Bison can help you put the Tetons in perspective/Deby Dixon

I have never been much of a landscape photographer and am ashamed to admit that during my first visits to Grand Teton National Park, where the views don'™t get any better, I only had eyes for the closeup shots of the bears.

It was one of those aha! moments when I got home and compared my images to those of others who had been in the Tetons and thought to include the stunning background of the Teton mountain range in their photos. I remember wondering where I had been when those mountains were showing off their glory to the bears that walked beneath.

For the past several years, during frequent visits to what is easily my favorite national park, I have studied the scenery and the patterns of the animals, looking for those shots that would take my breath away. And, biding my time because the mountains and the weather don'™t always cooperate when the animals are in place.

Landscape photographers often complain about how hard it is to find the perfect location with the right light and weather. Well, try adding the unpredictability of wild animals to the scene and you might be waiting for years to get that dream shot - the one you saw already but the camera wasn'™t ready, or the light wasn'™t right, and it haunts you for all time.

You might recall a recent column I wrote about being in the Tetons, ready to take those stunning fall images of wildlife beneath the mountains, only to have rain and clouds covering the view. And, so I had to get creative and look for other ways to make my shots interesting. It was a great and exciting exercise, but frustrating all of the same. I have been back twice since that time and finally, on my fourth day here during this round (which is the day I was scheduled to leave) the mountains are out but, unfortunately, there are no clouds in the sky to filter bright light and add interest.

But, let me tell you, I had one incredible fun filled morning from the minute the light began to caress the worn and tattered, shaggy frames of the bull moose, to the Western Meadowlark singing in a dead aspen tree. All smiles and fun. Well, cold and a lot of work too, trying to get into the right position of the moving animals, lined up with the mountains. I was so excited that I forgot to put my jacket on, even though it was only 25 degrees.

The thing is that the perfect light only hits the Tetons mountains for a short time each day when the clouds are not blocking the sun, and so one must choose their location carefully, because there is only one chance.

For this morning, because of the cloudless sky, I chose the moose against the mountain backdrop. If there had been clouds in the sky, and the promise of nice color, I might have chosen a strictly landscape location, such as the Moulton barns, Snake River Overlook, Schwabacher'™s Landing or Oxbow Bend. Too many places to be during that perfect few minutes.

A tight focus on animals in the foreground can make the mountains seem even larger/Deby Dixon

For my shots I want the mountains lit and the sun behind me at the moment it starts shining upon the wildlife and the landscape that they are grazing in. My 80 - 200mm 2.8 lens is the perfect choice and I use manual focus. At times I will close down the ƒstop to around 13 or 16 in an attempt to have perfect focus on the animal as well as the mountains. At other times, particularly if battling low light, I will open to 8 or higher and concentrate focus on the animal, allowing the mountains to blur in the background. It is all about personal preference but I recommend trying different techniques so that when you get home you aren'™t wishing for something different.

And, then, once you get the light, background and equipment right, it is time for the wild animal to behave properly. Looking up with some nice catch light in the eye and nothing distracting behind it, such as a tree growing out of its head, all help. With multiple animals, it is a major moment when they all put their heads up - if they look in the same direction there are bonus points.

While all of this is going on it is important to get the correct exposure on the mountains and the animal. It is way too easy to blow out the background while trying to get proper exposure on a dark animal. Most of the time I need to step down my EV one to three notches and use a light area on the animal for the exposure, such as the rear end of the moose.

And then you just shoot, hoping for the best and being ever mindful of where the animals are. This morning, when I was shooting from my car early on, a couple of the bulls decided to come over and pay me a visit. Moose are unpredictable and I have seen them get irritated by people being too close and trying to make them move back by approaching them. Normally, if the person backs off the moose is fine.

After the moose and the elk against the mountains, I located a pair of bluebirds, getting their nest ready for laying eggs and so positioned myself to play around with photographing the tiny birds in front of the Grand. It was a great exercise with okay results. I will be going back tomorrow morning to try different angles on the birds in landscape.

One of my reasons for visiting the Tetons during this time in early April was, one, because the bears were starting to come out but they were doing that in Yellowstone also. The main reason was to get away to a quieter park where I can explore to my heart'™s content without a lot of interference and questions from visitors. Up in Yellowstone I had a couple of photographers that were following me, no matter where I went and it left me feeling a little suffocated.

A mingling of moose and mountains/Deby Dixon

For myself, I like to find my own thing and don'™t care much for following someone around. Unless there is something obvious, such as a bear in plain view, I generally go on by and allow them to have their experience. One thing to consider is that they might be photographing a bird that is not easily seen and if I were to stop or walk up to them, it might ruin their chance to get a shot. It takes a long time to get birds to settle down and go about their business. This morning, after working my bird nest for a couple of hours and waiting for the right moment, a man walked up behind me, scared the birds and myself. Not a good idea to walk up behind a person who is concentrating on their photography efforts! So, don'™t expect a warm welcome when you spook off the wildlife and make the photographer'™s heart stop.

But, the important thing, as serious and competitive as wildlife photography can be, have fun. If you aren'™t having fun out in nature with the wild things, find something else to do because it will show in your photos. Get creative - push the envelope and don'™t be afraid to try new things. The sky is the limit and you never know what will work.