Spot Distracting Elements

When I am on a photo excursion in the forest, the red-legged frog tends to appear when I least expect it. Their colour is an excellent form of camouflage. Often, it is their leap at my approach that catches my eye. During any chance encounter with an animal, it is sometimes difficult to predict their reaction: will they run away or stay put? That’s why my first reaction is to stop and anticipate their intentions. Then I started moving cautiously to avoid frightening them while I think about my composition and my distance from the animal.

Spot the distracting elements in this image.

I determine where the light is coming from and if there is a backlight. I identify elements such as a branch in front of the frog or any other shape or object that might distract the attention of the person looking at the photo. I move slowly and, once in position, I carefully deploy my tripod. A stressed frog will puff up its abdomen to deter predators. I therefore keep an eye on my subject to assess their level of comfort; if I notice that they are stressed, I leave even though I have not got a shot. The animal wellbeing is more important to me than my portfolio. Once the camera is mounted on the tripod, I adjust the settings and frame based on the intended result before releasing the shutter. Then I check the composition and histogram on the camera screen.

Because it is a chance encounter with a wild animal, everything happens very quickly and yet quietly so as not to stress it. Also I don’t overstay to avoid disturbing the animal in its routine.

Final result after I repositioned myself. Photo in full format.

Repérez les éléments distrayants

Lorsque je suis en excursion photo dans forêt, les grenouilles à cuisse rouge ont tendance à apparaître quand je m’y attends le moins. Leur couleur est une excellente forme de camouflage. Bien souvent, c’est leur saut à mon approche qui attire mon attention. Lors de toute rencontre fortuite avec un animal,  il est parfois difficile de prévoir leur réaction : vont-ils s’enfuir ou bien rester sur place ? C’est pourquoi ma première réaction est de m’arrêter et anticiper leurs intentions. Ensuite je bouge avec précaution pour éviter de les effrayer et je commence aussitôt à penser à ma composition et à ma distance par rapport à l’animal.

Cherchez les éléments distrayants sur cette photo.

Je détermine d’où vient la lumière et s’il y a un contre-jour. J’identifie des éléments comme une branche devant la grenouille ou tout autre forme ou objet qui pourrait distraire l’attention de la personne qui regardera la photo. Je me déplace doucement et, une fois en position, je déploie mon trépied lentement. Une grenouille stressée va gonfler son abdomen, c’est une façon de décourager les prédateurs. Je garde donc un oeil sur mon sujet pour évaluer son niveau de comfort; si je constate qu’elle est stressée, je pars même si je n’ai pas obtenu de photo. Le bien-être de l’animal est plus important pour moi que mon portfolio. Une fois l’appareil fixé sur le trépied, j’effectue les réglages et cadre en fonction du résultat visé avant de déclencher l’obturateur. Puis je vérifie la composition et l’histogramme sur l’écran de l’appareil photo.

Comme il s’agit d’une rencontre fortuite avec un animal sauvage, tout se passe très rapidement et cependant tranquillement pour ne pas le stresser. J’évite aussi de rester trop longtemps pour ne pas déranger l’animal dans sa routine.

Résultat final après m’être repositionnée. Photo en plein format.

The making of my photo book Vancouver Island Wildlife

When I moved to Vancouver Island many years ago, I was fascinated by the diversity of fauna, flora and landscape. From the mountain meadows to the ocean, there are so many species to study and photograph. Some are permanent residents while others are seasonal visitors. All are very interesting. While exploring my new surroundings, I noticed the human impact on the environment and became aware of species at risk. With the help of a photo book, I hoped to show the beauty and diversity of Vancouver Island’s wildlife and raise awareness about our responsibility towards the conservation of its unique ecosystems.

For my book project, I researched many species to learn about their habitat, diet, biology, etc. I visited remote locations, sometimes by boat or floatplane. Often I got up in the middle of the night to be in the field by sunrise. I travelled long distances by vehicle and on foot. I walked in the snow, rain, fog and mud, sometimes I stepped on smelly things like rotten salmon on riverbanks. I prepared all my trips carefully because this is wilderness; I studied maps, topography, weather forecast, tide tables, sunrise and sunset times, and I maintained my vehicle in good condition, with an emergency kit and other essential items. This was a full-time project, working up to 60 hours a week, and it took me over a year to compile enough images for a photo book.

I edited thousands of images to select less than two hundred. My images had to be bold, uncluttered and well composed. I processed each one of them and converted them in CMYK for printing. Then I started to design the book and write the text. English is not my first language so I hired a professional translator in Victoria to proofread the text. I asked a professional photographer in my city to review my selection of images and give me honest feedback. At that point, I started to contact several printers in Canada before choosing one in Vancouver. I used offset printing instead of digital printing; although it is a lot more expensive, it is the best quality printing for a photo book. You could say that my book is 100% made in British Columbia from the subject to the printer. Some might think CAD$40 is expensive for a book but think about all the costs involved: camera equipment, travel expenses (gas, accommodation, meals), car maintenance, car insurance, business insurance, business licence, professional services (bush pilot, proofreader, printer, website…), and my time dedicated to this amazing project.

I feel very humble by the incredible success of this book. I won a Nautilus book award in the USA and received great feedback from the media. I am always touched to hear kind comments from readers in Canada, the USA and Europe. I hope that my book has achieved its goal: showing the beauty and fragility of our environment so that we are all aware of our collective responsibility towards its protection for future generations.