Shooting with a Telephoto Lens: Up Close and Personal

New year. 

New lens.

New possibilities. 

I have to admit that I got a little freaked out when I first loaded my Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED (Shop around. You can find this for much better prices online!) beast of a lens onto my D5100 camera. 

Holy heavy. 

Holy huge!

But the details are divine!

After adjusting to the sheer size and weight of the camera/lens combo, the magic started to happen.

I've been having a blast experimenting with this incredible new lens, and my left arm has been getting a great strength and balance workout as I practice steadying my camera for distance shots.

Couldn't "get there" in time to stop this little stinker from plowing her sister in the face with a snowball, but with telephoto reach, I was able to capture the evidence from afar. Busted, sucka. 

On a fire and ice kind of day, I was able to get a groovy close up of flames while keeping the kids at a safe distance.

And the bird nerd in me is just busting with giddiness. Isn't this cardinal couple the cutest?

This dude was zipping by on his snowmobile in the field across the way. Totally practiced my paparazzi shots and managed to capture his drive by. 

Yeah. Guess I'm THAT creepy neighbor now.

My fella was doing some telephoto spying of his own this weekend and caught two red-tailed hawks chillin' in the trees across the street. So exciting!

And she's off...

Although I'm learning that shooting with a telephoto lens takes patience, practice and precision, I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to experiment with this spectacular equipment. 

Because I've been primarily shooting with my 50mm fixed lens, I've been extra psyched to regain the quick range this telephoto enables.

I was lagging waaaaaay behind when I zoomed in on my crew during this woodsy traipse. 

And, as you can imagine, this flock of geese was ridin' high. All eyes on the skies!

I'm just itching for spring photo shoots!

Now talk about empty nest syndrome…

All last spring and summer, I was spying on this robin's nest. Mama cared for two separate broods, and every time I tried to get close enough to capture her little miracles, homegirl got perturbed. 

I ran a few test shots on the site and am now confident that I'll be able to get right into the action without upsetting Mama this spring. I couldn't be more eager to get up close and personal. 

Been shooting with a telephoto for awhile and have some tips? You know I'd love any and all advice as I grow with this new lens. The possibilities are just endless.

Here's to seeing it all, sweet friends!

XOXO From My Hearth to Yours

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