Corona's impact on my photography

[Ado Wolf]

This year wasn't easy on most of us due to the Corona (COVID) situation. How did it affect your photography experience?

For me there were both positive and negative impacts. The positive impacts were:
- working from home; saved 2 hours of car driving daily and took advantage of it to go hiking / photographing
- saved money as vacations were cancelled and bought the 300 PF Prime I always wanted

Negative impacts unfortunately dominated my life:
- woods were populated with people with no sense of Wildlife care (they had no were else to go due to the lockdown)
- couldn't go on the Safari I was planning to join (been saving a while for this trip)
- Social meetings among photographers (local clubs) were all cancelled
- Photo Travel-trips were also cancelled due to quarantine restriction / Risk countries

Will the situation be any better in 2021... my gut feeling says no. What do you think?

With that thought, I wish everyone happy holidays and happy shooting! Stay healthy and don't let the Corona situation dampen your festive joy.

 

[BLev65]

The topic of Covid and photography has been one that I have been thinking about all year. I have authored a few blogs that I've titled a "Pandemic Diary," and have sent off a soon to be published article to "Nature Photographer" magazine about shooting close to home. Interestingly, I wanted to title the article "A Pandemic Diary," but the editor found that to be too political for her taste (???).
As a result of Covid, I canceled one trip to photograph bobcats, lost access to prairie chicken blinds, canceled a kayak photo shoot with otters and seals, and lost out on an opportunity to spend a week with fox kits. What's worse, I have not locked in any plans for 2021 for fear of canceling those as well.
On the flip side, I have really learned how to optimize photo opportunities close to home. My wildlife successes include my best work with river otters, eagles, forest deer, and pheasants. Furthermore, I have embraced a more intentional approach to photography. I now take fewer pictures on a shoot and am more willing to wait for the "moment." In this way, I have found a way to slow down life, be a better observer, and a better photographer.
With the pending vaccine, I am hoping to reschedule my otter and bobcat trips for March, but I am waiting to see if the viral impact subsides. Here's to hoping that an administration change will result in leadership that cares about its people more than self-preservation. Selfishness rather than selflessness has facilitated the expansion of this virus beyond what many thought to be possible...

I wish all of you a safe and photographically productive 2021!
Here's to better days ahead!

 

[Warren D]

My experiences are similar to the OP. Nature areas that I have had to myself for years were over-run with selfish people which resulted in altered behavior of local wildlife residents. Other things (events) that I would normally attend (truck shows, airshows, pow wows) were cancelled. I'm not questioning any decisions, just dealing with the results. On any given weekend, I would normally have several choices for photography. If weather or other factors affected one, I'd always have one or more alternates as back up. Photography for me is both stress relief and stress causing. I missed the stress relief part. When I was able to get out to natural areas, they were over-crowded with selfish people (ie, they wouldn't wear masks even though State mandates required it. I don't want to debate the yea's and nea's of this, it is what it is) which made it more stressful than the stress relief it normally provides.
When it comes to events, I enjoy a bit of socialization along with my shooting and I do miss hanging out with my photographer friends. Restuarants were for the most part take out. It requires additional planning when shooting 30 minutes or more from home. I would normally head out early and stop locally for lunch and then return for more shooting. Yes, I could have eaten in the car but I much prefer to take a break and sit down to a hot meal. I ate pizza in a car once many years ago, not something I'll do again!
On the positive side, there were minimal changes at work, I report to work every day and get a paycheck. I bought some new gear but haven't had the opportunities to really use it to it's capabilities.
I hope 2021 will be better, I think it will be overall but not right away. The 1918 flu lasted about 18 months and there was no vaccine. COVID isn't the flu but hopefully it will "run it's course" and we'll see some normalcy in 2021.

 

[pochito]

As a landscape photographer I knew (IMO) more or less everything I needed to make satisfying) pictures.
With corona I decided to do something new, something more "psychomotoric", like tracking flying birds, stalking them, learning more about them, discovering "autofocus", much of my camera I rarely needed before, trying good compositions "on the move", new techniques etc etc.
Not that I can do that by any means, I'm a novice!!!
But the learning itself is very exciting. From the photographic point of view I'm happy with corona

 

[JANuser]

The impact was felt most for me in that my favourite wildlife shooting location, first was closed to the public for 4 months, and then moved from a system that you could come any time you want, to a system that you must book visits. The reduced visitor allowances was nice, it meant fewer people around, but it made it hard to get there more than once a month. Oddly enough though, I think ended up doing more photography this year as a result. I explored other types of shooting more often, which was a good thing.

 

[DougC]

I spent a lot of time going over virtually all of my files from the first digital image I made back in 2002. I found a lot of images that had been previously missed or overlooked. I rediscovered that several of my old camera bodies were quite capable of producing excellent pictures. I also took advantage of the old backyard for some daily shooting.

 

[Steve]

Covid killed all my workshops this year and severely limited my travel. I was actually planning to be in FL right now for the winter in my camper, but nope, still looking at the gray NW OH winter. I've been shooting locally, but as you can imagine I don't live in a hotbed for wildlife photography! Still, I've captured some nice images of more common mammals and especially birds.

And I have to agree about the parks - what a pain. It's not enough that I can't travel, but when I do go to the parks they are overrun - even in the mornings! We were at a park the other day shooting small birds - chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, that sort of thing. In this park the birds are habituated to people to the extent you can feed them from your hand. So, I found a nice spot, put some seed out on a log, and started shooting. I was on the ground clearly photographing the little birds, and this family came up. Kid ran right into the shot, parents saw it but never said a word. Par for the course right now I guess...

 

[jeffnles1]

Covid killed all my workshops this year and severely limited my travel. I was actually planning to be in FL right now for the winter in my camper, but nope, still looking at the gray NW OH winter. I've been shooting locally, but as you can imagine I don't live in a hotbed for wildlife photography! Still, I've captured some nice images of more common mammals and especially birds.

And I have to agree about the parks - what a pain. It's not enough that I can't travel, but when I do go to the parks they are overrun - even in the mornings! We were at a park the other day shooting small birds - chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, that sort of thing. In this park the birds are habituated to people to the extent you can feed them from your hand. So, I found a nice spot, put some seed out on a log, and started shooting. I was on the ground clearly photographing the little birds, and this family came up. Kid ran right into the shot, parents saw it but never said a word. Par for the course right now I guess...

Here in SW Ohio / Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati area / Kenton/Boone/Campbell counties in KY, w have had the same thing. I was standing on the edge of a trail photographing a monster buck when a trail runner came by. Obviously saw me with the camera because he asked as he went by "what you taking photos of?" Everything in me wanted to shout "THE $%#^# BUCK YOU JUST SCARED AWAY". However, I simply said a big buck was out in the field. It is aggravating but sometimes a little grace goes a long way and I know some of the trail walkers / trail runners tend to think photographers are jerks so maybe a little good will is in order. But yes, in our area the trails and parks have been overrun with people who really know nothing about nature. They just want something to do since soccer games have been cancelled, gym classes have been cancelled and they have to find something to entertain the kids who have been "remote learning" all day.

I do try not to get too upset about it. However, when my wife and I are out photographing and we here people coming we just look at each other and say "people." It's become kind of an inside joke with us.

 

[Steve]

Here in SW Ohio / Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati area / Kenton/Boone/Campbell counties in KY, w have had the same thing. I was standing on the edge of a trail photographing a monster buck when a trail runner came by. Obviously saw me with the camera because he asked as he went by "what you taking photos of?" Everything in me wanted to shout "THE $%#^# BUCK YOU JUST SCARED AWAY". However, I simply said a big buck was out in the field. It is aggravating but sometimes a little grace goes a long way and I know some of the trail walkers / trail runners tend to think photographers are jerks so maybe a little good will is in order. But yes, in our area the trails and parks have been overrun with people who really know nothing about nature. They just want something to do since soccer games have been cancelled, gym classes have been cancelled and they have to find something to entertain the kids who have been "remote learning" all day.

I do try not to get too upset about it. However, when my wife and I are out photographing and we here people coming we just look at each other and say "people." It's become kind of an inside joke with us.

Agree, there's no point in saying anything, all it would do is lead to an argument. When stuff happens, we do pretty much the same thing, just let it slide and know that it's the price for being out in a crowd.

 

[Ado Wolf]

I’m glad now that the cold settled in, people are less inclined to go out in nature.. so wildlife doesn’t have to suffer disturbances from mankind during their “ hibernation” season, where food is scarce and they need to save energy for warmth.

I hope with the vaccine we will have a chance to enjoy some sort of a normal life again.

 

[AlexY]

My wife and I go camping and hiking as often as we can, and we also noticed that there were a lot more people in the campgrounds this past summer and fall. It's a mixed blessing - nice to see more out and about, communing with nature, and yet there are some who either need to slow down and think of others or find some other outlet for their behaviour.
I agree that little is accomplished by speaking out - best to smile and keep on walking.
Here's a picture I took of a vacant campsite last summer and which I call How to Attract Wildlife:

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Happy Holidays to all and wishes for a Happy New Year!
Alex

 

[Steve]

My wife and I go camping and hiking as often as we can, and we also noticed that there were a lot more people in the campgrounds this past summer and fall. It's a mixed blessing - nice to see more out and about, communing with nature, and yet there are some who either need to slow down and think of others or find some other outlet for their behaviour.
I agree that little is accomplished by speaking out - best to smile and keep on walking.
Here's a picture I took of a vacant campsite last summer and which I call How to Attract Wildlife:

View attachment 11864

Happy Holidays to all and wishes for a Happy New Year!
Alex

LOL, yup, that'll do it!

I'v been camping and backpacking since I was a kid and it's always funny to me how much "stuff" people bring and set up. About the only thing we put outside of our camper in a regular campground are a couple of folding chairs. Heck, on our last 6 week trip with the camper, we didn't even use half our storage areas.

 

[BLev65]

LOL, yup, that'll do it!

I'v been camping and backpacking since I was a kid and it's always funny to me how much "stuff" people bring and set up. About the only thing we put outside of our camper in a regular campground are a couple of folding chairs. Heck, on our last 6 week trip with the camper, we didn't even use half our storage areas.

We have a similar philosophy... We have a little r-Pod... It's Tamy, my dog Luca, and I. We bring two chairs, backpacking food, and lots of camera equipment. The r-Pod allows us to head out on dirt roads and camp in less traveled campsites. It seems that more people want to get away, and our old haunts are filled to the gills. I suspect that there will be fewer people visiting nature once Covid subsides and the resorts open up again... something to look forward to in the New Year

 

[MartyD]

Agree, there's no point in saying anything, all it would do is lead to an argument. When stuff happens, we do pretty much the same thing, just let it slide and know that it's the price for being out in a crowd.

Reminds me of one of my favorite Yellowstone hiking stories. Probably 20 years ago, my family and I were taking the short hike down to the bottom of Tower Falls in Yellowstone. Tower is always crowded, but it became a family stop every year to hike the short trail, then have ice cream at the top. We were hiking up the switchback trail when a group of 5 or 6 college age boys heading back up starting scrambling up the the side of the mountain between the switchbacks ignoring the many signs to "Please stay on the trail." My 4'11" all of 100 pounds, but elementary teacher to the core wife, stopped, took her best teacher stance, and yelled at them in her loudest teacher voice, "Hey, what do you have for brains oatmeal, can't you read the signs?" and stood there looking at them. I wasn't really sure what was going to happen, but they sheepishly came back down onto the trail without a word and followed it all the way to the top. I think my wife reminded them of every elementary teacher they ever had! We now use the expression "oatmeal for brains" when we see inappropriate behavior in our parks.

There have been a few other times when we have felt the need to speak up in situations that were destructive or potentially unsafe. I think it is unfortunate that we can't find good ways to help educate others on what it takes to share and enjoy our public lands.

 

[cohenfive]

For me the impact has been mixed like for many. I have done probably more local shooting, but after March I haven't been on a plane. I was able to do a road trip to Yellowstone in June that I would not have done in a 'normal' year, so overall I'd say I'm probably doing more photography, just more concentrated in terms of location.

The only other plus for me was that partly because I had time on my hands I started a nonprofit to support our wildlife refuges...which I guess is indirectly another positive.

 

[MartyD]

I has been an interesting year in photography for me. I did get a photography trip and a fishing trip to Yellowstone this summer but not much else. The fires along the front range of Colorado made my normal local trips difficult if not impossible.

What I really missed was the opportunity to photograph youth, high school, and college sports. I did a few youth volleyball games and one high school football game. The opportunities just didn't exist. I feel for the young athletes who did not get the opportunity to participate in their sports in the usual manner this fall and so far this winter. Hoping things improve the first of the year.

 

[IainD]

Reminds me of one of my favorite Yellowstone hiking stories. Probably 20 years ago, my family and I were taking the short hike down to the bottom of Tower Falls in Yellowstone. Tower is always crowded, but it became a family stop every year to hike the short trail, then have ice cream at the top. We were hiking up the switchback trail when a group of 5 or 6 college age boys heading back up starting scrambling up the the side of the mountain between the switchbacks ignoring the many signs to "Please stay on the trail." My 4'11" all of 100 pounds, but elementary teacher to the core wife, stopped, took her best teacher stance, and yelled at them in her loudest teacher voice, "Hey, what do you have for brains oatmeal, can't you read the signs?" and stood there looking at them. I wasn't really sure what was going to happen, but they sheepishly came back down onto the trail without a word and followed it all the way to the top. I think my wife reminded them of every elementary teacher they ever had! We now use the expression "oatmeal for brains" when we see inappropriate behavior in our parks.

There have been a few other times when we have felt the need to speak up in situations that were destructive or potentially unsafe. I think it is unfortunate that we can't find good ways to help educate others on what it takes to share and enjoy our public lands.

I think "oatmeal" may be generous!

 

[PeggyBaker]

I had COVID for 3 weeks in October and an just now feeling well enough to go to a local park or two to shoot. It's really sucked. Haven't even felt well enough to go through my lightoom catalog. Please be careful and stay safe. Counting the days till I can get the vaccine.

 

[arshuter]

I started doing what I call intimate landscape mushrooms, flowers, etc. Just because it's hard for some butthead to walk into your shot when your only 6" away from your subject. Although in my area, southwestern Pa., trail bikes have really taken off and they think your intruding on their space.
I was doing a shot of a mushroom growing out of the end of a log when some butthead on his bike came flying down the trail and ran over one of the legs on my tripod, yes I used lots of descriptive words out loud. Luckily I was right there to catch the 850 and tripod as they started to tumble. Used to be my dogs and I could go for hours and not see another person, not so much anymore.

 

[Woodpecker]

I can confirm at least one of the draw-backs reported by others, and that is crowds of people in forests, at lake and river shores etc. with no idea what so ever how to behave out there ! Another effect I realize here is the amount of litter found beside the paths, in the bushes and everywhere else . I am desperately looking forward for the lockdown to be cancelled just for getting rid of these problems again. There's no hike at the moment where I don't come back with full bag of plastic sheets, cups etc. - it's simply disgusting.

Apart from that I think nature photography is one of the most pleasant ways to put yourself in isolation. I just spent a week in one of the NP's here with a friend. Everything including food was collected and purchased at home, then just one stopover for getting gaz per direction and the rest of the time together with just one person and not meeting anybody else. I can hardly get safer than that ... However, even there people started doing really stupid things inside the NP, so that we had to get the rangers to get it solved and prevent damage and abuse. Unfortunately here in Germany it is not so easy to get on these people directly.

I remember somebody using the analogy of a magnifying glass for what Covid does to people, to the eceonomy, the the society etc.
I think it also magnifies the view on how many people are really too far away from nature and the knowledge of appreciating its shear existence, its importance to all of us and its vulnerability.

 

[Drbobcameraguy]

My life since the Rona lol has changed also. Mainly work. I used to be somewhere within 250 miles from home everyday picking up cars and photographing along the way. I live west of Dayton Ohio almost on the border of Indiana. Now I work 8 hours from home. Money about the same so at first it was wonderful. Lol. Bored to death now. As far as being out in nature nothing has changed here. The 660 acres of publice land that borders my property is still mine and the deer hunters until February. Was basically mine before deer season. I did take 6 months off starting the end of march this year. I did a lot of things and experimented with all the things I never had time for. All my farmer buddies still alllow me access except during deer season until they fill their tags. All in all the Rona has been very good to me. I hate to say that but I managed to make potpie out of chicken crap. Lol. The only thing I miss is travelling. Happy New Year to all!!!!!!!

 

[Chad Huff]

I had COVID for 3 weeks in October and an just now feeling well enough to go to a local park or two to shoot. It's really sucked. Haven't even felt well enough to go through my lightoom catalog. Please be careful and stay safe. Counting the days till I can get the vaccine.

Sorry to hear you were sick but glad you're on the mend.

 

[Ron Norman]

I feel blessed to be a life long photographer and fisherman. While most other residence of my Island were overwhelmed by the arrival of Covid19, I was able to get outside to photograph wildlife and beauty of Whidbey Island, WA. I actually had my best King Salmon season in 20 years! Just recently was able to drive one hour to shoot (photography) the snow geese in Skagit Valley! I am now feeling more blessed because I am on a list of 75+ year old residence to get my vaccine! Ron

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[BLev65]

I feel blessed to be a life long photographer and fisherman. While most other residence of my Island were overwhelmed by the arrival of Covid19, I was able to get outside to photograph wildlife and beauty of Whidbey Island, WA. I actually had my best King Salmon season in 20 years! Just recently was able to drive one hour to shoot (photography) the snow geese in Skagit Valley! I am now feeling more blessed because I am on a list of 75+ year old residence to get my vaccine! RonView attachment 11999

This is such a lovely photo!... I am a few years out of retirement and hope to settle down on Whidbey or the Peninsula... There are a cornucopia of subjects to photograph in the Pac Northwest... It has been and continues to be one of my favorite places on this planet.
Congrats on being on the line... My wife, a cardiac nurse, just got shot #1... such a relief to know that she is now developing some immunity given the high potential for exposure.

cheers,
bruce

 

[jeffnles1]

I feel blessed to be a life long photographer and fisherman. While most other residence of my Island were overwhelmed by the arrival of Covid19, I was able to get outside to photograph wildlife and beauty of Whidbey Island, WA. I actually had my best King Salmon season in 20 years! Just recently was able to drive one hour to shoot (photography) the snow geese in Skagit Valley! I am now feeling more blessed because I am on a list of 75+ year old residence to get my vaccine! Ron

First off,Ron, I wanted to say I really like your positive attitude. During the early spring lockdowns around here my wife and I photographed at a lot of close to home locations and found some pretty wildflowers we didn't know about before (even though I've lived in this area all of my 60 years). Your positivity is absolutely refreshing.

Secondly that photo of the snow geese with the mountains in the background is stunning.