Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
After reviewing the Canon EF 300mm f4 IS USM, I felt like it was time to take it up a notch and review a lens that is really at the top of the Canon lineup for sports and wildlife. This lens has been engineered with the most discerning photographers in mind. Some might even say the Canon EF 400 2.8 II is the best telephoto lens Canon has ever made.
Because this may be the "baddest" lens Canon has ever made, I vowed put this test through its paces. From initial impressions to micro focus calibration to field work, I wanted to see if this lens really was the best. Of course there are several other lenses which are famous for being amazing lenses in the telephoto "L" lens lineup. Among the best are the EF 500 f4 L, the EF 600 f4 L and the EF 200-400 L. Make no mistake, I will not let lenses in this price category and fame get by with anything!
As with my other reviews, I will be holding this lens up against the modestly priced, but highly effective Sigma 150-600 C. Since I shoot with this lens on a weekly basis, I am thoroughly familiar with all the pros and cons this lens has dealt out. Will the 400 2.8 really blow away the Sigma? Read on to find out!
Canon began manufacturing of the 400 around 2010, and it was officially released in August 2011. It was an upgrade to it's sister lens the Canon EF 400 f2.8 L IS USM. The latter no longer being in production.
The first word that comes to mind when looking at the build of this lens is "WOW!" The engineers set out to produce an astounding lens and they met their goals with breath taking precision. From the moment I opened the box, I knew I was viewing an unusual product.
The most obvious and striking feature when viewing the lens from any distance, is the large diameter of the front elements. This accounts for the majority of the weight of this lens and also the extreme cost. Having a front element this large is amazing, but it is also a target for all manner of possible ways to get damaged. The more surface area of glass on the front, the easier it is to scratch and the more front heavy it becomes. 8.4 lbs is no joke! It weighs more than the average new born baby and lugging this around all day is likely to be taxing on the body.
At the rear of the lens are are myriad of buttons and switches. There are some you would be familiar with such as the image stabilization switch and some you may not be. Since this is the best of the best, it comes with a few more bells and whistles that are worth explaining throughout this review. Included among the controls is a new button to me, the focus preset "Set" button. That's right, you can set a pre-focus area and return to it over and over again. More on that later. As with most Canon L lenses, the manual focus ring is a good size and smooth to operate.
At the rear of the lens, is a drop in filter holder. This allows you to drop a smaller filter into the rear of the lens. With a massive front element, buying a filter that big would be difficult if not impossible. I really wish all telephotos had this feature, but I can see the difficulty this would introduce into the manufacturing process.
So it can't all be roses, right? Well, yes, there are a couple drawbacks on the build with this lens. First, the lens hood is so massive that it was actually difficult for me to push the lens through the opening in my blind's camo netting. In small spaces look to be a bit frustrated by this design. The other obvious issue is the weight of this lens. Because of the 8.4 lb weight, it is almost impossible to lug this 4 miles through rugged terrain. If you are thinking about this lens as your primary wildlife lens, I would recommend against it.
Finally, when the lens arrived to me, the hood was actually stuck on the lens. I was able to loosen it up, but eventually the little knob to tighten down the lens hood stuck in the open position. At that point, I had to wedge a piece of cardboard between the hood and the lens to keep the lens hood from falling off. Now, I want to ask you. Should a $10,000.00 lens have a fault in the lens hood knob? After researching it online, I found it was a fairly common problem with this lens and the other big Canon primes. This is not something you want to find out after spending this kind of cash on a lens.
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Because this may be the "baddest" lens Canon has ever made, I vowed put this test through its paces. From initial impressions to micro focus calibration to field work, I wanted to see if this lens really was the best. Of course there are several other lenses which are famous for being amazing lenses in the telephoto "L" lens lineup. Among the best are the EF 500 f4 L, the EF 600 f4 L and the EF 200-400 L. Make no mistake, I will not let lenses in this price category and fame get by with anything!
 |
| The Canon EF 400 2.8 arrived in a hard case with a strap |
As with my other reviews, I will be holding this lens up against the modestly priced, but highly effective Sigma 150-600 C. Since I shoot with this lens on a weekly basis, I am thoroughly familiar with all the pros and cons this lens has dealt out. Will the 400 2.8 really blow away the Sigma? Read on to find out!
 |
| Canon EF 400mm 2.8 L IS USM |
Overall Specifications of the Lens
- Weight - 8.4 Pounds
- Length -13.5 inches
- Image Stabilized - Mode 1 Stabilizes X and Y axis. Mode 2 Stabilizes during horizontal and vertical panning. Provides roughly 4 stops of image stabilization. Mode 3 detects which axes to stabilize and only stabilizes at the time the images is taken. There is no preview.
- Lens Construction -16 Elements in 12 Groups
- Focal Length - 400mm (prime)
- Image Magnification - 1:5.8
- Aperture Blades - 9
- Closest Focusing - 8.86 feet (2.7 m)
- Filter Size - 52mm (Drop In)
- Lens Hood (reverses for stowing ET-155)
- Removable Tripod Collar
- Aperture - f2.8 to f32
- MSRP - $9,999 US
- Used Price - $7,000 US? (not readily found on the used market)
Micro-Adjusting to the Canon 7D Mark II
I think a big mistake some reviewers make is not micro-adjusting the lens to the camera. How can you sincerely test the lens in the field without making sure the auto-focus of the camera is calibrated to the lens? I figured this lens would be spot on when calibrated to my Canon 7D Mark II, but it was not. I ended up making a -2 adjustment in order to get it perfectly in focus. Below is the actual final calibration shot.Build, Fit and Finish
Canon began manufacturing of the 400 around 2010, and it was officially released in August 2011. It was an upgrade to it's sister lens the Canon EF 400 f2.8 L IS USM. The latter no longer being in production.
The first word that comes to mind when looking at the build of this lens is "WOW!" The engineers set out to produce an astounding lens and they met their goals with breath taking precision. From the moment I opened the box, I knew I was viewing an unusual product.
The most obvious and striking feature when viewing the lens from any distance, is the large diameter of the front elements. This accounts for the majority of the weight of this lens and also the extreme cost. Having a front element this large is amazing, but it is also a target for all manner of possible ways to get damaged. The more surface area of glass on the front, the easier it is to scratch and the more front heavy it becomes. 8.4 lbs is no joke! It weighs more than the average new born baby and lugging this around all day is likely to be taxing on the body.
 |
| One Massive Front Element |
At the rear of the lens are are myriad of buttons and switches. There are some you would be familiar with such as the image stabilization switch and some you may not be. Since this is the best of the best, it comes with a few more bells and whistles that are worth explaining throughout this review. Included among the controls is a new button to me, the focus preset "Set" button. That's right, you can set a pre-focus area and return to it over and over again. More on that later. As with most Canon L lenses, the manual focus ring is a good size and smooth to operate.
At the rear of the lens, is a drop in filter holder. This allows you to drop a smaller filter into the rear of the lens. With a massive front element, buying a filter that big would be difficult if not impossible. I really wish all telephotos had this feature, but I can see the difficulty this would introduce into the manufacturing process.
 |
| View Showing the Drop-in Filter |
So it can't all be roses, right? Well, yes, there are a couple drawbacks on the build with this lens. First, the lens hood is so massive that it was actually difficult for me to push the lens through the opening in my blind's camo netting. In small spaces look to be a bit frustrated by this design. The other obvious issue is the weight of this lens. Because of the 8.4 lb weight, it is almost impossible to lug this 4 miles through rugged terrain. If you are thinking about this lens as your primary wildlife lens, I would recommend against it.
Finally, when the lens arrived to me, the hood was actually stuck on the lens. I was able to loosen it up, but eventually the little knob to tighten down the lens hood stuck in the open position. At that point, I had to wedge a piece of cardboard between the hood and the lens to keep the lens hood from falling off. Now, I want to ask you. Should a $10,000.00 lens have a fault in the lens hood knob? After researching it online, I found it was a fairly common problem with this lens and the other big Canon primes. This is not something you want to find out after spending this kind of cash on a lens.
Sharpness and Optical Quality
What you are not going to find in this review is a sharpness test pointing at some lens chart. There are plenty of those available on the web. What you are going to see is how this lens performs against real subjects. My working genre in the photography world is wildlife and I specialize in bird photography. So that is where I will concentrate my tests. Always stick with what you know when testing a lens.
When I began testing this lens sharpness, I knew it was going to be very sharp. This lens is well known for its sharpness and speed of focus. Because of that, were I decided to spend all my time was comparing this lens with my Sigma 150-600. I wanted to answer the question, "Is this lens' sharpness worth almost $10,000 US? I honestly believe that as photographers on a budget, we owe it to ourselves to find out what makes a 10K lens a 10K lens. Even if most of us never buy this lens, we need to answer that question.
Indeed the lens was sharper than my Sigma 150-600, but I did not feel like the difference in sharpness was worth spending that kind of money. With modern post processing software, the sharpness difference can easily be compensated for. Don't forget, I could buy 10 of the Sigma lenses for the price of one Canon 400 2.8 II. However, if price is not an issue for you, then you will be getting a very sharp lens with plenty of resolution. Below is a 100% crop of a mourning dove with default sharpening applied.
I could definitely see where there was more resolution provided by this lens when compared to other lenses I have photographed with. In the above 100% crop, the beak details were quite amazing. Below, I have a fully processed image of the mourning dove with added clarity, sharpening, contrast and noise reduction.
Indeed the lens was sharper than my Sigma 150-600, but I did not feel like the difference in sharpness was worth spending that kind of money. With modern post processing software, the sharpness difference can easily be compensated for. Don't forget, I could buy 10 of the Sigma lenses for the price of one Canon 400 2.8 II. However, if price is not an issue for you, then you will be getting a very sharp lens with plenty of resolution. Below is a 100% crop of a mourning dove with default sharpening applied.
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| Mourning Dove - 100% Crop |
I could definitely see where there was more resolution provided by this lens when compared to other lenses I have photographed with. In the above 100% crop, the beak details were quite amazing. Below, I have a fully processed image of the mourning dove with added clarity, sharpening, contrast and noise reduction.
 |
| Mourning Dove Fully Processed |
Auto-focus
Out of the gate, this lens is a thoroughbred. It can focus faster and better than any other lens I have ever used. This is due, for the most part, in thanks to the large front element gathering light at f2.8. It is a light sucking hog and that is exactly what your DSLR's AF sensor is hungry for. Having said that, for basic action, I don't think you need a lens of this caliber. If you are making a living as a sports photographer, then a lens like this will make a difference in what is in focus and what is not.
Personally, as far as wildlife, I thought this lens was overkill and I really don't think that is what Canon designed this lens for, specifically. My feeling and the feeling of others was this lens was designed for fast action sports photography for the discerning professional. It is heavy and was designed to be put on a monopod at a baseball or football game.
With my backyard birds, I didn't feel like it snapped into focus any faster than my Sigma, but it did focus faster when using AI servo. The incremental focusing done in this mode was so fast, that it made a totally different noise as the focus motor zipped back and forth finding focus as the birds moved their heads and bodies. Had I taken this out for birds in flight photography, I believe it would have been a stellar lens. With the weight of this lens though, I honestly didn't feel like lugging this up to Pilot Mountain.
One of the subjects I photographed during testing was the red-bellied woodpecker. Woodpeckers are very agile and difficult to focus on. The 400 did a great job of keeping up with the woodpecker's bobbing head. I felt like it did a better job than my Sigma here. Note that this time of year is terrible for photographing songbirds. This is their time to molt, and this poor female red-bellied woodpecker has lost a great deal of her head feathers.
Personally, as far as wildlife, I thought this lens was overkill and I really don't think that is what Canon designed this lens for, specifically. My feeling and the feeling of others was this lens was designed for fast action sports photography for the discerning professional. It is heavy and was designed to be put on a monopod at a baseball or football game.
With my backyard birds, I didn't feel like it snapped into focus any faster than my Sigma, but it did focus faster when using AI servo. The incremental focusing done in this mode was so fast, that it made a totally different noise as the focus motor zipped back and forth finding focus as the birds moved their heads and bodies. Had I taken this out for birds in flight photography, I believe it would have been a stellar lens. With the weight of this lens though, I honestly didn't feel like lugging this up to Pilot Mountain.
One of the subjects I photographed during testing was the red-bellied woodpecker. Woodpeckers are very agile and difficult to focus on. The 400 did a great job of keeping up with the woodpecker's bobbing head. I felt like it did a better job than my Sigma here. Note that this time of year is terrible for photographing songbirds. This is their time to molt, and this poor female red-bellied woodpecker has lost a great deal of her head feathers.
 |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker |
Image Stabilization (IS)
In case I didn't mention this several times already, let me say it again. This lens has all the bells and whistles and so I was not surprised to see three different modes of image stabilization. That's right, not two modes, but three modes!
- Mode 1 - This is the traditional IS mode which stabilizes both the vertical and horizontal axes.
- Mode 2- This is also a traditional IS mode which only stabilizes the vertical axis. This is used for panning purposes.
- Mode 3 - This mode is new and will only stabilize the lens when the shutter button pressed all the way down and at the time of taking the image. It does not "preview" the stabilization in the view finder. This mode is more effective when shooting action.
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| View of Stabilizer Modes and the Unique Focus Preset Switch |
My Sigma 150-600 also has the Mode 3 feature, but it is not a switch. It is configured through the doc. You can choose whether you want to preview the IS or let it lock it down at the moment of taking the photo. So I can not say that this is a great win for Canon, although with Canon it is immediately available with a switch. So maybe a slight advantage from that perspective.
Among the other switches near the image stabilizer switches is the focus preset switches. When the focus preset function is engaged, the photographer can focus on a particular area in the image and make it a focus preset. This is primarily useful for sports photographers who are shooting in a particular zone on a ball field.
Among the other switches near the image stabilizer switches is the focus preset switches. When the focus preset function is engaged, the photographer can focus on a particular area in the image and make it a focus preset. This is primarily useful for sports photographers who are shooting in a particular zone on a ball field.
Uses for this Lens
Again, one of the most obvious uses of this lens is professional sports photography. I would say that it should be exclusively used by this group, but I think that would be short sighted.
As a secondary use, I could see this used for wildlife photography. Specifically as a go to lens for low light, flight photography or blind photography. I think its strengths would be best utilized in a stationary manner. From a car, a popup blind, or on a sturdy tripod with a gimbal head you would have a killer setup. I can see pairing this with the Canon 7D Mark II to give you a 640mm effective focal length.
However, I do not see this as a run and gun lens. If your style is moving stealthily through the woods and using cover and concealment as you move, this lens will be heavy and with the big white lens hood, will give away your position. If you insist on using this lens in this type of setup, consider buying a lens coat and a gym membership.
As a secondary use, I could see this used for wildlife photography. Specifically as a go to lens for low light, flight photography or blind photography. I think its strengths would be best utilized in a stationary manner. From a car, a popup blind, or on a sturdy tripod with a gimbal head you would have a killer setup. I can see pairing this with the Canon 7D Mark II to give you a 640mm effective focal length.
However, I do not see this as a run and gun lens. If your style is moving stealthily through the woods and using cover and concealment as you move, this lens will be heavy and with the big white lens hood, will give away your position. If you insist on using this lens in this type of setup, consider buying a lens coat and a gym membership.
Final Verdict
Obviously from a technical perspective this lens is going to work extremely well for you. It has amazing auto-focus, amazing build quality and at 400 mm can handle most of your wildlife and sports photography needs. However, and this is a BIG however; is this lens the best choice for you?
Big features make for a heavy and expensive lens. There is a reason that many photographers opt for the 300 2.8 instead of the 400 and that is simply the raw economy of the matter. On the used market, I can pick up a Canon EF 300mm 2.8 IS for only $5,000. Furthermore, since the 300 is so sharp, I can put a 1.4x teleconverter on the lens. For a few hundred dollars more, I have an f4, 420mm effective focal length. Or, how about a 2x teleconverter giving you a whopping 600mm effective focal length.
There are also other third party options which also bear mentioning here. How about the Sigma 120-300 2.8? A sharp and more versatile lens which also supports using a teleconverter. This lens is only $3,313 US. With the money saved, you can take a trip to Alaska to photograph brown bears and eagles.
It used to be that the major manufacturers were the only companies that frankly could make the glass needed by semi-pros or pros, but those days no longer exist. Today, the 3rd party lens making world is growing rapidly and producing some astounding glass. They are turning the heads of even the most discerning professional. Finally, I think Canon needs to understand the changing world of photography. No longer do professional photographers make the money they need to purchase a lens for $10,000. We are expected to do a whole lot more with a whole lot less money. The days of newspapers owning a couple 400mm 2.8 lenses are gone along with the large staffs of in house photojournalists.
Having said all that. You are in control of your own destiny. If you have the extra money, than by all means go for it. Buy that EF 400mm lens! You will not be disappointed.
Quick Summary
- Great build quality
- Image stabilized
- f2.8 aperture makes shooting in lower light easier
- Sharpness is excellent
- Best in class auto-focus.
- Extremely expensive at $9,999.00 US
- Large, clunky lens hood with a problematic tightening knob.
- White color could draw unwanted attention from your subject
- Focusing ring was great when hand holding, but slips when resting on a bean bag
- Weight makes it difficult to use in run and gun wildlife photography
Check out the accompanying video for this review!
________________________________________________
Check out the latest podcast episodes
I need your help to keep producing content! Consider becoming a patron to my work. Funds received from your help, will go toward keeping the infrastructure in place to keep providing free content. As you know, web site hosting, microphones and recording gear are very costly. To find out more about being a patron and how this can benefit you, head out to my Patreon site : https://www.patreon.com/mattcuda
Individual training, and honest and useful portfolio critiques available. Email me at matt.cuda@mattcuda.com
________________________________________________
My Website: http://www.mattcuda.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattcuda
Stock Images: https://www.artvisions.com/cuda/
Newsletter
http://www.mattcuda.com/Home/Newsletter
To purchase any of my prints please use the following link:
https://www.artvisions.com/cuda/
You may also contact me directly to purchase prints: matt.cuda@mattcuda.com
FORSYTH COUNTY, NC - For many people, a trip to an exotic location to photograph animals is just not economically feasible. For those in this category, I can greatly sympathize with you. But do not dismay, there are some very nice zoos and rehab centers throughout the United States to help you in your quest to photograph exotic animals.
What Zoo is Best
There are approximately 500 zoos in the United States, but be careful. Not all these zoos are created equal. It is important to check these zoos out on the internet before you step foot in one of them. I like zoos which are good to their animals by offering them good medical care, food and plenty of places to roam. In North Carolina, the best zoo would be the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC. If you are looking for a zoo for comparison purposes, this as a gold standard.
Next, make sure the zoo is photographer friendly. Some zoos, like the Atlanta Zoo have stipulations about not using photographs made of "their" animals for commercial purposes. I refuse to give these zoos my money.
Camera Gear
Zoos can offer a unique challenge to the photographer from an equipment perspective. Some zoos, for example, do not allow the use of tripods and so you can only use mono-pods. This is not a deal breaker, but could make some shots nearly impossible. Below is the gear I recommend and how to use each piece. There are links scattered throughout to show examples.
- DSLR or comparable mirrorless camera - The important consideration here is that the camera has interchangeable lenses and has a megapixel count over 10mp. If you only have a 300mm lens, I recommend the APS-C sensor size. An example is the Canon EOS 7D Mark II or on the mirrorless side the Sony A6500.
- Medium Telephoto Lens (200 - 300mm range) - it is crucial to at least have this much glass in order to frame the subject in creative ways. In some cases you will be able to fill the frame, but with subjects greater than 20 feet away, you will need to step up. The Tamron 70-300 SP VC is a good, inexpensive lens in this category.
- Super Telephoto Lens (400 - 800mm) - For zoos and just about any wildlife, I like versatile glass and for me that is the Sigma 150-600 C or Sports version. This covers just about every scenario during a zoo visit. I can shoot shots of small songbirds in the aviary all the way up to tight portraits of a black bear.
- Macro Lens (100mm to 180mm) - although not a must, having a macro lens will allow you to capture shots of small frogs and reptiles. Furthermore, you can get close shots of the flowers which often decorate the entrances and pathways to the zoo exhibits.
- Sturdy Tripod - When you find yourself inside a building trying to shoot through terrarium glass, having a tripod is a must. Even with modern image stabilization, there are times you simply cannot get a good, stable shot without one. It really depends on the zoo and how much of the exhibits are indoors. I recommend Manfrotto as a good, inexpensive tripod.
- Black Rapid Strap or Similar - carrying a 600mm lens through miles of zoo can be tough on the old shoulders and back. This strap will make it much easier to shift the burden a bit from your shoulders. It also allows the photographer to easily put the camera up to his eye because the camera slides along the strap.
- Comfortable Pack - find a pack that does not cause your shoulders to hurt too quickly after putting it on. You should be able to walk a good hour without having pain. Check out the Moose Peterson MP-3!
- Good SD, CF Cards - buy good CF cards! I use SanDisk Extreme 32 Gig cards. They are fast enough for video and are very reliable.
The Close Portrait - the zoo is the perfect place to get close shots with some real feeling and energy. Some of these shots just do not happen often in the field. Below is a shot of a black bear. In this shot, you feel like you can actually see into his soul. This is the shot that presents itself the most.
Environmental Shot - this can only happen at large zoos where the animals have plenty of place to roam. Look for places where there are no bars or fences in the background. Below is a shot of a Rocky Mountain elk bugling. Honestly, I wouldn't know this was in a zoo, if I hadn't taken it. It has an ear tag, but they do this in wild at times as well.
Animals Interacting - this one is tough, but not impossible at the zoo. Look for animals which are social and interact in large groups. A typical animal with this behavior is the baboon. Below, a mother baboon is keeping a young one in check.
Animals in Action or Showing Gesture - in this scenario, we have a single animal that is doing something unusual. Perhaps it is an elephant running or in the case below, a king eider showing off for the female eiders.
In conclusion, I think you will agree that the zoo can be a great place to enjoy animals, test your gear and learn how to make better images without spending 4,000 dollars on a trip. The beauty is that after all this practice in zoos and rehab centers, you will be ready when you do go on one of those once in a life time trips!
Now get out there and enjoy nature (even at a zoo) !
God Bless,
Matt Cuda
Announcements:
Check out the latest podcast episodes
I need your help to keep producing content! Consider becoming a patron to my work. Funds received from your help, will go toward keeping the infrastructure in place to keep providing free content. As you know, web site hosting, microphones and recording gear are very costly. To find out more about being a patron and how this can benefit you, head out to my Patreon site : https://www.patreon.com/mattcuda
Individual training, and honest and useful portfolio critiques available. Email me at matt.cuda@mattcuda.com
______________________________________________________________________
My Website: http://www.mattcuda.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mattcuda
Stock Images: https://www.artvisions.com/cuda/
Newsletter
http://www.mattcuda.com/Home/Newsletter
To purchase any of my prints please use the following link:
https://www.artvisions.com/cuda/
You may also contact me directly to purchase prints: matt.cuda@mattcuda.com
Photography, in general, takes a lot of planning. Sometimes it is planning that big trip to Yellowstone and sometimes it is just planning to photograph some of the local flora and fauna in your own backyard. Whatever you choose to photograph, I think we can all agree that we need a plan to be successful.
About two months ago, I started preparing and planning for a particular shot to be added to my "Bluebird Project." I invested both time and equipment to try to get everything figured out beforehand. In particular, I was using a new IR triggering system to capture songbirds in flight. I had practiced on several occasions and I got fair enough results to apply them to actual project. I determined to use my newly acquired experience to capture flight shots of the bluebird as they traveled to and from their nest box.
I carefully monitored and waited for the bluebird eggs to hatch, as they always do. One day, while performing a normal check, I found that the nest had been raided. The eggs had been removed, thrown to the ground and mostly eaten. I determined it was not the normal suspects such as the raccoon or opossum since the nest was still fully intact, and the pole I use would not support the weight. At one point, I even blamed the neighborhood black snake. I believe, after quite a bit of examination, it was most likely done by a competing bird species.
The whole situation was completely out of my control, but none the less, my plans were ruined. There would be no flight shots. It was is at this point, that we all have a choice. We can "throw ourselves" and have a pity party. This might involve moping around, questioning why it happened , and what could have been done differently. I could beat myself up for weeks with the question "why?", but the results would have been the same. I would not have photographed any birds and not changed the situation at all.
Instead, mostly based on experience, I picked myself up and immediately started the next wave of plans. I knew that I could not get the flight shot I wanted, but I could improve the situation by starting back to feeding the birds. Generally I stop feeding birds once nesting starts as it upsets the bluebirds and could interfere with nesting.
So, I began feeding the birds and also setup my hummingbird feeder for the next project. This will start the creative energy and anticipation flowing again. There will be another time for the flight shots, but that can't stop you from shooting and planning. Sure, it is a big disappointment when plans don't come together and sometimes it can be really tough when several big plans fail in sequence. The latter, of course, being the reason many people quit.
The bottom line is that I many never convince you with mere words to hang in there and never quit. In the end, it is a matter of personal ambition that drives you to the next level. I see it in myself and others all the time. It is what sets all of us apart from the average quitter. Don't fall into the trap of expecting all of your plans to succeed, because they never will. Instead, focus on making the next plan successful.
Your photographic career will be filled with other quitters. They are the people who don't get what you are doing and try everything to make you unsuccessful. They could be your girlfriend, wife or even someone you thought was your best friend. You cannot listen to them, because they will drag you down and keep you from completing your plans. This goes for any area of your life. Quitters always hang out with other quitters! Don't let yourself be sucked into that world.
I will leave you with these steps to becoming successful in life as they were told to me many years ago by a wise man...
About two months ago, I started preparing and planning for a particular shot to be added to my "Bluebird Project." I invested both time and equipment to try to get everything figured out beforehand. In particular, I was using a new IR triggering system to capture songbirds in flight. I had practiced on several occasions and I got fair enough results to apply them to actual project. I determined to use my newly acquired experience to capture flight shots of the bluebird as they traveled to and from their nest box.
I carefully monitored and waited for the bluebird eggs to hatch, as they always do. One day, while performing a normal check, I found that the nest had been raided. The eggs had been removed, thrown to the ground and mostly eaten. I determined it was not the normal suspects such as the raccoon or opossum since the nest was still fully intact, and the pole I use would not support the weight. At one point, I even blamed the neighborhood black snake. I believe, after quite a bit of examination, it was most likely done by a competing bird species.
The whole situation was completely out of my control, but none the less, my plans were ruined. There would be no flight shots. It was is at this point, that we all have a choice. We can "throw ourselves" and have a pity party. This might involve moping around, questioning why it happened , and what could have been done differently. I could beat myself up for weeks with the question "why?", but the results would have been the same. I would not have photographed any birds and not changed the situation at all.
Instead, mostly based on experience, I picked myself up and immediately started the next wave of plans. I knew that I could not get the flight shot I wanted, but I could improve the situation by starting back to feeding the birds. Generally I stop feeding birds once nesting starts as it upsets the bluebirds and could interfere with nesting.
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| Forsyth County, NC - Taken soon after the nest failure. Move on to the next plan! |
So, I began feeding the birds and also setup my hummingbird feeder for the next project. This will start the creative energy and anticipation flowing again. There will be another time for the flight shots, but that can't stop you from shooting and planning. Sure, it is a big disappointment when plans don't come together and sometimes it can be really tough when several big plans fail in sequence. The latter, of course, being the reason many people quit.
The bottom line is that I many never convince you with mere words to hang in there and never quit. In the end, it is a matter of personal ambition that drives you to the next level. I see it in myself and others all the time. It is what sets all of us apart from the average quitter. Don't fall into the trap of expecting all of your plans to succeed, because they never will. Instead, focus on making the next plan successful.
Your photographic career will be filled with other quitters. They are the people who don't get what you are doing and try everything to make you unsuccessful. They could be your girlfriend, wife or even someone you thought was your best friend. You cannot listen to them, because they will drag you down and keep you from completing your plans. This goes for any area of your life. Quitters always hang out with other quitters! Don't let yourself be sucked into that world.
I will leave you with these steps to becoming successful in life as they were told to me many years ago by a wise man...
- Never make a major decision in the midst of a personal crisis.
- Never seclude yourself from friends/family when going through a storm.
- Never listen to your fears. Dread distorts your view of reality.
- Never give in to self-pity.
- Don’t dwell on “if only” and “what could have been."
- Don’t overlook the good things that happen to you everyday.
- Don’t become absorbed with yourself (focus on the needs of others).
- Don’t quit living while going through your storm.
- Never forget that God Almighty is sovereign.
To find out more about Matt Cuda Nature Photography, navigate to the following resources...
FORSYTH COUNTY, NC - Spring is finally moving into a higher gear, and I see more signs of activity in the animal world. Up until now, songbirds have been reluctant to build their nests due to the bitter cold temperatures and windy conditions. It really, in many ways, has been a harsh and unforgiving winter in North Carolina, but there was still much to look forward to this Spring.
As part of my early spring activities, I often can be found photographing raptors at the Carolina Raptor Center for their event called PhotoWild. PhotoWild, is a special time set aside for wildlife photographers to have an opportunity to photograph raptors in a controlled environment. This equates to getting images that really are not generally possible in the wild. At least there is not a practical way to get these images. Furthermore, it is an opportunity to photograph species from other parts of the world. Finally, it is a great time to meet other photographers, talk a little shop and check out what gear and techniques they are using.
In this article, I thought I would layout how I approach photographing an event such as PhotoWild and share some of the images as examples.
Looking for the Full Length Portrait
The full length portrait is an image, which is composed to show the entire bird. It might also have other compositional elements added to make the shot more interesting. Below is a shot of a barred owl where I not only utilize a full length portrait, but use the foliage to provide a more interesting framing element. Note the tree to the left of the owl, providing a framing element, and the leaves wrapping around him in the foreground also support framing.
As part of my early spring activities, I often can be found photographing raptors at the Carolina Raptor Center for their event called PhotoWild. PhotoWild, is a special time set aside for wildlife photographers to have an opportunity to photograph raptors in a controlled environment. This equates to getting images that really are not generally possible in the wild. At least there is not a practical way to get these images. Furthermore, it is an opportunity to photograph species from other parts of the world. Finally, it is a great time to meet other photographers, talk a little shop and check out what gear and techniques they are using.
In this article, I thought I would layout how I approach photographing an event such as PhotoWild and share some of the images as examples.
Looking for the Full Length Portrait
The full length portrait is an image, which is composed to show the entire bird. It might also have other compositional elements added to make the shot more interesting. Below is a shot of a barred owl where I not only utilize a full length portrait, but use the foliage to provide a more interesting framing element. Note the tree to the left of the owl, providing a framing element, and the leaves wrapping around him in the foreground also support framing.
Looking for the Close-up Portrait
Next, I begin looking for close-up portrait to give the viewer a more detailed and often times unseen image of the raptor. With close-up images, sharpness and higher megapixel images can really make them pop. Below is an image of a male American bald eagle.
Looking for the Extreme Close-up
Again, for this type of shot, think detail. Think about making images you simply cannot make very easily in the wild. Look for feather detail and talon detail. Below is an image showing the detail in the golden eagle's feathers.
Looking for Gesture
Gesture is what makes images unique. It can be anything from an unusual look from your subject, to yawning, eating and anything else that evokes emotion. This is really what I want every time I go out to photograph a subject. Whether it is in captivity or the wild, this is a must for any photographer to be able to capture. Below is an example of gesture. This turkey vulture is opening his mouth very wide and is something I have never witnessed from a vulture in the past. A perfect opportunity, and one to never waste. Patience is key here. When everyone else is leaving, you stay and work the subject. Good things often happen to those who wait.
I hope you enjoyed this months blog. There is much on the horizon at Matt Cuda Nature Photography. To be specific, the time has come for the continuation of the Hummingbird Project and the Bluebird projects. These two projects generally keep me busy from May through June.
God Bless,
Matt Cuda
God Bless,
Matt Cuda
There are so many different ideas and paradigms which come to mind when I think about nature conservation. It is such a complex topic, that I have hesitated for years to even write about it. Finally, I decided that today, I would approach this topic in my usual common sense manner.
Note, that this is not the unequivocal last word in conservation, and by no means do I discount another's opinion on the matter. I am neither a biologist nor a philosopher, but I intent to speak on both. I am going to speak as an amateur ornithologist, a concerned citizen, a Christian, and a wildlife photographer of many years. I hope that you can have an open and objective mind while reading this, because I do sincerely care for the animals and my natural surroundings. I want my children and the generations to come, to experience God's beautiful creation as I do.
I intend to layout my points into an outline of sorts and approach "hot button" topics as I do. So grab a cup of coffee, and sit back for a ride into the mind of Matt Cuda.
What is Convservation?
I do not think we can have a series look at this topic without first defining it. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary conservation is:
I don't think anyone of balanced intelligence would actually argue with this definition of natural resource conservation. Whether, you tend to be on the far left or the far right, this definition is one which cannot effectively be disputed. However, the question is not whether this definition can be disputed, but rather, how do we as a society go about handling this management as defined here.
To me there are several positions or paradigms currently taken on conservation, and I will approach each of these and describe why I think they are effect or ineffective.
The Eco Zealot
I think we should start off with the most militant of the conservationist. I have given them the label Eco Zealot, which I think suites them well. I could describe this person as uncompromising, head strong, and a person who will stop at nothing to get his point across.
Sometimes these folks are militant and will actually harm people in order to save an element of nature. I think, however, most in this category would probably not go to this extreme. Essentially, this type of person believes that man and animal are in essence equal and should be treated exactly the same.
Although these folks mean well, often times the results are anger and negative press to push their agenda. Maybe I am just a wimpy guy, but I would much rather win the fight through positive interactions and maintaining my cool. I also probably relate the least to the Eco Zealot. The ones I have met (again just my experience) tend to be hot headed, uncompromising and down right hostile. That is no way to live your life. That anger will eat you up inside! The old adage holds true. You catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.
The Hunter
I was born in a very rural area of northern Pennsylvania along the Allegheny Mountains. I would actually say that this area is the most dense and mountainous area of Pennsylvania. As you can imagine, most of the people in this area were hunters and fisherman. It was simply the way they are brought up and the way they lived.
My grandfather was an avid hunter and fisherman, but he was also a conservationist. What, how can a hunter be a conservationist? Well, it's actually a natural process of hunting, if you have a head on your shoulders. How would a hunter be guaranteed to always have animals to hunt and provide him with food? The answer is to be concerned about their population numbers.
My grandfather had an almost a Native American view of his quarry. If you hunted it, you ate it and used whatever you could practically use from the animal. In our family there was no option to shoot something and leave it. That was not acceptable!
Today, I still enjoy fishing, but I am not a hunter. I am much too tender hearted to kill wild animals, and I 'll bet many of you reading this are as well. So as you can imagine, I am not opposed to law abiding hunters who use the animals that they kill for food supplements, but I do not hunt.
I am, however, angered by wasteful hunting, where deer are left in the forest with a missing head for trophy purposes. I am angered by a bear being shot for no reason other than it was "fun." I am angered when I see a beautiful elephant hunted for it's tusks and left to rot in the hot sun. What good can come of this type of hunting other than the loss of a species for a children to enjoy. This is evil and frankly I believe it is a sin.
I am also equally angered by wasteful and illegal fishing. I have been fishing where I have seen people fish a lake so heavily that they leave nothing behind. That my friends is not conservation! That is pure greed.
The Lobbyist
Lobbyist groups abound. Groups like the NRA, The Audubon Society and various conservancies exist across the US and the world. Without politically charged organizations it would be difficult for the people to voice their concerns to their governments. Money gets things moving and the world runs on the stuff. Money can make politicians support the cause in which you most want pushed to the forefront.
However, I think there is room for caution when it comes to supporting these organizations. You may find they do not line up with your way of thinking. Remember they are politically charged. One case where I saw this with the Audubon Society is in its handling of wind mills.
Let me just say that categorically I am opposed to wind mills. I'll never forget the first time I saw them dotting the mountains of Pennsylvania. Each one represented a scar on the mountain top. No longer did I have this beautiful view of the mountains in the fall. They were ruined by these huge steel propellers. It was as if someone had cut my heart.
Fast forward years later and we discovered that not only were these monstrous eye sores, but they were killing birds at an alarming rate (including our national treasure, the bald eagle)! Yet, the headlines at the times within the Audubon's publications gave this very little coverage. Once in a while to placate the masses, they would run an article, but there was no big drive to see them removed. But why was this?
Ah, now we see the politics. You see, the same people who are involved in Audubon also "rub shoulders" with the people who instituted the wind mills as a means of alternative energy. Perhaps some of these folks are even big donors to the Audubon Society (speculation).
Now, I get it, they are in a tough spot, right? And that, in my opinion, is the entire problem. Political organizations are always put in tough spots where they cannot maneuver very well or have to go down a path they don't fully agree with. It's a compromise if you will. I am not saying that Audubon does a terrible job, I am just saying that for some of you, the compromise may be too great to support an organization like this. That is a personal decision we all must make.
The Wildlife Photographer/Conservationist
I decided to make another category here called "The Wildlife Photographer" because, let's face it, things are a bit different for us. We all want to make beautiful photographs of animals, but the shot cannot be the only concern for us. Do you think we should do whatever it takes to get the shot? If you do, I would ask you to reconsider to a point.
The wildlife photographer is probably the least understood and sometimes the most persecuted of the conservationists. Sometimes I think hunters get a better wrap! Most of us just want to make great images of animals and show them to the world. We want the animals to forever be seen in our images. We strive for image perfection.
Recently groups like the Audubon have started waging "war" if you will, against wildlife photographers for getting too close to animals. There is no doubt, there are a few of us out there who push the animals too much, but I can honestly say that I don't, and all the other photographers I know are always keeping the animal's welfare in mind. Ironically, the same people who complain the loudest are the ones who buy our images. These images are not taken from 100 yards as you well know, but more like 30 yards at most. Kind of breaks some laws doesn't it? But, being close to animal doesn't necessarily cause him to behave differently. This is why I oppose laws which put some arbitrary number of feet we must be from a species.
There are many ways we can approach animals in a non-threatening way. Just think of blinds, for example. Biologists actually recommend blinds for photographing and observing birds, but you don't hear them championed. I can approach shore birds slowly on my belly and half the flock is asleep and I am only 10 feet away.
Honestly, I have only been in a few situations where I thought the animals were too nervous and we had affected its ability to move naturally. Once I realized this, I moved away and the animal is better off because of it. Birds in Florida, for example are incredibly tame, yet in these areas we hear the battle cry the loudest against wildlife photography. I see this whole thing as misplaced aggression. I could go on and on with this topic, but I will leave it here before I go off on a huge rant.
The Christian Conservationist
Probably the least known and definitely the least understood is the Christian Conservationist, but we are out there in some large numbers. What does this conservationist believe?
Now, as you can imagine, many Christian Conservationists also tend to be conservatives politically and some of the principles above come in conflict with the beliefs of fiscal conservatives. Moral conservatives, which I consider myself to be, do not believe in murdering humans. We equate the abortion of a human as murder. So because liberals tend to not vote against abortion, we tend to vote conservative. It's really that simple and that is something some people cannot accept.
Many of you who are reading this just became angry. I am sorry that you feel this way because I probably have more in common with you than you think, but I cannot condone murder on any level.
We also may not like other aspects such as fracking in areas which damage the environment. We also believe in the conservation of birds and mammals of all kinds. We do not like waste, period! Life is precious, period!
Finally, Pure Subjective Opinion and the Wrap Up
When I view an animal, it is much different than most of society. When I view it, I see an amazing creation, created by God. I view, marvel and respect his creation, but I also see myself as a potential predator.
Much as a hawk will kill a rabbit if he needs it for food, so would I (if I had to, to survive). This always has to be balanced against the population and conservation of the species. God has given me a sharp mind and I have the ability to conserve his creation. I choose to not hunt because I do not need to. I would rather let the creature go about his life and let me document his behavior than shed its blood. I long for the days of The Garden, where man and animal could live in perfect harmony.
As far as eating animals, If I had to choose a diet for pure health reasons, it would be fish, seeds, fruits and vegetables. I feel like this offers the human body the best sources of protein, sugar, minerals and vitamins. I do not condemn those who are vegetarians or those who eat meat.
The key difference between the human and the animal is the ability to use our minds to affect the outcome of diverse situations and the fact that we have a spirit. We were created to worship and take care of God's creation. We have within us the power to take care of God's creation just as he intended us to and the capacity for eternal life. We were created higher than the animal. That is why we must take them under our wing.
I do not want to argue with you on any of this. This is just a stated opinion and I do not want to debate this. Life is too short to argue at length on this topic. Just consider the opinion, adapt it or agree to disagree and move along.
Note, that this is not the unequivocal last word in conservation, and by no means do I discount another's opinion on the matter. I am neither a biologist nor a philosopher, but I intent to speak on both. I am going to speak as an amateur ornithologist, a concerned citizen, a Christian, and a wildlife photographer of many years. I hope that you can have an open and objective mind while reading this, because I do sincerely care for the animals and my natural surroundings. I want my children and the generations to come, to experience God's beautiful creation as I do.
I intend to layout my points into an outline of sorts and approach "hot button" topics as I do. So grab a cup of coffee, and sit back for a ride into the mind of Matt Cuda.
What is Convservation?
I do not think we can have a series look at this topic without first defining it. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary conservation is:
"a careful preservation and protection of something; especially : planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect"It is the second half of the definition where this article will focus its efforts. "The planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction or neglect."
I don't think anyone of balanced intelligence would actually argue with this definition of natural resource conservation. Whether, you tend to be on the far left or the far right, this definition is one which cannot effectively be disputed. However, the question is not whether this definition can be disputed, but rather, how do we as a society go about handling this management as defined here.
To me there are several positions or paradigms currently taken on conservation, and I will approach each of these and describe why I think they are effect or ineffective.
The Eco Zealot
I think we should start off with the most militant of the conservationist. I have given them the label Eco Zealot, which I think suites them well. I could describe this person as uncompromising, head strong, and a person who will stop at nothing to get his point across.
Sometimes these folks are militant and will actually harm people in order to save an element of nature. I think, however, most in this category would probably not go to this extreme. Essentially, this type of person believes that man and animal are in essence equal and should be treated exactly the same.
Although these folks mean well, often times the results are anger and negative press to push their agenda. Maybe I am just a wimpy guy, but I would much rather win the fight through positive interactions and maintaining my cool. I also probably relate the least to the Eco Zealot. The ones I have met (again just my experience) tend to be hot headed, uncompromising and down right hostile. That is no way to live your life. That anger will eat you up inside! The old adage holds true. You catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar.
The Hunter
I was born in a very rural area of northern Pennsylvania along the Allegheny Mountains. I would actually say that this area is the most dense and mountainous area of Pennsylvania. As you can imagine, most of the people in this area were hunters and fisherman. It was simply the way they are brought up and the way they lived.
My grandfather was an avid hunter and fisherman, but he was also a conservationist. What, how can a hunter be a conservationist? Well, it's actually a natural process of hunting, if you have a head on your shoulders. How would a hunter be guaranteed to always have animals to hunt and provide him with food? The answer is to be concerned about their population numbers.
My grandfather had an almost a Native American view of his quarry. If you hunted it, you ate it and used whatever you could practically use from the animal. In our family there was no option to shoot something and leave it. That was not acceptable!
Today, I still enjoy fishing, but I am not a hunter. I am much too tender hearted to kill wild animals, and I 'll bet many of you reading this are as well. So as you can imagine, I am not opposed to law abiding hunters who use the animals that they kill for food supplements, but I do not hunt.
I am, however, angered by wasteful hunting, where deer are left in the forest with a missing head for trophy purposes. I am angered by a bear being shot for no reason other than it was "fun." I am angered when I see a beautiful elephant hunted for it's tusks and left to rot in the hot sun. What good can come of this type of hunting other than the loss of a species for a children to enjoy. This is evil and frankly I believe it is a sin.
I am also equally angered by wasteful and illegal fishing. I have been fishing where I have seen people fish a lake so heavily that they leave nothing behind. That my friends is not conservation! That is pure greed.
The Lobbyist
Lobbyist groups abound. Groups like the NRA, The Audubon Society and various conservancies exist across the US and the world. Without politically charged organizations it would be difficult for the people to voice their concerns to their governments. Money gets things moving and the world runs on the stuff. Money can make politicians support the cause in which you most want pushed to the forefront.
However, I think there is room for caution when it comes to supporting these organizations. You may find they do not line up with your way of thinking. Remember they are politically charged. One case where I saw this with the Audubon Society is in its handling of wind mills.
Let me just say that categorically I am opposed to wind mills. I'll never forget the first time I saw them dotting the mountains of Pennsylvania. Each one represented a scar on the mountain top. No longer did I have this beautiful view of the mountains in the fall. They were ruined by these huge steel propellers. It was as if someone had cut my heart.
Fast forward years later and we discovered that not only were these monstrous eye sores, but they were killing birds at an alarming rate (including our national treasure, the bald eagle)! Yet, the headlines at the times within the Audubon's publications gave this very little coverage. Once in a while to placate the masses, they would run an article, but there was no big drive to see them removed. But why was this?
Ah, now we see the politics. You see, the same people who are involved in Audubon also "rub shoulders" with the people who instituted the wind mills as a means of alternative energy. Perhaps some of these folks are even big donors to the Audubon Society (speculation).
Now, I get it, they are in a tough spot, right? And that, in my opinion, is the entire problem. Political organizations are always put in tough spots where they cannot maneuver very well or have to go down a path they don't fully agree with. It's a compromise if you will. I am not saying that Audubon does a terrible job, I am just saying that for some of you, the compromise may be too great to support an organization like this. That is a personal decision we all must make.
The Wildlife Photographer/Conservationist
I decided to make another category here called "The Wildlife Photographer" because, let's face it, things are a bit different for us. We all want to make beautiful photographs of animals, but the shot cannot be the only concern for us. Do you think we should do whatever it takes to get the shot? If you do, I would ask you to reconsider to a point.
The wildlife photographer is probably the least understood and sometimes the most persecuted of the conservationists. Sometimes I think hunters get a better wrap! Most of us just want to make great images of animals and show them to the world. We want the animals to forever be seen in our images. We strive for image perfection.
Recently groups like the Audubon have started waging "war" if you will, against wildlife photographers for getting too close to animals. There is no doubt, there are a few of us out there who push the animals too much, but I can honestly say that I don't, and all the other photographers I know are always keeping the animal's welfare in mind. Ironically, the same people who complain the loudest are the ones who buy our images. These images are not taken from 100 yards as you well know, but more like 30 yards at most. Kind of breaks some laws doesn't it? But, being close to animal doesn't necessarily cause him to behave differently. This is why I oppose laws which put some arbitrary number of feet we must be from a species.
There are many ways we can approach animals in a non-threatening way. Just think of blinds, for example. Biologists actually recommend blinds for photographing and observing birds, but you don't hear them championed. I can approach shore birds slowly on my belly and half the flock is asleep and I am only 10 feet away.
Honestly, I have only been in a few situations where I thought the animals were too nervous and we had affected its ability to move naturally. Once I realized this, I moved away and the animal is better off because of it. Birds in Florida, for example are incredibly tame, yet in these areas we hear the battle cry the loudest against wildlife photography. I see this whole thing as misplaced aggression. I could go on and on with this topic, but I will leave it here before I go off on a huge rant.
The Christian Conservationist
Probably the least known and definitely the least understood is the Christian Conservationist, but we are out there in some large numbers. What does this conservationist believe?
- We believe that God created the world and all the animals in it. Not a popular notion these days (Gen Chapter 1).
- We believe that God loves his creation and because of that so should we. (Luke 12:6, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.")
- We believe that all life is precious whether it be man or animal and God has provisions in nature to take care of them. (Matthew 6, "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
- We believe that God told us to take care of his creation and be good stewards of it. (Gen 1, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”)
- We believe that man was originally designed to eat seeds and fruit, but after the fall of man, meat was introduced to our fallen bodies. (Genesis 1:29, "Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.")
- We believe that it is wrong to make fun of another for being a vegetarian. There are also several key references to vegetarianism (Adam, Eve and Daniel).
- We believe that sin entered the world and death by sin. We are condemned to death, but by accepting Christ as our savior we choose to overcome death. Death was never supposed to be part of the equation. Humans and animals were to live in perfect harmony from the beginning!
Many of you who are reading this just became angry. I am sorry that you feel this way because I probably have more in common with you than you think, but I cannot condone murder on any level.
We also may not like other aspects such as fracking in areas which damage the environment. We also believe in the conservation of birds and mammals of all kinds. We do not like waste, period! Life is precious, period!
Finally, Pure Subjective Opinion and the Wrap Up
When I view an animal, it is much different than most of society. When I view it, I see an amazing creation, created by God. I view, marvel and respect his creation, but I also see myself as a potential predator.
Much as a hawk will kill a rabbit if he needs it for food, so would I (if I had to, to survive). This always has to be balanced against the population and conservation of the species. God has given me a sharp mind and I have the ability to conserve his creation. I choose to not hunt because I do not need to. I would rather let the creature go about his life and let me document his behavior than shed its blood. I long for the days of The Garden, where man and animal could live in perfect harmony.
As far as eating animals, If I had to choose a diet for pure health reasons, it would be fish, seeds, fruits and vegetables. I feel like this offers the human body the best sources of protein, sugar, minerals and vitamins. I do not condemn those who are vegetarians or those who eat meat.
The key difference between the human and the animal is the ability to use our minds to affect the outcome of diverse situations and the fact that we have a spirit. We were created to worship and take care of God's creation. We have within us the power to take care of God's creation just as he intended us to and the capacity for eternal life. We were created higher than the animal. That is why we must take them under our wing.
I do not want to argue with you on any of this. This is just a stated opinion and I do not want to debate this. Life is too short to argue at length on this topic. Just consider the opinion, adapt it or agree to disagree and move along.
