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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Shooting outside at dusk
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Showing posts 1 - 13 of 13, (reverse)
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 06/20/2005 07:55:09 PM · #1
I am hoping to capture a few shots of a black bear that has been visiting my yard at dusk. I shoot with a 300D and would be using a Sigma 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 APO Super II lens. The part of the yard the bear is visiting does not have lights. I'm not sure what exposure settings would be best in this situation. I do not want the bear blurred out by too long of an exposure.
I did give a thought of sitting in my deer blind, with a monolight on a very long extension cord, and lighting him/her up with a flash. It would most likely either scare the bear though, or anger it. A few bear attack scars on my self I could handle, but I would hate for anything to happen to my camera!
Any suggestions? My bear should show up in about 2 hours if it stays on cue.

Message edited by author 2005-06-20 19:55:51.
 06/20/2005 07:57:41 PM · #2
tripod. No other way around it if you're shooting at the equivelant of 480mm in low light.
 06/20/2005 08:00:39 PM · #3
I will definitely use a tripod - would not even attempt it without.
I'm more concerned with what ISO is safe to go up to without getting too much noise, and what the longest shutter speed I should even consider to keep the bear from being blurry. Note: This bear is lazy and does not move much while it steals the corn I have out for the deer. Last night I was at work, but hubby said it was actually laying down in the corn and eating at a snails pace.

Message edited by author 2005-06-20 20:01:51.
 06/20/2005 08:03:23 PM · #4

Originally posted by ShutterPug:
I will definitely use a tripod - would not even attempt it without.
I'm more concerned with what ISO is safe to go up to without getting too much noise, and what the longest shutter speed I should even consider to keep the bear from being blurry. Note: This bear is lazy and does not move much while it steals the corn I have out for the deer. Last night I was at work, but hubby said it was actually laying down in the corn and eating at a snails pace.


lol bears are always lazy; I've never seen them depicted as anything but.
 06/20/2005 08:12:00 PM · #5
maybe I'll get luck and he/she will get their furry rump here before it gets too dark for a decent shot. I put out some goodies to try and lure it in earlier. Hubby just sits and shakes his head thinking he married a nut.
 06/20/2005 08:23:26 PM · #6
Feeding the bear?? That's not too smart.
 06/20/2005 08:53:50 PM · #7
Originally posted by nfessel:
Feeding the bear?? That's not too smart.

Black bears can run about 30 mph. Humans about half that (if you're in pretty good shape.) And, they're omnivorous and have big sharp teeth.

If you're going to set up your camera to get a shot, I suggest putting it out of easy reach.
06/20/2005 11:19:56 PM · #8
yes - black bear do have very sharp teeth and claws, and are faster than I hope to ever run. That is why I decided against sitting in my deer blind.
The bear has been a no show tonight. But - when it does show, I plan oon staying right near my back door. For that reason - distance, I must use the telephoto lens. Which lead me to wonder what would be the best exposure levels seeing how it'll be dusk and not much light which a tele needs.
 06/20/2005 11:47:01 PM · #9
Since you have no bear, but the other conditions are the same (and nearly a full moon) why not put something out there that is about teh same color and take some test shots?

I find ISO 800 bearable, 1600 not. If you use NeatImage then that can help.
 06/20/2005 11:52:13 PM · #10
How about flash with a flash extender, (I think the term is snoot?)
 06/21/2005 12:09:06 AM · #11
shoot the bear... wait till morning when you have better lighting... then in photoshop clone in sky and trees where the grass was...

Just kidding!
 06/21/2005 12:10:23 AM · #12
Originally posted by nfessel:
Feeding the bear?? That's not too smart.

Best advice I can give also. Better google the Yellowstone bears. Not lazy, just big opportunists. Why they are omnivorous...eat what is easiest to get, and waste the least amount of energy. Run out of food NEAR your house...they will start to come IN your house.
Hope you can get a shot though
 06/21/2005 01:00:09 AM · #13
Prof Fate - great advice. I will do that tomorrow night at dusk before the bear makes an appearance (I hope). As for tonight - no bear. I have no doubt it'll be back though. We have lots of bear up here, but usually only see them running across a road and can't get a shot off as I am driving.

Gusto - I told hubby (when I was JOKING) that I was gonna have a camera in one hand and a rifle in the other while waiting for the bear in my deer blind. His idea was shoot with the rifle first, prop the bear against a tree, then take pics.
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