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Arts & Entertainment

Q&A: Kirkwood Wildlife Photographer Shares Secrets

We sat down with veteran wildlife photographer Jim Irwin at the reception for his gallery showing at the Kirkwood Train Station learn some tricks of the trade.

Wildlife photographer Jim Irwin, of Kirkwood, has captured striking images from around the world and been recognized by the photography industry for his efforts. . The 40-year veteran photographer was gracious enough to share tips and tricks for shooting wildlife.

How’d you get into wildlife photography?

I was into whale watches in Hawaii and got into some of the whale watch cruises. We started hiring drivers to take us out and I hooked up with some National Geographic people one week and spent some time with them and enjoyed that, and I’ve been buying lenses and stuff like that ever since.

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Now I’m more into safari and wildlife. We’re getting ready for our next trip [to Africa] in a month. (We've) been to six countries already there and we’re going to go to another one this September.

My thoughts on it are, if you can get the animal’s face and personality, it translates to maybe a better understanding in peoples’ minds to value (of) the animals and not wanting zebra pelts if they see the face or tusks of an elephant. It’s an awareness thing.

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What kind of equipment does it take?

Well it takes a single lens reflex (SLR) camera and you need a set of lenses. For scenery-type shots that are more wide, you can get a standard lens, a 50mm, but if you’re getting into things farther away, you'd probably want a 500mm lens and you’d probably like to have image stabilization and a monopod. Tripods just don’t work in Africa on in the jeeps. Even a bean bag on the window ledge might be fine. But a couple lenses, maybe a 100-400mm zoom and a 400mm or 500mm prime.

Do you have any advice for people interested in wildlife photography?

I would get a decent entry-grade SLR digital camera and get a zoom lens, maybe something in the neighborhood of 100-300mm, and I think that would probably get you started with some close-ups and a little bit of the wide effect, but not spending a whole bunch at first on your camera body.

Like a Rebel, if you’re a Canon person, I think that’s a great starter camera. And later, you can add lenses. I’ve done some sports photography too, and all the pros, and all the big media outlets, they all have a Rebel in their bags in case everything else fails.

Where would you recommend shooting wildlife in St. Louis?

Well, I think keep an eye on what’s going on in Alton. Alton’s got wildlife in the confluence area of the rivers. All year 'round there’s stuff going on over there. The zoo’s not really wildlife but you can get a feeling for the animals and you can get pictures. My butterflies [pictures] are generally [taken in] Forest Park in the marsh. You don’t have to be at a fancy place.

Anything else you'd like to say?

Well, don’t look at it as being a high-profit business. You have to love what you do and be frugal but know when to buy a good lens. I think it’s worth doing. Have your camera with you all the time. Find your niche and stick with it.

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