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.
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Well, we chased the sun today across North Texas, and got a break in the clouds ☁️ just in time to get a few shots of totality and the diamond ring. It was incredible to see the size of the flares coming off the sun around the edges. Hard to imagine how big they really are! HUGE thanks to my one and only @mardi.niders.wild.america for being my pilot on this run! You are so amazing, and I don’t know what I would do without you. I’m so glad we got to experience this amazing event together! XOXO #sony200600 #sonya1 #solareclipse #solareclipse2024 #sun #guragear #sonyalpha
Another great white from Guadalupe Island. Looking back, this was one of the most exciting, and fulfilling tours that I have been on. I think because at the time, it was so out of my comfort zone. I keep checking for updates on it opening again, I long to go back into those waters.
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”- unknown #greatwhiteshark #greatwhite #sharkweek #sharks #ocean #oceanlife #sea #sealife #ngphotographerchallenge
This was the first Great White that I saw when I entered the cool, clear, blue waters of Guadalupe Island in the Fall of 2021. Twenty hours off the coast of the Baja Peninsula, I had a lot of time to think about that first encounter. Even in just imagining one approach, it was hard to not feel a slight increase in my heart rate.
But as soon as I submerged into the cool, crystal clear waters, those feelings vanished from my consciousness. The cool water surrounded my body as sounds of the oxygen from the tank dampened my thoughts. The slow, methodical motion of the current brought a calm that I never imagined possible staring into the dark abyss of the ocean. As this shark approached, I found myself in a world of calm curiosity. I was in his world, and time began to move in slow motion.
It had been a long time since I had experienced anything like that before... #sharks #greatwhiteshark #greatwhite #ocean #nauticam #discover_sharks #underwaterphotography #sealife #marinelife #bbcearth #guadalupeisland #theoceanfixeseverything #ngphotographerchallenge
The story behind this shot, “Temporary”, is more about the meaning of this photo, rather than the time it took place. Bison react to storms differently than their close relatives, cows. Cows will huddle together, and wait it out, while bison will face a strom, head on, and walk directly into the storm. The result is cows are in the storm for a lot longer, and bison get through the storm faster, together, reducing their exposure to the storm.
Whatever you are facing, try to remember that it’s temporary, and it will pass. I konw it’s hard to focus on that when you’er “in it”, but face it head on, get through it, with the people in your corner, and that storm, however turbulent it may be, will pass faster than just waiting. We can learn a lot through nature, Don’t Run, Don’t avoid it, and don’t hope it just goes away. Take it head on.
I printed this photo for a great organization that I really believe in, @warriorsrestfound Thier mission is to help First Responders heal from frontline traumas & empower them to live healthy, productive lives. A percentage of the proceeds from each sale of this print will be dontated to them in your name. Check them out, and please share this, like and comment! #wildlifephotography #yellowstone #firstresponders #police #fireman #medics #bison
I always encourage people to go back through old photos, to seek out little gems they might have missed, or things that can be processed differently with new technology. This is one of the former for me. Not sure how I missed this one the first time around! #eagles #baldeagle #raptor #birdofprey #birdphotography #wildlifephotography #alaska