About Douglas Goodell Photography
Douglas Goodell Photography was set up to deal with the mushrooming of
activities that occurred as I focused more and more on bird photography. I
had been involved with photography for many years as a sideline. But,
starting in 1997 I became very active and concentrated my efforts on wildlife
and birds in particular. My studies with noted bird photographer Arthur
Morris helped to enhance my interest and skills in this rather specialized area.
In a short time I am proud to have won several awards and have exhibited and
lectured in numerous libraries, galleries, and civic centers.
I believe that birds in the wild are wonderful subjects for
photography. They provide both beautiful subjects and opportunity for
interesting and sometimes unusual image creations. The challenge is in both the
subject and the surrounding environment – finding the right combination of
elements to make a good composition. This often involves learning the bird’s
behavior and making repeated contact. In some cases many sessions are required,
working day after day, to gain enough acceptance to be able to get close enough
to finally capture the desired shot. It can also involve working under very
uncomfortable conditions.
For those interested in this type of work, there are some
excellent books and instructional resources for both beginners and advanced
photographers (see the links page). Also, be aware that it does require at
least some special equipment. In particular, telephoto lenses of large aperture
and short minimum focal distance are a must. The photographs shown here were
done with lenses of 300, 400, and 600mm focal lengths, sometimes with image
multipliers. Cameras, lenses, and sometimes flash were mounted on either a heavy
tripod or occasionally on a shoulder stock which permits rapid maneuvering.
Relatively slow speed films (ISO-50 and 100) were used to permit enlargements
typically as 16x20 prints, but occasionally as large as 24x30 inches. Also be
aware that this type of work generally involves shooting large quantities of
film -- most of which goes in the trash.
As for personal information, my wife
Debby and I live in Ridgewood New Jersey. We have both been active bird watchers with Deb
doing much of the spotting and identification while I work to capture the
subject on film. Most of the photographs shown here were taken in New
Jersey or in Florida; all were taken in the birds natural wild habitat.
As a final note, I wish to acknowledge the tutorial contribution of Arthur
Morris. I have been photographing on and off for many years, but it
was the instruction, enthusiasm, critique, and friendship of Art that inspired
the level of work shown here and keeps pushing me to do better. Art's
photos, books, and tours are in the links page, along with many other valuable
and interesting connections to photographers, birders, and locations.
