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Frans Answers Frequently Asked Questions
If you could only take one camera and one lens into the field, which one would it be?
If I have to travel super light I pack a Nikon N80 body with a 24-120 mm F3.5 zoom lens. For serious work my choice would be a Nikon F100 body with a 17-35 mm F2.8 zoom lens.
If you could only take one film into the field, which one would it be?
Film is like food. Even if you like one thing best, it's good to vary your diet. I use a lot of Fuji's famous Velvia RVP 50 emulsion, but I mix it up with other films.
What is your favorite location for wildlife photography?
My own backyard. I'm lucky to live in a secluded area near Santa Cruz where I see bob cats and coyotes regularly, but they are elusive and I wish I had more time to photograph them.
What is the closest call you've ever had photographing wildlife?
Big animals are not as bothersome as many people may think. Most of them will let you know through signals or body language if you get too close. I am more afraid of what small critters can do to me. I became seriously ill with malaria once while I was camping on South Georgia Island in the Antarctic. I had contracted the parasite that causes malaria during a trip to Madagascar, but the incubation time was six weeks. By the time my companions came back to pick me up I was hallucinating among the king penguins and I could barely walk.
What is the most difficult animal you've ever had to capture on film?
The most difficult animal to me is always the next one I'm thinking about. If you think you can get away with applying your experience you're on the wrong track. Each animal is different and you need to pay attention to what they're telling you through their behavior.
What is the one thing you know now that you wished you knew when you were starting out in wildlife photography?
Patience.
What is the most common error made by beginners in wildlife photography? How can they correct it?
Aspiring photographers often try to do a little bit of everything. It can easily lead to scattering your energy. I think it is better to zero in on one animal or one place and work that to the point that you can make it into a personal statement.
What piece of non-photographic gear do you never leave behind when leave on a trip?
My laptop. My Apple G4 is my memory bank and my link with everyone in the world.
How can someone get started in the field of nature photography?
Keep it simple. Stick to a basic camera kit. Find a place you like and keep going back to it. Take a workshop from someone you admire. Look at books and magazines, but ignore the specifics of the images you see. You have to find your own way to look at the world.
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