Ron Leach

The first thing most landscape photographers do upon arriving on location is open their bag and mount a favorite wide-angle lens on their camera. But using the right lens doesn't guarantee great results unless you understand the "essential" techniques for getting the job done.

Gerrit Vyn is a Portland-based wildlife photographer with a deep commitment to conservation, and he pursues his passion by making intimate photographs of the animals that share our fragile planet. While Vyn has photographed a myriad of species, his images of birds are particularly compelling.

Wildlife photography provides a number of unique challenges, not the least of which is locating the subjects you intend to shoot. One often has to deal with difficult light, whether it’s midday sun, deep shadows, or impending darkness when some species are most active.

This is for those of you who claim to be serious about wildlife photography and think you have all the gear you need. The video below will either reinforce that notion, or make you realize that, among other things, you need a much bigger wallet.