Birds are celebrity level elusive; the side eye is constant.
The pandemic got me into birds. I walked before the pandemic. I knew of birds before the pandemic, but something happened and now I shoot them.
Rigs
I shoot primarily with two cameras.
Canon Powershot G16
The Canon Powershot G16 is a small sensor camera with a inaccuranct optical view tunnel and is oddly capable as a day walker. If Canon hadn’t been afraid of cannibalizing sales of other products this camera could have been a true contender. In reality it is a very capable daily rig but does not build any connection between the user and the camera.
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
Wow! I wish i’d gotten into m43 sooner. This camera does everything my RX100miii and Canon 50D couldn’t do. It is lightweight and fast at the ready. This is a truly a joy to shoot. I alternate between two lenses and really couldn’t be happier shotting wildlife
It is a delight to spy on the birds as they live their lives in penisulas of natural elements, mingled amidst the blunt progress of man.
I looked up voyeurism. Y’know… You find that definition that sums up your piece and it is your lead in. But sometimes you don’t find what you’re looking for.
Sometimes you realize you’ve been misusing this word and don’t actually know the definition and then you’re in a pickle.
voyeurism | ˈvoiyəˌrizəm |
noun
the practice of gaining sexual pleasure from watching others when they are naked or engaged in sexual activity: internet sites dedicated to the act of voyeurism.
– enjoyment from seeing the pain or distress of others: township visits are bordering on voyeurism.
The birds know when you’re gazing upon them and their suspicion is high. They aren’t indifferent like the pigeon, they disdain attention.
To photograph them, you feel like a peeping tom, as they quickly focus on you, while you’re composing a shot around them.