New to the board

[let's go]

and somewhat new to photography. Over the last couple of years I've been trying to figure all this out and capture the shots I can see in my mind. Sometimes I get lucky and sometimes I feel like I know what I'm doing.

Anyway, I just found this site and spent the last few hours reading and checking out photos. Looks like I can learn a few things around here. Thanks for all the tips that are already posted and I look forward to gaining some more knowledge along the way.

Here's a couple recent shots from a trip to the Everglades that were published in Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.

[Concisus Cognatus]

Don't know what you're seeing internally, but these 2 look good. Great shots.

[ttusa]

Love the perspective of the first one! I would like to see it just a tad brighter, though. Welcome!

[let's go]

The photo I really wanted to capture was the gator eating a bird. He was hunting wading birds, but they just wouldn't get close enough. I had grounded the kayak to get good and steady while shooting some birds and then the gator showed up. I stayed there for thirty minutes waiting for the action feeding shot. He finally got bored and that's when I got the walking away shot above.

I shoot quite a bit from a kayak to get closer and obtain a more interesting perspective. It's amazing how close birds and animals will let you get when you lay low in a kayak and drift towards them.

The Everglades is one of the coolest places to shoot that I've ever been.

Here's a couple more I took while I was waiting on the action.

[jfoureyes]

Welcome Scott! I always like to see a new photographer here! I like your photo’s and looking forward to many more. Thanks

[Patti Edens]

Great shots Scott. Looks like we can learn a thing or two from you!

I have a question for you. Do you carry your camera in any kind of waterproof bag or case when you are paddling to the spot where you want to take your photos? The reason I ask is because the one and only time my dh ever turned his kayak over was when he had our P&S camera with him. It was totally ruined by the salt water, so I am really afraid to take my dSLR with me in my kayak.

I've turned over a couple of times - once just being careless and pushing the limit to reach a fishing lure that was floating away from my boat and the other time it was a total surprise.

[my3peas]

Welcome Scott!!

[MRCPix]

Welcome Scott
Nice work

[let's go]

Patti,

It took me quite a while to warm up to the idea of taking the dslr out on the kayak. I carried a waterproof Olympus p&s for several years, but was never really satisfied with the images. I picked up a large Pelican box and started carrying the dslr camera in when paddling. I found out pretty quick that by relying too heavily on the box I was missing some great shots while I fumbled to get the box open.

Last year I wrote a book on kayak fishing and we hired a pro whitewater kayaking photographer to shoot for the project. I got to hang out with him for six weeks and learned more than I had in a lifetime of casual photography. He inspired me to get more serious about it.

At his urging I finally started strapping the camera around my neck. I'm super comfortable in a kayak in most conditions so I don't get too concerned about it these days. I still store it in the box when launching or if conditions warrant it. The biggest issue is paddle splashes and/or bow spray in rougher water, but I can usually manage to keep everything dry.

It also helps to use a very stable kayak. Most of the time I'm in a Wilderness Systems Ride. I've been looking at picking up a 14.5 Ultimate from Native kayaks in the near future. That kayak has plenty of room for a tripod and is stable enough to stand up in so flipping while sitting and shooting shouldn't be a problem.



Thanks for the warm welcome and I hope I can contribute something useful.

[Shed Hunter]

Love the one with the twisted neck. Keep the photos coming!
SH

[mjdmike]

Very nice Scott. Welcome to the TPF family.

[let's go]

One other thing Patti, your husband wouldn't happen to be Randy would he?

[Patti Edens]

Originally Posted by let's go

One other thing Patti, your husband wouldn't happen to be Randy would he?

LOL! It's a small world isn't it. That would be him and I have your book! It's great. The photos are incredible.

Patti