The Photograph

This photograph dates back to my film days, taken with a Nikon F5 camera and a 600mm lens at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord, Massachusetts. I was along the trail that divides two pools, originally focused on a Goldfinch with the sun at my back. Suddenly, the unmistakable honking of Canada Geese caught my attention from the opposite direction.

How I captured the shot

Instinctively, I pivoted, switched my camera to Aperture priority mode, and quickly fired off the remaining frames of my 36-shot roll of Fuji Velvia film. The result was this shot, along with another in which the rear goose has its wings down while the front one has them up.

Post Processing

The film was sent off for development and reviewed on a lightstand. I later scanned these slides with an Imacon scanner, preserving them digitally in my Lightroom Classic Library, where they continue to remind me of that fleeting moment.

Reflecting on Technology

The Nikon F5, with its advanced autofocus and evaluative metering, made capturing this scene possible, showcasing features that have become standard in today’s digital cameras. This blend of timing, technology, and a bit of luck resulted in one of my favorite captures.