Edge of Night

Jess Findlay's Image

A ghostly barn owl exits the hayloft window of a derelict barn to hunt in fields outside Vancouver, Canada.

Jess quietly watched the owl for several nights to understand its habits.

He set up an invisible beam that would trigger a flash when the owl flew out of the barn. Simultaneously, a slow shutter speed gathered ambient light cast on the clouds and barn.

On the tenth night, all the moving parts came together as the owl left to begin its hunt.


Behind the lens

Jess Findlay

Canada

Born in Vancouver, Canada, Jess spent his childhood hiking and birdwatching with his family throughout the Pacific Northwest. With help from his nature photographer father, his interest in the outdoors grew into a passion for artistically documenting living creatures and dramatic landscapes.

Image details

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark III
  • 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 lens
  • 30 sec at f7.1  •   ISO 1000  •   Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT  •   Cognisys Sabre sensor
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.

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