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Jack Backs (jfbacks) Interview

Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2)


Keywords: family, birds, photography, fe, fm2, d100, d300, d500, jfbacks

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Jack Backs comes from a background of 35 years as a Nikon enthusiast with equipment acquired as a young Chemical Engineer before attending the Southern Illinois School of Dentistry and starting a family. He found that his film equipment satisfied his needs, “…I never felt I needed anything else at that time. Thanks to Nikon’s durability I was able to use this equipment for 20 years.”  Jack transitioned to digital photography when “Nikon introduced the D100 in early 2002 and I quickly switched to DSLR and never looked back.” 

01

My oldest son. Oct 1993. He had fallen against a brick fireplace.
Maybe it’s an image only a parent can appreciate.
Nikon FE, 105mm f/2.5 AI-S, @ f/4, 1/125 sec, Kodacolor II, ASA 100
Click for an enlargement

 

 “My children’s sports activities became my first real area of photographic interest.  One of the more satisfying aspects was sharing images with the other parents. A number of parents would tell me their desktop background was one of my images of their child. Always satisfying.”

02

An image of my youngest son playing soccer (the Goalie)
Nikon D300, 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 200mm, f/3,2, 1/3200s, ISO 200
Click for an enlargement

 

“Unfortunately, oops, I mean fortunately, your children grow up and leave the nest. What to concentrate on photographically now? Let’s see, why not the most difficult, uncooperative, skittish subjects on the face of the planet. Birds! 

03

Snowy Egret taken on vacation at Daytona Beach, FL.
Nikon D300, 70-200mm @ 78mm, f/2.8, 1/8000s, ISO 320
Click for an enlargement

 

I probably started out photographing birds like most people. Starting with birds on feeders, moving to birds around feeders on more natural perches; then it’s off to the woods. At first you’re happy just to get an image of a bird you don’t have. Then it’s a matter of getting closer and closer for better feather detail. The last step is concentrating on the backdrop. I think this is what separates really good images from great images.”

04

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Nikon D300, 400mm f/3.5, @ f/5, 1/1250s, ISO 250
Click for an enlargement

 

 “I live in suburban O’Fallon Missouri.  August Busch Memorial Wildlife Area is a 3000-acre conservation area only a 10-minute drive from my home.  It is a great combination of forests, meadows, lakes and swamps that has habitat for literally every bird that naturally resides in Missouri. I have become intimately knowledgeable where various species reside, such as Pileated Woodpeckers, Prothonotary Warblers, and Yellow Warblers. About the only other area I frequent is Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge. This area is on the Mississippi flyway and I go there in the spring and fall for the waterfowl migration.”

05

Barred Owl. Taken out of the window of my truck on the way to work
Nikon D300, 400mm f/3.5 @ f/4.5, 1/640s, ISO 320
Click for an enlargement

 

“My advice is to find one natural area and spend a significant amount time there. Birds are creatures of habit. Finding where birds feed or even nest is the key to getting close. I probably spend half my time in the woods scouting for these locations. For ducks and other particularly skittish birds I will sit in a one-man chair blind, I don’t prefer this so I normally just dress in full camo and move rather deliberately. I sometimes stand in one spot for half an hour or even more. Photographing birds requires a good deal of patience. 

06

Male Wood Duck.
Nikon D300, 500mm f/4 @ f/5.6, 1/320s, ISO 320.
Click for an enlargement

 

It always amazes me how one can blaze away with a DSLR and the sound rarely spooks a bird, but make one sudden movement and they are off in a flash.  My last bit of advice on getting close to birds is to find a conservation area or seldom traveled country road and take images from your car window… A lot of birds are accustomed to traffic and will be much more tolerant than if you were on foot.”

07

Prothonotary Warbler.
Nikon D500, 500mm f/4 @ f/7.1, 1/800s, ISO 320
Click for an enlargement

 

“I always shoot in manual mode. It seems that I’m always trying to image a white bird on a dark background or a dark bird on a white background. Any type of auto exposure will yield poor results in these situations. My method is to first set the aperture, usually near wide open, then determine an ISO setting that will allow an acceptably fast range of shutter speeds depending on whether I may need to under expose or over expose. I look at the exposure meter in the viewfinder and can very quickly change the shutter speed with the thumb dial in order to under expose or over expose depending on conditions.  I certainly make no claims this is the definitive manner for bird photography. I did try auto ISO mode, but in order under/over expose you need to remove your index from the shutter button to find the exposure compensation button and then rotate the thumb dial.  Some people may be more coordinated than I am, but I find just spinning the thumb dial to change the shutter speed a lot quicker and more intuitive.”

08

Indigo Bunting.
Nikon D500, 500mm f/4 @ f/7.1, 1/400s, ISO 400.
Click for an enlargement

 

“The Nikonians is such great community. As with many people when you have a somewhat obscure question, you type it into google. I found that on any question I had about my Nikon equipment, all the best answers were from the Nikonians forums. I was all in after that. This is the definite Nikon website. There is a multitude of extremely knowledgeable Nikon owners more than willing to help any question you may have.  It’s also a great place to share images and get constructive evaluations by knowledgeable members.”

09

Common Yellowthroat Warbler
Nikon D500, 500mm f/4 @ f/7.1, 1/500s, ISO 400
Click for an enlargement

 

Jack provided such an interesting narrative that further comment within the interview seemed unnecessary.  It was great to review his unique perspectives and hear the strategies he uses to capture his images.  Stunning images captured with such precision and craftsmanship!

 

 

Originally written on April 25, 2017

Last updated on January 21, 2021

Marsha Edmunds Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2)

Donor Ribbon awarded for her support to the Fundraising Campaign 2014 Fellow Ribbon awarded for her continuous encouragement and meaningful comments in the spirit of Nikonians. Donor Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2015 Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2017 Awarded for her in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas.  Awarded for winning in The Best of Nikonians 2019 Photo Contest

Lethbridge, Canada
Team, 13831 posts

More articles by Marsha Edmunds

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14 comments

Radhakrishnan Rajagopalan (radkrishr) on June 7, 2017

Beautiful images Jack! hard work and growing with generations of nikons, the results are very visible. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Never knew one can even try bird photography in manual mode! Something I will try and learn. Cheers!, Radha.

Sarah Boser (Sarah9) on May 6, 2017

Thanks, Jack, for sharing your story, shooting advice, and photos. Your images are wonderful!

Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2) on April 30, 2017

Donor Ribbon awarded for her support to the Fundraising Campaign 2014 Fellow Ribbon awarded for her continuous encouragement and meaningful comments in the spirit of Nikonians. Donor Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2015 Ribbon awarded for her generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2017 Awarded for her in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas.  Awarded for winning in The Best of Nikonians 2019 Photo Contest

It is a pleasure working on this feature. Thanks for all of your comments.

User on April 29, 2017

Thanks Jack for allowing Marsha to bring you to the forefront here in Nikonians, It really is nice when folks are willing to let us into their life’s. Its always a pleasure to view you Captures as they are excellent and as others have stated you are an inspiration to all that view your Photographs. I myself have learned from you as have many others. Keep them coming Jack as many are awaiting the new captures. Cheers Kip

Harish Subramanian (Harish1957) on April 29, 2017

Superb images across generations of Nikon cameras! Nice to know a little bit about the person behind the superb images. Thanks Marsha and Jack.

Jordi Viñas Bascompte (jordivb) on April 29, 2017

Great to know from other Nikonians. I'm in awe with your bird images and knowledge.

Ian McNicol...aka Scotty. (Scotty45) on April 27, 2017

I never hesitate to view your wildlife posts Jack. You are an inspiration.

Kathy Cavallaro (Cavy2) on April 27, 2017

Awarded for her continuing willingness to keep on learning and to share her knowledge with others in the Nikonians spirit Awarded for her in-depth knowledge and high level of skill in several areas. Ribbon awarded as a member who has gone beyond technical knowledge to show mastery of the art a

Thanks Marsha and Jack. Always enjoy reading more about our members. Jack, your images are a delight to view. Very talented and patient photographer!

Roberta Davidson (birdied) on April 27, 2017

Laureate Ribbon awarded for winning in the Best of Nikonians 2013 images Photo Contest

Wonderful shots !! Thank you Marsha for the interview. Always nice to hear about others adventure in photography. Birdie

Ray Heslewood (Hessy) on April 26, 2017

Jack Your images are always a pleasure to view. I can see why now I know how much effort you put in to them. Ray

Donna Knodle (dgknodle) on April 26, 2017

Ribbon awarded for her very generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2017

It's great to learn more about you, Jack. You post such stunning bird photos, and it's nice to learn how you set up these shots. Thank you for sharing this information with us. You are definitely not a "point and shoot" photographer and your results show this. Okay, I'm also envious that you live so close to an outstanding conservation area. A great job on this article and all of your photos on Nikonians!

David Summers (dm1dave) on April 26, 2017

Awarded for high level knowledge and skills in various areas, most notably in Wildlife and Landscape Writer Ribbon awarded for his excellent article contributions to the Nikonians community Donor Ribbon awarded for his very generous support to the Fundraising Campaign 2015 Ribbon awarded as a member who has gone beyond technical knowledge to show mastery of the art a

(Edited by dm1dave Wednesday, 26 April 2017 ) Thank for sharing Jack! Your images are always superb.

Mark Kraus (pipco) on April 26, 2017

Winner in the Annual Nikonians Best Images Contest 2015 Ribbon awarded for his win at the Best of Nikonians 2017 Annual hoto Contest

Thanks Marsha for the interview with Jack. Jack your images are wonderful. And you got it because your images show the time you invest pays off by paying attention to not only your subject but the nice backgrounds. Mark

Fred Laberge (labtrout) on April 25, 2017

Fellow Ribbon awarded for his constant sharing of his skills and continuous comments of encouragement in the Nikonians spirit.

Jack, it's really nice to learn a bit about your background, as well as the motivation, strategies and techniques you use to produce consistently outstanding photographs. I admire your work and am grateful to you, Marsha and Nikonians for sharing your story with us.

G