birds of prey centre photography

plloydie

plloydie

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My better half has asked me would I like a photography day at a bird of prey centre, i thought that this seems like a good idea.
One package is you photograph the birds in various flight/perching modes or as an alternative at £20 more you can get some tuition, as a relative novice I thought that would be a better bet, have any forum members been on a shoot with or without the tuition and what are your thoughts.
 
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If you book as a photography day you will get the chance for shots like those. If I can anyone can. :D If Hypnotic (Kev) dosen't organise another trip next year I'll be organising one myself, it really is a great day.
 
I did a photography workshop at a falconry centre earlier this year and I thought it was a great experience. I was very happy with the photos I got from it and it was amazing to be able to get up really close to the birds (for me, this was just as exciting as the photography itself). They truly are magnificent creatures.

I definitely want to go back, but even though the workshop taught me a few things, I think next time I'll set something up with the falconry directly. The reason being I'd have more of a say in which birds to work with, plus I'd be able to set the shots up the way I want them and really take my time with them.

If you're unsure if you'll need the help, I'd say pay the extra £20, just in case. If you don't actually end up needing it, it's not like you've wasted a huge amount of money.
 
Nathalie said:
to be able to get up really close to the birds (for me, this was just as exciting as the photography itself). They truly are magnificent creatures.
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I feel much the same, did you go on a shoot by yourself or as an organised group like Big Andy? I would pay the extra £20 as i'd be fumbling with the settings whilst the birds were flying by.
 
Don't know where you are situated but another vote for the Gloucester Barn Owl Centre, great opportunity to be with a small dedicated group and Vince will help you get some great photos.
 
Thanks I'm In Herefordshire, i knew nothing about the Barn Owl Centre only the Birds of prey centre in Newent (both are under 35 miles from where i am) I will look at both, maybe if there is a meet at one sometime in the New Year I'll give it a go, but like i said I have only had a DSLR for 18 months so would need some pointers hence the tuition.
 
hot-ice said:
I feel much the same, did you go on a shoot by yourself or as an organised group like Big Andy? I would pay the extra £20 as i'd be fumbling with the settings whilst the birds were flying by.
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It was organised by two professional wildlife photographers. There were 8 of us in total doing the workshop, but mostly we worked in groups of 4.

I found the flight shots difficult - I am not the best with moving subjects - and this along with more wide angle stuff is what I want to focus on the next time I go.
 
Birds of Prey Centre is closed now til Feb.
But for a tenner entry is still very worth a visit and will give you a chance to have a practise and decide what sort of shots you would like to get when you do your full day.
 
One of the best days I've had for shooting captive BoP was at my friend's 40th birthday bash a few years back. For her pressie I paid a falconer to come round and put on a display in her garden.
 
i take a few shots when im flying my bird not got a good camera but its good fun theres a knack to catching the bird when its in full flight unless the birds straight on
 
Hi Hot-ice

I went in September for photography day with tuition, it was excellent.
Got really close to the birds and Linda who takes all the photos for the centre helps you to take the photos.

If the weather is ok they take 3/4 birds throughout the day into a nearby field and place them on a branch so you can get really good close ups.

I took over a 1000 photos that day, some were good some not so good but an excellent day.

Well worth it

Steve

ps i have nothing to do with the centre other than an avid fan
 
I had a wonderful day photographing the birds at Newent earlier in the year, but having now had a photography day at the Barn Owl Centre, I really don't think anywhere else is as good. Having the birds with no jesses in totally natural environments rather than with obvious jesses flying over manicured laws - there is just no comparison. I used to love going to birds of prey centres and demos to photograph them, but am now completely spoiled by the Barn Owl Centre! There is no formal tuition, but Vince is incredibly helpful and even lent a lens to one chap who was there with me.
 
Good evening folks.

I was about to post a new thread about finding a decent bird of prey centre and found this one.

I am not a great photographer myself but would love to take some shots of these beautiful birds.

Being from the West Midlands I was wondering if you could recommend some for me (near or far) so I can short list a few before making my decision.

When I Googled "falconry photography days" the first one that came up was the Hawking Centre in Kent and another was Liberty's Falconry in Hampshire. Do any of the members have any experience of these?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Craig.
 
As above - The Barn Owl Centre in Gloucester - you won't find better.
 
Agreed on the barn owl center
but you might also like this.
Static displays where you can get quite close to the birds,
some have wire mesh others are just bowed out.
3 or 4 flying displays through the day
and at 8 quid you cant really complain :)

Click me
 
So nobody has been to the Hawking Centre, Kent and/or Liberty's Falconry in Hampshire?
 
If you're in the West Midlands it's much closer for Newent Falconry Center or the Barn Owl Center Glouscester. Also there is a TP meet coming up at the Hawk Conservancy Center Andover on the 18th Feb if you want to meet up. url]http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=377699[/url]
 
Can anyone reccomend any falconry centers in Essex that allow photography, or run photography tuition?
 
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