SUMMARY
Photographer Michael Shainblum documented his experience in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park, utilizing a Sony a1 with both a wide-angle (12-24mm) and a telephoto (100-400mm) lens. He employed different focal lengths to address distinct compositional problems, such as creating foreground interest at Milford Sound or finding abstract patterns with the telephoto lens when a wide-angle shot failed. Shainblum also detailed techniques for shooting in challenging, wet conditions, including handheld telephoto work on a moving boat in Doubtful Sound and using mist to isolate subjects. His success was attributed to persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to experiment with settings like shutter speed and manual focus.
TAKEAWAYS
Shainblum used wide-angle and telephoto lenses to solve compositional issues in Fiordland.
He adapted techniques for challenging weather, including shooting handheld in mist.
Persistence and a lack of fixed ideas were key to his successful fieldwork.
Specific techniques included bracketing shutter speeds and manual focus in rain.