An Interview With David Middleton
Sawhet Owl Compliments of David Middleton
Forest Forward is proud to introduce a new series of posts. In between our usual close-up encounters with northern New England’s wildlife, we’ll be talking with photographers, environmentalists, naturalists, and more. Our organization’s focus is to capture the beauty of our landscape and its natural inhabitants in an effort to inspire our followers to be conservation-minded stewards. We hope to teach a thing or two about wildlife along the way.
We couldn’t have asked for a more fitting guest to kick this series off. David Middleton is one of the area’s most accomplished and respected outdoor photographers and naturalists. He has produced 10 books and has guided hundreds of photography workshops around the world. In the world of photography David is a master of his craft, but he likes to think of himself as a story-teller and he does this brilliantly through the images he produces, the lectures he delivers and the workshops he teaches. He also has a terrific blog which showcases his writing skills along with his photographic technique.
Some Advice From David
Chris Mazzarella for Forest Forward: Forest Forward tries to spread its coverage around the region to expose both the beauty and fragility of our forests and its inhabitants. Trying to cover new ground often leaves me starting from scratch when scouting my next shot. What is the best approach to planning a photo shoot in unfamiliar territory, whether it be wildlife or scenic?
Fisher Cat By David Middleton
David Middleton: Information is everything. I am a very serious information junkie. The more information I have before I photograph the better my photography will be. I get information from all kinds of sources: local post cards and calendars, locals themselves, ranger offices, other photographers, magazines as well as in books and on the web. You must remember that when I am out taking pictures I am doing so with a purpose- I have particular images I am looking for. This allows me to ask very specific questions and get the answers I need. I am also a serious forest junkie having wandered forests all over the world. Consequently, I have a pretty good idea when I get to a forest what is going on and what the possibilities are going to be. If I am not happy I’ll keep moving until I find what I am looking for.
Forest Forward: Vermonters take great pride in the beauty and specialness of our state. You’ve traveled all over the world and have chosen to make this your home. How do you think Vermont stacks up photogenically against the places you’ve traveled and did this influence your decision to move here?
David Middleton: When I left Colorado to move to Vermont my photography friends all asked me what I was possibly going to photograph back east. They all thought that nature and wildlife could only be found out west. I figured that with that attitude there would be very little competition back east. I was right. Vermont is special because Vermonters embrace nature on a daily basis. We have snakes in our basements, mice in our walls, birds in the eaves and deer, raccoons and bears rummaging around our back fields. This makes it easy to photograph wildlife and nature in Vermont- it is everywhere! When I did my first book on Vermont- The Nature of Vermont- my neighbors were my biggest source of information for shots. They told me about the trilliums in their woods, the weasel in the woodpile, the owl at the birdfeeders the lady slippers up the hill. It is the nature of Vermonters to embrace nature. It is the nature of Vermont.”
Red Poll By David Middleton
Forest Forward: I’ve noticed that when discussing photography you’re often describing the characteristics attributed to film but I haven’t heard your opinion on shooting digital. Do you think there is something sacrificed when shooting with a DSLR?
David Middleton: The advantages of DSLR are well known now but seldom do people consider the disadvantages. To me, the biggest one is the apparent ease and immediacy of digital photography. We all get seduced by the quick results and by the apparent power of the computer to fix anything. But we forget that we still have to get a good picture— digital photography lulls us into laziness—we lose our craftmanship. With instant results at no cost we just shoot and don’t think. And then when we get something that is not quite right we think the computer will fix anything. Photography is still the process of capturing light and then processing it just like in the old film days. The best photography is when the best capture is combined with the best processing. Laziness is not part of this equation. It is still hard work despite how easy DSLRs seem to make it.
Forest Forward: We know that you are a pro when it comes to composing a shot. In one of your recent blog posts you say ”If you find the best place to take your picture, a step to either side will make it worse.” When it comes to photographing wildlife however, a subject can be unpredictable and fleeting. What advice can you give for composing the best shot when your opportunity is brief and your moving target controls the backdrop?
Red Eft By David Middleton
David Middleton: I don’t believe that the animal controls the background. If that were the case it would be very hard to get a really nice wildlife photo. When I am shooting wildlife I control the background based on how I approach the animal I am photographing. Moving or not, I will only approach an animal from an angle that allows for a good background. Why would I approach an animal from an angle that was going to give me a bad background? Then again, if I don’t see an acceptable background I won’t take the shot. Bad background, bad photo, no exceptions. BTW, I also usually don’t bother with wildlife that is fleeting, the chances of getting a good shot are too slim.
Forest Forward: I am working very hard to expand Forest Forward’s following and share photos with a wider audience. What’s your best advice for gaining traction within the genre of wildlife photography?
David Middleton: First, write. Writing will immediately set you apart from 99% of other photographers. Combining words with images will make it much easier to get your work seen. Editors will love you because you are making their lives easier. Also work the local and regional markets. Your ego will want to head to the big national markets but the competition is too steep. Write and work locally/regionally- you’ll do well.
More From David
David has three upcoming Santa Fe Workshops —The Oregon Coast, Vermont Fall Color, and The Maine Coast. For more information on David, his workshops, his many books, and his wonderful blog please visit his website: davidmiddletonphoto.com
Here’s a sneak peak at the 2012 Santa Fe Workshops:
Great interview. I especially appreciated the section on the importance of a good background
March 13, 2012 at 7:12 am
Thanks Richard, glad you enjoyed it!
March 13, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Wonderful interview!
March 13, 2012 at 11:27 am
I also appreciated the part about background…I’m not a photographer (yet) so this will make me look more closely.
Altogether, I thought it a very thorough interview. I liked what David said about writing accompaniments to photos and the research which he likes to do ahead of time.
I was also curious about photographing fleeting wildlife. My temptation would be to just take as many photos an hope for good luck…but he makes the process seem very deliberate. A good analogy for other endeavors.
I look forward to this series.
CAE
March 13, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for the great feedback CAE! If you appreciated David’s insight, as I did, I encourage you to check out his website and blog.
Also, glad you’re looking forward to the new series. We have some more exciting interviews coming soon!
March 13, 2012 at 8:33 pm
GREAT interview! Check out what David had to say:http://www.davidmiddletonphoto.com/blog/2012/03/13/interview/
It looks like he is an admirer of you as well!
March 15, 2012 at 3:12 pm
great interview… love it
March 27, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Thanks Acep, glad you enjoyed it!
March 27, 2012 at 9:33 pm
I used to catch those little orange salamanders (or something similar to them), in the creeks here in Virginia, when I was a child. I’m sure the woods of Vermont offer a multitude of photos waiting to be taken. You should invite your friends from Colorado to visit Vermont, and let them check it out for themselves. Or maybe just e-mail them the pictorial proof of the beauty of the State. Nice share.
March 28, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Thanks for the comment Orpels! I love those red efts too and David captured this one beautifully. These guys are actually the juvenile (and terrestrial) stage of the eastern newt. They eventually return to the water and back to their original olive green color like the one pictured in my amphibian migration post.
March 28, 2012 at 11:06 pm
I need to check that post out when time allows. I am an outdoor lover myself. Nothing like wide open space and out little 4 legged, winged, and sometimes, slimy friends to make the world go round.
March 29, 2012 at 12:03 am
I remember those red efts from my New England childhood. Great interview, and very good point about backgrounds and the idea that if the shot isn’t “there”, don’t take it. And good news, you have a follower in India!
April 5, 2012 at 2:19 am
Thanks very much RC…excited to have you following!
April 5, 2012 at 6:12 am
I live in Colorado and while I’ve seen a TON of wild life since moving out here, I moved from the East coast and also lived in Pennsylvania. Beautiy is WHEREVER you are!
April 9, 2012 at 5:57 pm
That’s a great sentiment Annie, thanks for your comment.
April 9, 2012 at 7:39 pm