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Critters Put Life In Cameraman's Favorite Hobby

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

Updated: 02/07/2008 05:23 pm

CARROLLWOOD - Bob Luce is patiently awaiting spring so all the neighborhood critters can come out in "full force."

Luce, 62, is retired and, other than keeping up with the stock market and swimming, he enjoys taking photos of animals in his neighborhood. We asked Luce some questions about his hobby, and he shared some of his photographs.

Q. What made you decide to do photography as a hobby?

A. I got the camera bug many years ago when I lived in Hawaii and took up SCUBA diving.

Q. What have you done in the past?

A. After graduating from high school, I spent three years in the Army, graduated from the University of Hawaii (biology), worked in health care and most recently in IT as a computer programmer.

Q. How did the hobby of taking photos of little creatures get started?

A. When I moved to my current home in Tampa, I found myself surrounded by frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, etc. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures and sending them to friends and relatives. Before long, I was spending money on better cameras and taking more and more photos.

Q. What kind of animals do you look for, and why did you pick those?

A. My favorite subjects are frogs. But I like all reptiles and amphibians, and sometimes birds and insects.

Q. What are some interesting animal facts and photo techniques you have learned along the way?

A. I use digital cameras; will never go back to film. With animals, you must move slowly and quietly; avoid using flash when possible. With small critters, get used to holding the camera at odd angles to get straight-on face shots. Close-up lenses, telephoto lenses, ring flashes and a good tripod are all very helpful. Most point-and-shoot digital cameras allow you to take very close photos without special lenses. Keep your camera ready to go because you never know when you're going to have a great photographic opportunity. Critters like frogs don't wait around for you to set up a tripod or fiddle with camera settings. If you don't have time to set up a tripod, or if the lighting is poor, you'll need image stabilization; it really works. Patience is essential. Be prepared to miss some great shots; you can't control nature.

Q. What other hobbies do you have?

A. I'm an Internet junkie. I love to read the political and financial blogs, the turtle and health forums. I swim regularly for fitness, also do long walks. I snorkel whenever I have an opportunity; haven't SCUBA dived in a while, though. I suppose my turtles are a hobby.

Q. What do you normally do with your photos?

A. I just collect and send them to family and friends. I do make Christmas cards, submit my favorite photos to The Tampa Tribune or Parade magazine in hopes of seeing them printed. I haven't sold any of my photos.

Q. Where do you find the animals/reptiles?

A. There is a conservation area behind our town home where there are all kinds of turtles, lizards, snakes, raccoons, etc. I even saw a fox recently. I sometimes visit Lake Park or Lettuce Lake. I take underwater photos when I snorkel or dive. We do have four aquatic turtles (muds and musks) in a huge aquarium in our living room. Our own turtles lay eggs. When they hatch, I head-start them for about a month and then release them into the wild. My wife and I often rescue turtles on the road or sidewalks and move them to safer surroundings.

Jessica Balanza

Keyword: Critters for a complete gallery of Luce's photos.

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