Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft

This statement, often attributed to the press photographer Weegee, is just as important for nature photographers. You have to be where the wildlife is to photograph it. 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. Unfortunately it has one glaring problem.The book is divided into sections on how to find the right spot for birds, mammals, dragonflies and butterflies and other animals as well as short sections on both camera and fieldcraft equipment. While the author is a bit simplistic in her approach this would be a good book, especially for beginners, except…The book is aimed solely at Great Britain. It mentions specific spots but they are all in that Island across the sea from me. There are discussions of approach techniques for specific birds, but they all have names that are different for those we use in North America. The book discusses mammals never seen here and leaves out common North American animals. You can translate some of the information, like the differences between following the animals and waiting for them to approach you, but 85% of the content is specific to the island.There are a few things I would disagree with. For example Young only suggests that the new purchaser consider buying a mirrorless camera. The DSLR ship has sailed. If you already have one, use it. If you are buying a new camera, go mirrorless.Young spends a lot of time explaining how to construct a semi-permanent hide. I would rather have had her spend more time explaining more portable choices. (For what it’s worth, although I have a highly portable hide, I’ve only used it twice. I found sitting still and low in the right place has given me great shots because I’ve learned where to sit still and low.)To our cousins, this is a good book. I wish we could get the same coverage for North America.Note: The publisher provided me with a review copy of this book at no charge.

A very intresting book on wildlife photography. For people in the UK this is a most amazing work. As I am not from UK, And a photographer and wildlife lover, I hoped to find some more photos in the book. Some of them where just FANTASTIC, others were a bit disapointed.But in general, I enjoyed reading this book.

Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft tries to provide photographers with the skills needed to find and photograph the most common range of wildlife found in Britain. The book is divided into chapters on Birds, mammals, dragonflies and butterflies, other animal groups, equipment and photographic details and then a chapter detailing the settings used on the photographs dotted throughout the book. Each chapter includes a focus on a particular animal such as Red Fox, Badger, Stoats etc and details how the author Susan Young approach photographing them.There are some great photographs, and the book provides some degree of information that would be useful for those just starting out in this field but anyone who has been wildlife watching and/or photography for some time will get little from it. There are tips such as speak to the locals and wildlife rangers in reserves and a few descriptions of scat and tracks made by the animal but not there is not much for the photographer who has gone beyond photographing animals in their back garden or local park.A nice book but there are much better books if you are really looking for something to help you track and photograph animals that are a little harder to find than grey squirrels in your local park.

This book is written in a different manner to any other photography book I’ve read. It starts with a statement of the scope of the book, so you know what to expect from the rest.Everything is presented in a methodical manner, which I find extremely helpful. As an ebook, I enjoy the fact that there are links during the text to other, more detailed parts of the book. The information on research is of great help and overall I would happily recommend this to anyone looking to improve their wildlife photography skills.I would point out that the website for the book, referred to in its pages, is no longer in existence, however, that seems a small matter as there are other ways to interact with fellow photographers online.

The advice was excellent throughout the book, and a very useful appendix covers important issues including ethical considerations.

Worth the money for the plans to build hides from plastic tubing alone. A lot of what she says is common sense i.e. research your chosen subject, stay upwind from mammals etc. But I really feel after reading this, that this year, I will be taking some of the best wildlife shots I've ever managed. Can't wait to put what I've learned into practise. Highly recommended reading for budding wildlife photographers in the UK.

How are there not more books like this?! If you're a wildlife photographer this is a must. Well written with useful practical information.