Tiger

[Arkady]

One of the best ways I've found to practice wildlife photography is to go to a Zoo or safari park in the off-season.
This avoids having to deal with thousands of ice-cream eating peasants out for the day (all of whom ask you if you're David Bailey, then get all offended when you tell them to eff off) and usually gives a bit freer access to the animals themselves. Sometimes if you ask the staff nicely, you can get inside the compounds in exchange for some prints - not reccommended for the Tigers tho'.
This sort of thing doesn't really interest me, but proved a useful teaching tool when I took my 14-year old out for a bit of depth-of-field practice using long lenses.
Here is my first ever attempt at this sort of thing. Taken on a D1X with an AS-600mm IFED f/4.
http://www.thephotographyforums.com/albums/Miscellaneous/Tiger.jpg

[CT]

Nice shot. Tigers are quite terrifying critters. I remeber reading somewher that whilst lions will avoid humans where possible, apart from obvious rogues, tigers will attack you more or less on principle, or because it's Tuesday! Imagine going into the bush to perform your ablutions, and having to be thinking about tigers. :shock:

[matty]

Nice photo, your rant made me chuckle too, My kind of Photographer!

[SDK^]

Nice shot David, I mean Arkady :P

Were you shooting though a mesh fence ?

[Arkady]

Yes - straight through the fence.
Wide open on the aperture settings and used a monopod to steady the lens - the 600 mil weighs a ton after an hour or two of walking round. The monopod means you can carry it like a builder's hod.

[Chez]

OK, I'm going to dig up an old thread here!!

Great shot :) Where was this taken?

Reason being, I have struggled to find locations for getting good wildlife shots in the UK..

[Warspite]

Very nice, good vibrant colour and sharp with it:thumb:

Definately a creature that deserves respect.

[DJW]

Didn't notice the original post date & was wondering why Rob wasn't using his D2X . Also noted that if our resident squaddie says the lens is too heavy after a couple of hrs, then take that as 15 mins for us civvies ;)....must make note to eat more spinach.

[AquilaEagle]

I also noticed how Rob says he is scared of Tigers, but then I saw the quote in his sig! :D

[Arkady]

It was taken at Marwell Zoo. Very good in the off-season if you get a bright day.

Talk to the keepers - they let us into the Peguin enclosure at feeding time in exchange for some photos.

I used my 600mm but if I went again, I'd use a 300 instead and move in a bit closer.

That shot was taken from about 25-30 meters, but I could get to about 5-10 meters and still 'lose' the fence.

[Matt]

Great shot :) Where was this taken?

Reason being, I have struggled to find locations for getting good wildlife shots in the UK..

Try a stroll around your local'ish safari park.
You will need to be careful though as these places can be dangerous,
People drive their cars around them.:D

Chester zoo is a good place to go if your willing to travel.
South lakes zoo, is good for Lemur.
Otters at the chestnut centre in Derbyshire.

[Matt]

Marwell Zoo.
Donna Nook at Grey Seal and at the right time of year, seal pups.

[Matt]

Don't dismiss your local area.
Have a walk around keeping an eye out for whats about.
After some homework you'll find there is a lot to be found on your doorstep.

[matty]

in kent there is Howletts and PortLympne as well as stuff on the coast like Sealife center(mainly fish though, lol, not much call for tigers)and the lovely Drusillas, where i got my nice meerkat shots from

[Venomator]

Definately a creature that deserves respect.

I do believe this is going just a little too far in pandering to Arkady's rants ! :laugh1:

Btb - Great pic for a first attempt Arkady ... :smilenod:

[Warspite]

ROFL:hand:

[Arkady]

Grrrrr....