The title of the blog is the name given to the Andy Rouse workshop I went to today. It was held at the British Wildlife Centre in Surrey, which meant an opportunity to practise a few techniques in the afternoon. Andy, for those who don't know, is the man behind some great wildlife photos (everything from gorillas to polar bears). The workshop gave an insight into how he gets his shots. And how easy it is to get it all wrong. And how easy it ought to be to get at least some of it right. It's certainly given me plenty to think about.
I'm always a little uneasy with captive animals, but in a learning context it makes sense. These are just a very few of the shots from the afternoon. First up is a wild cat. 
The key to those shots was shooting from low down, something I was already familiar with from the garden foxes. We were also shown one of the badgers, though having to shoot down from above isn't ideal. The lesson is 'get down low'. But a badger is a badger so here's one shot with a half-way decent pose.
There are also a number of otters. We spent a fair bit of time encouraging them to clamber up the banks to get a good angle, but my favourite shots were when they were swimming.
Finally, we saw the foxes. There were a pair of adults and a number of cubs (about 4 months old). The foxes were by far the most cooperative, but then having youngsters rushing around (foxes, not people) always make for a lively scene. Inevitably I have loads of shots, so here's just a small selection. First some cubs playing. No technique in these two at all.
This next shot was taken towards the sun (something we did learn about).
And me being me, I took some portraits. Nothing I haven't done before, but fun to do.
So what did I learn? Some things I do right (shooting from a low position). Some things I do very wrong (shooting in the middle of the day). Why shooting low helps. Don't be afraid of difficult light (it's actually better than what seems to be 'good' light). And various ways of using settings. It all sounds so incredibly easy when Andy explains it, and in some ways it is (pressing the shutter is something I can manage). But what isn't easy is seeing the shot in the first place. That's what really makes the difference and that is what is likely to keep me taking way too many shots of indifferent quality at the wrong time of day. Still, it's a easier to get better at doing something when you know where you're going wrong. And I now know a lot! Seriously, it was a really good day, incredibly informative, and will (I am sure) result in some better photos. I couldn't really ask for more.
Camera note: wild cat and otter shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens; foxes and badger were taken with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
Dudley
15 Jul 2011In these workshops, was it worth the fee? I've always been reluctant when some of these workshops are within decent driving distance.
anonymous
15 Jul 2011Anonymous writes:
Love those closeups of the cat and foxes!
Marilyn
gdare
15 Jul 2011Well, it is always good to learn something new :yes:
For some unknown reason a second photo of a cat reminds me on this:
😛
Words
16 Jul 2011Erwin, thanks!
Words
16 Jul 2011Andy, this one was well worth the fee (around $150), but we were getting one of the genuinely leading wildlife photographers internationally. There was actually very little technical stuff. It was all about seeing the photo, understanding light, creating meaning/mood. Plus the talking part (about 3-4 hours) was hugely entertaining. I guess what I'm saying is check out how good the person taking the workshop really is. I'm sure you know a heck of a lot more than many who teach the subject.
Words
16 Jul 2011Marilyn, thanks! I'm a sucker for close-ups of foxes and deliberately took my macro lens into the enclosure as I knew they'd come up close and I'd get more shots than with a long lens.
Words
16 Jul 2011Darko, that was the first time I've been taught anything about photography, so it was interesting on a number of levels. I always find cats slightly spooky, but I can see the resemblance in your picture. :alien:
SittingFox
16 Jul 2011Glad you enjoyed yourself. I spent a few days there some years ago on a drawing course. One of the foxes chewed my pencil!
Excellent tips, though I don't think I'll try the "shooting from a low position" thing when I meet pumas on the trail :whistle:
Words
16 Jul 2011Adele, the foxes are clearly the stars of the show, and the enclosures seemed larger than I recall on my last visit. The low position is partly about blurring the foreground and getting better eye shots. The best example is the second wild cat picture. Andy had a few stories about big cat encounters and the occasional risk of becoming a 'prey animal' 😉
anonymous
18 Jul 2011Anonymous writes:
Went to the fieldcraft day out at BWC with Andy Rouse. IT IS WORTH THE MONEY. You are NEVR to old to learn something as I found out.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Lovely Photos and interesting :up: