Evening star., 1937-06-06
Wild Animal
Views Fine
For Camera
Smaller Kinds Make
Good Subjects in
Action Pictures.
BY JIM EMMETT,


WHEN you've tired of the average
run Of snapshots and are ready
TO try your camera on something more
difficult, try photographing the smaller
wild animals. And don't mean dis
tant pictures of feeding wild things,
but clear, distinct close-ups with the
subjects in characteristic action or
feeding poses.
Hlgh-priced apparatus isn't neces.
sary. An ordinary camera of the usual
oox or folding type and perhaps 4
nash lamp, are all that Is required;
out you must study your equipment
and know its ability and limitations.
A simple and successful method Is
70 fasten your camera to a tree, focus
1T on a certain runway or feeding
patch, and arrange the shutter with
a thread to be either tripped by the
animal itself or pulled by you yourself
IN ambush. The details of this plan
Will nave to be worked out according
10 what you are going to photoRraph.
your location, and your equipment.
out the method generally used follows.
Throughout the woods are runwavs
or game trails which animals travel
70 their feeding grounds or water SUD-
ply. lhls applies to almost all wild
tnlngs, from rabbits in near-city vi.
clnltles to deer in secluded sections.
Flnd such a trail and follow il tn
Where 1t passes a partly open SPOT.
because you will need all the li9hs
possible. Then with a natural back
ground for your picture. set up the
camera to take in the animal when
~ passes. Because Of the Door light
OF such a location. you will likely haya
TO use fairly large stop opening, and
tne correct focus should be on tha
spot where the animal will be. and
not on the background. This NAV
throw the latter trife out of focus.
out 1t will cause the animal to be
clearly defined and make a desirable
negative.
YOU may use twine or friction tape
70 lash the camera to a nearby tree or
stump. Adjust for view, and either
tie piece Of thread preferably stout
ALen' through the hole in the shutter
reIease, or secure it by, wrapping IT
several times about the lever. Then
carry The thread through one or moro
Small screW-eyes to the concealed SPOT
"here you will lie in wait. The set-un
may be tested by wrapping a piece OF
olack paper or cloth tightly about
the lens while you pull the thread to
see II 1t works. The cloth shuts oil
the hight to avoid spelling the film. II
mlgnt also be well to conceal or mar.
tially cover the camera with leaves oy
an oVerhaneing bough, being careful
Whatever used doesn't get within
range. Place the camera 80 the n,n,,
rays VIII not shine in the lens.
Ihe drawback to this method &c
tna1 IT entails too much patient watt
Ing, and with many animals vour
scent Will make your presence known
ana cause them to avoid the set-up.
flctures, just as good and more OF
tnem, can be secured by letting the
animal itself trip the shutter.
With this method. adjust the camera
as before, but instead Of strong thread.
use very light silk which will snau
under slight strain. This should be
gray IN color, to make 1t look like a
spiders web, and should be led across
the trail to fasten to tree or stake
on the other side. A slight slacknes,
Will prevent possible damp air from
springing the camera through shrink
ing the silk.
II all works right, the passing an
imal will run against the thread, and
trip the shutter. The light silk will
break to avoid damaging the camera,
With this arrangement, set the camera
at the predetermined spot early in
the morning. and inspect and take it
IN late in the afternoon before the
light becomes poor. If the shutter
isn't sprung, put the camera out
again next morning.
Wild animals, however have a we'll
known habit Of feeding and travelling
at night, and for this reason, many use
flash lamp equipment to photograph
their subjects to advantage
The set-up is the same except for
the addition Of the flash lamp, and
the arranging for 1t to be set OF at
the identical time the camera is
sprung.