When it comes to photographs, do you prefer “pretty pictures” or “action shots?” If I were to judge from “likes” on social media platforms, “pretty pictures” are more popular, although I am often most proud of my “actions shots.” One of the coolest things about photography, of course, is that there is a wide latitude for individual styles and preferences and neither the viewer nor the photographer has to be forced into making false choices.
On Monday I took a couple of photos of small birds during a visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. At this time of the year I am thrilled when I am able to spot the small birds that are often hidden by the increasingly dense foliage.
The bird in the first photo is an incredibly cute Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Carolina Wrens frequently poke about in the undergrowth and I was delighted when this one chose instead to perch on a photogenic branch in the open. The result was this pretty portrait of the little wren that looks almost like it was taken in a studio environment.
The bird in the second photo is a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). It was not perched in the open and it was not stationary. The little sparrow was bobbing and moving as it attempted to grab some of the tender shoots growing on the tree. I was happy when I managed to get a shot in which the bird has one of the shoots in its mouth. The background in this image is cluttered and part of the bird’s body is hidden by a branch. However, I like the moment that I captured and the way that the image provides a sense of the bird’s environment.
When I am photographing wildlife, I am unconsciously making a series of creative choices in the way that I frame an image and the camera settings that I use, all of which affect the look and feel of the resulting images. Sometimes of those images will be “artsy” and others will be “documentary”—I love both styles of photography.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
If every picture tells a story we do need to take the time to compose our sentences. Working in the wilds of nature just adds to the complexity of composing and clarity. Which is another way of working my way around to saying excellent job.
Thanks, John. Photography often requires a balance between art and science and a single photo can tell multiple stories. A lot depends on the viewer, who brings a unique background and perspective to bear when looking at an image. In that sense, “reality” is not really objective, but is filtered by a whole series of factors, which help us interpret what we see.
The fun of wildlife photography is how much you have to think and do instantly 🤣.
I totally agree, Ted. When I was just starting to take my shooting more seriously, I felt overwhelmed by the number of factors that I had to take into consideration, Now I can make a whole series of decisions almost automatically, without having to think consciously about them. Instincts, muscle memory, and reflexes play a huge role for me.
Absolutely 👍. The swamps, humidity, etc, play havoc with gear here. People now ask why I don’t have mirrorless. I did try some, but I just buy the same gear, used, when needed. I have two of everything now and know every button, dial, and setting. Muscle memory for sure 😁😁