We were on Saint Paul Island primarily for its extraordinary birds — Tufted and Horned Puffins, auklets, murres, kittiwakes and Red-faced Cormorants — but we're always watching for opportunities with the island's Arctic Foxes.
During my photography workshop on Saint Paul Island in Alaska's remote Pribilof Islands, this Arctic Fox gave us one of those opportunities.
There was no need to rush. We had time to watch, photograph and occasionally put the cameras down and simply enjoy the experience.
That's one of the things I enjoy about spending so much time in the field on Saint Paul. We're there for the birds, but we're always looking for whatever photographic opportunities the island gives us.
Light, Eye Level and a Simple Background
There is a lot I like about this photograph.
I particularly like the rim light outlining the ears and fur. The dark volcanic rock and sand of Saint Paul Island made a naturally simple, clean background, and that thin rim of light was all I needed to separate the fox from it.
Getting low was equally important.
Getting down to — or even below — your subject's eye level can make a wildlife portrait feel much more intimate. Instead of looking down at the fox, we're right there in its world, looking across at it.
But it's the expression that makes the photograph for me.
There's something about those eyes and ears that holds my attention.
Composition With a Purpose
I chose to keep the composition relatively tight.
I could have made the fox smaller in the frame and left more room in the direction it was looking, but I think that would have sacrificed some of the visual impact — particularly when the photograph is viewed on a website or small screen.
There's enough room for the fox's gaze without the composition feeling cramped, and keeping it large in the frame puts the emphasis exactly where I want it:
Those eyes, those ears and that wonderful expression.
Composition isn't about blindly following rules. Think about what attracted you to the scene, what you want the viewer to see and how the finished photograph will be viewed.
Then compose accordingly.
We had plenty of time to photograph this fox, watch what it was doing and simply enjoy the experience.
Pretty special stuff. Smile.
My Saint Paul Island Photography Workshop puts us in the field for an extraordinary week among the birds and wildlife of Alaska's remote Pribilof Islands.
The birds are the main attraction, but we're always watching for whatever photographic opportunities Saint Paul gives us.