Yv
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As you all know, we are running more trips to the WHF this year than ever before and whilst lots of people have mentioned how much they have enjoyed their visits, I think a proper review thread is in order for those that have not yet had the pleasure.
WHF is like NOTHING you will have done before with captive big cats. Sadly we can’t all head off to Africa for a real life safari and your average zoo could not afford the insurance policy that would allow joe public this close to the animals.
Can you imagine how soft tiger fur actually is? Or how rancid its breath is? Or how big its teeth are? Ever compared your hand size to tiger paw, by placing them palm to pad? Honestly!
WHF is a real shock to first timers, but having been 3 times already and more trips booked, I can say it’s totally addictive. Squatting, quite literally, in breathing distance of a full grown male lion, or bracing, ready to dive backwards as a leopard decides it’s YOUR lens it wants for a toy [this did actually happen to me last September] and it can actually get it, is a buzz that is totally unique. I could sit all day, just a single mesh fence away, from the pumas and lynx and just watch them. Oh yes, not forgetting diving out the way of the male tiger who has a very smelly, damp party piece - his aim is spot on every time
You don’t need fancy fast glass at WHF either, you can have as much fun and get some fabulous pictures with normal kit lenses and consumer bodies – my OH did last year and he would freely admit to being a pretty straightforward photographer - as long as it has an auto setting, he can cope. He is also the worlds most miserable cynic, but fell in love with the whole ethos and experience that is WHF. I also know several regular visitors that wouldn’t dream of visiting without their super wide angles, sigma 10-20, etc, so they can focus on that whisker that is stroking the front element!!
What I really love about WHF though, is it’s reason for being. It’s contribution to wildlife conservation and study is so important and if there is one thing I can never begrudge, it’s the cost of a day there, because as far as I am concerned, it is worth every penny and then some. The information and guidance from the staff and quality of images you will come away with [as well as the help and social side of being with other TP members] is always of a high level.
Just a great day at a great place, with great people and a shedload of fantastic pictures that will make your friends SOOOOO jealous at the end of it.
These are just some I took last year
To give you some idea of what happens - we arrive there in the morning and meet up in the marquee for coffee - though this may change soon for the new visitor centre - and a chat. This is where you can introduce yourself to each other, tell them who you are [I normally say I am Marcel, but no one ever believes me], and have a tea or coffee.
Introductions over and drinks drunk, one of the WHF photographers will introduce themselves and give you the safety briefing - sounds boring, but it's usually quite amusing, can include a display of battle wounds, and always gets you ready for what is to follow, especially in terms of what to expect by way of the nature of the animals, what they will and can do and the sort of shots you should be looking at.
Then it's off to the first enclosure - the range of cats includes Tigers, Amur Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Lynx, Lion, Puma, Serval and Pallas Cats - and each trip will vary in the route of enclosures covered.
Lunch is usually around 1ish and any enclosures not covered by then will be done afterwards. Once you have seen all the cats with a staff member, you will get an hour or so to revisit any you want on your own, the only exception to that usually being the Amur leopards, but obviously that can be dependent on circumstances on the day with the other cats. Tea and coffee is generally available throughout the day, and there is often buns and cake served in the afternoon.
Throughout the day, you will be a mesh fence width from the animals, so as I said earler, even kit lenses will allow you to get some really good images. The fence is about 2 inch square mesh, so as long as you remember to line the centre of your lens up with the holes, it's pretty easy.
Anything from 10mm upto 300mm glass is a good length, but don't panic if you can't cover that entire range - I normally shoot almost entirely at 24-150mm range. The car park is immediately adjacent to the enclosures, you are never more than 2 minutes from it, so if you are wondering how much kit to bring, just bring it all, you can always leave some in your car and go back for it if you need it. For those using public tansport, bring what you can manage on the train/bus/etc and someone will stash it in a boot for you for the day if needs be.
Finally, these are TP meets at a location is very sympathetic to us, and us to them. You will meet other members, and I absolutely promise, that unlike the cats, we really don't bite! There is no need to be shy or worried about being on your own - every meet will have a staff member or long term regular there to be a 'central' point of contact and ALL are welcome, regardless of experience, knowledge or ability. Its about having fun, enjoying yourself and learning a bit more about using your camera. Also of course we will be running competitions here on the forum afterwards for those that came along.
That is all I can think of for now and pretty much covers the sort of information I wanted to know before my first visit. If other members would like to add their own full review and images, please do, preferably with as much information as you can for those that haven't been before and are wondering whether to visit with us.
Edit: just to add, plan on the day finishing around 4.30ish but once the guided part of the visit is done, you are pretty much free to leave when you need or want to - although they really aren't too keen on locking the doors with you on the inside
If you would like to book a place, the thread is HERE with dates and booking info - just post on the thread and drop DigitalFailure a confirmation PM if you want to join us. You can also ask any questions there too.
The WHF website is HERE and there is great photo tips page that is worth a read HERE
WHF is like NOTHING you will have done before with captive big cats. Sadly we can’t all head off to Africa for a real life safari and your average zoo could not afford the insurance policy that would allow joe public this close to the animals.
Can you imagine how soft tiger fur actually is? Or how rancid its breath is? Or how big its teeth are? Ever compared your hand size to tiger paw, by placing them palm to pad? Honestly!
WHF is a real shock to first timers, but having been 3 times already and more trips booked, I can say it’s totally addictive. Squatting, quite literally, in breathing distance of a full grown male lion, or bracing, ready to dive backwards as a leopard decides it’s YOUR lens it wants for a toy [this did actually happen to me last September] and it can actually get it, is a buzz that is totally unique. I could sit all day, just a single mesh fence away, from the pumas and lynx and just watch them. Oh yes, not forgetting diving out the way of the male tiger who has a very smelly, damp party piece - his aim is spot on every time
You don’t need fancy fast glass at WHF either, you can have as much fun and get some fabulous pictures with normal kit lenses and consumer bodies – my OH did last year and he would freely admit to being a pretty straightforward photographer - as long as it has an auto setting, he can cope. He is also the worlds most miserable cynic, but fell in love with the whole ethos and experience that is WHF. I also know several regular visitors that wouldn’t dream of visiting without their super wide angles, sigma 10-20, etc, so they can focus on that whisker that is stroking the front element!!
What I really love about WHF though, is it’s reason for being. It’s contribution to wildlife conservation and study is so important and if there is one thing I can never begrudge, it’s the cost of a day there, because as far as I am concerned, it is worth every penny and then some. The information and guidance from the staff and quality of images you will come away with [as well as the help and social side of being with other TP members] is always of a high level.
Just a great day at a great place, with great people and a shedload of fantastic pictures that will make your friends SOOOOO jealous at the end of it.
These are just some I took last year
To give you some idea of what happens - we arrive there in the morning and meet up in the marquee for coffee - though this may change soon for the new visitor centre - and a chat. This is where you can introduce yourself to each other, tell them who you are [I normally say I am Marcel, but no one ever believes me], and have a tea or coffee.
Introductions over and drinks drunk, one of the WHF photographers will introduce themselves and give you the safety briefing - sounds boring, but it's usually quite amusing, can include a display of battle wounds, and always gets you ready for what is to follow, especially in terms of what to expect by way of the nature of the animals, what they will and can do and the sort of shots you should be looking at.
Then it's off to the first enclosure - the range of cats includes Tigers, Amur Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Lynx, Lion, Puma, Serval and Pallas Cats - and each trip will vary in the route of enclosures covered.
Lunch is usually around 1ish and any enclosures not covered by then will be done afterwards. Once you have seen all the cats with a staff member, you will get an hour or so to revisit any you want on your own, the only exception to that usually being the Amur leopards, but obviously that can be dependent on circumstances on the day with the other cats. Tea and coffee is generally available throughout the day, and there is often buns and cake served in the afternoon.
Throughout the day, you will be a mesh fence width from the animals, so as I said earler, even kit lenses will allow you to get some really good images. The fence is about 2 inch square mesh, so as long as you remember to line the centre of your lens up with the holes, it's pretty easy.
Anything from 10mm upto 300mm glass is a good length, but don't panic if you can't cover that entire range - I normally shoot almost entirely at 24-150mm range. The car park is immediately adjacent to the enclosures, you are never more than 2 minutes from it, so if you are wondering how much kit to bring, just bring it all, you can always leave some in your car and go back for it if you need it. For those using public tansport, bring what you can manage on the train/bus/etc and someone will stash it in a boot for you for the day if needs be.
Finally, these are TP meets at a location is very sympathetic to us, and us to them. You will meet other members, and I absolutely promise, that unlike the cats, we really don't bite! There is no need to be shy or worried about being on your own - every meet will have a staff member or long term regular there to be a 'central' point of contact and ALL are welcome, regardless of experience, knowledge or ability. Its about having fun, enjoying yourself and learning a bit more about using your camera. Also of course we will be running competitions here on the forum afterwards for those that came along.
That is all I can think of for now and pretty much covers the sort of information I wanted to know before my first visit. If other members would like to add their own full review and images, please do, preferably with as much information as you can for those that haven't been before and are wondering whether to visit with us.
Edit: just to add, plan on the day finishing around 4.30ish but once the guided part of the visit is done, you are pretty much free to leave when you need or want to - although they really aren't too keen on locking the doors with you on the inside
If you would like to book a place, the thread is HERE with dates and booking info - just post on the thread and drop DigitalFailure a confirmation PM if you want to join us. You can also ask any questions there too.
The WHF website is HERE and there is great photo tips page that is worth a read HERE