Photography Courses

V

Vicki M

Messages
104
Name
Vicki
Edit My Images
Yes
Not really sure where to put this, but Im thinking of doing a wildlife (more specifically) bird photography course. Ive found one Photographers on Safari, and they look interesting.

Does anyone have any other recommendations, or even is this a good way to learn? Or am I better off going to bird displays and playing with the settings on my camera?

Ive not got much experience, I have a Nikon D5000 with 18-55mm VR, a 55-200mm and a 50mm lens. Im an enthusiastic beginner!
 
IMO the best way to learn is to just get out and shoot. Would have thought it would be good to have something longer than 55-200 though. Something that ends in 4-500 mm would be far better.
 
To be honest I personaly wouldnt spend the money on a course, I would invest in a longer length lens as said a 400mm or 500mm or a 1.4 tc something along those lines anyway especially for birds and just get out there and practice. You can pick up many great tips and advice here or purchase a coupe of second hand books to read that will guide you in the different settings on your camera. There are some good websites around as well if you google bird photography.
 
Last edited:
I didn't know much when i started out as i had the camera on auto all the time but after a while i felt i was cheating myself so i went and started the NCFE level 1 as a 1 year adult education evening class which i have just finished.

For anyone starting out its a good little course as it properly introduces you to your camera and you learn about depth of field,light,composition,aperture and photoshop etc by spending 1-2 weeks on each subject and with set assignments along the way building up to an end of course portfolio.

I was amazed at the difference in my pictures by the end of the course to the start as i have learned to compose shots rather than just pick up the camera and click away which gives a sense of achievement when people compliment you on your pictures.The course wont make you a pro but it will point you in the right direction....the rest is up to you.

45 years old and i have just learned to use photoshop,thats quite a biggy for me :)
 
I know I cant afford a lens that long for quite a while, but I guess I am £100 nearer to it if I dont pay out for a course.

Will check out the net, and read some books I have, and get over my fear and actually post here as well!
 
I haven't spent any money on courses either, I just got out and went with the trial and error way. Done some reading and of course forums like this are full of advise.

There are places in Leicester that are good for practising. Watermead Country Park is not far from you (You live in Syston, I am in Hamilton). There is always Bradgate Park, Gorse Hill City Farm. Even Abbey Park! :D The Anglian Water Bird Watching Centre in Egleton Rutland is also good for this kind of thing. Hope that helps.

Ray.
 
Cheers Ray... I love wandering around Watermead, and you dont need long lenses there!

I've never been to Gorse Hill, might go one weekend.

Thanks a lot for the advice all :)
 
No problem :)

Gorse Hill isn't brilliant, just a few farm animals haha. More like a petting zoo than anything else, dreadful parking too! Took my wife and sister in law there a few weeks back. 3 ice creams costed almost 6 quid! Yikes!
 
The beauty of shooting birds is that you don't have to go far to find them - just outside your door in fact! I'm not sure what attending a course would achieve and as someone has mentioned previously, the money would be better spent on lenses. You can get away with as little as 150mm in certain cases but most of my more pleasing shots have been at the 400mm range. The non IS Canon 400 f/4 is a very good starter lens. A lot of my earlier bird shots (http://www.pbase.com/tirc/british_birds) were taken with that lens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top