This will be a warming up project. Pictures may or may not be included, up to you. We would just like to know what your preferences are. Most people have one subject that really excites them more than others.

 

I have two weaknesses: Puffins and Foxes. We've had the pleasure to photograph 3 species of Puffins, but really not many foxes. So I enjoy looking at pictures of these species with special joy.

 

What is yours?

My favorite which we have done a lot has to be puffins, they are special and don't think could get tired of them.

 

For second have to go with Penguins which I have never seen one other than at an exhibit !!! Heading south has always been a dream !!

 

Sure would like to hear about your!!!

For me this is an easy one to answer. I have three most favs: Horses, horses and horses ;-)

 

Sebastian

My favorite nature subject would be flowers. While I love macro shots of flowers, here I am not talking about those - but rather fields of flowers..especially wild flowers

 

One particular memory which has stayed with me was a train ride in Spring from Rome to Naples. Miles and miles of color as far as the eye could see. Also on that same trip a drive along the Amalfi coast where all the old architecture was set off again by thousands of wild flowers.

 

Though I loved any kind of flower. :)

 

As for birds - I love the sound of sea gulls. Since you are from Miami- I will share this. I have only been to Miami on one trip to Florida. During those Miami visits I went to South Beach one day. Never have I ever encountered such aggressive sea gulls. We could not eat our lunch. As soon as they saw you reach for the bag, they arrived in seconds. It was actually quite funny, and became like a game. When I tried to take the sandwich out of the bag, they came onto the blanket and then onto me, and I finally just gave my sandwich up. And there were a lot of them.

 

This sea gull activity surprised me and my friend because we often went to the beach on Long Island, NY and there the sea gulls were much more timid. To this day I never have understood why on that beach they were so different. And BTW the beach was empty. This was in December 1986.

 

Best,

Phyllis

Glad to see your favorites subjects!

Sebastian, I was in Wyoming with the wild horses for a day/ Let's say I'm not used to horses. We had a guide and a friend who rides.

At some point, we got separated from our guide, and the horses were very curious to see the tripods and lenses. They started their approach and we were completely surrounded. I was freaking out, but my friend talked me into enjoying the moment. I will never forget.

Those horses may or may not be descendant of the original Spanish mustangs. I think there is another location where they are for sure.

It was sad to hear how the government controls their population (not criticizing).

Medicine Man, was a stallion with a huge amount of mares. They were taken away from him and he looked so sad it was pitiful.

I don't understand any of the reason why they do this, but I know pain when I see it.

 

Hi Marc

 

Great response and do think the rules in your case are doing much more good than harm. Nobody likes restrictions but in this case, they lead to better photography and enjoyment.

 

Regarding the clean bg to showing more nature background, sure happy you brought it up. It seems that images without a clean bg and everything perfect are perceived as point and shoot or lesser images.

 

They are actually two totally different types and can be good/bad all on their own. The clean bg etc, are easier to make since all you have is the bird or animal etc. The others, I call environmental images and are some kind of difficult, if you want to have one work. They have so many elements and all have to be dealt with, if you don't ... then it becomes a point and shoot type image.

 

I try making environmental type images involving birds and wildlife, don't have as many as I would like since the keeper rate is rather low. Just posted one for curation which I feel its a beautiful image, worked long and hard to get the perfect blend but is doing poorly. Imagine there is a strong affinity to equate a bird on a stick with quality. Again, some birds on a stick can be beautiful, just look at one just published by Greg, a thing of beauty.

 

Anyone that can add to the clean vs habitat bg please do. Might just open a topic to see what the feelings on both happen to be.

 

al

This is a very good question!

My preferred subject is leopard, very shy and difficult to find, but sincerely I have to say that I have not a real preference, I enjoy taking picture of mamals and birds.

My best pleasure is to stay in the nature feeling myself part of it and witnes with my image frames of the book that nature is reading for me.

My preferred environment is Africa for the number of opportunity and choice.

Max