F/8 and Be There
by Mike Lee
Title
F/8 and Be There
Artist
Mike Lee
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
Ok, non-photographers won’t likely understand the title. “F/8 and be there” is an old adage which essentially means that being in a position to get a shot is important above all else. We can split hairs over the best gear, settings, technique, et al, but if we’re anywhere but where the shot is the discussion becomes pointless. In this particular instance, I was trying to take photos of an old piece of driftwood which was sitting in the middle of McCoy Flat Reservoir in Lassen County, California, USA. This large flat flood control reservoir is completely dry most summers and the driftwood was sitting out there beneath wonderful stormy clouds that I was hoping were going to let sun rays though. That didn’t happen. However, as I stood there hoping it would this young coyote came prancing right toward me. I found myself standing opposite big dead tree from the animal as well as straight downwind from it in a very stiff breeze. I honestly think I could have sat down behind that log, waited a minute or two, and had a very undesirable lap dog! However, I was armed with a wide angle lens and opted to use the big piece of wood as cover to move the 15 feet to my camera bag where I quickly switched to my long glass. The last few feet of crawling to the bag were out of line with my makeshift wooden “blind” and that movement finally got the animal’s attention leading it to change course but not before I got a nice shot, even if it wasn’t the shot I set out to get that afternoon.
F/8 and be there indeed. (and, full disclosure; this was captured at f/7.1)
Uploaded
August 18th, 2022
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Comments (64)
Luther Fine Art
Congratulations! Your wonderful art has been featured on the home page the ABC Group from our themed week M IS FOR MONO ( A SINGLE SUBJECT):JUNE 24, 2024 - JULY 1, 2024)
Rod Best
Such a cool story Mike. I think many of us have been there, wrong lens + opportunity! Glad you were able to change gear and get a great shot! It's a great pose by coyote too! Well done!
Samuel HUYNH
Exciting news – Your fantastic artwork has been featured in "GREATEST OF ALL TIME" group! 🌈🎨 Feel free to spread the joy by adding it to our "2024 Featured Masterpieces Archive" in the Discussion section.
Steve Rich
Your work deserves to be featured in our group "The Meandering Photographer" Please consider adding this work to the "Feature History, The Meandering Photographer (March-April 2024)" active discussion thread. (l/f on 4-29-2024)
Andrew Wilson
Even if it wasn't the shot you were there to get, it was still the right place at the right time!
Sabina Pamfili
it's a lovely story and the shot is awesome. The more I see and read, the more I realize how much I have missed when it comes to true nature. Love your work, Mike.
Susan Hodgson
Mike, what a great story behind this pic! Love the expression and stance of this coyote!
Gary F Richards
Spectacular F/8 and Be There composition, lighting, shading, excellent colors and artwork! F/L voted
Ron Long Ltd Photography
Nice capture Mike! I know the area and I know how wiley coyotes are. This is truly a rare capture! Congratulations!
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