Eastern Maine Camera Club

Probably a bad title because I can't tell you where to photograph Moose.  I can tell you I wouldn't go to Portland thinking I would see a Moose.  I can suggest how I look for moose. My best luck for seeing moose has been out of a boat.  My favorite season is September when moose are going into their rut.  (late September, early October). Bulls are looking for cows. Cows are pursued by bulls. By the end of the first week in October, the rut ends and moose return to their lives of eating and resting as they prepare for winter. Photography is spectacular because by September their antler growth has completed and the velvet dries and falls off.  

Where and when do I look for Moose?  Early Morning, late evening.  I go to the North Maine Woods and Aroostook County.

Aroostook County Moose

Photo Hints

Mark Picard, a wildlife photographer specializing in Moose photography taught me to have my camera ready with "Drive By" settings.  A moose might not wait for you to fiddle with the settings.  He also taught me to have the speed high enough to make the moose sharp not blurry. The camera is in reach, maybe on my lap.  I am using auto ISO and do not allow the speed to go below 500.  I have my longest lens on my camera.  The F stop is set to F5.6 or F8.  

As a side note.  I have a "Little Black Book"!  The boring reason for the book is to write notes of what to have/do in what situation.  I also have a list of what I need for what I am doing,  I have downloaded the camera manual on my I pad. I also downloaded a book by David Bush about my Sony.  David has published many how-to books for many cameras.  Why do I like David?  He will say there are many ways to do the same thing but this is the way he does it.  For me, that helps.  On lazy, sitting on the couch moments, I read Davids book, fiddle with the settings, take practice pictures of my toes, and write the results in my black book.  Google David Bush (your camera) for a look.

Ecotat Garden and Trails

One of the hidden jewels near Bangor, in Hermon, is Ecotat Gardens.  The acreage is home to over 55 gardens containing 280 varieties of trees, over 1500 varieties of perennials, and an abundance of animals, birds and insects.  The gardens are free to the public and photographers are more than welcome to use the gardens whenever they want during daylight hours. They appreciate donations.  I love it here as a place to practice different flower photography techniques.  I also have seen the gardens used for family photos. 

“The mission of Ecotat Trust is to preserve and expand the gardens and trails for the enjoyment and use of future generations. The name “Ecotat” was formed by combining portions of the words “ecological” and “habitat” – words describing the 91 acres of land located on Route 2 in Hermon, Maine, at the intersection with Annis Road at the top of Miller Hill.”

Ecotat Gardens and Trails

Photographer Tips

* Don’t just stick to eye-level shots. Strive to be unique.

* Shoot from a higher angle. This is actually quite easy to execute. Especially since you’re taller than most flowers.

* Go lower. You’ll have to stay really close to the ground, but the shots you get are definitely worth it.

* To help you stay clean while shooting, bring a rag or an old yoga mat you can lay on.

Wait for the flowers to be still. 

Camera settings suggestions. 95 percent of the time I shoot at aperture priority.   I love a soft/blurred background behind flowers.  I will shoot at F2.8 and F5.  Blurred backgrounds make the flower stand out. If you are outdoors and it is a bright day, consider underexposing slightly by -1 stop, to bring out the details of the flower, the leaves and stem.

Too much wind?  Moving flowers is another technique.  To make a swirling flower set your camera at its lowest ISO (50).  F18 and set the camera speed around (ish) 1 second. Using a ND filter also helps but is not needed.  This is just a crazy fun.  The method.  Move your camera and chimp.  Try different swirl movements and pick out what you like best.