began with his pet chameleon. He spent countless hours taking images of the chameleon (among other animals) trying to capture images of the chameleon’s tongue in action. After finally achieving some reasonable results, the quest began to improve the images.
PHFaust: Mainly self taught, he read everything he could get his hands on regarding photography, particularly nature and macro photography. Having always had a love for animals and nature, this helped spawn a love of photography and a strong desire to capture wildlife and nature on film..
PHFaust: After taking a number of workshops with George Lepp and Joe & Mary Ann McDonald, and developing strong friendships with them, his photography improved drastically with their help.
PHFaust: David has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, with post graduate studies in most major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish and insects) as well as animal behavior.
He currently maintains a photographic library of over 100,000 images that includes a wide variety of wildlife and nature subjects.
PHFaust: There is particularly strong coverage in reptiles and amphibians, which have always been a passion, including a number of action shots (i.e.: jumping, running, feeding, striking etc.) His images are represented by four stock agencies that have been selling his work, worldwide, since 1986. Nature’s Lens is the name of his photographic business and actively markets his images, posters and post cards world wide.
PHFaust: Dave will be joining us tonight to talk herp photography, from basic to more experienced questions.
PHFaust: Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls I present Dave Northcott!
Dave Northcott: Thank You for the invitation
PHFaust: My pleasure, the calendars last year were gorgeous....
Dave Northcott: Thank you, I was going to do one for 2009 but got around to it too late
PHFaust: Most of our lenses here are aimed at concert photography, so they are not too functional for the basic "decent" herp pics I want of my rescue animals. What is a good size lens to start out with. We shoot Nikon
PHFaust: need to make my birthday list ya know
Dave Northcott: Honestly the best lens for Herps would probably be a macro lens in the 100mm range
blackmamba1: are there any suggestions for taking pics in a serpentarium
janrich_nr: i was wondering what kind of worm this is... http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=52681499&albumID=314535&imageID=49730316
Dave Northcott: Taking pictures thru glass is truly challenging, but if you get the flash off the top of the camera and to the side, shooting thru the glass at a 45 degree angle you will avoid some of those big white spots in your images
Reedie: what flash setup do you use most often in the field?
Dave Northcott: I like to use the Twin Flash set up. It's a little bulky to carry but the results are great
Crazy4reptiles88: What would be the best setting to use to get nice crisp clear pictures on a Cannon Power Shot s315? I got a super macro setting on it!! Also I have taken many photos and love my zoom but should I get a lens as I have a 12 zoom
Dave Northcott: If your hand holding, it's best to have a shutter speed that matches your ISO (Speed) I would recommend nothing less that about 1/200 sec
Crazy4reptiles88: Thanks
Pandora_nr: Can you explain the making of a light box? I know this will probably be a long question, but looking to get some better shots....
Dave Northcott: If you're looking to make a field type light box, you can use the collapsible panels like the ones they use for windshield sun reflectors and use a parachute type material to diffuse the light.
Dave Northcott: There are several pre-fab ones on the market that work nicely.
staffordmom: do you have any experience taking pics of aquarium fish? I've tried, but I'm terrible at it
Dave Northcott: It's the same situation as the Serpentarium. Your flash at an angle to the glass
staffordmom: ok ty
Dave Northcott: Angle of incidence = angle of reflection. You want the light to reflect out of the frame for your picture
joeysgreen: I always get sand in my camera and other grit. What's a good camera for field herping that either doesn't cost a lot, or is easy to take apart and clean?
Dave Northcott: That's a tough one. Sand can be tough. Get something that you can rest the camera on.
Dave Northcott: A Frisbee works really well
Dave Northcott: GA
jeffb: Nikon or Cannon?
PHFaust: Nikon... DUH
Dave Northcott: Another debate. I prefer Canon. Honestly the two are very comparable but Canon has the edge in new products.
jeffb: and do you prefer film or digital
Dave Northcott: Also the price of Canon in general is less and the quality every bit equal.
Dave Northcott: I always liked film but it's getting tough to get processed. I love my Digital camera as well. Pixels are free. Film is at least 15.00/36 exposure
Dave Northcott: I still use film for my high speed photos
blackmamba1: do you enjoy watching Austin Stevens sence he is in your paticular line of work
Dave Northcott: Actually I find him annoying. I think he's very irresponsible. Getting bitten on a TV show is rather lame
Slacker6848: Hi, I'm planning to get a Canon Rebel XSi, I know nothing fancy but it's a start lol, is there any specific lenses you would suggest for some good wildlife photos and some good close up Herp photos?
Dave Northcott: A variety of zoom lenses are available, 28-135, 100-400. Depends on budget but something that focuses close is ideal for both. Get a good flash.
Crazy4reptiles88: What is the most intresting animal you have taken a picture of? also if i am taking pictures of animals in tanks or against a mirror what should I set my camera at so I don't get the glare? http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll86/crazy4pets88/?action=view¤t=IMG_1385.jpg Like this type of glare with the picture behind the ball python. And what brand of cannon camera do you like best?
Dave Northcott: Wow tough question. Reptile and amphibs have always been my favorite, but shooting bats in flight was most interesting and challenging
Dave Northcott: Mirror in the background is about impossible unless you hold your flash above the tank. Otherwise put something (rock, branch) where you see the light being reflected in the mirror
Reedie: Do you prefer to shoot in-situ with longer focal length lenses(200-300mm) or capture the animal and pose it then shoot it with a shorter focal length (60-100mm)?
Dave Northcott: Actually I like in-situ pics but rarely are they as good a representation of the animal as they are when posed. Most times in-situ are trying to be cryptic
Myko_nr: Do you ever cool animals for better shots? Do you suggest this? Is this safe? Lets just say my collection doesnt like to lie still
Dave Northcott: No I never cool the animals and don't recommend it. The trick is to learn the animals behavior and set up your shots to use this knowledge
Dave Northcott: Try letting your snakes curl up in a hide box where you want to photograph, then lift the hide and shoot your pictures
joeysgreen: I snorkel a lot and would love to get a digital for underwater turtle shots. Do you have experience or tips for such excursions?
Dave Northcott: I really haven't done any under water images digitally. Had a Nikonos, but haven't upgraded. Don't do enough of it. Sorry I couldn't help
Reedie: do you use/recommend a tripod in the field?
Dave Northcott: I like a tripod, even though it's a pain to carry. I recommend it. It's a real stabilizer. Get one that you can lower almost all the way to the ground
Brent_nr: Do you get out in the field to unusual places? What was the coolest shoot to you, if you do.
Dave Northcott: In terms of a field shoot, I went to Tanzania on the Exo-Terra trip and we spent several nights in the middle of the forest. Chameleons, geckos and lots of bugs.
Kevin_nr: When did you realize you could make money doing photos? How exactly did you do this?
Dave Northcott: I took some work shops way back, and the leaders of a few of these helped me get into it. Being that I was heavy into reptiles, it was unique as not alot of people did it. Now days a Stock Agency is tough to get into
Kevin_nr: do you basically make a living from this?
Dave Northcott: Producing my own cards and posters helped me.
Dave Northcott: Right now a living from stock photos is tough. My income from photos has dropped steadily along with the economy
Kevin_nr: bummer was gonna say I was jealous!
blackmamba1: do you ever photograph cobras and if so do you have any good stories about them
Dave Northcott: There were several years where it worked but not anymore unfortunately
PHFaust: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us here at kingsnake.com, Thank You for taking your time to chat with us. Transcripts will be posted with in a few days. Once again, Thank you Dave!
PHFaust: Please visit Dave's websites www.natureslensphoto.com and www.wildlifewindowgraphics.com.
