Digiscoping: After having appreciated the “philosophy” of this new photographic technique, let's examine the technical-emotional context in which digiscoping can say: “Let there be light!”.
Texts and photos by Richard Camusso.
We walk our usual hunting trails. It doesn't matter whether with or without a rifle. The faithful binoculars Swarovski Optic around the neck and the small backpack; we like to go light. We wear the old moleskin jacket, the one that does not "sing" if rubbed between the trees: extreme camouflage is not needed. Around us, the splendor that Nature puts on stage, for us and for everyone, every day of the year. Everything fascinates us. The colors, the flowers, the small woodland birds, the trees, the forest and the real wild, who do not ignore what an enclosure is; those who - today more than yesterday - populate our mountains and hills. At the first opportunity, we discreetly look out over the wider clearings. The truth and beauty of wild animals in freedom is an irresistible attraction for us, but they are almost always very, very far away. We don't like looking for unlikely approaches, better to stay out of the picture and rely on binoculars.
In the evening, we are tired, but happy. In the head relive all the emotions of the day, but we nurture the certainty that we will return to where Nature has once again amazed us. We regret, however, that we have not been able to capture - for ourselves, first of all - images that remain for a long time in our minds and… on the memory card of a camera, forever. We will return, therefore, with adequate equipment, which allows us to stay out of the scene. This will be the means by which we will be able to better live our Dialogue with Nature. Unfortunately, expensive and heavy canvases do not solve the problem either: they can do nothing with distances - which we will have to face.
The forced choice, therefore, is called: digiscoping.
Lightness of the equipment, defeated distances, manageability, high crepuscular values and great quality are the keys to the Dialogue. Instead of exhausting ourselves and going a long way, we will choose the posts in specific points of the forest. Perhaps, in this way, we will have fewer fleeting encounters, but we will finalize - well and for a long time - those we will have by staying off stage. We will be able to practice digiscoping everywhere. The blackbird that frequents the home garden has the same value as the majestic roaring deer in the forest. Digiscoping is also freedom of choice about the subjects, moments, places and times, whatever the places and wilds that excite us. Never as in real (often difficult) situations on the field, are we able to appreciate the potential of this technique. When, in the evening or at dawn, traditional photographic equipment gives up its weapons due to a lack of light and diaphragms, digiscoping takes its revenge by managing to "work" at least an hour longer. Some may argue that an hour of difference means little: it is a pity that precisely that hour - both in the morning and at sunset - is the one by far preferred by the wild, the real ones.
Beyond the threshold of 60/70 meters (sometimes, even less), the super-telephones are also unarmed. Many photographers forgo shooting if the distance and lighting are not optimal. Digiscoping, on the other hand, changes the cards on the table: the telescope “wins” “impossible” distances, capturing important details even beyond 200/300 meters. No other photographic equipment can do that. In technical terms, the fact of being able to photograph with focal lengths (equivalent) from 1.400 mm. up does not need comments. Every photographer, amateur or professional, knows what that means.
Finally, from an economic point of view, the digiscoping it offers far greater performance than super telephones - not only in terms of distance - at prices of at least one zero less (in Euros). This is how the splendid photographs (and videos) of animals in the wild no longer represent a distant, unattainable, envied goal. Today, with an observation telescope connected to a camera (reflex or compact), every enthusiast can capture moments of life and nature that were previously unattainable. In the next issues, we will see in particular the most suitable digital cameras, and in particular the new Mirror Less, which are proving extraordinary in digiscoping. For now, we like to repeat that being able to stay out of the scene gives frontal and calm animals, moist eyes and noses, everyday expressions and behaviors. Do not escape at breakneck speed.
In digiscoping, today, documentation can be combined with quality. Let there be light!