{"id":1832,"date":"2016-06-30T15:59:20","date_gmt":"2016-06-30T15:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/?p=1832"},"modified":"2016-07-01T11:46:09","modified_gmt":"2016-07-01T11:46:09","slug":"they-captured-this-wildlife-photographers-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/they-captured-this-wildlife-photographers-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"They Captured this Wildlife Photographer’s Heart!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editors note: To see the following images and others along with data about each shot, click on the link at the end of this article. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I was spellbound.I couldn\u2019t move as he slowly turned my way.The cougar was big and beautiful with the most incredible ice-blue eyes.He missed nothing, but paused and waited while I slowly raised my camera to begin documenting our meeting. No, I wasn\u2019t in the wilderness being confronted by this wonderful creature.I was having my first experience with the controlled animals at the Triple D Game Farm in Kalispell, Montana.The encounter was so breathtaking that when I was given a chance to photograph their animals this year in the stunning red rocks of Utah, I jumped at the opportunity.<\/p>\n

The Triple D Game Farm was founded by the Deist family (the father and two brothers) over twenty-five years ago.Today, the farm is still owned and operated by Jay Deist (one of the brothers).Originally, Jay\u2019s father would rescue orphaned or injured animals in his job as a state game warden\u2014a position he held for forty years.In those days, there weren\u2019t many places where at-risk animals could be placed temporarily to be rehabilitated for release back into the wild whenever possible.So, the two Deist boys would take care of the animals their father brought home.<\/p>\n

Jay\u2019s first vision for Triple D was as a wolverine preserve.He wanted to be the first to propagate the species in captivity.Unfortunately, he wasn\u2019t successful. Meanwhile, the wolverine was nationally recognized as an animal that needed protection as their numbers in the wild began to drop. The first experience the Deists had with wildlife photographers came when the television program Wild, Wild World of Animals called about doing a movie on wolverines.The Deists traded their contributions to the movie for a chain link fence for the Triple D. Their experience proved there was substantial need for a photographic game farm.In the 1980\u2019s, Triple D was the first.<\/p>\n

About the same time, the outstanding photography team of Erwin and Peggy Bauer changed the direction of wildlife photography.The Bauers publicly acknowledged that they used controlled animals in their images, and their work was superb.Other professional photographers followed suit.Today, many top professionals as well as other animal photographers use the quality resources of the Triple D.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Good animals are the key to successful game farm photography. Triple D is home to an abundant array.The animals need to be prime specimens, but they also need to have a good rapport with their trainers and be willing to work.Only positive training techniques such as rewards, kindness, and love are used at Triple D.The trainer is the liaison between the animal and the photographer.A good trainer will know how to position the animal to allow the photographer to capture extraordinary images and to meet any special requests. However, the animal\u2019s welfare and fatigue factors determine the length of the session and all of the activities.The trainers at Triple D never push the animal past a safe level of activity and will not tolerate any animal being mistreated, abused, or overworked.The factors that are important to keeping animals healthy and willing to work are clean and proper living quarters, clean and proper food and water, adequate veterinary care, and no abuse of any kind in either their living conditions or training procedures.<\/p>\n

When I first visited the Triple D, I came with mixed feelings.I\u2019d seen a number of small and large zoos where the animals paced for hours, looked bad, and endured dirty quarters and water.I was concerned about what I might find.My first impression when I entered the Triple D compound\u2014especially the living quarters for the animals–was that there was no smell and no pacing.The animals came to see who I was and exhibited curiosity, but they didn\u2019t appear to be stressed.They seemed to be healthy and in good shape.<\/p>\n

How to Photograph Controlled Animals<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Once you decide to photograph controlled animals, how can you create the best images possible?First, it\u2019s essential that the photographer knows what to expect from the animal.New photographers want poses–the classic image–but, with experience, you learn to photograph behavior.Many photographers don\u2019t do their homework as well as they should.When photographing animals, wild or controlled, learn something about their natural behavior beforehand.Learn the characteristics that allow them to lead successful lives in the wild.What do they eat?When do they sleep?Why do they den in certain areas?How do they protect themselves?The animal will telegraph its intentions, and if you recognize the indications, you can anticipate and be ready for an \u201caction\u201d shot.<\/p>\n

Today we have outstanding animal shows on television.Watch those programs and look for several things:First, what do the cinematographers show the animal doing?Is the animal behaving in a \u201cnormal\u201d way? Then, check out the photographer and see if you can tell what\u2019s happening.What lens is being used (close, telephoto) and from what angle is the animal being photographed?Look at the program with a critical eye and decide in advance what your guidelines will be when it\u2019s your turn to do the photography.<\/p>\n

A Photography Experience in Utah<\/h3>\n

Our group was small\u2014only nine photographers.The group needs to be small to keep distractions to a minimum.We photograph the animal as the trainer works with it in a large enclosure.One of the side benefits of a Triple D experience for a novice photographer is that s\/he is frequently working side-by-side with high profile professionals, and a sense of camaraderie is often present.Everyone works independently but with a sense of togetherness.We share the joy in seeing the animals in beautiful and natural settings.<\/p>\n

Our first Utah session began at six o\u2019clock in the morning with an orientation meeting. Triple D recognizes that there are dangers associated in filming any wildlife.In response, Jay has developed numerous rules that must<\/em> be followed by both staff and client to protect both the client and the animals.There are no exceptions.Each species requires slight variations of the rules during a shoot.The bigger the animal, the more safety concerns and rules are necessary.It\u2019s important to remember that all of the animals at Triple D are wild.They may look trained and are–to a point, but they are not tame.They will not do circus-type tricks.The trainer controls them, but they are still wild animals.<\/p>\n

Safety Guidelines and Their Rationale<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Animals–especially big animals–look upon all creatures\u2014even human ones–as either a threat or a meal.You don\u2019t want to be either.What kinds of movements would threaten an animal?Signs of aggression, such as sudden and somewhat violent moves, unusual noises, and direct eye contact (don\u2019t forget that your lens makes a substantial \u201ceye\u201d) would qualify.Also, movement toward the animal may be perceived as a challenge.So, the first rule that we were told is to remain still and quiet when the animals are loose.We were instructed to stay in a relatively close grouping and not to make funny noises or to try to call the animals in any way.We needed to stay with the group and not wander away.<\/p>\n

A potential meal may run, scream, squeal, or exhibit some other type of behavior that triggers a \u201cdinner response\u201d in an animal.When animals are hunting or tracking dinner, they move stealthily until they know they can take their prey.Then, they may suddenly pounce.This attack triggers a fear response in the prey; it usually tries to make a run for it.Thus, our rule is not to make sudden moves or to try to avoid the animals by running or making evasive maneuvers.The trainers will keep the animals under control, but the photographers need to stay calm as well.Also, dinner is usually comes in smaller \u201cpackages,\u201d so we were instructed not to bend over, crouch down, or turn our backs on the animal while reaching for equipment.We were always to stand up and face the animal.If we had to bend over to reach something in our pack, we needed to quietly ask for permission.<\/p>\n

In addition, we were reminded that no one was to have any food in their pack or on their person\u2014including breath mints and\/or chewing gum. Also, smoking, perfume, or artificial scents in general were forbidden.We needed to follow the trainer\u2019s directions explicitly and, if instructed, to leave our gear behind and exit the enclosure immediately. But the really difficult rule to follow (and it was<\/em> a major temptation) was never to touch the animals. No matter how cute, fuzzy and tame they might appear, they were all wild animals and we could not forget that even for a second.<\/p>\n

In a game farm, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that you\u2019re in a controlled environment with staff watching the animals as well as the photographers. They need to be sure that everyone is operating in a safe manner. Only the trainer directs or speaks to the animals.The trainer is in control and will help the animal \u201cwork\u201d for the photographer.If you see an action you might like, you can quietly ask the trainer if it\u2019s possible.The staff at Triple D does all they can to be accommodating as long as the request won\u2019t jeopardize the client or animal.<\/p>\n

How Controlled Are They?<\/h3>\n

One of the concerns I had before I arrived at the Triple D was the nature of the training.I certainly didn\u2019t want to photograph bears pushing a ball with their noses or sitting up and waving.At the Triple D Game Farm, the trainers attempt only to reinforce an animal\u2019s normal behavior.They don\u2019t teach tricks.They allow the animal to function normally with the least amount of human intervention.For example, the animals are taught to hold a position.The reward is always positive–either in the form of a \u201ctreat\u201d or a \u201cgood girl.\u201d Minimum human interaction is stressed.<\/p>\n

The other question that I had was during a shoot, how would we manage to keep animal eye contact and still stay within the safety guidelines?The trainers move so that the gaze of the animal appears to be direct eye contact with the photographers.The trainers are very conscious of getting in the way of the photography.As they anticipate or set up a behavior, they indicate to you what their experience tells them that the animal is going to do.They are also aware of the animal\u2019s condition and will warn you when the animal is becoming tired or hot.Our sessions were always early or late in the day when the temperature was the coolest, because that\u2019s when the animals work well.Jay Deist said it best.\u201cWe know the settings, background and light.We also know that if we put a photographer in that particular setting with that light, they will come out with good photographs. That is what we like to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Helpful Equipment<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I like the simplicity of using a vest during a shoot.I left my pack in my vehicle or just outside of the enclosure with replacement supplies I could access between sessions.I strongly suggest using a camera vest rather than a pack in the enclosures with the animals.You don\u2019t have to hunt for anything.It\u2019s right in your pocket.Use one pocket for unused film and another pocket for used film.Take your film out of the boxes and containers so that you can pick it up and load the camera.Know your equipment.If you\u2019re going to change lenses, be sure you know how to do it quickly.Your batteries should be fresh, and you should keep new ones at hand.<\/p>\n

The following list represents the equipment I took into the enclosures when I was filming:<\/p>\n