Practice, Practice, Practice

One thing I wanted to do is find and photograph birds in difficult to focus situations.  I had to shoot
through numerous branches and foliage to photograph this Osprey.  I used a few different focus
modes as the camera's AF system was being fooled by the foliage.  I found one that worked
consistently.  This is what knowing your gear and practicing is all about. (click to enlarge)

You’ve probably noticed that I’ve posted quite a few more bird photographs lately.  The reason for this is that I’m using the Nikon Z8 almost exclusively as well as using the Nikon 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 lens whenever possible.  Why?  Read on.

As I’ve mentioned, I plan on taking a road trip from southeastern Virginia all the way out to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park in early summer.  My go to camera for this trip will be the Nikon Z8 and because my primary subjects for that portion of the trip will be wildlife, the Nikon 180–600mm lens will be with my lens of choice.  My secondary subject matter while out west will be landscapes. Of course, on the way out and on the way back I will be looking for and photographing my usual subjects such as Americana, small towns, western and mid-western infrastructure and things from our past that are going by the wayside, etc.  For those photographs, I will primarily use the Nikon 24–120mm F/4 lens.  

A 100% crop of the above image (click to enlarge)

Because the Z8 is a big change from what I am used to using daily (Fujifilm X-T5 and OM-1), I felt it important that I know this camera, forward and backward, inside and out and be as familiar with it as I possibly can before leaving for this trip.  I don’t want to miss photographs because I don’t fully understand all of its capabilities and how to best configure the camera to utilize those capabilities.  

To achieve this I've studied the user's manual, downloaded a PDF copy of it to my iPad and iPhone, have watched several videos by wildlife and bird photographers giving their recommendations on how best to configure it for those types of subjects.  

Finally, I'm using it all the time as I want to practice, practice, practice.  I want the controls, menus, settings and operation to be second nature.  I don't want to have to think how to engage a certain AF mode, turn on a feature, think about which way to rotate a dial to increase my shutter speed or find any particular menu setting if I'm in a hurry.

Same Osprey, different location in a nearby parking lot.  The Osprey was really exercising its
vocal chords and, I'll assume, calling for its mate.  Since there was less foliage blocking the bird,
the AF immediately identified it, locked on and focus stayed locked on.  (click to enlarge)

After a minute or so, the bird evidently saw me.  I think it is giving me the "stink eye."  Trying to
stare me down!  lol.  All of these images were handheld at 1/1250th sec. F/6.3; ISO 400, camera in
DX mode due to the distance (raising the field of view to a 900mm equivalent) (click to enlarge)

The upshot is that I've been trying to find birds and other subjects as part of my practice with this camera.  I am also using it for general photography so you will see some of my regular subject matter as well.

I liked this pose.  Shot at 600mm @ f/6.3; ISO 800; 6.5mp crop of original 45.7mp image.
(click to enlarge)

Same data as above but a tighter, 3.9mp crop. (click to enlarge)

This trip out west is most likely the last solo photographic road trip of this length and nature that I will make.  I find as I've gotten into my 70s, that driving long distances is more tiring than when I was a younger man so my future trips may be limited to the eastern half of the U.S. and potentially the maritime provinces of Canada.  So, knowing that, I don't want to screw up my potential photos because I don't thoroughly know my gear.  It is worth the investment in my time and efforts to practice, practice, practice.  Now if I could only find a grizzly or two around town to practice on those... 

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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