Behind the Photograph

Photograph the Story, Not Just the Subject

Every memorable photograph begins with a story worth telling.

A Moment of Tension - A fleeting exchange between two Great Egrets reveals that wildlife photography is often about behavior as much as beauty. Moments like this tell a story that a simple portrait never could.

The Story

For the past several years, I have made the trip to the rookery in Ocean City, New Jersey, drawn back each summer by the remarkable concentration of birdlife and the constant activity that unfolds there. From Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets to herons, ibises, and night-herons, every visit offers countless opportunities to photograph elegant portraits and birds in flight.

Those photographs are always rewarding, but they are rarely the images that stay with me.

What I find most compelling are the interactions taking place all around the rookery—the brief encounters that reveal something about the lives of the birds themselves. A territorial dispute, a courtship display, a parent feeding its young, or two birds competing for the same perch can transform an ordinary wildlife photograph into something far more meaningful.

On this particular morning, I watched two Great Egrets suddenly confront one another. Their wings spread wide, their bills locked together, and for only a few fleeting seconds, the scene became more than a portrait. It became a story.

The Approach

I arrived at the rookery shortly after sunrise and began walking about, looking for signs of activity. As expected, there were countless opportunities to photograph beautiful bird portraits and birds in flight. While those images are always rewarding, they weren't my primary goal that morning. I wanted to capture a photograph that revealed something about the lives of the birds—a moment that told a story.

One of the things I've learned over the years is that wildlife often announces what's about to happen before you actually see it. A sudden increase in calls or chatter is often a clue that birds are interacting, whether it's defending a nesting territory, competing for a perch, courting a mate, or responding to another bird nearby.

As I listened, I heard that unmistakable burst of activity coming from a nesting area where two Great Egrets were facing one another. Their posture suggested something was about to unfold, so rather than waiting to react, I prepared for the moment. I set my shutter speed to 1/3200 second to freeze any sudden movement, enabled Auto ISO so the camera could respond instantly to changing light, and was ready to shoot short bursts as the interaction developed.

Seconds later, the birds locked bills and spread their wings in a dramatic display. Because I had anticipated the moment instead of reacting to it, I was able to capture the brief interaction before it was over.

In the Field

Camera: Sony a7 III
Lens: Tamron 150–500mm f/5–6.7 Di III VC VXD
Focal Length: 500mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter Speed: 1/3200 sec
ISO: 400

Post Processing

My goal during post-processing was not to create drama—it was to preserve it.

I began with Lightroom's Auto adjustment as a starting point, then refined the overall exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and color balance to restore the scene as I remembered it that morning. The brilliant white plumage of the Great Egrets required particular attention to ensure feather detail remained intact while still conveying the brightness of the early morning light.

From there, I made subtle adjustments to help guide the viewer's eye. The birds were given slightly more prominence through selective masking, while the surrounding foliage remained natural and understated. I resisted the temptation to darken or blur the background excessively because the nesting habitat is an important part of the story. The branches and vegetation provide context, reminding the viewer that this interaction occurred within the birds' natural environment.

As with most of my photographs, the objective was enhancement rather than transformation. Every adjustment was intended to support the story unfolding between the two birds, not distract from it.

What I Learned

Wildlife often gives subtle clues before something interesting happens. One of the most valuable is sound. A sudden increase in calls or chatter can signal that birds are interacting—whether defending territory, courting a mate, or competing for a nesting site. Learning to listen as carefully as you look can help you anticipate those moments before they unfold.

I was also reminded of the importance of being prepared. Interactions like this may last only a few seconds, leaving little time to adjust camera settings. By presetting my shutter speed, using Auto ISO, and being ready to shoot a short burst, I was able to concentrate on the behavior instead of fumbling with camera controls.

Perhaps the biggest lesson was this: compelling wildlife photographs often begin before the shutter is pressed. They begin by observing, listening, and recognizing that a story is about to unfold.

Final Reflection

Beautiful subjects may catch our attention, but it's the stories they tell that stay with us. Every visit to the rookery reminds me that nature is full of those stories for anyone willing to slow down, observe, and wait. The camera records the moment—but it's patience and curiosity that reveal the story.

Every photograph has a story beyond what appears in the frame. Thank you for joining me Behind the Photograph. I hope these stories and lessons inspire you to see more thoughtfully, photograph more intentionally, and discover the moments waiting to be seen.