Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft
Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft
By Susan Young
- Offers a simple, systematic approach for how best to find wildlife to photograph
- Packed with insightful tips for achieving better photographs
- Illustrated with inspiring images and examples
Description
Many photographers wish to capture stunning and memorable images of the natural world, yet the whole process can be a challenge. Not only does getting the perfect shot require a complex mixture of skill and luck, but there is little practical advice available on how to find wildlife to photograph. This unique book describes a straightforward system for how to successfully locate wildlife, the most difficult aspect of wildlife photography. The patience and persistence have to come from you, but equipped with the right fieldcraft there is far more chance of getting the results – and the special moments – you are looking for.
Individual chapters offer guidance on how to photograph birds, mammals, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as reptiles and some of our more elusive species. The particularities of various habitat types are discussed, and there are tips on equipment, technical specifications and how to make a good portable hide. While sharing some of her most successful and beautiful images, the author also gives useful examples of when things didn’t quite work out – reflecting on how things could have been done differently to get a better outcome. With the help of this book you’ll soon be taking the photographs you’ve always dreamed of, sometimes.
Reviews
- The biggest challenge for nature photographers everywhere is finding great examples of wildlife to take pictures of. In this book, Susan Young helps you understand the subtleties of various habitats to improve your chances of finding the birds, mammals, insects and reptiles that live there. There’s also useful advice on equipment and a guide to building a hide.
—Graeme Green, BBC Wildlife - Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft fills an important gap in photography literature. It is a unique and much needed gem amongst the myriad available photography books. Overall, this book is perfect for both amateur and professional photographers wanting to increase their knowledge of British wildlife.
—The Mammal Society - Author Susan Young calls on a great deal of personal experience with wildlife, and there is good advice on how to get close enough to animals to take quality shots without disturbing or scaring them.
—Amateur Photographer Magazine - This book is an easy read and is peppered with examples, both in photographs and text, to illustrate specifics for locating and photographing wildlife. The author holds nothing back and is willing to share her methods for achieving success in a straightforward manner.
—Apogee Magazine - Susan Young illustrates the need for research prior to successful photography, and shows how important time and patience are. She emphasises the importance of being thoroughly ethical in photographing wildlife to minimise disturbance.
—Hugh Gould, naturalist and writer - Field craft skills are essential to achieve the best wildlife photographs. This book provides a fascinating insight into the world of wildlife photography. It honestly distils from years of experience, the approach, methods and expertise behind the many wonderful photographs presented. Thus the author equips the reader with a thorough appreciation of the necessary skills and knowledge to follow in her footsteps.
—Dr Katherine Begg, environmental chemist and academic - Lots of books will tell you how to use your camera for composition and exposure, but this is one of the few to tell you how to be there.
—Conrad Obregon, Nikonians.org
About the Author
Susan Young is a photographer and writer living in South Devon. She gives wildlife photography courses, and has had numerous photographic exhibitions, as well as publishing various books and articles. She now carries out research with Natural England and the Woodland Trust on the use of CCTV cameras to monitor wildlife.