Behind The Shot: The Energy Of Pre-Capture For Bird Photography | Sony

Chris Laracy is a wildlife photographer primarily based within the NY/NJ space. “I spend a lot of time in the field chasing clean light, clean backgrounds, and real wildlife behavior, especially the moments that happen fast and never repeat,” he explains. “Outside of shooting, I make my living teaching what I’ve learned through online lessons and mentorships, plus field workshops for photographers who want to build real skills in real conditions. I genuinely love what I do, and I feel lucky to be able to create and share this kind of work.” We got here throughout a few of Chris’ current winter fowl pictures and reached out to study extra. Keep studying as he shares the story behind these pictures, taken along with his Alpha 1 II and 600mm f/4 G Master.

Photo by Chris Laracy. Alpha 1 II. 600mm f/4 G Master. 1/3200-sec., f/4, ISO 8000

Spending Time In The Field

These had been shot in Morris County, New Jersey at an area swamp. I used to be on the market taking pictures for my Instagram web page and portfolio, simply constructing the physique of labor the best way I all the time do, by placing in time within the subject and discovering the precise moments. Because it’s solely about quarter-hour from me, prep was my regular routine: batteries charged the evening earlier than, lenses cleaned, reminiscence playing cards formatted, and absolutely dressed for the chilly and the whole lot that comes with taking pictures open air in winter.

Behind-the-scenes photograph of Chris by Lyndon Llanes (@8_bit_explorer)

The Ultimate Bird Photography Setup

I created these images with my Alpha 1 II paired with the 600mm f/4 G Master as my essential setup. It’s my workhorse as a result of it provides me the attain and sharpness I want, plus Pre-Capture, 30 fps, and 50 MP recordsdata that allow me freeze quick moments and nonetheless have loads of element to work with. I additionally had an Alpha 7R V at my facet with the 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II and a 1.4x teleconverter as a secondary for something that bought too shut for the 600mm. Between the Alpha 7RV’s 61 MP crop flexibility and the way sharp that 70-200mm is, it’s a extremely helpful, versatile backup to the 600mm prime. For these pictures particularly, the Alpha 1 II’s Pre-Capture and 30 fps had been the distinction. They’re two options I can’t dwell with out anymore.

Photo by Chris Laracy. Alpha 1 II. 600mm f/4 G Master. 1/3200-sec., f/4, ISO 10000

Freezing Motion In A Photograph

These had been shot at 600mm, 1/3200-sec., and ISO 8000. It was a darkish, overcast snowstorm, so the ISO needed to climb to get a correct publicity whereas nonetheless holding the shutter velocity excessive sufficient to freeze movement. I used Pre-Capture set to the complete 1 second so I may reliably get the complete launch, not simply the second after I reacted. My setup was largely handheld, which is how I shoot more often than not as a result of I cowl a variety of floor and keep cellular, and the 600mm f/4 G Master is gentle sufficient that true handheld taking pictures is practical. If I do know I’m going to be ready for a fowl to take off for a very long time, I’ll swap to a monopod, however on this state of affairs handheld made essentially the most sense.

Photo by Chris Laracy. Alpha 1 II. 600mm f/4 G Master. 1/3200-sec., f/4, ISO 8000

A Clean and Simple Edit

My post-processing for these was fairly customary and all performed in Lightroom Classic. I maintain my edits clear and pure, specializing in isolating and highlighting the topic so the picture feels intimate and intentional. That often means dialing in publicity and distinction, balancing the whites from the snow, and utilizing focused changes to subtly deliver consideration to the fowl whereas holding the scene trying actual.

See extra of Chris Laracy’s work on Instagram @chris.laracy.

Shop Chris Laracy’s Bird Photography Kit:
–Alpha 1 II
–600mm f/4 G Master
–Alpha 7RV
–70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II