Hunting Spring Photos with Len Villano

Birds are migrating this time of year and are easily spotted along the trail. A little trick is to stand or sit still for about five minutes, giving the birds time to return to the area once you’ve scared them off. The quieter you are, the closer the birds and wildlife will approach — often close enough to photograph them with your phone.

Most mornings, photographer Len Villano wakes before sunrise. He has to in order to have a chance at capturing the best photos. 

“You can’t wait for sunrise to leave the house,” said the longtime photographer for the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living magazine. “You’ll be there too late.”

The best photos are taken right before sunrise and right after sunset. That’s when the light creates the shadows and hues that separate good photos from great ones and turn otherwise mundane subjects into intriguing stories. 

“The bark of a tree might look like nothing in the middle of the day, but in the right light, with the shadows, [it] can take a really cool shape,” Villano said. 

In the pages that follow, he shares his tips for taking great spring photos along the hiking trail, whether you’re using a top-of-the-line camera or a smartphone.

With landscapes, it’s all about the light — not the quantity, but the quality of light. Get out early in the morning or later in the afternoon for the most appealing light. A bonus is that these are also the times when wildlife is most active, increasing your chances of spotting an animal or two.