Dressing for a shoot
ONE CAN TAKE a lesson in dressing from the bird-watchers, or twitchers as they are often called.
Avoid colourful and "glaring" clothing. Dress in some old and drab clothes that
you do not mind getting soiled. You may have to kneel, squat, sit on the ground or even lie on
your stomach to get that shot of a lifetime. A ramble in the belukar or the forest in
pursuit of butterflies will soon get you quite dirty whether or not you get your prize-winning
picture.
In my experience, khaki trousers and light-brown,
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long-sleeved shirt are best. I get a
lower success rate when dressed in light or colourful garb. In my experience, butterflies are
more aware of the movements of any light-coloured or colourful objects. It also makes sense to wear
a pair of leech socks when you venture into the bush or forest. These are made of tightly-woven
material, such as muslin, to protect you from leeches. You can concentrate on photography only
when you are secure in the knowledge that you have been "insulated" against these
insidious blood-suckers.
(This article was published in Sojourn Vol 8 No 2, June-August 1996).)
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