Photography is where you find it

Hiding in the shadows

Yellow jacket on final approach to land on feeder

By Marc Weinberg

If you read the recent Shoreline Area News article about 'Backyard Bunnies" you'll know you don't have to look far to have some photography fun.

For some, photography is going on a trip to a wonderful place. Perhaps to a place you've not been before or to a favorite spot looking for new memories to capture.

But regardless of your capacity to travel, photography can be as close as your own backyard.

Learning to look for new subjects can be fun, particularly in the summer months when it's warm and we have so much light.

My photos are often not the best during summer, however, because of too much light.

Looking for a way in

Bright daylight can overpower an image as well as produce harsh shadows and contrast. 

An overcast or cloudy day, on the other hand, can provide more even light, something like putting a 'filter' on your lens. 

So look for those moments.

You can also concentrate the time you search for subjects within a few hours of sunrise or sunset when the sun is low in the sky.

If there's a compelling subject, however, I'd rather get the shot that inspired me rather than not. 

Some editing techniques might help improve it.

Holding on to refuel

I love to watch hummingbirds. The one thing they continue to teach me is 'patience'. 

They are so fast and unpredictable in their flight patterns they present a real challenge, so it's best to position yourself near their food source. 

While watching for them this weekend, I saw something new... a yellow jacket trying to get at the sugar water in the feeder. 

So that became my new subject and challenge.