WORKING WITH BEARS
Episode 3

A Gitzo Story By Daisy Gilardini

When photographing grizzly bears, my favorite combo is my Nikon Z9 paired with my Nikkor Z 600mm f/4 TC VRS or 800mm f/6.3 VRS. With such heavy setups, I only feel comfortable shooting using the Gitzo Systematic Series 3 or 4 with a flat top, in combination with the Fluid Gimbal Head , and when shooting video, the Compact 2-Way Fluid Head .

The Importance of the Flat Top Systematic Series

The flat top of the Systematic Series is essential for me as I love to shoot at very low angles. This perspective enhances the quality and impact of your images in many ways:

• • Eye-Level Interaction: Shooting at eye level creates a more powerful and less intrusive way to interact with your subject.


• • Natural Behavior: Animals are usually less intimidated and disturbed by your presence, allowing you to capture more natural behavior.

• • Subject Magnification: This point of view makes your subject appear larger, taller, more powerful, and closer than it is in reality.


• • Foreground Blurring: It allows you to include interesting blurred foreground elements like grass, flowers, water, and rocks, adding depth to the composition.


• • Sense of Motion: It helps convey a sense of speed and agility, especially when photographing running bears in water.

Benefits of Using a Tripod with Big Telephoto Lenses

The use of a tripod when handling big telephoto lenses offers numerous benefits:

• • Reduced Camera Shake: Ensures tack-sharp images by minimizing camera shake.


• • Creative Techniques: Allows for creative long exposure and panning techniques.


• • Focus and Composition: Helps maintain focus and composition.


• • Precise Adjustments: Facilitates precise adjustments to framing and focus.


• • Support for Heavy Gear: Supports heavy equipment, ensuring you are ready when the action starts.


• • Free Hands: Frees your hands to adjust settings on the camera.


• • Accurate Focusing: Allows for accurate and precise focusing and control of depth of field.


• • Smooth Tracking: Enables smooth tracking and long exposures when using panning techniques.


• • Consistent Framing: Helps maintain consistent framing when shooting panoramas or HDR.


• • Minimized Disturbance: Minimizes disturbance to wildlife as minimal movement is required once the camera is mounted.

Additional Tips for Bear Photography

• • Preparation and Patience: Spending time observing bear behavior before taking photos can yield better results. Bears have routines and understanding these can help you anticipate their movements and interactions.


• • Respectful Distance:Always maintain a respectful distance to ensure the safety of both you and the bears. Using long lenses like the 600mm or 800mm allows you to capture intimate shots without disturbing the animals.


• • Weather Considerations: Bears are active in various weather conditions. Overcast days can provide soft, diffused light, reducing harsh shadows. Rain can add dramatic elements to your shots, with water droplets creating interesting effects.


• • Silent Mode: Utilize the silent mode on your camera to minimize noise that could startle the bears. This is particularly useful when photographing close-up shots or capturing video.


• • Safety First: Always prioritize safety. Be aware of your surroundings, carry bear spray, and never approach cubs or a bear feeding on a carcass, as this can provoke defensive behavior.

Daisy's gear

Even though tripods can be heavy and sometimes cumbersome to carry around, they are one of the tools I never give up on, as I could never achieve the high standard of quality without them. By combining the right equipment with patience, respect for wildlife, and a deep understanding of bear behavior, you can capture stunning images that convey the majesty and grace of these incredible animals.