Remote camera

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Remote camera. Top shows several LED flash lights, centre are the lens and PIR sensors. Atelkamera.JPG
Remote camera. Top shows several LED flash lights, centre are the lens and PIR sensors.

A remote camera, also known as a trail camera or game camera, is a camera placed by a photographer in areas where the photographer generally cannot be at the camera to snap the shutter. This includes areas with limited access, tight spaces where a person is not allowed, or just another angle so that the photographer can simultaneously take pictures of the same moment from different locations.

Contents

Remote cameras are most widely used in sports photography. [1] 35 mm digital or film, and medium format cameras are the most common types of cameras that are used.

Uses and practices

Professor A.N. Kudaktin examines remote camera for implementation of monitoring of wild animals within the Persian Leopard Reintroduction Program in the Caucasus. Professor Kudaktin osmatrivaet fotolovushku.JPG
Professor A.N. Kudaktin examines remote camera for implementation of monitoring of wild animals within the Persian Leopard Reintroduction Program in the Caucasus.

Remote cameras are used by photographers to take more pictures from different angles. Remotes are very popular in sports and wildlife photography. [2]

Cameras are often placed in angles that a photographer cannot physically be during a shoot. Sport use examples include behind the backboard at a basketball game or overhead in the rafters of an arena during a hockey game.

Placement

Remote cameras placed in suspended positions [3] usually are mounted with clamps and arms such as the Bogen Super Clamp and Variable Friction Arm, often referred to as "Magic Arms". [4] The camera and lens are connected to the variable friction arm which is attached to the Super Clamp which in turn is secured to a fixed item such as a basketball post, hand railing, or rafter. Ground plates or tripods are typically used for remote cameras placed on the ground. [5]

Triggering

Remote cameras can be fired via hand triggers, sound triggers, proximity sensation, radio transmitters (mainly Bluetooth shutters), or the self-timer built into the camera. [6]

For remotes that are in close proximity to the photographer, hand or sound triggers can be used.

A hand trigger consists of a button or switch that is connected to the camera via a wire that is set to fire the camera's shutter.

For remotes that are placed away from the photographer, radio triggering systems such as the Bluetooth shutter button, Pocket Wizards or Flash Wizards are used. A radio trigger consists of a button or switch that is connected to a radio triggering transmitter or transceiver which is set to fire a radio triggering receiver or transceiver that is connected to the camera via a wire that is set to fire the camera's shutter.

For rocket launches, including the Space Shuttle, remote cameras are triggered by the sound of the launch. [7]

Game camera

Photo of a Chihuahuan raven catching a snake, taken using a remote motion-sensor camera located in the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Corvus cryptoleucus snake.jpg
Photo of a Chihuahuan raven catching a snake, taken using a remote motion-sensor camera located in the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge.

A game camera is a rugged and weather-proof camera designed for extended and unsupervised use outdoors. The images they produce, taken automatically when motion is sensed, are used for game surveillance by hunters, farmers, ranchers and wildlife hobbyists and professionals.

These cameras are intended to be strapped on trees or mounted on tripods (or other items), and they are motion-activated. This motion sensor enables the camera to capture images or videos of animals without using up all of its storage space. [8] However, lots of photos of waving plants and moving water can clog up memory cards. [9]

These cameras have been instrumental in the rediscovery of multiple species once thought to be extinct or driven out of an area, such as with the black-naped pheasant-pigeon, and fishers in Washington state. [10] [11] They have also used by people endeavouring to take photographs of the non-existent creature Bigfoot (among other cryptids). [12] [13]

They can also be helpful for animal loss/rescue in documenting the presence and species of animals, such as determining whether a runaway dog is returning to its home at night or verifying the species actually eating the food left for a stray/feral cat. [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">View camera</span> Large-format camera

A view camera is a large-format camera in which the lens forms an inverted image on a ground-glass screen directly at the film plane. The image is viewed and then the glass screen is replaced with the film, and thus the film is exposed to exactly the same image as was seen on the screen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kite aerial photography</span> Type of photography

Kite aerial photography (KAP) is a type of photography. A camera is lifted using a kite and is triggered either remotely or automatically to take aerial photographs. The camera rigs can range from the extremely simple, consisting of a trigger mechanism with a disposable camera, to complex apparatus using radio control and digital cameras. On some occasions it can be a good alternative to other forms of aerial photography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shutter speed</span> Length of time when the film or digital sensor inside a camera is exposed to light

In photography, shutter speed or exposure time is the length of time that the film or digital sensor inside the camera is exposed to light when taking a photograph. The amount of light that reaches the film or image sensor is proportional to the exposure time. 1500 of a second will let half as much light in as 1250.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monopod</span> Photographic equipment

A monopod, also called a unipod, is a single staff or pole used to help support cameras, binoculars, rifles or other precision instruments in the field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulb (photography)</span> Shutter technique on cameras

The Bulb setting on camera shutters is a momentary-action mode that holds shutters open for as long as a photographer depresses the shutter-release button. The Bulb setting is distinct from shutter's Time (T) setting, which is an alternate-action mode where the shutter opens when the shutter-release button is pressed and released once, and closes when the button is actuated again.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tripod (photography)</span> Provides for the stable formation of cameras

In photography, a tripod is a portable device used to support, stabilize and elevate a camera, a flash unit, or other videographic or observational/measuring equipment. All photographic tripods have three legs and a mounting head to couple with a camera. The mounting head usually includes a thumbscrew that mates to a female-threaded receptacle on the camera, as well as a mechanism to be able to rotate and tilt the camera when it is mounted on the tripod. Tripod legs are usually made to telescope, in order to save space when not in use. Tripods are usually made from aluminum, carbon fiber, steel, wood or plastic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirror lock-up</span>

Mirror lock-up is a feature employed in many Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras. It allows the operator to reduce vibration-induced motion blur during exposure. It also allows the mounting of lenses which extend into the SLR's mirror box when mounted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot shoe</span> Mounting point on top of a camera to attach a flash unit

A hot shoe is a mounting point on the top of a camera to attach a flash unit and other compatible accessories. It takes the form of an angled metal bracket surrounding a metal contact point which completes an electrical connection between camera and accessory for standard, brand-independent flash synchronization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leica R8-R9</span>

The Leica R8 & R9 are manual focus 35 mm single-lens reflex cameras produced by the German firm Leica as the final models of their R series. Development of the R8 began in 1990: the camera was introduced at the 1996 photokina trade show, and was succeeded by the similar Leica R9 in 2002.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to photography:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nature photography</span> Photography genre

Nature photography is a wide range of photography taken outdoors and devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, wildlife, plants, and close-ups of natural scenes and textures. Nature photography tends to put a stronger emphasis on the aesthetic value of the photo than other photography genres, such as photojournalism and documentary photography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports photography</span> Photography genre

Sports photography refers to the genre of photography that covers all types of sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital camera modes</span> User selectable camera configurations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fireworks photography</span>

Fireworks photography is the process of taking photographs of fireworks at night. It is a type of night photography, specifically using available light of the fireworks instead of artificial light. Without using the flash on the camera, the photographer often exposes the image for a period of time, known as long exposure. Brighter fireworks sometimes support shorter exposure times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D90</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D90 is a 12.3 megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) model announced by Nikon on August 27, 2008. It is a prosumer model that replaces the Nikon D80, fitting between the company's entry-level and professional DSLR models. It has a Nikon DX format crop sensor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landscape photography</span> Photography genre

Landscape photography shows the spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, but other times microscopic. Landscape photographs typically capture the presence of nature but can also focus on human-made features or disturbances of landscapes. Landscape photography is done for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most common is to recall a personal observation or experience while in the outdoors, especially when traveling. Others pursue it particularly as an outdoor lifestyle, to be involved with nature and the elements, some as an escape from the artificial world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikon D5100</span> Digital single-lens reflex camera

The Nikon D5100 is a 16.2-megapixel DX-format DSLR F-mount camera announced by Nikon on April 5, 2011. It features the same 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor as the D7000 with 14-bit depth, while delivering Full HD 1080p video mode at either 24, 25 or 30fps. The D5100 is the first Nikon DSLR to offer 1080p video at a choice of frame rates; previous Nikon DSLRs that recorded 1080p only did so at 24 fps. It replaced the D5000 and was replaced by the D5200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monkey selfie copyright dispute</span>

Between 2011 and 2018, a series of disputes took place about the copyright status of selfies taken by Celebes crested macaques using equipment belonging to the British wildlife photographer David J. Slater. The disputes involved Wikimedia Commons and the blog Techdirt, which have hosted the images following their publication in newspapers in July 2011 over Slater's objections that he holds the copyright, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who have argued that the copyright should be assigned to the macaque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selfie stick</span>

A selfie stick is used to take photographs or video by positioning a digital camera device, typically a smartphone, beyond the normal range of the arm. This allows for shots to be taken at angles and distances that would not have been possible with the human arm by itself. The sticks are typically extensible, with a handle on one end and an adjustable clamp on the other end to hold the device in place. As their name suggests, they are most commonly used for taking selfies with camera phones.

Cactus is a brand owned by Harvest One Limited, a Hong Kong company specialized in the design and engineering of photographic wireless lighting equipment including wireless flash triggers, wireless flashes, portable softboxes and studio umbrellas. Its headquarters is in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong.

References

  1. Peter Read Miller (31 August 2013). Peter Read Miller on Sports Photography: A Sports Illustrated photographer's tips, tricks, and tales on shooting football, the Olympics, and portraits of athletes. p. 140. ISBN   978-0133087079 . Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  2. O'Connell, Allan F.; Nichols, James D.; Karanth, K. Ullas (2010-10-05). Camera Traps in Animal Ecology: Methods and Analyses. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 21. ISBN   9784431994954.
  3. Byrne, Robert J. (1968-01-01). Aerodynakic roughness criteria in aeolian sand transport.
  4. Busch, David D. (2006-12-18). Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   9780470085998.
  5. Bigelow, Ron (2010-12-27). Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Digital Photography. Ron Bigelow Photography. ISBN   9780983225706.
  6. Rich, Jason R. (2015-04-08). My GoPro Hero Camera. Que Publishing. ISBN   9780134190815.
  7. "Lift Off! Covering the Launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery".
  8. "What Video Cameras do hunters use? - Just Tech Helps". 2023-01-16. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  9. "Why Does My Trail Camera Takes Pictures of Nothing? Failing Camera or User Error". Exodus Outdoor Gear. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  10. Kobilinsky, Dana (2022-11-21). "Watch: Rare bird recorded after 140 year-absence to science". The Wildlife Society. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  11. "How a simple trail camera led to an epic wildlife discovery | Produced by Seattle Times Marketing". The Seattle Times. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  12. "Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization". www.bfro.net. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  13. $1,000,000 dollar Sasquatch photo challenge Field & Stream 05-29-08 Archived 2009-12-11 at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Feeding Stations and Wildlife Cameras – Missing Pet Partnership". www.missingpetpartnership.org. Retrieved 2017-04-10.