The Phoblographer recently published an article on 5 photographers that are getting the most use out of the Sony A7R4, and I am grateful to be one of the featured photographers.
I have shot on numerous cameras in the past, including Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Sony. I even shot on Pentax during the film days. Recently I made the switch to Sony from using primarily a Nikon D850. I had a Nikon D850 that I shot most of my wildlife with using the 500mm f4 lens, but when Sony came out with the 400mm f2.8, I decided to make the switch to full Sony. I shot with the Sony A7R when it first came out, and I noticed in looking at my prints over the years, the best ones seemed to come from that camera. That’s not the only reason, but was a big part of the switch.
Other reasons include the following:
- Mirrorless cameras are smaller, more compact, and lighter
- Video functionality is better and easier to work with in the field
- Faster autofocus and silent shutter
By the time you add a 400mm f2.8 to the A7r4, it may not be that much lighter, but they are more compact, and make it easier to travel with, especially if you are traveling internationally.
Video function was a huge part, as with a DSLR you had to switch to live view, and shooting with longer lenses, a tripod was absolutely necessary. It is so much easier with the mirrorless cameras to switch back and forth and catch video in the field. Most of the time, that video opportunity will not last long, so you have to be able to switch quickly. The only downside with that is that with SD card buffer rates, you often have to wait for the buffer to clear before you can start video.
Mirrorless have both phase and contrast detection and can offer faster autofocus, which is a relatively new feature. DSLR’s used to be faster. The silent shutter is awesome to shoot with as well, as don’t have any mechanical movement if you are shooting longer exposure images. It is also nice to be close to wildlife and not have the constant loud mechanical shutter going off. It can present some opportunities that you might not get otherwise.
Please be sure to check out my instagram @jmdarter if you don’t already follow me!
In 2022, I traveled to Vavau’, Tonga, to swim with and photograph humpback whales. Tonga is a special place for humpbacks, as it shallow waters provide a great place for them to give birth to their babies. They migrate to Tonga from the southern ocean near Antartica, in order to give birth, and get those babies ready to migrate back down south.
On the final day photographing the whales, I had one of the best wildlife experiences that I have ever had. A baby whale came up and interacted with everyone in the water.
It approached me and got very close. I started to back away, but it just came closer. We were both swimming and I turned to my side to start photographing it, and it rolled on its side, I turned back and it started mimicking my actions. We swam for for about minute together, what seemed like an hour. Looking directly into the eye of such an animal, it was clear that we were both in wonder.
I had a similar experience a few years ago, when I swam with some orcas, and looking into the eye of one as she passed, it felt almost as communication, that everything was ok, there was nothing but wonderment and curiosity on both sides.
The day was a whirlwind, as we got off the boat with just enough time to shower, and get to the airport to return a long journey back home #whale #humpbackwhale #humpbackswims #ocean #underwaterphotography #epic_wildlife #sealife #wildlife #oceanlife #photooftheday #freediving #underwaterphoto
I spent a week in Tonga last summer swimming with, and photographing humpback whales. Tonga is a special place, as humpback whales migrate from the south, near Antartica, to the shallow waters of Tonga to give birth to calves, and get them ready for the Spring migration back to the southern waters.
This is the print from that trip, and it is an acrylic almost 9 feet wide. Thanks to @whitewall_lab for the amazing print, and shout out to @nadia.aly.photo and @humpbackswims for the adventure!
I spent a week in Tonga last summer swimming with, and photographing humpback whales. Tonga is a special place, as humpback whales migrate from the south, near Antartica, to the shallow waters of Tonga to give birth to calves, and get them ready for the Spring migration back to the southern waters.
This is the print from that trip, and it is an acrylic almost 9 feet wide. Thanks to @whitewall_lab for the amazing print, and shout out to @nadia.aly.photo and @humpbackswims for the adventuure!
Help me wish my youngest a happy birthday today for her sweet sixteen! Aysa, your sister put it best earlier, you are ALL things good. You have always had the unique ability to calm, and peace follows you wherever you go. You are an inspiration, and I am going to miss so much those 8am conversations on the way to school, the early morning Starbucks runs, and my playlist will definitely take a hit now that you will be driving on your own.
You are everything! Happy Birthday, and I love you with all that I am! #happybirthday #daughters #prouddad #sweetsixteen
Crimp Ear`s young foster yearling cub takes a nap on the beach after clamming all morning. It was a pretty special experience to watch Crimp lay beside her and just watch her sleeping in the sun. It was one wildlife experience that I won’t forget!
The year before, she lost her spring cub to an attack from a male bear. She tried to defend it, but was unsuccessful. However, not long after that attack, another bear, Agora, kicked her young spring cub out to live on its own and Crimp Ear took that young cub in and fostered it. I found them a year later, and we spent time with them both almost every day we were there. Check out my reel about behind the shot Weight of the World. #wildlife #splendid_animals #animalelite #wildlifephotography  #wildlifelovers  #natgeowild #epic_wildlife #natgeo  #wildlifeperfection #aarons_tours
A couple years ago, I was able to spend a week in Alaska at Lake Clark National Park, photographing these huge coastal brown bears. Crimp ear is a well know bear in that area for her mother insticts. A year before I took this pic, her spring cub was attacked and killed by a big male bear. It was apparently a horrific incident, and there were photographers there when it happened. She tried to defend the cub, but was unsuccessful. So not long after that event, another bear, known as Agora, kicked out her cub, forcing the cub to live on its own. Crimp ear then took in that cub, and fostered it. Every day we saw them, they were together, and this is one shot I got of them both lying on the beach, Crimp ear watching her cub sleep.
This print is 48x72 inches, and really shows how big she is, and with her walking, head down, on the beach, seemed to capture the weight of her existence, and hard life that these bears can face in their environment. That’s the story behind the shot, Weight of the World. Print available in link in bio. #wildlife #bear #grizzly #epic_wildlife #alaska #alaskalife #sonyalpha #aarons_tours
Found this white bison yesterday with @bryan_pearson_photography and got to photograph it at sunset.
The white bison is considered sacred or spiritually significant in several Native American religions; therefore, such buffalo are often visited for prayer and other religious rituals. I’m not sure if this one is from a rare genetic condition, or cross breeding, but it was a pretty cool experience, thanks to Bryan for taking me out with him! #whitebison #bison #americanbison #wildlifephotography #wildlife #epic_wildlife #thisisoklahoma #travelok
This is probably at the top of my list of favorite images. It was from Guadalupe Island in 2021, on a live aboard ship for a week. The whole experience was surreal. I remember the first morning, after about a 20 hour boat ride out there, I woke up to a scene that looked like something out of a movie. A huge rock just off shore in the distance shaped like a shark fin (photos 2 and 3). Check out the free phone wallpaper, link in bio.
I really hope that they open it back up in the future, as they closed it last year. I’m fearful that the great whites there are in danger of poaching and illegal fishing because there is no one out there now. They are such an integral part of our oceans. #nautilusliveaboards #shark #greatwhiteshark #underwaterphotography #underwater #pacificocean #nauticamhousings
Help me wish my middle @aubrey.darter a Happy 20th Birthday today! Aubrey, I love your resilience, and your ability to do so with a smile on your face. I love your laughter, your brilliance, and I can’t wait to see your next chapter as you continue to move forward. Don’t ever stop. You have always been there for me, and I will always be here for you.
I’ve always loved quotes, here are few that remind me of you. I hope you like them.
“To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter”. – Euripides
“I want my daughters to grow up to be beautiful on the inside, rich in compassion, and perfectly imperfect.” – Brenda Kosciuk
“And the moon said to me — my darling daughter, you do not have to be whole in order to shine.” – Nichole McElhaney
“Nobody tests your inner gangster more than your daughter’s smart mouth.” – Unknown
“I want my daughter to be kind, but I also want her to know that she can throat punch someone if she needs to”. – Unknown
“She stands firmly on her own two feet, and I just behind her, should she ever need me”. – J. Iron Word #daughters #daughtersarethebest #daughtersbirthday #prouddad