It's the Little Things in Life

Clay Bolt is a natural history and conservation photographer.  He has spent the majority of his time using macro photography to convince people to care about the little organisms that surround us in our every day lives.

Like we have talked about in class, Bolt explains that you need to know and understand your subject in order to take great photos of it.  As a conservation photographer, Bolt has to understand the biology of his subjects and their environment.

Bolt also talks about how he uses wide-angle macro photography techniques to capture his subjects in context with their environment.  He uses a Sigma 15mm F2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye lens to get close to his subjects, but still include much of the environment within the photograph.

Another technique Bolt talks about is the use of off-camera flashes and white or black backgrounds to emphasize the stunning details of his subjects.  This is very similar to the technique Joel Sartore uses, which I wrote about last week.  However, Bolt uses this technique in the wild as opposed to with captive animals.  Both photographers have similar end goals, though.

Like other conservation photographers, Bolt's main goal is to capture his subjects, which are often species that are close to extinction, in a way that makes people want to save that species.  He informs people of these species and the habitat in which they live.  Conservation photography plays a huge role in conservation itself because it makes the public aware of what needs to be protected and saved.

Link:  https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/tips-techniques/wildlife-techniques/big-dreams-little-things/