Thu, August 5th, 2004 by Jessyel Ty Gonzalez
I've wanted to do some nature shooting for the longest time now. But I'm worried about nasty animals, poisonous plants, crazy weather, and the lack of humans and hospitals.
What tips do you have for shooting in the middle of no where? For example, I know to put on bugspray, but will it attract some bad animals? Same goes for food. What foods won't attract dangerous critters? Any tips on plants? Etc.
Overall, I want a shooting experience that doesn't involve a cougar or bear chasing me, getting poison ivy, or freezing to death. Any tips from those that know?
August 5th, 2004 at 9:14 pm
I would suggest that you don't wear shoes made of ham.
August 5th, 2004 at 9:18 pm
Fully noted.
Growing up in a city my whole life and never going camping really hinders me on this.
August 5th, 2004 at 10:03 pm
I'm interested in this topic as well. I'm planning a multi-week trip later this year to Arizona and Utah primarily for the opportunity to shoot in some 'desert' environments.
I suspect the typical precautions (water, some food, first aid) are obvious but what else? What kind of environment?
Up in 'bear country' (northern Ontario), the guidelines are - don't sleep with your food.
It will be commonly placed elsewhere, or hung from a tree. I don't know how much of that is practical or not - that's just what I remember hearing many, many times.
My father-in-law is a technical camper and photographer, and tends to go for days/weeks alone up in northern Ontario. To ward off bears, he brings a gun. I don't know if that's the kind of preparedness you're looking for...
Jessyel - are you planning on camping out alone or will you be going with others?
August 5th, 2004 at 11:50 pm
Nasty animals? Common sense and respect for other living creatures goes a long way. Fore example most snakes won't bother you if you don't bother them. LOL @ Brandon's ham-shoe comment! Poisonus plants? Do some research, and don't touch or eat anything you don't recognise. Crazy weather? Check the forecasts, but be prepared! Lack of humans is a bonus in my books, more chance to experience unadulterated nature...hospitals? These are some of the most dangerous places to be in!! (Trust me, I know) If you are truly worried about hurting yourself in the middle of nowhere, you should be sensible and do all the right things you are meant to do - Tell someone (park ranger, local authorities) where you are going, when you are leaving, what direction/route you intend to go and when you expect to return.
You need to have a lot of patience if you want to capture wildlife. A telephoto lens and good tripod (or unipod) are also handy, but if you are hiking make sure your kit isn't too bulky or heavy.
I'm very lucky in that I don't have to travel too far to capture "nature" ~ even in built up areas, natural flora and fauna has a way of making do...
Here is my latest "nature shot" taken from my balcony.
http://www.notreality.biz/notreality.php?image=newphotoA029
August 5th, 2004 at 11:53 pm
I forgot to say Jessyel, if you have never gone camping before, definitely take/go with someone who has and is experienced in it. Above all, have fun, it's one of the most wonderful experiences! (Once you get used to it)
:-)>
August 6th, 2004 at 1:03 am
Based on "Overall, I want a shooting experience that doesn't involve a cougar or bear chasing me, getting poison ivy, or freezing to death. Any tips from those that know?," I'd recommend you go to your local zoo. =)
August 6th, 2004 at 1:11 am
I thought I'd best clarify the zoo comment =)
With a trip to the zoo, you get the best of all things natura -- amazing animal shots; if your zoo is like ours, beautiful flora to capture; and bonuses, like a butterfly exhibit, or rare animals, such as Sumatran Tiger Cubs. . . or the world's smallest monkey. . . (Ours is the Woodland Park Zoo is at http://www.zoo.org)
At the most by the end of the weekend, you'll have sore feet, no poison ivy, or a trip to the hospital. . . and it's a great way to practice 'shooting nature' and if your zoo is like our zoo, your admission price goes to the preservation and assistance of animals in need.
August 6th, 2004 at 1:39 am
Do not EVER get bitten by chiggers. The bites don't even show up until you are home sorting through all your photos and instead of thinking yay what great photos, all you can think is OMFG these shots were so not worth it because right now I itch so bad I want to die and I will promise lord to never ever take another photo again if it will just. Stop. Itching.
That's my only nature shooting tip.
August 6th, 2004 at 2:23 am
For anyone venturing into bear country:
Hanging food (or *anything* with a scent) from a tree is generally a bad idea, as most bears have figured out how to get at hung food. Of course, if you're just camping and not backpacking, most bear country campgrounds have bear lockers you can store your food in. Keep a clean camp, and do *not* store food in your car. A bear can quickly turn any car into a junkpile looking for a stray peanut or a jar of cologne.
If you're backpacking, there's info about bear-proof food storage canisters at http://www.sierraclub.org/e-files/bear_canister.asp
As Cameron noted above, if you practice some common sense, your time in the wilderness should be enjoyable and productive. I've been camping in bear country most of my life, and I have *never* had food stolen or property damaged by a bear. I've seen it happen to lots of other people, though, and it was always because they weren't storing their food properly.
August 6th, 2004 at 7:41 am
a lot of good advice in here and i have nothing to add, really, except to elaborate on brandon's advice:
not only ham shoes, but really the adorning of any fleshwear such as meathats, burgerpipes, and the basting of oneself in turkey gravy - these are all best left for more controlled environments, such as a studio.
love your http://www.transfatty.com - patrick is a world class meatographer.
August 6th, 2004 at 9:47 am
It might sound corny, but get yourself a boy scout handbook; it'll tell you everything you need to know about being in the woods.
August 6th, 2004 at 10:29 am
Let's step back a minute -- Jessyel, where are you going on your trip? Not every place has bears, snakes and chiggers. You need to plan for the exact location to which you're heading. There can be a big differences between the types of critters in a state park versus those in a truly remote location.
August 6th, 2004 at 10:31 am
I see from your blog that you are in Boulder, yes? Not sure what kind of nature shooting you're wanting to do, but all you have to do is hike one of the many, many trails in Colorado and you'll find plenty to photograph. Even within Boulder proper there are tons of hiking trails that get you fantastic views of canyons, mountains, and plains. You won't even need a car to get to any of those spots. And if you have a car, drive up any of the canyons. There are hiking trails everywhere. You don't even have to camp--an easy two hour hike will net plenty of gorgeous photo ops. Drive down 93 to Red Rocks State Park. Drive up into the mountains on I-70. Drive up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Pick up a book of hiking trails to find a plethora of easy trails that you can do with nothing more than a bottle of water, some trail mix, and your camera.
You'll be able to find plenty of spots to shoot cool nature photos without even without being far from civilization--whether you're after sweeping landscapes or details of interesting plants and flowers. Yes there are wild animals everywhere, but you're unlikely to encounter them. (If you want to shoot wildlife, that's different, and I have no tips for how to do that.) They're generally as scared of you as you are of them. And if you're hiking a popular trail, there will be plenty of people around (though, trust me, you can still get plenty of good photos without people being in them).
August 6th, 2004 at 10:57 am
Easy, just be sure that you can run faster than the people you take with you...
Finding dangerous animals to photograph is a lot like finding big sharks in the ocean. Most divers/photographers feel fortunate to find such creatures...
Personally, I'd worry a lot more about weather and other humans...
August 6th, 2004 at 1:39 pm
This is a huge question, beyond the scope of a few comments. Being safe in the woods isn't something you learn from a quick checklist. The best advice is what Cameron said -- go with someone who knows that they're doing.
Here's my latest "nature" shot: taken through the window of my office in downtown Montreal:
http://www.blork.org/blog/imyjiz/WindowSpider2.jpg
August 6th, 2004 at 2:02 pm
A few basics from a former Forest Ranger:
1. If you're on the east coast, your biggest fear is Lyme's Disease. Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts in any situation when walking through the underbrush. This has the added benefit of protecting against sunburn, mosquitos, and poison ivy/sumac (Sumac is Southeastern). When you get home, shower immediately, and check for small dots, about the size of a period (.), which may be the ticks that carry lyme disease. The larger, easily visible ticks, are not Lyme's vectors. Ticks favor warm, damp areas, such as the backs of the knees, armpits, between toes, um... and other areas, so to speak.
2. Deet. It's your friend. It doesn't attract other animals.
3. Speaking of other animals, they're usually not a problem. But, if, for some reason, you encounter bear or are in bear territory (more particular to the Desert Southwest or Rocky Mts.), make lots of noise when you walk. Bear are not interested in encountering humans, for the most part, and will avoid you. Grizzlies and Kodiak bear are unique problems that require more particular solutions (i.e., armament).
More likely, if it's an overnight trip, the issue is keeping bear and other critters away from food. Use a bear bag or bear cannister.
Don't use deodorant in the wild. Deodorant is a pleasant smell to humans and non-humans alike because it smells sweet. Sweet smells, to humans, mean flowers. To animals, they mean sugar-rich food.
4. Drink water often. Dehydration is a frequent problem in the outdoors. At least a liter per three miles of walking, I find, is sound. Your mileage may vary.
5. Shade, sun protection, and exhaustion prevention keep you from getting sunburn, heat stroke, and injured due to fatigue.
6. If you're going into the woods, you should lay out an itinerary that you give to someone not joining you in case you don't return on time. Include where you're going, estimated time of departure, route, and estimated time of return. It helps. A lot.
August 6th, 2004 at 2:57 pm
I agree with Jon in that you'll be lucky if you do spot "dangerous" animals. I was born and raised in a camping family in one of the most pristine alpine forest areas in the U.S., near Yellowstone, and I can assure you that, with a little common sense, you have little to fear from wild animals. An exception is a cow moose with babies. I've been treed twice by them and both times she wanted to kill me.
I think that you face more danger from mother nature especially if you plan on camping in Utah. Deserts can be really tough to camp in. Damn hot in the day and damn cold at night.
Dehydration can sneak up on you with little warning.
Plus blowing sand and dust can damage your equipment.
Some of the best information about camping in the desert can be found at the Burning Man website. http://www.burningman.com
They have taken camping in the desert down to a science.
August 6th, 2004 at 3:28 pm
myla, your recommendation to go to the local zoo really make me laugh. i know you are serious, but spontanously it's sounds funny.
August 6th, 2004 at 3:58 pm
What "dangers" you face depends a lot on where you live and you could probably get better personalized info from either your local outdoor gear shop or parks center/ranger station.
Animals generally are scared of and avoid humans and will not attack unless there's a severe food-shortage or they're threatened, because they know the odds -- it's much easier to catch and eat a happy bunny (or toddler) than a full-grown man.
I always pull my socks up over my pantlegs and wear long, buttoned sleeves, and have someone check me when we're done for ticks (are these the same as chiggers?).
Don't drink the water unless you test it first with those little water-testing pills you get from the outdoor store. Even the crisp, cold mountain kind can have things that will make you very sick in it.
I think the shiny red leaves of three, let it be applies to many of the itchplants, but that's only part of the year, they're plain old green here in the winter and look like the rest of the shrubbery. I try not to touch anything, especially dogs I might meet (they get the oils all over their fur). Look in the outdoor section of your bookstore, there are small 'plantfinder' guides you can pick up for a couple bucks that should be available in a regional edition that will identify the particular ickies in your area.
Wear your boots for a week nonstop before going out for a serious hike, nothing says "this sucks" like having huge oozing blisters and being a longass walk from anywhere. Bring bandaids. The new liquid-stick kind (it's little individual tubes of goo you apply to the wound and let dry) stays real well, even though it gets dirty and disgusting looking.
I always, always carry several large (gallon size) freezer (more durable) ziploc bags with me in case of water -- rain, rivers, whatnot -- and doublebag my camera and anything else I want to keep dry (wallet etc.). I've successfully tested this method extensively on soppingest water ride at local amusement park and romping in surf at public beach when I didn't have someone to watch my stuff. It also keeps out the sand and dirt. Note: I take camera OUT of bags to take pictures and cannot guarantee quality of any shots taken through plastic, though I'm sure they'd have an interesting quality.
Finally, if you don't clean up after youself, you will be leaving a trail for the bears to easily find and eat you
August 6th, 2004 at 3:58 pm
What "dangers" you face depends a lot on where you live and you could probably get better personalized info from either your local outdoor gear shop or parks center/ranger station.
Animals generally are scared of and avoid humans and will not attack unless there's a severe food-shortage or they're threatened, because they know the odds -- it's much easier to catch and eat a happy bunny (or toddler) than a full-grown man.
I always pull my socks up over my pantlegs and wear long, buttoned sleeves, and have someone check me when we're done for ticks (are these the same as chiggers?).
Don't drink the water unless you test it first with those little water-testing pills you get from the outdoor store. Even the crisp, cold mountain kind can have things that will make you very sick in it.
I think the shiny red leaves of three, let it be applies to many of the itchplants, but that's only part of the year, they're plain old green here in the winter and look like the rest of the shrubbery. I try not to touch anything, especially dogs I might meet (they get the oils all over their fur). Look in the outdoor section of your bookstore, there are small 'plantfinder' guides you can pick up for a couple bucks that should be available in a regional edition that will identify the particular ickies in your area.
Wear your boots for a week nonstop before going out for a serious hike, nothing says "this sucks" like having huge oozing blisters and being a longass walk from anywhere. Bring bandaids. The new liquid-stick kind (it's little individual tubes of goo you apply to the wound and let dry) stays real well, even though it gets dirty and disgusting looking.
I always, always carry several large (gallon size) freezer (more durable) ziploc bags with me in case of water -- rain, rivers, whatnot -- and doublebag my camera and anything else I want to keep dry (wallet etc.). I've successfully tested this method extensively on soppingest water ride at local amusement park and romping in surf at public beach when I didn't have someone to watch my stuff. It also keeps out the sand and dirt. Note: I take camera OUT of bags to take pictures and cannot guarantee quality of any shots taken through plastic, though I'm sure they'd have an interesting quality.
Finally, if you don't clean up after youself, you will be leaving a trail for the bears to easily find and eat you