5 reasons to use Bushnell camera traps as a photographer
To capture the wilderness in South and Central America, I spent nearly seven months there. I worked with my familiar setup with wide focal lengths, but this time I also used Bushnell camera traps. These automatic cameras are triggered by movement or heat, capturing photos or videos of passing animals. The technology has improved enormously in recent years and has become invaluable for wildlife photographers. In this article, I talk more about the five reasons why I love working with Bushnell camera traps.
About Sasan Amir
Sasan Amir is a professional wildlife photographer and filmmaker who has dedicated his life to connecting the beauty of wilderness with people. For his South and Central America project, he travelled to Bolivia, Galápagos, Ecuador, México, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Besides his standard camera equipment, he also took four Bushnell camera traps with him.
Bushnell 4K trail cameras
I use two Bushnell 32MP CORE™ DS-4K (tree bark camo no glow) and two Bushnell 30MP Dual Core 4K (tree bark camo no glow). These are wildlife cameras with an invisible infrared flash (no glow) with a range of up to 33 metres. They have impressive 4K video resolution and take photos of 32MP and 30MP respectively. The internal storage capacity is 512GB, which means I can collect footage for months. The “tree bark camo” casing means they hardly stand out in nature. An adjustable strap makes it easy to attach them to a tree.
Unobtrusive observation
Animals want to be left alone. Only then do they exhibit their natural behaviour, which is essential for good observation. Camera traps are inconspicuous and are used precisely in places where it is important to capture behaviour without disturbance. Unlike me as a photographer, who has to be physically present and can thus scare animals or influence their behaviour, camera traps observe continuously and undisturbed. This produces more authentic and natural images.
Access to hard-to-reach places
Especially in the jungle, it is difficult to study animals for long periods unless you have the right equipment. Many wildlife species live in remote or hard-to-reach areas. Camera traps make it possible to monitor these places without having to be present yourself as a photographer. This is particularly valuable in densely forested areas or high mountains, where human presence can be difficult or even dangerous. Think rough terrain, extreme weather conditions or the presence of predators and venomous snakes as in the wilderness in South and Central America.
Long-term data collection
I let the camera traps hang in one place for a long time and they collect data continuously. This is ideal for tracking seasonal behaviour or capturing rare moments such as mating or hunting. Bushnell wildlife cameras are perfect for this. With their high resolution, invisible infrared flash and long battery life, they can collect data for months without disturbing animals.
Constant monitoring creates a much more complete picture than occasional sightings. As a result, you get a better understanding of what is going on at that particular spot in nature. This is why camera traps are such a valuable tool for photographers.
Documenting shy or nocturnal animals
Many wild animals are shy or nocturnal, making them difficult to observe or photograph. Camera traps with night vision and infrared technology make it possible to capture these animals even in the dark. For example, the Bushnell 32MP CORE™ DS-4K has a “no glow” infrared flash. With their invisible flash and 4K video quality, they capture animals without disturbance, even at a distance of up to 33 metres. So I know which animals live around that particular spot and whether it's worth keeping a lookout.
Cost-effectiveness and safety
Using camera traps can be more cost-effective than permanent expeditions. It also minimises the risk to yourself, as dangerous encounters with animals or adverse weather conditions can be avoided. Photographers can use multiple cameras simultaneously in different locations, which increases the efficiency of data collection. For example, I hung four Bushnell cameras to get a better understanding.
Possible applications and technology
Bushnell's modern camera traps feature high-resolution sensors, motion detection, time-lapse features and wireless transmission options. Some models even offer real-time transmission, allowing photographers to access their cameras from home and view captured images or videos. This was less the case for me in the Amazon, as we sometimes don't even have GPS reception there. But even there, I don't need real-time recording!
"It requires local knowledge of the animals' habits and their preferred routes."
Proper placement of camera traps is necessary for successful recording. It requires local knowledge of the animals' habits and their preferred routes to place cameras in strategic locations. Often wildlife use paths through which other animals also walk. These can be good spots for camera traps or watering holes. The latter works very well and also provides a wide variety of wildlife shots.
Challenges and ethical considerations
Despite the advantages, the use of camera traps also has challenges. There is always the risk of theft or damage, for example by curious animals or vandalism. There are also ethical questions about disturbing natural habitats. As a photographer, you have to ensure that your work does not harm animal welfare. Attentiveness and respectful handling are therefore the absolute priority.
A camera trap as a photographer's powerful tool
Camera traps are an indispensable tool for me to capture wild animals without disturbing them. They give me the opportunity to study and document the natural behaviour of animals, exactly as it is. With technological advances, they are becoming more powerful and versatile, which only increases the possibilities. Especially for photographers who want to capture the invisible, they are priceless. In doing so, Bushnell sets high standards for both photo quality and durability of their camera traps. Since my cameras often hang outside for months in all weathers, reliability is very important to me.
