Serious wildlife photography
Discussion
So I was looking at this image and thinking it's something I'd really like to do:
There's just something so calming but powerful about it.
Now obviously I'll need a 1ds MKIII and a 100-400, 2x converter and a 600 prime before I book the safari holiday (I better get saving) so that gives me plenty of time to ask if anyone else has done it? If so, post your pictures
There's just something so calming but powerful about it.
Now obviously I'll need a 1ds MKIII and a 100-400, 2x converter and a 600 prime before I book the safari holiday (I better get saving) so that gives me plenty of time to ask if anyone else has done it? If so, post your pictures
Done a bit of it as wildlife and the natural world is something I'm really interested in.
My top tips from my limited experience
1. Research when and where for your target species - easy to say go on a safari holiday but hit the Serengeti when the wildebeest are in the Masai Mara or the wet season for the Okavango delta and you'll more than likely miss what you went to photograph. Also bear in mind if you want to photogrpah particular behaviour e.g puffins with sand eels in their beaks, then you need a very specific time slot in the year
2. Decide what you're going to do - what I mean here is, is it a holiday with a decent amount of photography or is it photography with a bit of holiday as well. Especially important if you have an other half to consider
3. Decide who to go with - perhaps one of the most important decisions to make sure you get the right guide to get you in the right place at the right time in what will be an unfamiliar environment. A good guide is worth their weight in gold, especially one who understands the needs of a photographer
4. Get up very early - often very good light around dawn and the animals are up early so you need to be where they are
Gear is so much less important than knowing your animal behaviour. For instance in the bird you are looking at on a perch has a dump it is often getting ready for take-off by shedding excess weight. You can then get ready for a wing spread take-off shot and be ready for the right moment. Having said that for lots of animals e.g birds in flight then having good fast lenses and sophisticated AF is always handy
Chris
My top tips from my limited experience
1. Research when and where for your target species - easy to say go on a safari holiday but hit the Serengeti when the wildebeest are in the Masai Mara or the wet season for the Okavango delta and you'll more than likely miss what you went to photograph. Also bear in mind if you want to photogrpah particular behaviour e.g puffins with sand eels in their beaks, then you need a very specific time slot in the year
2. Decide what you're going to do - what I mean here is, is it a holiday with a decent amount of photography or is it photography with a bit of holiday as well. Especially important if you have an other half to consider
3. Decide who to go with - perhaps one of the most important decisions to make sure you get the right guide to get you in the right place at the right time in what will be an unfamiliar environment. A good guide is worth their weight in gold, especially one who understands the needs of a photographer
4. Get up very early - often very good light around dawn and the animals are up early so you need to be where they are
Gear is so much less important than knowing your animal behaviour. For instance in the bird you are looking at on a perch has a dump it is often getting ready for take-off by shedding excess weight. You can then get ready for a wing spread take-off shot and be ready for the right moment. Having said that for lots of animals e.g birds in flight then having good fast lenses and sophisticated AF is always handy
Chris
My neighbour retired early some years ago (b
d) and has a passing interest obsession in taking photos of tigers etc.
He has kit that most professionals would envy and travels away three or four times a year to take photos and make sure his adopted 'family of tigers' are all OK. His website here may be a bit cheesy but the quality of his photos have to bee seen.
My own company produces canvases (linky here) and some of the work we have done for him is quite truly outstanding.
I think his current weapon of choice is a 1D MK III with a 300mm 2.8L, but he has a bucket load of other kit to help him get by!
His website is worth a look around if you have a bit of spare time
d) and has a passing He has kit that most professionals would envy and travels away three or four times a year to take photos and make sure his adopted 'family of tigers' are all OK. His website here may be a bit cheesy but the quality of his photos have to bee seen.
My own company produces canvases (linky here) and some of the work we have done for him is quite truly outstanding.
I think his current weapon of choice is a 1D MK III with a 300mm 2.8L, but he has a bucket load of other kit to help him get by!
His website is worth a look around if you have a bit of spare time
M-J-B said:
My neighbour retired early some years ago (bd) and has a passing interest obsession in taking photos of tigers etc.
He has kit that most professionals would envy and travels away three or four times a year to take photos and make sure his adopted 'family of tigers' are all OK. His website here may be a bit cheesy but the quality of his photos have to bee seen.
My own company produces canvases (linky here) and some of the work we have done for him is quite truly outstanding.
I think his current weapon of choice is a 1D MK III with a 300mm 2.8L, but he has a bucket load of other kit to help him get by!
His website is worth a look around if you have a bit of spare time
Wow, he's very lucky, some fantastic shots there.d) and has a passing He has kit that most professionals would envy and travels away three or four times a year to take photos and make sure his adopted 'family of tigers' are all OK. His website here may be a bit cheesy but the quality of his photos have to bee seen.
My own company produces canvases (linky here) and some of the work we have done for him is quite truly outstanding.
I think his current weapon of choice is a 1D MK III with a 300mm 2.8L, but he has a bucket load of other kit to help him get by!
His website is worth a look around if you have a bit of spare time
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