Georgia Degitz

Georgia, this is a scarlet tanager. My first thought when I saw this photo was, "what a
beautiful color study." The bird makes a striking subject all by itself, but before we find
out how you captured the beautiful, soft color effects and elements surrounding it,
please explain the process you went through that day to capture this image. For
instance, what equipment did you use, what kind of light did you have, what was your
distance from the tanager?

The process of bird photography requires a good deal of patience and a keen eye for
identification. I learned the love of God's beautiful creatures from my mother. We spent
hours at the window watching birds as they came to the feeder during winter snow
storms. Mother ordered kits that could be assembled and then painted according the the
color of the bird. So bird watching has been a passion since I was a small child. I'm
passing this love on to my 5 year old granddaughter.

What are these "kits"?

The kits were something like a model car or airplane. First the paint went on the plastic
parts and then I assembled them. I doubt if they can be found these days.

I play a trick on these camera shy subjects. I stage an area in my front yard for photo
opportunities. I put out a variety of bird feeders to bring them close to my windows. The
feeders are also near flowering shrubs, trees and bushes which makes a great
background. I also add a few touches of my own like old stumps, tree limbs, flowers and
in the spring plant flowers that the birds love.

Is this staging area where you get most of your bird photos?

I use the staging area primarily for our song birds. If a squirrel, raccoon, deer or other
wildlife appear I take their photograph too.

Spring and fall migration is a special time for bird photography as I get to see the birds
on their journey that are not here during the winter months. It is especially rewarding to
traipse through the wetlands and watch the geese, ducks, pelicans and other water birds.
They perform the most breath taking display when they all leave the water in a rush for
their next part of the journey.

When you are on a photo excursion day, do you always find your bird subjects? Or do
some days produce many, and some days produce none?

I usually go to Ted Shanks Wildlife Refuge. I always find something interesting to
photograph. In the spring and fall this area is full of wildlife and migratory birds. It is
also a great place to take shots of trees, leaves, wild flowers, Salt River, Mississippi
River, recreational activities, formations that could be an abstract, sunsets,
landscapes,bodies of water, in other words its a photographers paradise. The scenic
drive which is about 7 miles from my house offers opportunities for rock formations,
farmland, barns etc.

The day I took the image of the scarlet tanager was an ordinary spring day with much
commotion around the feeders and the visitors in hide a way places. I had seen images
of the scarlet tanager and was very thrilled when I spotted this one in my radiant
flowering crab apple tree. I always keep binoculars and all camera equipment at my
window of opportunity. The cameras have to be ready at an instant or else the shot is
lost forever.

Where do you hang out with the cameras? Are you hidden inside a literal window or is
the window you refer to figurative?

I take the photos from inside the house. Primarily at the window in my living room. I
have all the screens removed from my windows so I can get a photograph without going
out in the snow. However, I have been known to go outdoors in flip-flops and bathrobe to
get that perfect shot. :o) ea. light filtering through the trees at 6:00am.
I use the Canon 20 D digital and Canon Rebel xti. I use a 100-400mm lens on one of the
cameras for those distant shots and a 18-75mm lens on the other camera for close tight
shots. This image was taken April 25, 2008. I don't remember the exact time of day as I
go and come to the window. I think the sun was at a southern exposure due to the time
of year and around high noon which allowed the light to filter down through the tree and
emphasis the pink blossoms and bird.

I love Canon products myself. In this age of digital photography, it is super easy to
shoot constant photos saved onto a memory card without the fear of wasting film. Do
you wait for the perfect instance to click, or do you keep the shutter going, prefering to
review the masses of images later, choosing the best composition?

I shoot constantly depending on the subject. When the ducks, geese and pelicans lift off
or land I shoot constantly because the scene is constantly changing. If the bird is sitting
on the limb I may shoot three times and choose the best. If it is a still life shot only once,
landscapes, flowers, people etc then three shots to get the best light, composition. I
don't like to take too many shots because then I have too much computer work. I prefer
to take the best shot the first time.

How did you become a photographer?

The mysteries of photography appealed to me at a young age. My Dad was given a
Brownie Box camera for High School graduation. When he took it out of the box on
special occasions I was all eyes and ears to learn how this mysterious box worked. I was
warned never to touch the camera unless Dad was with me.. That made it even more
fascinating. I yearned to use the camera and would look longingly at the high cabinet
shelf which the camera had the privilege to occupy. One day my Dad showed me how to
look in the tiny view finder, set up the subject and wind the film for the next shot. Film
was precious so we couldn't waste it on frivolous things.

I have owned a variety of cameras in my life time but the love of nature and birds
always nagged me to do better.
Finally, I learned the fine art of digital photography and how to operate a computer at
the same time. I studied photography at John Woods Community College and read
every thing I could get my hands on and still read to keep up with this ever changing art.
That put me on the road to success and at last I was rewarded with vivid images of birds,
landscapes, clouds, people all subject matter was and is appealing.

Great work, and thanks for the interview, Georgia! - Host of LUYA

Thanks for the opportunity to share. - Georgia