I fell in love with nature long before I became a photographer. Spending countless hours exploring nearby woodlands and creeks as a young boy growing up in the Mayberry-like little town of Wister, Oklahoma, everything in nature fascinated me back then and those days laid the foundation for my becoming a nature photographer.
Every nature photographer possesses similar traits; being drawn to the beauty and magic of the natural world and instinctively recognizing what makes a great moment of light, for it is the magic and musical colors of light that create an image that stirs the soul.
Sunrises and sunsets seem to portray the most magical message. No two of them ever relay the same message. As the sun reaches for a new day the music of light builds until a crescendo of brightness is reached. And as the sun stretches for the end of the day, a climax of light explodes in one last memorable symphony across natures stage. Capturing the personality of those moments in an exceptional way is a challenge for all nature photographers.
Fall is perhaps my favorite season to photograph, but I follow the light through all four seasons, approaching each one with a unique mindset for each one that requires a different way to measure the opportunities they offer.
When I search for moments of light, I look for simplicity of composition. Zeroing in on the most important elements and eliminating excess clutter is the challenge. Doing so is to remember you are actually photographing light, and how that light wraps itself around the subject is what defines how to express why this irreplaceable photographic moment was important.
I love creating black and white nature photographs – in the Ansel Adams style – imparting my own vision along the way. It is a stimulating form of photography because it forces you to view the world from a different perspective. A black and white image must stand alone on shape, form, contrast, texture, and story composition to relay a sense of timeless connection and works especially well when Nature turns raw. During those raw moments, nature generates an energetic excitement like no other event. It is also one of the most difficult times to capture simply because of the random flavor it carries. Timing is vital and requires an instinct developed through experience. So, when the weather turns bad – it is usually good for a photographer.
Wildlife is perhaps the most challenging subject for a nature photographer because wildlife rarely cooperates. There is more to it than simply snapping a photograph of some animal. I always attempt to capture their behavior within an environmental portrait often showing more of the environment as part of the composition. To get closer to the wildlife I will often shoot from a makeshift blind. The idea is to conceal any movement thus reducing the risk of being detected. Doing so allows the wildlife to behave naturally.
Outdoor skills are essential for a nature photographer and over the years I’ve explored various elements of becoming an outdoorsman. Backpacking, canoeing, hiking, hunting, camping, have all played a role in that endeavor. I especially enjoy the physicality and freedom of canoeing and canoe camping for it, in many ways, is a throwback to historical times with a rich history filled with amazing adventures. Doing so allows me to gain an up-close perspective on nature I might not otherwise experience.
If I am honest about my photography, I would say I’ve at best created four or maybe five images that can truly stand the test of time. Even so, I’m still searching for that one illusive, great photograph. Sometimes – maybe most times – I feel as though I will never truly find it; even so, I do believe, eventually, nature will quietly call me toward the best of what she has to offer. I have also learned it is not necessary to travel far to discover great photographic moments. The majority of my photographs have all been taken within a thirty-minute drive from Bowling Green.
Please visit my blog site Beyond the Campfire (beyondthecampfirebykeith.blogspot.com) or my Beyond the Campfire YouTube site.
-by Keith Bridgman
