Mya Van Woudenberg (@mya.vanw) is a wildlife biologist turned conservation storyteller based in Lekwungen territory on Vancouver Island. From a young age she knew she wanted to dedicate her life to helping protect biodiversity. She had seen people’s outlooks (herself included) tangibly change through conservation photography and nature documentaries, where wildlife stories were put on a main stage and people were inspired to take action. That is the positive change Mya wants to be a part of. “Through photography and videography, environmental stories can be given a different voice—one that everyone can understand. By fostering an appreciation of the natural world through these avenues, we can better protect the many beings that call this place home.”
Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7R IV
–Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G
Mya is grateful to live on the West Coast where her neighbors are towering cedars, eagles, bears and salmon (among many others!). Thanks to her Sony cameras and lenses, she’s able to capture images of these incredible creatures and share them with audiences. Below, Mya outlines her go-to gear and why she selected it.
Cameras
Sony Alpha 7R IV: The Alpha 7R IV has been a game changer for my wildlife photo and video work. As a conservation storyteller, ethical photography practices of respecting my subject’s space and well-being are a must. With its crisp resolution and outstanding 61MP sensor, I know I can stay a safe distance away while having the flexibility of cropping the images in post while maintaining sharpness. This way I can capture beautiful media of coastal species in their natural element while avoiding encroaching on their space.
The autofocusing and tracking features of the Sony Alpha 7R IV are also stellar for making sure I can snap a bear fishing for salmon or a duck taking off without worrying about missing the moment. I’m consistently impressed by the number of keepers I get while rattling off bursts of shots to capture all the action.
"An Anna’s hummingbird hovers amid flowers during her search for dinner. The crystal clear resolution and strong ISO performance of the Sony Alpha 7R IV helps freeze wildlife in action even in low light." Photo by Mya Van Woudenberg. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/1000-sec., f/6.3, ISO 3200
Lenses
Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G: I like to keep my bag as light as possible while I’m trekking through the beaches and forests of Vancouver Island in search of wildlife, so my 200-600mm lens has been my mainstay lens for years. With the ability to stay wider or go in for the close up, I’m always confident that I can get the perfect shot with this lens. The internal zoom mechanism is also great when I’m handholding my camera so I can more easily maintain my position and keep the shot steady while framing up a bird taking off or sea lion about to dive.
"A mother raccoon pauses to pose for the camera. The versatility of the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G means you have the flexibility to set up wide environmental portraits or go in for the close up." Photo by Mya Van Woudenberg. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/250-sec., f/6.3, ISO 2500
Accessories
Lowepro Protactic Backpack 450 AW II: This is my Mary Poppins bag. With the ample storage space I’ve been able to secure my full kit. laptop and travel gear without a problem.
Gitzo Tripod (GT5543LS) & Fluid Gimbal Head: This tripod has been a bedrock piece of equipment for my wildlife filming. Sturdy enough to stand firm in gusting winds all while allowing me to smoothly track wildlife.
Extra Batteries & SD Cards: As I go out on remote multi-day shoots without being able to recharge, having a collection of extra batteries and SD cards means I can keep shooting without worrying about running out of juice or storage space.
Photo by Mya Van Woudenberg. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/1600-sec., f/6.3, ISO 1000
Rain Gear & Camera Cover: Living in the Pacific Northwest, you need to be prepared for a turn in weather at any time. I always carry rain gear on me so that I can keep on shooting no matter the conditions (plus rain makes an excellent dramatic backdrop for wildlife!).
Lens Cleaning Kit (Spray, Cloth & Air Blower): Since I’m pretty much exclusively shooting outdoors, making sure I have cleaning supplies to tidy up my gear is super important!
Bear Spray: I’m often trekking in the rainforests of Vancouver Island which are home to stunning black bears, so keeping bear spray on hand is a must.
Photo by Mya Van Woudenberg. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/4000-sec., f/7.1, ISO 1000
Notebook & Pen: Whether jotting down an exciting wildlife sighting or capturing a new story idea, having a notebook handy is always useful.
Snacks & A Drink: There’s nothing like being hangry to put a damper on photoshoots so I always carry a snack and drink with me. Plus caffeine is a must when chasing the early morning golden hour!
See more of Mya Van Woudenberg’s work on Instagram @mya.vanw.
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