I get a lot of squirrels in my camera trap. Too many. But sometimes I catch something new (at least for me). I have many action shots of squirrels running up this fallen tree, but there’s always at least one foot on the ground. Finally got one fully airborne. Back to more exotic wildlife in the next post. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 20mm lens, ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units.
Good question Rachel. It’s because the flash freezes the action and not the shutter. The lower the flash power setting on the flash, the more freezing power. But that will only work if the subject is against a completely back background and completely exposed by the flash. In other words, without the flash, the squirrel would just be part of the black background. No ambient light exposing the squirrel. There’s a slight amount of motion blur on the squirrel’s face, because there was just a bit of ambient light involved.
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I get a lot of squirrels in my camera trap. Too many. But sometimes I catch something new (at least for me). I have many action shots of squirrels running up this fallen tree, but there’s always at least one foot on the ground. Finally got one fully airborne. Back to more exotic wildlife in the next post. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 20mm lens, ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisys camera box, trail monitor and remote flash units.
So cool! Have you seen Mark Rober’s Ninja Squirrel videos? They’re such amazing creatures.
No, I will check that out. Sounds fun.
So 😎
Grrrreat! What a way to begin my day!
Thanks Sue, I overlook the common species sometimes, but they can provide some dynamic images.
Nice!
Man, that squirrel looks fast. If i hadn’t already lost everything I had at the squirrel racing track, I’d definitely bet on this bad boy.
Wow! Amazing! How can you do that with such a low shutter speed?
Good question Rachel. It’s because the flash freezes the action and not the shutter. The lower the flash power setting on the flash, the more freezing power. But that will only work if the subject is against a completely back background and completely exposed by the flash. In other words, without the flash, the squirrel would just be part of the black background. No ambient light exposing the squirrel. There’s a slight amount of motion blur on the squirrel’s face, because there was just a bit of ambient light involved.
Sean,
Another great picture. I love how you take the time to explain how you setup captures the moment!.
He looks like he’s trying out for Disney’s next “Action Hero” movie: “Super Squirrel Rescues the World!” (A working title for sure.) Very fun shot.