Interview with nature photographer Robert Lavoie

[PhotoCamel]

Known as RobAmy on PhotoCamel, Robert Lavoie has in short order established himself as a premier nature and bird photographer. Working from his home in Rhode Island, Lavoie recently sat down with PhotoCamel to discuss nature photography, how he got his start, and what challenges he faces in the field.

PhotoCamel: Rob, what got you interested in nature photography?

Lavoie: It really all started when I started feeding birds in my yard years ago. I started to take pictures to identify them and it took off from there.

PhotoCamel: Once you got started, what were the major difficulties you had?

Lavoie: My biggest limitation was the lens I had at the time. It was a 70-300mm f/5.6, and for birding away from the yard it was extremely difficult to get good results with. I would say for birding you would want something in the range of 500mm. On the upside, I did learn how to get fairly close to birds. Another issue was and is time; time goes by quickly when you’re waiting or searching for subjects. I do have a full time business that I run--and it's not related to photography--so I have to find time, and some weeks it is tough. Fortunately my wife loves nature photography also, so we do it together which makes the time easier to manage.

PhotoCamel: How have the hurdles changed as you've gained experience?

Lavoie: Early on, my biggest hurdle was getting good results with natural lighting; it is ever changing and something I am always trying to work with. I have always been my worst critic when it comes to my photography, and for a spell I took it hard. After a while, I learned to relax more when shooting. Now I try not to rush the shot and I take the attitude of if it is meant to be it will happen.

Another hurdle has been learning more about different species and where they are located. Some are harder to find than others, and the research itself uses up lot of time, with little results. The Internet helps a lot in this regard. I look on many birding sighting sites to so see where species have been seen.

PhotoCamel: Many who shoot nature, especially birds, eventually have to decide between the 500 and 600mm lenses. Tell me how you decided between these two.

Lavoie: Birding does require reach in many cases--and not just due to not being able to get close. I also do not want to disturb animals during breeding season. Having enough reach allows you to watch animals doing their natural activities, without them being nervous that you are there. I had Canon’s 100-400mm and it served me well, but I wanted a bit more reach, so I looked into Canon’s 500mm and the 600mm. My decision was based at the time on wanting as much reach as possible. I looked at both the lenses in depth to determine which one I wanted. Many people told me to go with the 500mm because it is easier to handhold and to carry around. However, the lenses differ only by about 3 lbs, and to me this was not a big enough difference, so I went with the extra 100mm of reach.



PhotoCamel: How did you decide to shoot Canon over another system?

Lavoie: My first film SLR camera happened to be Canon--no rhyme or reason. I bought accessories and more lenses along the way and just keep upgrading to the Canon equipment I have today.

PhotoCamel: How do you scope out shooting locations?

Lavoie: I use the Internet a lot for this purpose. I use many different birding sites that give info on recent sightings of birds in the area. I also spend time learning about many behavior patterns, like where birds winter and nest. I am fortunate to live where I do, as well. There are a few wonderful species right in my own back yard, like White Tailed Deer and Eastern Bluebirds, that nest here every year.



PhotoCamel: In shooting birds, what would you say are the best techniques you've developed to capture the images you're after?

Lavoie: Patience is the main thing when shooting birds. You have to be as quiet as possible and move very slowly around the area they're in. I watch the area first and observe their patterns of behavior. Then I pick my spot and play the waiting game.

PhotoCamel: Do you think nature photography is all-consuming as a hobby or avocation?

Lavoie: At this point in our shooting, we would say it is a passionate hobby. We would like to have it as our full time job in the distant future.

PhotoCamel: What's your typical postprocessing ritual?

Lavoie: I shoot Raw with all my work. I use Digital Photo Professional by Canon to convert my images. I open the images and size or crop the image first, then I adjust color, and then apply sharpening, and at times I will remove some noise. I try not to over post process the shots I take; I like to keep the results close to what I saw. I have used cloning tools and layers, but I try to get it right with the camera, not the computer. However, with that said, learning the software to postprocess is a must in this digital age.

PhotoCamel: When analyzing your own work during postprocessing, what attributes make a photograph a keeper? Which attributes relegate a photo to the recycle bin?

Lavoie: This is a tough question. I usually throw out anything when I miss the focus or ruin the photograph in another way due to my error. I also screen out shots that have a very busy back ground. I keep the shots I feel bring something me first, and then I ask myself whether the work will do something for someone else. If the answer is yes, it's a keeper. Now with birding there are some shots I keep that are not always great but that make the cut because they're first shots of a particular species for me, or they help me in identifying some species.

PhotoCamel: How did your wife get into the game? Are you two essentially partners in shooting now?

Lavoie: We started taking pictures at the same time. I started more with birding and Amy started shooting flowers. It became natural for us to take pictures together because of the things we do and the places we like to visit. We both really enjoy wildlife and the outdoors. She enjoys shooting everything from macro to taking pictures of Bison in Yellowstone.

PhotoCamel: What's been the most exciting or fruitful location you've visited for nature photography?

Lavoie: I have to say Yellowstone National Park. The area is simply breathtaking, whether you’re taking pictures or just enjoying the scenery. We have seen many different species of birds and mammals there. One of the most memorable times shooting there is when I caught a shot of a Bald Eagle catching a fish, flying straight toward me.



PhotoCamel: What are some locations you haven't visited yet that you want to shoot in?

Lavoie: Africa would be the place we would love to go and shoot one day. I personally would like to go to Costa Rica, for birding. My wife would like to go to Australia and New Zealand.

PhotoCamel: What has proven to be the most challenging thing to photograph well for you?

Lavoie: I would say the Snowy Owl and the Long Eared Owl have been the most difficult for me so far. The Snowy Owl we have both seen, but we've never managed to grab a shot of one yet. The Long Eared Owl I have photographed but not well. I would really like to get the entire body out in the open.

PhotoCamel: To a young photographer interested in getting into the nature and wildlife arena, what would you advise in terms of preparation, gear acquisition?

Lavoie: I think young photographers should determine the target area they would like to explore--let’s say birding. Then I would recommend some gear acquisition: something in the 400mm range or longer. If they want to shoot larger subjects, then a 300mm lens would be fine to start off. I would always recommend that you buy the best lenses that one can afford as opposed to the best camera. Also, try to determine your own style of shooting. Your style will set you apart from other shooters out there. Another thing: I would also recommend a tripod to help lessen user error a bit. Remember to keep it fun and enjoy what you are doing.

PhotoCamel: What are your personal goals from here on out?

Lavoie: I would really like to shoot Nature Photography full time. I have personal goals of different species that I am always trying to capture. I would really like to get published in a well known magazine like National Geographic. We both would like to start giving photography classes and tours. But for now we will keep shooting and enjoy the beautiful creatures around us.



More information:

• PhotoCamel's Nature and Wildlife Forum
• PhotoCamel's Bird Forum
• Robert Lavoie's PhotoCamel Gallery

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