I’m constantly surprised when I see some images of wildlife how untrue-to-life the colours seem. I think some photographers tend to overprocess their images trying to bring a vibrancy to them that are unreal – if that makes sense? I firmly believe that processing images after a long ‘shoot’ is the main culprit. Our eyes are naturally tired after looking through a viewfinder for hours on end. You may not think so but if you process images when you have tired eyes (and tired brains) the end result is not true to life. If you’re unsure about this then perhaps it’s a good idea to take a look at your after-shoot images the next morning and I think you’ll be quite surprised…it really is, literally, an eye-opener. Unless we have ‘immediate’ client deadlines to meet then I suggest that you do not process your images until the next day. Everything looks different with fresh eyes.
Photographing wildlife, especially birds, is a delicate art that requires a balance between technical skill and an appreciation for the natural world. Ensuring that birds are shown in their natural colours and not over-processed is crucial for several reasons.
Authenticity and Integrity
One of the primary reasons for maintaining natural colours in wildlife photography is to preserve the authenticity and integrity of the subject. Most birds are often admired for their natural beauty. Over-processing can distort these features, leading to a misrepresentation of the species. This is particularly important for scientific documentation and educational purposes, where accurate representation is essential.
Viewer Trust
Maintaining natural colours helps build and maintain trust with your audience. Viewers expect wildlife photographs to be a true reflection of nature. Over-processed images can lead to scepticism and diminish the credibility of the photographer. By presenting birds in their natural colours, photographers can ensure that their work is respected and trusted by both the public and the scientific community.
Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations also play a significant role. Wildlife photographers have a responsibility to depict their subjects truthfully. Over-processing can be seen as a form of manipulation, which can be ethically questionable. By keeping post-processing to a minimum, photographers can adhere to ethical standards and contribute to the honest portrayal of wildlife.
Impact on Conservation
Accurate representation of wildlife is crucial for conservation efforts. Conservationists and researchers rely on photographs to study and monitor bird populations. Over-processed images can lead to incorrect data and hinder conservation efforts. By ensuring that birds are shown in their natural colours, photographers can support conservation initiatives and contribute valuable information to the scientific community.
Camera Settings and Light
Camera settings and light in wildlife photography cannot be overstated. Proper camera settings are essential for capturing the true colours of birds.
- White Balance: Setting the correct white balance is crucial for accurate colour reproduction. Different lighting conditions can affect the colours in your photos. Using the appropriate white balance setting ensures that the colours are true to life.
- ISO: The ISO setting controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO settings can introduce noise, which can affect colour accuracy. Keeping the ISO as low as possible while maintaining a proper exposure helps in preserving natural colours.
- Aperture and Shutter Speed: The aperture controls the depth of field, while the shutter speed affects motion blur. Both settings can influence the overall exposure and colour accuracy. Finding the right balance is key to capturing sharp, well-exposed images with natural colours.
- Lighting Conditions: Natural light is often the best source for wildlife photography. Early morning and late afternoon light, known as the golden hours, provide soft, warm light that enhances the natural colours of birds. Harsh midday light can create strong shadows and wash out colours, so it’s best to avoid shooting during this time. However, flat grey light may often show true colour and should not be ignored.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ensuring that birds are shown in their natural colours and not over-processed is essential for maintaining authenticity, building viewer trust, adhering to ethical standards, and supporting conservation efforts. Proper camera settings and lighting conditions play a crucial role in achieving this goal. By paying attention to these factors, photographers can capture stunning, true-to-life images that celebrate the beauty of wildlife and contribute to its preservation.
Of course, you may not care too much about all this, believing that your ‘audience’ sees things just like yourself! But I would suggest that if, for example, you are photographing a white plumed bird then you should pay especial attention to feather detail. After all, like all birds, white birds have individual feathers that we see when we look at them with our own eyes. Specular highlights and dropping off the edge of the histogram are always a challenge. So it’s perhaps worth remembering that the viewer expects to see the ‘real’ thing in you images(?) Not what you think they expect.
How important is your ‘integrity’ as a photographer ?
Happy snappin’ folks
Meter The Light 