Wildlife photography courses in the UK

d70mpv · #1 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 06:28 PM

Hi, would anyone recommend any wildlife courses that they've been on in the UK? You know the type, typically 1-2 days (maybe at a zoo), usually about £100. There's a lot of them out there and I wondered if anyone had had any glowing experiences, or not for that matter.

beckiscott · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 08:38 PM

i got bought a session with Ben Hall for xmas from my other half.

There was half a dozen of us and it was a good get together. Not sure i learnt as much technical stuff as i'd have liked, but was good to be able to chat and Ben was more than happy for us to contact him - which helped me a great deal when deciding on which telephoto lens i wanted to buy!

Part the reason we went with Ben was he is based near to our us, and had an exhibition on locally which was really inspiring.

Ben Hall Photography

Ukwildlifeo · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 11:15 PM

where abouts are you based

Hobjob · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d70mpv

Hi, would anyone recommend any wildlife courses that they've been on in the UK? You know the type, typically 1-2 days (maybe at a zoo), usually about £100. There's a lot of them out there and I wondered if anyone had had any glowing experiences, or not for that matter.

Check out the Field Studies Council - FSC

d70mpv · #5 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 10:33 AM

Hi, sorry, am based in Cambridgeshire but would be willing to travel

Sophia · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 12:37 PM

I attended a wildlife photography course recently, organised by the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Details are on their website. It was good for learning the basics and very well priced. But also check David Plummer's website for the Sussex area as he does many other courses. I don't think I'm allowed to post offsite links? but do a Google and you'll find the websites.

Ukwildlifeo · #7 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d70mpv

Hi, sorry, am based in Cambridgeshire but would be willing to travel

If yo willing to travel to Essex google Daniel bridge and go to the top link

eeyore · #8 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 01:37 PM

Wild arena (peter smart / david southard) are very good - they do a big cats day at welyn garden city and a birds of prey day at shuttle worth in beds which might be worth a look. - further affield their days at marwell zoo in sussez are also very good too.

Also Andy Rouse runs his own courses which are superb but get booked up very quickly

you should be able to find both of these via google

jennyb · #9 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 04:41 PM

I went on a Wild Arena workshop at the Hawk Conservancy. It was very good. There was not much teaching - mainly advice, but you could ask as many questions as you liked. It was really good to get the birds put in suitable locations for decent photographs and also to be flown specially for us to photograph. I had a really great day and will definitely go on another one - maybe the Wolves or the Rainforest because they are very local for me.

I also went on the Chris Weston "Mastering DSLR Photography" Seminar last Saturday at Abingdon. It was also excellent and pitched at just the right level for me, but I guess would have been too basic for experts.

Jenny

eeyore · #10 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennyb

I went on a Wild Arena workshop at the Hawk Conservancy. It was very good. There was not much teaching - mainly advice, but you could ask as many questions as you liked. It was really good to get the birds put in suitable locations for decent photographs and also to be flown specially for us to photograph. I had a really great day and will definitely go on another one - maybe the Wolves or the Rainforest because they are very local for me.

Jenny

I'd defintitely reccomend their wolf workshop , i have been several times and always come away with good photos. However if the rainforest is at "living rainforest" then while peter and david are excellent advisors I'd doubt how much more you would get out of going with them rather than just popping down on a weekday when its quiet and just paying your £7 to wander round.

Also my better half and I are planning on going to the living rainforest sometime soon so if you fancy a mini meet maybe in early january let me know by pm.

The other wild arena workshop i would seriously recomend is the secret nature of britain held at the british wildlife centre, lingfeild, surrey.

d70mpv · #11 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 12:27 PM

Wow thanks for the many replies!

Just out of interest, what's a 'living rainforest'? If it's anything like the Eden Project tropical biome it'd be fantastic

eeyore · #12 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d70mpv

Wow thanks for the many replies!

Just out of interest, what's a 'living rainforest'? If it's anything like the Eden Project tropical biome it'd be fantastic

The living rainforest is what was formerly known as the wylde court rainforest project at hampstead norreys near newbury , berkshire

its not quite the eden project , but its a cut above the average butterfly house - worth a visit if you asre in the area

i can't put a link due to the ban on promoting comercial sites but you will find them if you google "living rainforest, Hampstead Norreys"

jennyb · #13 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 01:25 PM

Actually, Pete, it is a charity, so I am sure there will be no objections to including the link here The Living Rainforest.

I have not been there for many years, but last time I was there I was disappointed by how small it was. The content was excellent, though. Maybe it has expanded since then, but if anyone is planning to visit, don't expect an Eden Project!

Jenny

bawildphoto · #14 (**permalink**) 14-12-2007, 08:16 AM

Hi,
Ann & Steve Toon would be a good bet, they are really nice people & superb wildlife photographers!!! good thing is that they both run the courses, so you get 2 pro photographers for the price of 1!! cool eh!!

Ive worked with them for many years now & you really could not find two better people!!

d70mpv · #15 (**permalink**) 15-12-2007, 09:25 PM

Fantastic! Thanks all there are many great choices. Something to keep me occupied on these long dark nights. Other than my new macro lens!

tigger · #16 (**permalink**) 30-12-2007, 11:48 PM

I've only just found this post. How about a video photography course?? I hear that the ones organised by Wildeye are very good. I've been thinking about booking onto one of their courses for ages.

Forestknights · #17 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 09:39 PM

Home are running a number of photography courses.

I have worked with them and they run a good course.

Brian Phipps · #18 (**permalink**) 02-01-2008, 10:59 PM

Why don`t we have a WAB meet at the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey?

I go there quite often ( about 4 times a year),

I`d be quite happy to help anyone with advice and tips if they need it as I`m sure many others on this site would also.

No stalking etc needed for the place and great photos can be taken even if it pours down with rain.

Enclosures are built for photography and they have a great selection of wildlife to make sure your shutter button is on meltdown

British Wildlife Centre

Brian
Brian Phipps: Wildlife Photographer

Hoppingmad · #19 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 07:01 PM

If there is a meet at the British Wildlife Centre at some time I would be interested.

glsammy · #20 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Phipps

Why don`t we have a WAB meet at the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey?

I go there quite often ( about 4 times a year),

I`d be quite happy to help anyone with advice and tips if they need it as I`m sure many others on this site would also.

No stalking etc needed for the place and great photos can be taken even if it pours down with rain.

Enclosures are built for photography and they have a great selection of wildlife to make sure your shutter button is on meltdown

British Wildlife Centre

Brian
Brian Phipps: Wildlife Photographer

That looks like a very interesting site. A shame it's so far away from me! I could quite fancy one of the Photography days..I may have to try and arrange a three day holiday down that way.

tee · #21 (**permalink**) 03-01-2008, 09:56 PM

British wildlife center is cool.... a friend and I did a photography day there last year it was a great day, it was just one of the days they do no tuition or anything but a great chance to get into the enclosures and get some fab photos... it was lovely to just be that close to the animals.

mhc-art · #22 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 02:52 PM

Hi all,

I've got my first DSLR camera and I just need some directions in using it!... anyone know of wildlife courses/workshops in or around Bristol?

Cheers!

rlchew · #23 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 08:39 AM

Not a photography course to turn up to but this DVD may help also ....

Go Wild TV - The complete guide to wildlife photography for the digital age

I have ordered a copy and I am now waiting for the psotman to call ....

Richard

Brian Phipps · #24 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 05:12 PM

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the info

You won`t be dissapointed with the DVD, its very good indeed.

Brian

Hoppingmad · #25 (**permalink**) 05-01-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glsammy

That looks like a very interesting site. A shame it's so far away from me! I could quite fancy one of the Photography days..I may have to try and arrange a three day holiday down that way.

I think that is the only way sometimes - to book a weekend break in the area. I did that last year when I visited Brownsea Island off the south coast. Living in Essex it was really too far to travel in one day and have enough time on the island.

I would recommend the Living Rainforest centre as well as the British Wildlife Centre and have been to both recently. Both worth a visit.