My approach to Wildlife & Macro Photography.

Having been asked a while back if I would write a section on how I go about getting shots of my wildlife and animals, I have finally put pen to paper.
I don’t think there is a hard and fast rule to this, I would say that it is more a means of enjoying the subject of wildlife or macro and just spending some time in various habitats and looking for subjects, and the best places also for practising are your local conservation centre’s, wildlife trust walks and your every day local park.

Il start with my kit, I use the 1D mkllN with either the 70-200L f2.8 IS USM
Or 100-400L f4.5-5.6 IS USM for most of my wildlife shots, especially birds in flight, and fast moving animals, for macro/closeup I use the Canon 40D with the 50mm 1.8 II and the Kenko tubes, but any zoom/telephoto will be adequate, it may just mean that you have to get closer to your subject depending on the focal length of your lense. I rarely, if ever use a tripod, but that’s my choice, I prefer to work handheld as this leaves me more freedom to get into some awkward places like ditches and bushes on the search for various subjects without having to get tripods caught up in undergrowth etc.

People have asked if I go out at certain times of the day for specific subjects like butterflys as it often states that early mornings and later afternoons are good times for these creatures to be about, but I have actually been out in meadows at 6.00am intending to get some shots, but at that time of the day they are’nt warmed up enough to be active or even visible,as they are still rested up in the grasses waiting for the sun to warm through, I have managed to get my shots during various times of the day so I don’t hold true to that rule.
I have just recently planted budlia bushes and bright and colourful plants in my garden that will attract bee’s and butterflys, if you have’nt a large enough garden, this can still be achieved in pots and window boxes, in the 2 weeks I have planted these, I have had numerous butterflys and bees that I have’nt had in the past, it does work and with a little patience its great to have natural habitat that attracts wildlife right on your doorstep, also I don’t live in the middle of the country if your wondering, I live in a village which is quite built up with neighbours and houses all around me.
For insects, bee’s, butterflys etc, you have to be prepared to get your head in places we don’t often like, and down on the floor again with your nose close to things we feel may eat us! all these can generally be found in any open space or field/garden, certain species go for specific grasses and flowers, also, look under leaves on trees and under old lumps of wood for the bugs and creepy crawlies, hedgerows and bushes are great places for harmless spiders and their fascinating webs, gorse is a great one for the Garden funnel web, blackberry bushes are a great attractant to common lizards on hot days, you have to look very carefully and quietly for these as they camoflage well into the foliage, I use both zooms and 50mm for these shots., and for real closeup head, torso and greater detail shots, I always attach my kenko extention rings, my favourite is the 12mm, I like the DOF and closeness it allows, getting the detail I want.
Butterflys can be more of a challenge, when I spot one I want to photograph I just stand and watch, watch where it goes, follow slowly, and if it lands, tread softly and slowly, making sure that your shadow doesn’t go over the butterfly as this will make it fly off , slowly approach with your camera, remembering ( I know this sounds bizarre) to hold your breath (if your going to get in really close ie tubes,) at the last minute as even this will make it fly off , if your lucky to get your shots, be thankful, and leave the creature unharmed as you found it.

Dragonflies and damselflies are similar to butterflies with their movements, very still hot days are good for these, especially around ponds, lakes and waterways, larger species like hawkers patrol fields and meadows for territories and can be found resting on trees, and grasses, approach the same as described for butterflies.

For larger subjects ie. Foxes, deer, badgers etc it helps to try and find a place where they have their sets, dens or graze at regualr times of the day, which deer are quite well known to do, I then spend a few times just watching their movements, noting the times that they appear when I am there and then come at those times with the camera with foxes, badgers and deer normally early morning and evening are best times, since March I have been monitoring a badgers set, going there early evening, setting up equipment (this is were I did use a tripod due to very bad light) and waiting, sometimes for a couple of hours before they start to show, il always sit with the wind coming towards me and also this is where I get well camoflaged up (no face paints may you ask!) but head to toe in camo gear, I have had the pleasure of watching nine badgers in one set on a regular basis, the pictures I have taken I will treasure, and the video footage never get bored watching.

With my bird shots ie the starlings etc, these are taken in my back garden, I have two bird feeders set up and when the starlings arrive to feed (you normally hear them before you see them arrive!) I get my shots this way, I use the 70-200L normally for this as a lot of panning is required and I find this size zoom suitable due to its large aperature and fast shutter speed. Most birds in wild situations need to be approached very quietly, you need to be well camoflaged and have a lot of patience and be prepared to come home with no shots! I have spent a week of which every morning at 6.00am sat in a makeshift hide waiting for the kingfisher to arrive, I had watched the stretch of river the previous week, noting the time it arrived and where is settled to feed, I picked a certain place on the river bank and placed a perch (large stick stuck into the bank of the river) I had 4 days out of the 7 when it arrived at approx 7.15am in the mornings, landing on the perch sometimes for seconds of which I had to be very quick and get a shot, once it dived and came back on the perch with a small fish, this time I was so mesmorised by this sight that I forgot to push the shutter button!! But I have that picture in my personal hardrive….my head.

I Could go on and on about my challenges with wildlife photography, but what I am trying to get over is, you don’t have to go to foreign climates to get great wildlife shots, all mine are from the UK and a large percentage are when I have been out on walks in local parks etc with my dogs, also a lot are from my own back yard, but wherever they are taken, you need patience and a tactful approach, a love of photography but mostly a passion for your subjects., Oh and take your camera EVERYWHERE with you, theres wildlife and beasties all around you.

The pictures below are all creatures in natural surroundings, i just used a good camoflage and a bit of patience.

Attached Images

	badgers forum.jpg (232.8 KB, 40 views)
	forum1aok.jpg (182.4 KB, 39 views)
	kingfisher forum.jpg (238.1 KB, 40 views)
	email fox1.jpg (150.6 KB, 39 views)

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"Take only pictures, Leave only footprints, kill only time"



www.bevbarkerphotos.com
www.k9imageworld.com

Nice one Miss T, very well written and informative, just got to force a couple of kids to leave home so i can afford all the kit! Well done (doffs cap in deference) 5 stars

Joking about the kit will have to make do with what i have and be inventive, have one of those gorrillapods they are useful and weigh nothing, they do attach to anything and give a good base very quickly

Joby - Gorillapod SLR-ZOOM

Only £23 quid Amazon delivered

Use with my triod head and find it good Amazon.co.uk: Joby Gorillapod - SLR Zoom: Joby: Electronics & Photo

Thanks again Sweetie Pie

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Denny Boy

"You Cannot Depend on Your Eyes if Your Imagination is Out of Focus"

DP-J Photography My Own Website

My Flickr Site

Glad you liked it Denny, not too good on write ups i should of mentioned not to go on my kit, although my macro gear is i think the cheapest set up you can get compact cameras have a macro setting and they obtain very good results, i always think never blame the tools, just make thebest of them.

The gorilla pod has a very good reviews, thanks for the links.

__________________
"Take only pictures, Leave only footprints, kill only time"



www.bevbarkerphotos.com
www.k9imageworld.com

Very well written, thank you for taking the time to put this together and sharing with use.
All the best
Paul

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Ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, but anyone going faster is a maniac!!

A really good read Bev

I really admire your work and it's great to have an insight to how it is achieved.
One question do you edit your shots in PS etc??

Hi Len, not answering for the mighty Miss T, but she has said to me she likes to do minimal PS work apart from levels and brightening the image a bit maybe. (asked her on another thread you may have missed) sure she will confirm this mate. That just makes her work more amazing doesnt it?

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Denny Boy

"You Cannot Depend on Your Eyes if Your Imagination is Out of Focus"

DP-J Photography My Own Website

My Flickr Site

Sure does but then we already know this.
Been to the lake district today first time out with camera since getting it back

Hey Bev.....big tco skin licks and 'oh so sexy' smooches for you my friend. Excellent write up, thank you very much indeed.

Big love at ya girl....spot on x

Good readin'

Many thanks Paul, Tco, Len and Denny, just glad it came over ok.

Len, Denny is right about the PP work on my images, as little as poss is my liking. Glad to hear the camera is back! hope you had a good day back with it.

__________________
"Take only pictures, Leave only footprints, kill only time"



www.bevbarkerphotos.com
www.k9imageworld.com

Great read thanks Bev, very informative.

Mike