ukaskew
Suspended / Banned
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- Chris
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I've done quite a few of these now and had some absolute hits (and some stinkers), it can be pretty tricky to find reviews so I thought I'd share a few thoughts and shots. I'd love to hear about any others (particularly in the south!), aside from another aviation one next week I don't have anything specific lined up.
A few of the more recent ones I've been to...
British Wildlife Centre
Comfortably the best one I've done, super relaxed, maximum of 10 photographers and it's basically just an entire day out and about around the (closed) centre with a keeper (so no photography advice on offer), being British wildlife you can go in with absolutely everything, so the access really is something. I only did the 'winter' photography day which is shorter than the usual one, but it was still basically 4.5 hours of photography with very little 'filler', short distances between enclosures, a quick briefing and then loads of time in each one.
A 70-200 and Macro were suggested and I'd just about agree with that, a 100-400 would probably have been the better choice but there were relatively few times when I really missed not having more than 180mm (full frame).
Threshold Aero
Just the one of these so far (have another next week) but the best aviation one I've done. Had to work pretty hard to get results on this particular one (which A LOT of people complained about, I think there is an expectation that these events should be shooting fish in a barrel) but that just made it all the more rewarding. These are pretty relaxed, they'll set the scene/lighting and let you crack on for a few hours, no actors/scenes/smoke etc...
Timeline Events - Didcot Railway & Cotswold Airport
Very different from the above events. Actors, smoke, lots of posed, pre-defined scenes to tick off over a few hours. Not for me but if you want this sort of thing there are probably none better, I guess the main thing to note is that it'll very clearly be from an 'experience' and you'll have similar photos to most others. I'll be honest, I really struggled with the attitude/entitlement of other photographers on both of these.
I also did one with the Big Cat Sanctuary (Kent) but that was quite a few years ago now, that was absolutely incredible (although expensive) and one I'd love to do again now my photography has improved.
The biggest factor in terms of enjoyment with these things is typically the other photographers. Usually small-ish groups, sometimes limited space for the best angles and many hours together, so it's kinda the luck of the draw if you get a good group or not. I'm not in the slightest bit pushy or confrontational (and rarely say a word!) and found the two Timeline shoots in particular to be absolutely awful in terms of basic courtesy and respect for others, but I may have just been unlucky.
A few of the more recent ones I've been to...
British Wildlife Centre
Comfortably the best one I've done, super relaxed, maximum of 10 photographers and it's basically just an entire day out and about around the (closed) centre with a keeper (so no photography advice on offer), being British wildlife you can go in with absolutely everything, so the access really is something. I only did the 'winter' photography day which is shorter than the usual one, but it was still basically 4.5 hours of photography with very little 'filler', short distances between enclosures, a quick briefing and then loads of time in each one.
A 70-200 and Macro were suggested and I'd just about agree with that, a 100-400 would probably have been the better choice but there were relatively few times when I really missed not having more than 180mm (full frame).
Threshold Aero
Just the one of these so far (have another next week) but the best aviation one I've done. Had to work pretty hard to get results on this particular one (which A LOT of people complained about, I think there is an expectation that these events should be shooting fish in a barrel) but that just made it all the more rewarding. These are pretty relaxed, they'll set the scene/lighting and let you crack on for a few hours, no actors/scenes/smoke etc...
Timeline Events - Didcot Railway & Cotswold Airport
Very different from the above events. Actors, smoke, lots of posed, pre-defined scenes to tick off over a few hours. Not for me but if you want this sort of thing there are probably none better, I guess the main thing to note is that it'll very clearly be from an 'experience' and you'll have similar photos to most others. I'll be honest, I really struggled with the attitude/entitlement of other photographers on both of these.
I also did one with the Big Cat Sanctuary (Kent) but that was quite a few years ago now, that was absolutely incredible (although expensive) and one I'd love to do again now my photography has improved.
The biggest factor in terms of enjoyment with these things is typically the other photographers. Usually small-ish groups, sometimes limited space for the best angles and many hours together, so it's kinda the luck of the draw if you get a good group or not. I'm not in the slightest bit pushy or confrontational (and rarely say a word!) and found the two Timeline shoots in particular to be absolutely awful in terms of basic courtesy and respect for others, but I may have just been unlucky.
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