Extreme Telephoto Assignment Winner Nelson Landry

Photographer Nelson Landry

“I’ve been to Spanish Lake in Louisiana many times. It’s a close get away for me near my home. This morning in the autumn of 1989 was a special visit. I took my Nikon FM2 and new Tokina 400mm lens. It’s about a five mile drive around the lake. I often stop to photograph birds, foliage and dew laden spider webs as the changing seasons offers new views.

“I was nearing the end of the drive and watching this Great Egret out in the lake, looking for a good shot. When the sun reflection, Egret and myself were in line, I had the photo I wanted. While I had been pre-visualizing it, I was really in the right place at the right time. Not having time to set up a tripod, I positioned the lens on the hood of the truck. The exposure reading was taken to the right of the sun. Three shots were taken: one at the indicated exposure, one under, one over. This photo is the one under exposed. It was taken on Kodachrome 64 slide film, which was the popular medium then. I darkened it slightly in Photoshop Elements 9.”

Landry used a Nikon FM2, Tokina 400mm f/5.6 SD lens, Kodachrome 64 film