Estate Shoot Day Help

birrew

birrew

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Wayne
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Hi Folks

been looking for other local place for Action Photography, but my sister in law has came up with an idea of going on an estate shoot day with her boyfriend which he is a game keeper for, which i love the idea something totally different

just wondering if anyone has done or anything like this before that could give me some hints and tips how to go about it? (i know not stand infront of the guns lol)

Kit wise i have 550d with kit lens 50mm 1.8 and 55-250

Any help would be great

Cheers Wayne
 
There is a certain amount of convention that you should be aware of. Introduce yourself to the head keeper, who should be made aware of exactly what you are there for. Put yourself under his wing, and take instructions from him. Ignore them at you peril, for he will not hesitate to throw you off the shoot if you are a danger to guns or beaters.

I would suggest that you attach youself to the beaters for one half of the day, to the guns for the other. When you are with the guns you will need to keep to the line of the rear dog handlers, perhaps the wife to one of the guns, people who have the task of spotting and picking up birds that come across the gun line - you will be 150 yards or so back from the guns, so you will need your zoom. You may get permission to shadow one of the guns, in which case you will stay close beside them as if you were a loader, and follow their precise instructions, for they will swing around to shoot birds that are coming over. When the whistle goes at the end of each drive shooting stops and the dogs are sent out to pick up.

There is a gathering for coffee in the morning, and another for as tot at the end of the day when the birds are counted and the guns and the beaters gather together. Both represent good opportunities for candid portraits - I have found my old 24-120 on a cropped frame useful in these situations. I do think that if the 550d is a crop frame you might consider borrowing a similarly wider zoom or a 35mm, because at 50 or 55 you are on at 80mm equivalent, which will sometimes be a little too long in this situtation.

Remember, be very aware of what is going on, and follow instructions precisely.
 
Exactly as above really. Get a good idea of what the days plan is and try and get half day with beaters and half behind the guns. Take appropriate clothing and footwear too. Get in with the head keeper and do exactly as he says, when he says. And a bottle of scotch as a thank you will usually get you invited back too :-)
 
birrew said:
Thanks for the advise guys, the sister in laws boyfriend is the head keeper which is a good thing, so ill speak to him about how the days go and what's involved.

Is it worth taken two bodies To save swapping lenses?
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Yep if you don't mind carrying the extra weight can save a lot of time,as a kid I did quite a lot of beating to earn some money,as the line move toward the guns you don't want to be left behind changing lens.

:)
 
birrew said:
Thanks for the advise guys, the sister in laws boyfriend is the head keeper which is a good thing, so ill speak to him about how the days go and what's involved.

Is it worth taken two bodies To save swapping lenses?
Click to expand...

and remember its not a walk in the country, if you're with the beaters you'll be going through some pretty heavy cover at the beginning of the season anyway, it can be hard work so you may want to travel as light as possible, when i did it i actually used my 70 - 300 and stayed well back out of the way
 
May I ask, what the guns are shooting at??? - Pheasant season runs from Oct 1st 2013 to Feb 1st 2014 this season or is it another type shoot, Im a tad confused

I am a Game Keeper and the above advice is all good- keep out of the way unless you fancy a face full of shot :lol::lol:

As said speak to the Keeper prior to the shoot ask about dress code where you can or cannot go- clients pay a lot of money to shoot game, worth remembering

Yes take 2 bodies or risk missing some of the "Action Shots" you desire

Les :thumbs:



Species England, Scotland, Wales Northern Ireland

Pheasant Oct 1st - Feb 1st Oct 1st - Jan 1st
Partridge Sept 1st - Feb 1st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Grouse Aug 12th - Dec 10th Aug 12th - Nov 30th
Ptarmigan Aug 12th - Dec 10th -----
Blackgrouse Aug 20th - Dec 10th -----
Snipe Aug 12th - Jan 31st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Jack Snipe Protected** Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Woodcock Oct 1st - Jan 31st Oct 1st - Jan 31st
Woodcock (Scotland) Sept 1st - Jan 31st -----
Duck & Goose (Inland) Sept 1st - Jan 31st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Duck & Goose (Below High Water Mark) Sept 1st - Feb 20th Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Coot/Moorhen Sept 1st - Jan 31st Ptoected**
Gloden Plover Sept 1st Jan 31st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Curlew Protected** Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Hare Cannot be sold March-July Aug 12th - Jan 31st
 
Lez325 said:
May I ask, what the guns are shooting at??? - Pheasant season runs from Oct 1st 2013 to Feb 1st 2014 this season or is it another type shoot, Im a tad confused

I am a Game Keeper and the above advice is all good- keep out of the way unless you fancy a face full of shot :lol::lol:

As said speak to the Keeper prior to the shoot ask about dress code where you can or cannot go- clients pay a lot of money to shoot game, worth remembering

Yes take 2 bodies or risk missing some of the "Action Shots" you desire

Les :thumbs:

Species England, Scotland, Wales Northern Ireland

Pheasant Oct 1st - Feb 1st Oct 1st - Jan 1st
Partridge Sept 1st - Feb 1st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Grouse Aug 12th - Dec 10th Aug 12th - Nov 30th
Ptarmigan Aug 12th - Dec 10th -----
Blackgrouse Aug 20th - Dec 10th -----
Snipe Aug 12th - Jan 31st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Jack Snipe Protected** Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Woodcock Oct 1st - Jan 31st Oct 1st - Jan 31st
Woodcock (Scotland) Sept 1st - Jan 31st -----
Duck & Goose (Inland) Sept 1st - Jan 31st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Duck & Goose (Below High Water Mark) Sept 1st - Feb 20th Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Coot/Moorhen Sept 1st - Jan 31st Ptoected**
Gloden Plover Sept 1st Jan 31st Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Curlew Protected** Sept 1st - Jan 31st
Hare Cannot be sold March-July Aug 12th - Jan 31st
Click to expand...

Is pheasants mainly think they might have partridge too,

I have got a bit of money saved up for a second body so might just go buy another one as I have the same bother with my Motorsport days,

Ill speak to the keeper before hand no worries as I know its there job I don't want to be in the way
 
Oh ok I thought it was happening almost immediatley and as Game Keeper myself I can say- please please listen to what the Keeper tells you, as it could seriously affect his job, if things went wrong, trust me I know and on a personal note: I would NEVER allow a photographer on any of my shoots- so think yourself a very very lucky togger :lol:

Have a good day- look forward to seeing the results


Les :thumbs:
 
Lez325 said:
Oh ok I thought it was happening almost immediatley and as Game Keeper myself I can say- please please listen to what the Keeper tells you, as it could seriously affect his job, if things went wrong, trust me I know and on a personal note: I would NEVER allow a photographer on any of my shoots- so think yourself a very very lucky togger :lol:

Have a good day- look forward to seeing the results

Les :thumbs:
Click to expand...

No I wouldn't want to turn up at something with put abit of notice specially something like this lol, plus I like to do abit of prep work

Thanks Les ill be sure to post the photos
 
birrew said:
No I wouldn't want to turn up at something with put abit of notice specially something like this lol, plus I like to do abit of prep work

Thanks Les ill be sure to post the photos
Click to expand...

Look forward to seeing them :thumbs:
 
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