Above: Scotland Camera Trap Self Portrait Composite
Welcome back,
In my last post I talked about the equipment you need for a DSLR camera trap. In this post I am going to show you how to use it and set it up in the field. So lets get started.
Introduction
I have traveled out to the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. This is the UK's biggest national park and is full of wonderful and rare wildlife. If you're just getting started it is best to try your new gear out in your own back yard first or if you don't have one you could test it out in a friends of family's before moving further afield. This is so you know how your equipment works and if you have any problems. It is easier to fix it in your own garden than miles away in the middle of nowhere. Then after you have got your gear working as you like and tested out your setting you can then take in out to your local wood (don't forget to ask the land owners permission first.)
Above: Some photos from when I first started, taken in my parents garden
In this demonstration I will be using my Canon 600D camera with a Sigma 10-20mm lens, Cognisy's Camera Controller Box and PIR Sensor along with two Canon flashes and some Camptraptions wireless triggers.
Planning your Shoot
Before you put your gear out think of what sort of shot you want and what your target subject is. You can then research on your chosen subject to help get the best shots.
For this demonstration I am going for tree mammals such as Red Squirrel and Pine Marten which have been spotted in the area.
Above: Pine Tree which I am hoping to see my subjects on
I have found this pine tree which stands out from the rest and has nice lighting on it with no direct sunlight which could lead to over exposing the final image or setting off the PIR sensor. When putting your sensor up and planning your final image it is always good to check where the sun is going to be because if you don't and direct sunlight falls in your sensor sight it could set it off because the sun is a source of heat and PIR sensors sense heat and movement. So when putting up your PIR sensor, west facing is best so the sun can't interfere with your sensor.
I have chosen a PIR sensor because I am not on a trail, so don't know where my subject is coming from. It is also easier to set up.
Above: Photo showing set up used
I am hoping my subject will come from or go up the tree, so I have set my sensor pointing towards the tree. I have also added a snoot to my sensor to cut down the triggering area. I have put my camera just below my sensor facing the same spot my sensor is pointing. My two flashes are ether side of my camera box at a 90° degree angle (Diagram below).
Above: Diagram of lighting set up
Settings
F11 | 1/200 sec | ISO 1600 | with polarizer filter to help cut down shine from wet vegetation Flash 1 ¼ | Flash 2 1/8 |
I have used manual setting for this shoot mainly because I have tested these out and I like the look of the results but if you want you could experiment with AV as I known a lot of other people like using this setting instead. The advantage of using AV is that it would give you more ambient lighting which looks nice for natural backgrounds. The disadvantage is that it can add to problems with ghosting. Ghosting is when the ambient light fights with the flash lighting and therefore makes your subject ghost-like.
* I have chosen F11 for more depth of field and this also means your subject is more likely to be sharp.
* 1/200 sec This is fast enough to keep your subject sharp and not too fast for your flash to sync with.
* ISO 1600 This is enough to light the subject but not to much that my photographs are noisy.
Flashes
Flash 1 1/4 | Flash 2 1/8
Flashes are set low so not to scare the animals to much and is enough to be able to see the subject.
Focusing
Focusing for camera trapping can be tricky. The best way I have found is to first focus on where you think your subject will be in auto focus and then when it is focused put it on to manual. This way if it is dark your camera is not hunting around trying to focus or focusing on the wrong thing.
Final Result
Hopefully after reading this you can now set off on your camera trap journey and get some great photos of the wildlife in your garden, local wood or further a field. Be patient as it can be challenging at times but keep at it and you will get that image you want in the end.
Above: Final Image of Red Squirrel