Shoot first, ask questions later?

[ram_k]

This bird is a first record for the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu and is the result of a shoot first ask questions later method .

There is no way I could have coped with first identifying the birds , being a wader ignoramus, and then being selective about taking pictures. So I just focused on the visually optimal individuals and when chatak chatkak chatak. Later, much later the treasure emerged.

My use of this method also depends on whom I am with
If I am alone or with a group dedicated to whatever we are doing (butterflying, birding, general nature watching) and iff my camera is around I shoot first, and then observe and make notes. Because often the organism provides a fleeting view only.

On the other hand if I am with a learning group I will leave my camera behind (or not use it) and allow people to observe without necessarily getting into specific identification. And time and opportunity permitting take some “record” shots.

[Fahoodie1852]

Perhaps that is the case, but I admittedly regret not taking a photo of a giant heron I saw a few days ago instead of staring at it out of the car window until it was too late

[tallastro]

Shoot first and then work on getting better photos. Except that I’ve found the best way to come across something good… put the camera back in the bag.

[jnstuart]

I tend to use my telephoto camera in place of binoculars to view animals, that way I can get a photo at same time I’m observing. I find switching between binocs and camera awkward and it’s too much gear hanging on my chest. The ideal piece of equipment would be a hybrid pair of binocs that is also a camera … a chimaera, so to speak.