book on wildlife approach & hide technique's

[tele_tele]

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>can you recommend some good books that deal with approaching wildlife, camouflage and using/building hides etc. ("how to get closer")</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

[marcaubin]

<p>Digital Wildlife Photography by David Tipling (ISBN 978-1-55407-305-4) was a good start for me. It's a very general "A to Z" book, but doesn't get into the nitty-gritty of how to build blinds, etc.</p>

[dcstep]

<p>Here's a little bit about approaching:<br>

<a href="http://www.photography-tips-and-techniques.com/approaching-birds.html">http://www.photography-tips-and-techniques.com/approaching-birds.html</a></p>

[dcstep]

<p>This one's better:<br>

<a href="http://www.mansurovs.com/how-to-photograph-birds">http://www.mansurovs.com/how-to-photograph-birds</a></p>

[stemked]

<p>Here are a couple of recs that cover the topic in some detail (all out of press I suspect, older film books), nevertheless:<br>

The Wildlifre Photographer's Field Manual (McDonald)-1992<br>

The Complete Guide to Wildlife Photography-How to get Close and Capture Wildlife on Film- (McDonald) 1992<br>

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Guide to Bird and Nature Photography (Campbell)-1993<br>

(general info) The Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques (Shaw) 1984</p>

<p>Check www.abebooks.com to search for them.</p>

[dcstep]

<p>Doug, have you seen anything out there that's written by a digital photographer? The physical part of tracking subjects is the same, but so much of the film based books is irrelevent.<br>

So much that's relevent to digital is not addressed, like sensor selection (full-frame vs. crop), high ISO performance, noise reduction, etc.<br>

Dave</p>

[stemked]

<p>David,<br>

I'm a product of the film world which was all done in my pre-daughter days (as is my library); now I don't have the time or money to check out the newest publications. I'm afraid I'm behind the curve in what is new and hot off the presses from digital publishers. Nevertheless the books I recommend, possibly save the Shaw book, are good books for getting close to wildlife, building blinds, etc which, as you noted, is still the same.<br>

Of course if one really is into stalking wildlife, hunting products are worth looking into. Callers (where they are legal), scent covers, camouflage gear, are all useful products for photogaphers as well as hunters.</p>

[tonybynum]

what are you trying to photograph is the first question? the techniques are different for most species, and more important to successful wildlife photography, except in some rare cases, is timing, location, and subject availability. I'd trade 100 books and all the blinds every made for my knowledge of when, where, and how . . . complete concealment is seldom needed, but it is at times necessary. Share with us what youre trying to shoot. . .

[jimitoucan]

<p>First off, you don't need a hide, blind, unless you are photographing birds or at a water hole ala Texas ranches. If you are photographing large animals they will bolt, or at least go on alert, as soon as they hear the shutter. Let them know you are in the area and with patience they may accept you and you will get great photos. That said, as stated above, the first step in wildlife photography is learning about your subject. Everything! Habits, habitat, body language. Read more about the subject then how to photograph it.<br>

Approaching is not the question, as most wildlife photography is in National or State parks or reserves, refuges, etc. Why? because they are not being hunted and are more comfortable around humans. And, most managed lands have rules about approaching. Don't. So the question is, how do we get in tune with our subject enough to have them approach us?<br>

I never use camouflage and always thought those that do where trying to be cool. But I may change my opinion. Even though I use clothing that blends well with the environment, I may try to hide myself even more in the future. Not from the wildlife, but from all the other photographers that see me and approach without any regard to what I'm shooting, usually messing up the opportunity. <br>

Yea, I could, should, write a book. <br>

But that doesn't answer your question. I can't suggest any good books photographing wildlife that I can recommend. Sorry.</p>

 

[doug herr]

 

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=752671">Jim Stamates</a> wrote: <em>"I never use camouflage and always thought those that do where trying to be cool. But I may change my opinion. Even though I use clothing that blends well with the environment, I may try to hide myself even more in the future. Not from the wildlife, but from all the other photographers that see me and approach without any regard to what I'm shooting, usually messing up the opportunity. "</em></p>

 

<p > </p>

<p >This is the only reason I use camouflage. Wild animals make their living detecting sneaky behavior so I find it much more productive to convince the animals through my behavior that I'm not a threat. The camo is so other photographers don't see me.</p>

[jimitoucan]

<p>Douglas, Glad you get it. It never used to be that way. There wasn't as many 'wildlife?' photographers out there and the ones that were knew the unwritten rules. Now it seems, as Jimmy Durante said, everyone's trying to get into the act.<br>

I don't have a problem with that, we all got into the act after someone else, but I do have a problem with those not using common sense or learning how to behave before they step off the pavement.<br>

I applaud tele tele for attempting to learn first.<br>

I'll tell you a funny story, okay not funny at the time. There is a kokanee run near where I live and last year there were more black bears then usual so everyone, I mean everyone, came to see the bears. Most were well behaved except for this one photog dressed in full camo with leaves strapped to his strobe, with super tele, standing in the middle of the river. The bear was being pressured, it couldn't go upstream to eat, everyone could see this guy, but the more important part is he was disturbing the spawn. There were signs asking parents to keep kids and pets out of the river during spawning, but it didn't say nothin' about camo covered photographers.<br>

Sorry, I get upset just thinking about it. <br>

And for 'tele tele' the key line in Douglas' post is "convince the animals through my behavior that I'm not a threat". It takes a lot of learning and practice but you will always get better results when your subject is comfortable with you. I just don't get why some find it necessary to 'chase' their subject. All they're getting is butt shots.</p>

<p> </p>

[doug herr]

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=752671">Jim Stamates</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"></a>wrote: <em>"There is a kokanee run near where I live and last year there were more black bears then usual so everyone, I mean everyone, came to see the bears. Most were well behaved except for this one photog dressed in full camo with leaves strapped to his strobe, with super tele, standing in the middle of the river. The bear was being pressured, it couldn't go upstream to eat, everyone could see this guy, but the more important part is he was disturbing the spawn. There were signs asking parents to keep kids and pets out of the river during spawning, but it didn't say nothin' about camo covered photographers."</em></p>

<p>Taylor creek, Lake Tahoe? I saw the guy too. Inexcusable behavior.<br>

<em><br /></em><br>

<em>"convince the animals through my behavior that I'm not a threat"</em></p>

<p>For example:<br>

<img src="http://www.wildlightphoto.com/mammals/lagomorphs/btha04.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="601" /></p>

<p>I spent a few hours with this hare, and toward the end of our session another hare started harassing this one. This hare hopped toward me to get away from the other. This was less than 20' away.</p>