Motorhomers can capture great digital images without ever stepping outside the coach.
By David O. Hill, F420745
February 2016
Wildlife photography was once the sole domain of serious professionals, typically young men in their 20s and 30s who were rugged enough to trek heavy equipment deep into the wilderness. Modern digital photography and auto-focus lenses have changed that picture dramatically.
Yes, there are still those who snowshoe through the Bitterroot Mountains and Yellowstone in the dead of winter in quest of rare animals. But nowadays, lots of retirees, like myself, have taken to the road in their motorhomes instead. The goals remain the same, however: to capture images of North America’s gloriously rich and abundant wildlife.
My life took such a turn when I purchased a 2002 Fleetwood American Eagle motorhome. I had been interested in wildlife, especially birds, all my life but had never had the time to travel for the sole purpose of viewing and photographing wildlife. Tent camping and motels were certainly not my choice; would a house on wheels be the solution?
Starting out, I wasn’t at all sure that motorhomes and wildlife photography were a good match, but I quickly learned that there were some unexpected benefits. First, the huge windshield, coupled with sitting up high, provide unparalleled spotting opportunities. My wife, who happens to have superb eyesight, usually spots animals ahead at some distance. If possible, when the subject is on the left, I creep along slowly to get as close as I dare, and then I shoot pictures out the driver’s window. If the subject is on the right, I prefer to pull off, park, and shoot from one of the sliding windows on the side of the coach. Often, I can remain there comfortably and leisurely shoot pictures, even in poor weather, while the animal goes on feeding.
Naturally, neither of the above options is possible along busy highways, but these generally are not good places to be looking for wildlife in the first place. National parks, national wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, and remote back roads are favored sites for capturing good wildlife shots.
Parking safely and not obstructing traffic are always prime considerations. Using the emergency flashers when parked is an excellent safety precaution. Getting out very early in the morning helps to avoid unwanted traffic and often can provide the best lighting as well. The first and last hour of daylight — what the Hollywood types refer to as “the golden hour” — often produce the most dramatic and beautiful effects, especially with color.
The single biggest disadvantage of using a motorhome in this endeavor is the inability to quickly stop, back up, or turn around. Finding a suitable place to pull off also can be a problem. The best solution to such issues is to seek out tertiary roads in unpopulated areas and to proceed very slowly so as not to drive past the subject. Being considerate of other motorists or pedestrians and not disrupting wildlife are the two cardinal rules of wildlife photography ethics. My aim, always, is to leave my subject, whether it be feeding or resting, where and how I found it.
Getting out of the motorhome often frightens animals that otherwise have adapted to passing motor vehicles. It is always best to remain inside when possible. When dealing with bears or other potentially dangerous animals, staying inside your motorhome is imperative.
As for technique, I generally prefer a window mount instead of a tripod when using long lenses (400mm or greater), but I find that hand-holding lenses up to 300mm is no problem. Shooting through an open window is a must, since even spotlessly clean window glass will introduce distortion.
I use two lenses almost exclusively for taking wildlife pictures: a 70-300mm zoom lens for mammals and close subjects, and a 600mm telephoto lens for birds. I find additional lenses to be an encumbrance when time is often a critical factor. Nikon and Canon lenses seem to be preferred by most wildlife photographers — professionals and amateurs alike. A 600mm, or greater, lens is essential for birds. The new auto-focus 600mm lenses enable even novices, with a little practice, to take breathtaking action photos, but the lenses are extremely expensive. I’m forced to use a manual-focus model. It does a fine job as long as the subject remains relatively still. Flight shots are out of the question.
The ability to shoot at higher “film” speeds, or ISO (a numerical figure that represents the sensitivity of a camera’s image sensor), is probably the single greatest benefit that digital cameras afford the would-be wildlife photographer. With film, having enough light or a fast enough shutter speed to stop action was a constant restraint. Now, one can turn a nob and crank up the ISO at will, but not indefinitely.
While the most expensive cameras can achieve good results with ISO settings in the thousands, most moderately priced cameras are best with ISO settings below 500. Higher settings often result in background “noise,” particularly in dark areas. Personally, I use an ISO setting of 200 for normal situations, and shift to 400 when poor light conditions or a high shutter speed demand it. Bear in mind that I am trying for publication-quality photos; if your aim is mainly for email and other computer use, you can be more cavalier about using high ISO settings.
Another huge advantage of digital photography is that the “film” is now virtually free. When Kodachrome slides cost about 35 cents each and film rolls were limited to only 36 exposures, one had to be very judicious about clicking the shutter. Now, one can shoot with impunity — taking multiple shots in most situations — thereby greatly increasing the chances of getting the shot you want. And you can check the monitor immediately to see the results.
The tools are available, and wildlife is still relatively abundant. Good secondhand cameras and lenses are readily available from reliable dealers if, like me, you’re on a budget. There is no excuse for not trying to take great wildlife pictures if you have the desire. Let your motorhome be an avenue to new adventures — try bringing home trophies in your camera instead of heads to be hung on a wall. Wildlife photography offers an exciting challenge that can be great fun and highly rewarding, and you’ll get to see some gorgeous country in the process.
David O. Hill is a retired airline pilot. He has been taking photos since age 16 and has published articles about aviation and natural history in numerous journals, magazines, and newspapers.
Further Reading
A book published by the Appalachian Mountain Club is a good resource for anyone who wishes to delve deeper into the techniques and concepts that outdoor photographers should know. The AMC Guide to Outdoor Digital Photography, by Jerry and Marcy Monkman, won the 2012 National Outdoor Book Award. It is available for $19.95. Call (800) 262-4455 or visit amcstore.outdoors.org/outdoor-digital-photography.