What is a Camera trap?
A “camera trap” is not a “trail cam.” Trail cameras, for me, are tools to help me figure out where to set up the “real cameras.” A camera trap consists of a DSLR camera, multiple low-intensity speedlights which are usually mounted in trees, wirelessly communicating with the camera using a trigger/recevier system, and an infrared motion trigger system that fires the camera when an animal steps into the “trap.” Everything about a camera trap is manually configured… all camera settings (including focus), all trigger settings, flash settings, etc. Understanding how to solder and work with fiberglass and epoxy is a big help. Understanding animal behavior is a must. I enjoy wildlife photography because I think it’s the most difficult type of photography. Camera trapping, I believe, is the most difficult form of wildlife photography. It combines mastery of photography itself with fair amounts of biology, ecology, tracking, animal behavior, and above all… patience. CLICK HERE for a video on my YouTube channel explaining a bit more about what goes into a camera trap and the process involved. There are a few other videos on my channel that will give you more detail also, if you want to click around over there.