Wildlife Photography across the Water: A few winter/Xmas ideas

Saturday, 3 December 2011

A few winter/Xmas ideas

A quick one from me as i have spent the morning shooting a family in my home studio for their Xmas cards etc and now a trip to the sales before a party this evening. I have been making a small list of things that may want the wife/girlfriend to add to the Xmas stocking after the camero of course, As winter is coming or already here for some there are some winter ideas as well
1.Memory cards, I know we have mentioned these before but they have dropped considerably in price and are niow a bargain and you can never have too many, Martin and myself recommend Sandisk
2.Filters-ND,Grad and polorisers are all very handy (make sure that they are good ones)
3.Spare Battery-The cold kills batteries although the batteries in the new cameras are amazing in how long they last, Dont go out on a cold day without one
4.Double Bubble hot show level-One of the best things ever invented and worth every penny, I rarely have one off the hotshoe
5.Hide/Blind, Good deals in the sales on the pop up hides at around $60-woth having a spare and THE best way of getting close to wildlife
6.Flashgun, Not cheap but if you havent got one you will need one and if you have one an extra gives more ways of using light especially at night
7.Underwear-yes thats right, Keeping warm in winter is very important and good quality long johns and long sleeved vest are worth every penny, If you are not warm/comfortable then you are not enjoying yourself so whats the point, I have cableas military range and under armour which are both excellent,
8.Raincover-I mentioned the new ones from lenscoat about a week ago, Keep your gear dry and it will last
9.Plamp, This is something i have yest to get but every year i wish i had one, It will keep things still whilst doing macro and will hold a reflector and free a hand up
10.Reflector, Get a 5-1 or multi sided/coloured reflector for you macro and portrait sessions,Gives a nicer light than flash, I have had mine years and its still like new

Happy shopping

Dave

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Bio's

David Courtenay, a self taught wildlife and nature photographer, has been capturing images for over 30 years. He has had a passion for wildlife since early childhood and remembers being glued to the television whenever Survival, Wildlife on One and other natural history documentaries were shown. In the 2006 he swapped his established career for the life of a wildlife photographer, such a move demands a measure of uncompromising passion and commitment.

David has travelled extensively throughout Europe as well as spending more than 7 months in India working with local guides and trackers in search of Bengal Tiger, Asian One horned Rhino and Asian Elephant. He has also photographed Wildlife in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra, Africa, Canada and America. Working closely with Conservation companies he tries to raise funds to help Wildlife that has been put on the endangered list by poaching and habitation loss

Martin Dyer has had a passion for avian wildlife since childhood, particularly raptors. Photography was also another keen interest and it was with the specific availability and control of the whole process that digital offers that Martin was then able to combine the two in 2003. Based in the UK, Martin is a regular visitor to Scotland, specifically the Isle of Mull to watch the Eagles resident there. Other trips to Europe and around the UK are usually part of Martin’s agenda in a typical year.

However, as a firm believer on making the most of the local patch, Martin has spent a lot of time and hard work creating a wildlife garden which is reaping the rewards with many new species and varieties of wildlife. A keen member of a number of wildlife photographic groups, Martin is keen to expand his portfolio into other areas of wildlife, and has already established a wide portfolio of images of fungi.