Page 8 - Demo

8 Phonebox Magazine | March 2025Olney Camera Club: Wildlife PhotographyKingfi sher by Duncan WoodheadRecently, we received an illustrated talk: %u2018My Photographic Journey%u2019 by amateur wildlife photographer Duncan Woodhead from Sharnbrook. Duncan has always been into wildlife, especially birds, and after he retired fi ve years ago, he decided to take up photography.Next Meetings:www.olneycameraclub.co.ukShutter speed:particularly important with bird photography, where animals are often moving fast as well. Some images might forgive a little movement in the primary feathers and tail, while the head and body remain sharp. The activity of the bird is happening extremely quickly, and you%u2019ve got to be on the ball in terms of settings to get the optimum result %u2013 whatever the optimum result is %u2013 that is often a personal choice.Focusing:get the eyes in focus %u2013 we are drawn to the eyes.Composition:he learnt early in his photographic development to take images on the same eye-line as the animal. He thinks that the closer you are to the eye line, the better perspective of that animal or bird you will get and the better photograph.That may mean that you need to lie on the ground to take the shot. This way you will also get a better blur in front and behind the subject, which will further emphasise it.Positioning of the subject is important:for example, if the animal or bird is moving, try to position it in the frame with some %u2018empty space%u2019 to move into.Surprisingly, Duncan does not favour close-ups of his subjects, preferring a full-fi gure image.As his wildlife photography skills developed, he started to be choosier about the picture foreground and background %u2013 not a technique you can use on every shot. Still, if you do, it will result in a better image, he says (for example more neutral, less busy).He likes to seek out specifi c animal activities: for example, with some planning he achieved the shot of the testosterone-fuelled rutting Red Deer, shown here at Woburn in October. Dreaming of photographing Kingfishers, you fi rst need a plan. Scout an area of river where the birds frequent, then fi nd a good place to set up a %u2018perch%u2019 %u2013 put a branch on a support the bird will %u2018fi sh%u2019 from. Now sit patiently and wait for the decisive moment. The bokeh and side lighting in the Kingfi sher image shown here were not arbitrary. Duncan describes boxing hares as an incredible spectacle to witness, let alone photograph. The hares shown here were boxing intermittently for nearly an hour; he left them with the male unwilling to give up.We thank Duncan for his excellent projected images, bringing them to life with his backstories and very useful technique advice.Brown Hares by Duncan WoodheadRed Deer by Duncan WoodheadFor further information call Andy Tel. 01234 714570; or info@olneycameraclub.co.ukWednesday 26th March: Club Competition, round 1. Starts 8pm at Olney Centre.Wednesday 30th April: Practical Session: Long Exposure. Starts 8pm at Olney Centre.Wednesday 28th May: Inter-club Competition. Towcester v Olney. Starts 8pm at Towcester.See our %u2018gallery%u2019 and check further meeting details on our website: