Bill Silliker, Jr.

The Camera Hunter

Lessons On Light

Scenic spots abound in Maine, special places that make you want to be there to capture them on film in the right light.  The best photo opportunities often come either early in the day or at its close, when the low angle of the sun makes for "sweet" or "golden" light.   Some nature photographers who specialize in scenics shoot only at those times.  They'll case a location at other times of day, checking for foreground, background and significant elements in the scene.   They'll watch the way the sun moves across the landscape, figuring out exactly where it rises and sets for that time of year.  And they'll plan when to be there for "Magic Hour"  - that short window of opportunity when the sun lights the scene so that they can record something very special on film.  Great light is truly where it’s at for the nature photographer. 

 As one whose primary interest is photographing wildlife, I'm always looking for the critters first.  While I shoot my share of scenics, a scene has to really get in the way to grab my attention.   But if you're out there a lot waiting for something to happen with the wildlife while the light gets better and better and better - you just have to take those scenics! 

 It's important to recognize these great light opportunities.  Some people truly just don't see them. Partly that's because they're not aware of how film will record light.  And partly it's because they're just not paying attention.  Great light scenic images sometimes require paying attention to what's happening with the subtleties of light.  But even when the golden light at the end of day screams out to make a photograph, you'll see some folks standing around waiting for wildlife, totally unaware of the great light literally passing before their eyes.  Perhaps it's similar to the novice hunter who goes out looking for deer and sees none because he's looking for a complete deer?    

After you spend a bit of time photographing nature, you also learn that you may never have the chance to shoot a place the same way again.  Early in my photography career I snapped two quick shots of a scene that looked so good that it begged to be photographed while searching for moose that never showed up. 

Two pictures.  Today I'd shoot two rolls.  One of those photographs has been published as a calendar image, on the cover of Maine Audubon's Habitat magazine, as a poster for the Wilderness Society, in several national magazines and in a German magazine.  Despite many trips back to that place at all times of day, it has never looked as good again.

 It's a rare occasion that I'll go to a place just to shoot a scene.  Those trips are usually to get shots for my Baxter State Park calendar or for an assignment to get "beauty shots" for Maine Coast Heritage Trust, The Nature Conservancy or the Forest Society of Maine.   Great light moments are what make those shoots.  

 Winter in Maine provides many moments with such great light opportunities.  It is also the season that presents more difficulty in finding wildlife targets for the camera.  Some species have migrated, others are hibernating and many keep themselves hunkered down to stay warm.  Photographers need to respect the needs of wildlife during this most stressful of seasons.  And so it's a time of year that I often target scenics in the Maine woods. 

A favorite place to do that is at Baxter State Park.  A  few words of warning: anyone who wants to snowshoe, ski or winter camp in Baxter State Park should prepare to face all of the challenges that the Maine winter can throw at you.  Enter this wilderness prepared to meet nature on its terms. 

To find out about winter rules for day use or camping, request a copy of the Winter Use Rules And Regulations by writing to Baxter State Park, 64 Balsam Drive, Millinocket ME 04462. 

            No matter where you shoot in Maine this winter, be on the lookout for that great light.  And then catch your scene in some of it. 

Bill Silliker, Jr. teaches wildlife & nature photography for L.L. Bean's Outdoor Discovery Schools and has done the photography for 5 books, several of which he also wrote. He is editor of the website www.wildlifewatcher.com as well as for his own website at www.camerahunter.com

© Copyright 2000 Bill Silliker, Jr. all rights reserved.