Should I photograph a mother opossum and her babies living under my deck?
Asked 7/15/2010
1 views
2 answers
0
A mother opossum and her babies have moved under my wooden deck. I can see the mother’s face through the narrow gaps between the floorboards, but to photograph them from that angle I’d need to get my camera extremely close—only a few inches away. Is it worth trying for a few photos, or is that too intrusive and risky for the animals and for me?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
8
I would say no, but only because I have been around possums. If cornered or threatened, they can get downright vicious and they move very quickly. If you've ever seen one in this kind of state, you'd appreciate the damage they can do.
Getting you and your camera inches in front of a mother with babies will probably result in (at least) your camera getting attacked. I'd look for another angle, one that affords a little more safety and a lot less disruption.
As Jordan says, its probably a good idea to get them out of there anyway. You can try a battery powered / cheap transistor radio. They hate rock / rap music.
Originally by user52. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user52
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It’s generally better not to get that close. A mother opossum with babies may feel cornered or threatened, and getting your camera inches from her could provoke a fast defensive reaction and disturb the family.
If you want to try photographing them, do it only from a safer, less intrusive distance. Move very slowly, stay quiet, wear non-bright clothing, and avoid sudden noise from other people nearby. A longer shooting distance or a different angle would be much better if possible. One suggestion from the community was using a camera on a long handle to keep more space between you and the animal.
So: avoid close-up shooting through the deck gaps. Respect their space and look for a longer, safer angle if you decide to photograph them at all.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI16y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Is a simple digital point-and-shoot practical for someone without a computer?
Can a Kindle Fire be used with a zoom lens for birdwatching, or is there a better low-cost option?
How can I create a smooth, fanned hair effect with wind in a photo shoot?
How should I light and expose a DSLR setup for photographing book pages indoors?
How can I release the shutter on a Canon EOS M50 when the focus box is red at very close distances?