STEART MARSHES BIRDING PHOTOGRAPHY SPECIAL - Info Page
Exmoor Wildlife Photography Course
Bird Photography Lessons with the experts at Steart Marshes, Somerset, UK. We will be visiting this excellent reserve in the spring to photograph breeding and summer visitors.
Tuition will include how to photograph birds in flight.
book now FOR 2024
FAQS:
This photography workshop is operated by Exmoor Photography Ltd and is not connected to the WWT or their staff, although they are aware of our visits and have given us permission.
We will be donating to the WWT for each date we visit. This workshop must be booked in advance (as with all our workshops) please do not just turn up.
Locations: Steart Marshes Nature Reserve
Please See What You Will Learn Below
Ideally you have the following equipment for this workshop:
If you’re not sure, please ask Jack for advice when you book. We also have cameras that you can hire on your course day, subject to availability.
Exmoor Photography Workshop Steart Marshes Birding Special:
Do you sometimes get frustrated that the images you take doesn’t always do justice to what you are looking at?
Would you like to get you your camera off auto and start to use and understand the other shooting modes?
Perhaps you are planning a once in a lifetime trip abroad like a Safari or a family holiday and want to capture those precious memories feeling more confident with your camera.
This bird photography special is for complete beginners up to an intermediate level. It is ideal if you have just bought your first 'big' lens and perhaps are struggling to get the results you expected. Professional photographer Rupert 'Jack' Clegg will take you through most useful settings on your camera and show you all the additional settings and features listed (see what you will learn). The Course numbers are limited to a maximum of two, so you will have all the one-to-one time you require, with Jack and Alison. We completely understand that using unfamiliar settings on your camera can seem very daunting. The tuition and guidance we provide will give you the confidence and knowledge in a friendly relaxed environment at your own pace. We will never make you feel awkward or embarrassed if you don’t understand something straight away and guarantee you will finish the day knowing more than you did when you started and will take you to a new level of understanding photography.
Although a relatively new reserve, Steart has developed into a fantastic site for bird photography. It can be a particularly good location if you need to improve your BIF (bird in flight) technique and settings. We will be visiting the reserve in the spring to photograph breeding and summer visitors. Jack visits the reserve regularly; some of the islands can be occupied with juvenile birds and often frenzied adults trying to protect them. The following are just some of the birds often present. Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Spoonbill, Cetti's and Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Stonechats, Wheatear, Whitethroat, Marsh Harriers, Merlin, Lapwing and lots of duck. However, there will be an emphasis of photographing the Avocet and their chicks.
This is not a bird watching day, it is a photography course. It is also essential that course participants understand that all subjects are wild, therefore the emphasis will always be about as little or no disturbance of them as is possible, we have a strictly ethical approach to this, as with all wildlife photography. We are also ‘guests’ on the reserve and must act accordingly, showing respect to other visitors at all times. This will be explained to you at the meet and greet in the morning and during our visit.
This is a photography workshop run by Exmoor Photography and is in no way connected with the WWT or their staff, although they are aware of our visits. We will be making a donation to the WWT for each date we visit.
Additional Info Steart Marshes Special:
Jack has produced a brand-new field guide booklet (yours to keep), that you will be given at the 'meet & greet' at the beginning of your day. This is yours to keep and provide a useful reference for you to use, next time you take your camera out on your own.
Please note that customers attending this course should be aware that to get the most from it you should be able to walk a minimum of 1 mile unaided.
Jack and Jamie are in constant communication via radios and will update each other with any sightings. There will be plenty of time with Jack to cover the course notes during the day.
Jack advises having a camera or lens that is at least the equivalent of a 500mm lens for Wildlife Photography. So, for example a D-SLR/mirrorless with a 500mm or Bridge camera (not recommended) with at least a 20x optical zoom lens, which will give roughly 600mm (35mm equivalent). If using a mirrorless system micro 4/3 you will need at least a 400mm lens (a 300mm is not recommended). The Sigma 150-600 mm is ideal for this course. If you’re not sure, please ask Jack for advice. We also have cameras and lenses you can hire if required, must be booked prior to course, subject to availability. We also have tripods and monopods that you are welcome to use, I often find a monopod is more practicable, so please bring yours if you have one. It is essential that you wear dark clothing and hat, preferably camouflaged waterproof/warm jacket. We also strongly advise not wearing any ‘smelly' deodorant or perfume on the day.
It is also essential that course participants understand that all subjects are wild, therefore the emphasis will always be about as little or no disturbance of them as is possible, we have a strictly ethical approach to this, as with all wildlife photography. We are also ‘guests’ on the reserve and must act accordingly, showing respect to other visitors at all times. This will be explained to you at the meet and greet in the morning and during our visit.
They are designed to educate, be fun, relaxed, and hopefully enjoyable! We pride ourselves on providing first class customer service here at Exmoor Photography, something that is supported by our customer reviews.
There is also always a supply of Alison's legendary flapjack & homemade cakes.
Sorry, but we do not take other professional photographers on this course.
What You Will Learn Steart Marshes Special:
Our Vehicle:
Jack was trained to a very high ‘advanced’ standard to drive while in the service.
We use a new Ford Kuga Hybrid that will comfortably seat 3 guests and their equipment, the vehicle is maintained to a very high standard, it has dual zone air conditioning for your comfort and heated seats! The vehicle is fitted with a ‘cold climate pack’ heated windscreen etc. Although we do not intend to go ‘off road’ and ‘bounce’ you and your camera equipment about while on the course, the vehicle is fitted with ‘all weather’ tyres that give enhanced traction. We carry a BSI compliant (BS-8599-1) first aid kit on board & a fire extinguisher.
Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you as soon as possible, usually within 24hrs.
STEART MARSHES INFO
STEART MARSHES INFO