27.01.09
Advice on photographing deer
Words by Simon Stafford
If traditional autumnal images aren’t your bag, that’s no reason to let your camera hibernate. This time of year isn’t just about of golden leaves and woody glades. A rewarding outing for you and your camera in November can take you to one of the UK’s many deer parks.
This is the perfect time of year to photograph red and fallow deer, as they’ll be preoccupied with the annual rut. Strutting around grunting and roaring, males with their majestic antlers and manes go head to head with each other to gain the females’ attention.
The other factor in your favour at this time is the weather. Make the most of early morning fog and mist, combined with the low angle of the sun, to add some extra drama to your shots. Dawn is also, handily, when deer are at their most active.
Having established that early autumnal mornings are great for photographing deer, let’s consider how to get worthwhile shots. Anyone can pitch up at a deer park and rattle off a few pictures; if you want a stunner, you’ll need to take a more considered approach.
First, what to wear. Obviously, it makes sense not to wear bright colours when photographing animals, equally though, you don’t need to kit yourself out with camouflage gear. Dark, subdued colours will suffice. And given the British weather at this time of year, waterproof clothing, hat, gloves and walking boots are sensible additions to your kit list too.
Secondly, consider what camera kit you’ll need. A long lens is a must as you won’t be up close with your subject. That in turns means a tripod, a monopod or a beanbag. Which of these you choose might be determined by your location.
If you’re somewhere where you can turn your car into a kind of mobile hide, then a beanbag will suffice. Wind the window down and the bag can sit on the door. Out in the open and a tripod makes sense, but don’t set it up at full height. You’ll be really visible to the deer, instead shoot from a kneeling or seated position.
Once you’ve chosen your support and your ideal working position, you need to remain low, still and quiet. Deer have excellent hearing and eyesight, and you don’t want to scare them off, so you need to work on being as invisible and silent as possible.
So, lastly and possibly most importantly, let’s think about camera technique. There are several things to consider here. A wide lens aperture will isolate your subject from the background. And watch that background. In some deer parks, you might need to avoid buildings and fences for an ‘out in the wild’ feel to your shots. Setting a wide aperture will also help keep the ISO low, saving your images from the perils of digital noise.
If you’re blessed with a misty or foggy day, approach your camera’s TTL metering system with caution. It might underexpose, so consider taking two shots: one at the camera’s setting and the second at +1EV. With the low angle of the sun at this time of the year, a lens hood can be useful to minimize the risk of camera flare. Autofocus is useful, but it’s worth trying manual too, particularly if the AF is locking onto the low hanging branch next to the deer rather than the deer itself.
So that’s it, you should now be equipped for a day out at a deer park this autumn. All that remains for you to do before you pack your kit bag and sarnies is pick a park. And if you’re shots are up to scratch, then maybe you could chance your arm in the British Deer Society’s photographic competitions.
There are plenty of parks to take your camera to, here are some favourites.
Kent TN15 0RP
01732 450608
nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-knole
- Glengoulandie Country Park
Perthshire PH16 5NL
01887 830495
glengoulandie.co.uk
Co Durham DL2 3AH
01833 660202/660888
rabycastle.com
Leicestershire LE6 0HE
0116 2362713
nationalforest.org
Somerset BS41 9JN
0117 963 9174
ashtoncourtestate.co.uk
Bedfordshire MK17 9WA
01525 292148
woburnabbey.co.uk
Surrey TW10 5HS
020 8948 3209
royalparks.org.uk
Cheshire SK12 2NX
01663 762023
nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-lymepark
KIT BAG
Ideally, you’ll need a lens between 200mm and 500mm for frame-filling shots of deer. If you don’t have one in your arsenal, then a teleconverter can help increase your lens’ reach. And an 80-200mm will do fine for general shots of groups of deer in their natural habitat.
Taking your dark, subdued clothing to the next level, you could cover yourself and your kit with a large, dark cloth, or some scrim netting. This will break up your profile and slightly muffle the sound of the shutter, making it harder for the deer to spot and hear you. Contact firms such as Wildlife Watching Supplies for more details.
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