Clothing for Wildlife photography

[baronsdale]

What do you wear when going on a shoot to blend in with the countryside??

What would people reccommend??

Steve

[Owl-Light]

There is such a big range to choose from these days. It very much depends on the conditions, the environment and how far you want to go really. Think of your location first, maybe take a photo of it and then select shades that blend with areas of cover you see there.

Being comfortable is a big consideration, ease of movement and warmth and keeping dry. You don't want to be fidgeting around if you can help it and you won't sit still for long if you're cold and wet. Go for muted colours that blend with the particular environment. Foliage colours are usually your best bet generally but in the wintertime blue-greys and pale dusky blues can be useful too in bleaker weather, in misty conditions or near water.

Pick something water proof but not rustly and make sure your outline isn't obvious such as standing on a hilltop with your back to the open sky. Check around you and pick some cover that will at least mask your outline from behind if at all possible.

If you want to go the whole hog then Wildlife Watching Supplies do a range of camo gear that will make you and your equipment pretty much invisable. Costly though. The site is worth a look regardless of whether you are going to buy anything or not, just for ideas, there are more useful tips on there too. Hope that helps a bit

[chunkychambers]

Originally Posted by baronsdale

What do you wear when going on a shoot to blend in with the countryside??

What would people reccommend??

Steve

What you wear is important, but not as important as your field-craft knowledge about the subject you're trying to photograph.

When I go deer stalking I wear a camoflage jacket and dark green jeans, avoid waterproofs because they "rustle"
I wear old black trainers rather than boots because they allow me to be sure footed and quiet in the woods.
Make sure my face, hands, and neck are covered, these areas stand out in a dark wood.

I know that deer have excellent smell and hearing so I always walk with the wind in my face. Their eyesight however is not as good, they're probably colour blind, so if I disturb them I know to stand stock still and my clothing will allow me to blend into the background.

[nightshade]

I use the Country innovations Ventile material coat and trousers

[Hokum]

Coat:
I use an alpha industries US standard northern Europe jacket, heavy weight cotton with a WP wax coating (i added this my self).

Body:
I wear buttoned camo or Olive drab cargo pants or combats. An olive drab head warmer and a camo scrim neck warmer which i pull about my face to obcure it a little. Body depending on temp, a fleece i use a timberland WP olive drab fleece.

Extermites: i use sticky thickys gloves which are great with cameras, or if its freezing ex finnish army mitts/fingerless gloves. Boots are Ecco's (cant remember the model) black gortex.

I have been wearing this and actively taking pictures, with an oly E-1 and had a young red deer buck almost walk over my body, it was only when it stood on a twig and i moved that it spotted me!

This shot was taken with a 400mm Full frame, wearing the above but just the fleece.

Red_deer_1.jpg :: Red Deer @ Fotopic.Net

[Owl-Light]

I'd say the results speak for themselves Hokum. Superb shot.

[Alan]

Remember most mammals are colour-blind as their eyesight is often geared towards nocturnal habits where discerning movement is more important that colour. So any mid-tone or drab clothing will do. Avoid the extremes such as black and white or tones that contrast with the landscape.

If birds are your target on the other hand, although they have good colour vision, you could say that your clothing doesn’t matter so much as their sight is so good they’ll spot you coming a mile off anyway! That’s why hide work is often more productive for these. Also as many get quite used to us going about our business they can be a lot more approachable than mammals.

For dry weather try army type jackets/trousers (not necessarily camo) that have plenty of pockets, but without Velcro straps if at all possible (too noisy). Fleeces are good if you don’t need the pockets, but can gather unwanted undergrowth such as Burdock seeds and stickybuds (Woodruff seeds).

There’s plenty of good waterproof gear on the market these days such as Gortex, but for the type of material that doesn’t rustle and ‘swish’ with the slightest movement, it’ll cost you. As said you can waterproof your own, but with wax it can result in a strong smell, which could deter mammals if you can’t avoid being down-wind of them – though even without the extra smells they’d probably pick your scent up anyway if you’re up-wind. I must admit though, I like waxed waterproof trousers better as they're thicker so you tend not to get thorns etc stuck in your knees!

Camo gear is ok if you really need to hide your presence, but in popular areas it often attracts unwanted attention as I often feel people wonder if your stalking animals or them! Funny look city! Save it for the out of the way places.

Hats, gloves and scrim are always handy for covering pale skin, as well as keeping you warm.

For all but the wettest situations hiking boots will do or even trainers as was mentioned for certain situations. You can always put plastic sandwich bags over your socks if they leak at all. Gaiters are handy for wet moorlands or in deep snow.

I think it’s often the case the if you feel comfortable wearing a particular colour or type of clothing, you’ll probably get better results as it puts you in the right frame of mind. Whereas if all you do is fiddle with or worry about what people think you’re getting upto etc, your mind won’t be on the job in hand.

As has been said, fieldcraft is just as important.

Of course you could always dress-up as a pantomime deer, but watch your back for those rutting stags!

[Stevie]

Sorry for casting up a very old post but i found this post while searching google for wildlife photography clothing. If you are like me and don't like to be dressed in full camo gear have a look at Stealth Gear Wildlife Photography Specialists they offer a new range of dedicated wildlife photographers clothing.

[Jethro Tull]

Originally Posted by Stevie

Sorry for casting up a very old post but i found this post while searching google for wildlife photography clothing. If you are like me and don't like to be dressed in full camo gear have a look at Stealth Gear Wildlife Photography Specialists they offer a new range of dedicated wildlife photographers clothing.

Also check out Jack Pyke range of camo clothes great value and very well made!

[aland]

Do not be a coward, go in bright pink so that the wildlife as a chance and gets away before being shot,aland