Whenever I’m asked how to get good pictures, the first response is always getting out, learn about the area and most importantly, learn about your subject. Equipment will always come in the end. I have learned over the years, having knowledge about the landscape and how the wildlife lives have improved my images more than anything else. Only time I learn about equipment is when I’m replacing something. There are so many choices, no brand makes the perfect camera and lens for every person. Every piece of equipment is a compromise, to make up for it is to spend most of your time learning what you like to take pictures of. And learning about nature, it’s a never ending quest. But, if you enjoy your subject, it’s an enjoyable quest. Now I must add, this does not mean I’ll always get the image, let along the image I want. But when I do, they are better because of the knowledge I have gained.
So going back to the day in November when I got the image I shared a few weeks back of M122 grizzly bear. I first saw him during a stormy morning, now it was the middle of the day and I was several kilometers in the direction he was moving. I decided to go up a nearby hill. A few times a year I will go up and sit down or stand and enjoy looking at the surroundings from the top. There was a small chance I might see M122 again. Even if I did not, the storm had moved on and the views were beautiful. I quickly made my way up the steep slope and as soon as I looked down, M122 had just reached the area. Looking down at him from a safe spot, I’m 98 percent sure he had no idea I was watching him. Before he left my sight for the season, he went up the slope of a small incline, giving me a few seconds to get the picture I was hoping for.
