Technique
FIND THE BEETLE Weevils are tiny beetles – around 6mm in length – so spotting them is a challenge in itself. This is an acorn weevil, shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, 1/200sec at f/14 and ISO 400, with flash
Great pictures of captive creatures are not beyond the realms of possibility. Look for good vantage points clear of any fencing, and where backgrounds look more natural, then learn when feeding times are, so you stand a chance of capturing activity. Some venues are more photographer- friendly than others – check this first on their websites. Speaking of feeding, food is the perfect way of getting birds within camera range, whether that’s swans and ducks at the local park, or starlings and goldfinches in the garden. Feeders are easy to set up, with seeds, nuts and fat balls widely available. Give it some time and you will quickly build up a regular avian clientele. Generally, a telephoto lens is demanded for a good image size, perhaps with the camera on a support to aid stability. That said, with today’s image stabilisation systems and high ISO skills, you can work handheld. Shoot birds on feeders, but if you prefer a more natural look, place feeders near a perch like a bough – or set up a branch stood in a soil-filled pot for the birds to sit on, while they wait their turn at the goodies you provide. Such pictures look best with natural-looking backgrounds, so position your perch to avoid fencing and brick-wall backdrops. Garden birds have great potential for photography, but if you are feeling more ambitious, there are plenty of viable locations around the UK – check out the RSPB and Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust online. Their URLs and other useful websites are in the Contact panel. There are also plenty of pro photographers and businesses specialising in nature photo breaks, “You should always respect your subject and its environment, so thismeans not getting too close”
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY IS a huge subject – and because our islands are blessed with such a beautifully rich and diverse range of living things, you can indulge yourself without having to leave those shores. Assuming you’re not already a dedicated birder or bug photographer, nature presents such a diverse canvas, it helps if you narrow down what interests you – that will dictate how to approach the subject and the gear that’s required. Let’s kick off with the great range of photogenic native mammals – and you may not have to go far to enjoy them with your camera. Rabbits are very common, as are grey squirrels. For all you know, your garden might already be a stopping-off point for the local fox and a regular port of call for hedgehogs. Depending where you live, venture further afield and deer of various sorts, hares, wild horses and seals are also worth considering. Experienced nature workers have fieldcraft to help them get the most from their targets, so at this point, a few online searches are essential. Most active times, food preferences, points of behaviour and potential locations are things to look at – or you could just wing it. A walk in the local park or wood may deliver photo encounters with grey squirrels, or if you’ve spotted rabbits on the roadside, park up safely and wait for them to make an appearance. Coming up soon is a popular autumn subject. Red deer are the largest UK land mammal; always worth photographing, especially during the annual rut (their mating season), which starts in September and continues to early November. It is worth saying that you should always respect your subject and its environment, whatever you’re photographing. This means not getting too close or disrupting them, or leaving behind litter. If you intend to bait animals to entice them to your camera, check what you should use – or even that it’s OK to do so. If your taste is for more exotic creatures, a trip to a zoo and wildlife park is in order. They have their own challenges, and you may be dealing with fencing in the foreground, untidy backgrounds, and have to shoot through thick, perhaps dirty, glass.
BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES This is a green-veined white, captured on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 100mm f/2.8 macro, 1/200sec at f/11 and ISO 800
Natural Britain Of course, it would be wonderful to photograph polar bears in the Arctic, penguins in the Antarctic or lions in the Serengeti. But great nature pictures are never far away – and can be found in your garden, the local park or nature reserve. We take a closer look at the vibrant opportunities on your doorstep
Issue 91 | Photography News 13
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