Photography masterclass Spring 2010

Up close and personal

Getting eye-to-eye with your animal subjects produces some stunning photography.  Peter Cairns recommends amphibians and reptiles as the perfect models to try it out

One of the thrills of rambling is the prospect of a close encounter with a wild animal. And believe it or not, that prospect is becoming more and more likely, as many creatures previously pushed to the brink of extinction are now clawing their way back. Otters, kites, buzzards, seals – these species and others are all increasing in number and it’s always a rewarding experience to get close to them. But you do need to be close to secure a successful image – surprisingly close, in fact. And the smaller the animal, the closer you need to be.

This is where fieldcraft comes into play, and that most valuable of tools – knowledge of your subject. There are very few species that are trusting enough to allow a direct approach into their ‘fear circle’, but those that do are very active at this time of year.

Fantastic frogs

The UK is home to seven native species of amphibian, a group of animals that have been around for 350 million years and are a kind of cross between a fish and a reptile. Perhaps the most recognisable to most of us is the common frog. From a photographic perspective, frogs are fantastic subjects in that they’re found throughout Britain in almost any habitat where there is a suitable breeding pond nearby.

As we’ve continued to drain many of our natural wetlands for development, frogs have become increasingly reliant on garden ponds, so if you haven’t got a pond, make friends with someone who has. Better still, build one yourself – you’ll have the added bonus that frogs eat lots of slugs and snails! Right, that’s the conservation sermon done with; how do you go about photographing frogs?

Spring is the spawning season, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding one. The frog in the main image here was crossing a local road. So in return for me saving its life, I thought it owed me a few pictures! Close-up photographs like this can give a PR makeover to a range of often-overlooked and – dare I say it – ugly creatures that perhaps don’t get the public sympathy they should. Frogs, toads, lizards and snakes don’t top people’s popularity lists, when in fact they perform just as vital an ecological function as any of the furry or feathered wildlife superstars.
So, go on – get out there and turn a frog into a pin-up!

Step-by-step guide

1 The first thing to consider is viewpoint. As with most wildlife subjects, you need to get down low. Shooting at eye-level gives the image an intimate, dynamic feel. But you need to be close, so some sort of close-focusing lens is a must – I’ve used a 90mm macro here.

2 Next, the focusing. At a distance of just inches from the camera, the depth of field (the zone of sharpness) is minimal, so it’s critical that you focus on the eye of your subject. This will mean that some or all of the rest of the image is out of focus, which is unavoidable and even desirable from an aesthetic point of view.
If you have a camera with an aperture setting, aim for around f8.

3 Although frogs will sit stock-still, you need to keep your camera steady. I use a tripod, but otherwise a bag full of rice or beans placed on the ground will work. A cable release or self-timer will activate the shutter without shaking the camera.

4  Like many professional shots of amphibians, this image has been ‘stage managed’. I moved the frog to get better control of the viewpoint, lighting and background. If you move your subject, do so with care.

Top tips

• Focus on the animal’s eye – up close, depth of field is minimal.

• Choose a muted and distant background – a cluttered or bright background will immediately draw the viewer’s eye.

• Don’t handle your subject more than is necessary. If you move it, always put it back.

• Shoot in bright, overcast light rather than full sun – this ensures smooth and even illumination without harsh shadows.

• Learn about your subject – some reptiles and amphibians have special laws protecting them and, in the case of adders, can be dangerous.

If you think you have mastered these techniques why not enter our photography competition.