Wanaka and Grebes

ACGrebes_20151121-EAW_8852-Edit6x4WEB
I’m in Wanaka at the moment, where it is windy and mostly warm. It’s great to get back into the photography groove after exams, and these Australasian Crested Grebes were very co-operative. Aren’t their chicks gorgeous? There are platforms for the parents to nest on all along the little marina on the lake, and many pairs are sitting on eggs, while a few have these little fluffy bundles on their back, where they carry them until they get to about this size.
With waterbirds, you want to get to their eye-level to photograph them. Looking down on them gives an awkward angle and makes them look small. At eye-level or water-level, you can make an eye-contact connection, as well as showing off their graceful lines (and in this case, regal hairstyle!). To achieve this, I lay down on a floating jetty that was rocking in the windy waters, and waited for them to swim past. After several passes, I was reasonably sure I had a nice composition with parent and chick, but stayed a bit longer and finally got this.
Tips from today?
-Get on level with your subject, even if it means getting a bit dirty.
-Stay longer. Always. It’s always worth it to get as much time as possible with your subject: you never know what might happen as you start to put your camera away.

Edin

Seabird scientist and conservation photographer working in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This Post Has One Comment

Leave a Reply

Close Menu