photographing british animals?

[Joel.W]

How do people get such great wildlife photos of british animals. Where do you go to see these british animals as all i ever seem to see are squirrels and rabbits. How do people get so close to the wildlife aswell? basically im after any tips or techniques to help me find and photograph british wildlife as so far, ive had little success. thanks - Joel

[Ann2]

My guess is that some of these photos are taken of british animals in captivity, at the likes of the British Wildlife Centre, Wildwood Trust etc. They are used to people and are encouraged to come closer to the photographers with food.

Ann

[Ann2]

Ooh, as an afterthought (just noticed your location), you could try Formby National Trust, north of Liverpool. It's a great location for getting close to red squirrels and as far as I know there is still a fox that comes to be fed by locals, late in the afternoon too.

Ann

[Joel.W]

ive been there in the past and its great! thats one of the only places ive managed to get good wildlife photos. I was thinking about some time in the summer going to cannock chase as im told they have deer and various reptiles living there too, i don't know what the chances of seeing wildlife there are though. thanks for your replies - Joel

[Ukwildlifeo]

Originally Posted by Ann2

My guess is that some of these photos are taken of british animals in captivity, at the likes of the British Wildlife Centre, Wildwood Trust etc. They are used to people and are encouraged to come closer to the photographers with food.

Ann

oo cheers for the heads up on Wildwood Trust. Thats near where my gf lives. Guess where shes getting dragged to next time I visit....

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Joel.W

ive been there in the past and its great! thats one of the only places ive managed to get good wildlife photos. I was thinking about some time in the summer going to cannock chase as im told they have deer and various reptiles living there too, i don't know what the chances of seeing wildlife there are though. thanks for your replies - Joel

theres certainly lots of wildlife on the chase - but your chances of seeing it are inversely proportional to the number of people arround - thus it is best to go early morning when joe public has not yet got up

you might find this site useful for more info CANNOCK CHASE - FAUNA

also with regard to getting close to deer this site gives some useful info on sites The British Deer Society - Find out where to see deer and also check out this thread for advice on when and where Red Deer rut

[Joel.W]

wow, thanks for the links, there great! The plan was to go to the chase after ive finished exams sometime late june/early july. I was going to try and go as early as possible as i know you see more stuff at that time. I was looking on the site for cannock chase a while back but cant seem to find it now, just dead links on the forestry commision website. I guess i will just have to go and see what i manage to spot while im out. Do you know if there are any hides there that can be used to spot the wildlife? thanks for the help guys, i really apreciate it

[Deer Hunter]

As a semi professaional wildlife cameraman I adopt what I term as ROT - Research - Observe - Take.

Research your subject, where are you going to find say a Munjac deer, what is their life style.

Observe, spend time observing your subject for a few days - what time of day do they appear etc, etc. make notes,distance from you - what size lens will you need to take, will you need a hide.

Take, When you have the above in place then set your cameras up for the shoot.

[eeyore]

very true , however you forgot the rest in full it's ROT R S RtP TAT

thats research observe take

reveiw (your images)
swear
retire to pub
There's always tommorow

joking aside there is a serious point here - dont be disapointed or put off if you dont get great shots straight away , most of us dont get great shots most of the time, and that is true across the board from semi pros like me and 'im up to full time pros like Andy Rouse

anyone who says that they only ever take keepers either has very low standards or is lying.

[Joel.W]

at the minute im spending all my time on A level exams, but as soon as these are finished i plan to do alot of reading up about deer, as i would love to see and photograph these. I understand that wildlife photography takes alot of time and effort and patience in getting results, with shows like springwatch on the TV its easy to take the amazing shots they get for granted. I will be free this summer to try my best and hopefully get some nice pictures. Thanks for all the help and advice guys, i really do appreciate it.