jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
I'm interested in getting into Wildlife and Adventure photography. What type of equipment will I need and recomendations on classes to take?:ylsmoke:
Wildlife and Adventure Photography
- Thread starter jeepmedic46
- Start date
Photog
Explorer
Wildlife photographers usually use very long lenses (400mm and up). Higher resolution camera body (20 mega pixel & up) are common in this group. This equipment is used, to allow the photographer to maintain a respectable distance, allowing the wildlife to act naturally and not become nervous at your presence. You can use smaller lenses and less resolution if you approach the wildlife as if you were an archery hunter (very stealthy).
Adventure photography? What does that mean to you? Helmet cam on a white-water helmet? Please define this better.:ylsmoke:
Are you looking for a hobby or an income?
Adventure photography? What does that mean to you? Helmet cam on a white-water helmet? Please define this better.:ylsmoke:
Are you looking for a hobby or an income?
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
Alternatively, speaking wildlife here, I know there are a lot of budget conscious shooters who prefer a cropped frame camera, think Nikon D300, Canon 7D, Sony A700, Pentax K7 etc. This allows them the length of lens without having to go to big super pricey glass. That 300mm lens full framers shoot with becomes a 450-480 equivalent on a cropped sensor 1.5/1.6. If you're going to be out in the elements I'd look at a weather sealed camera.
A workshop is probably one of the best investments a new shooter can make., but it's a buyer beware type investment. Lots of photographers offer workshops, but not all photographers offering them should be running them. If you can find a manufacturer backed photographer you're probably going to get something worthwhile. In any case screen the photographers credentials, don't be affraid to ask what makes them qualified to run a workshop. A photographer worth his weight should have no probelm answer ing that question. If they get defensive, forget it.
A workshop is probably one of the best investments a new shooter can make., but it's a buyer beware type investment. Lots of photographers offer workshops, but not all photographers offering them should be running them. If you can find a manufacturer backed photographer you're probably going to get something worthwhile. In any case screen the photographers credentials, don't be affraid to ask what makes them qualified to run a workshop. A photographer worth his weight should have no probelm answer ing that question. If they get defensive, forget it.
Photog
Explorer
X2 on the training info.:iagree:
Part of the reasoning behind the 20+ Mp full frame cameras, is the crop taken from the center still has equal or more resolution than the cameras with the smaller sensors. The end product (images, photographs) is equal or better, and the full frame adds other opportunities.
Again, there are less expensive ways to go, you just need to be a very skilled stalker (wildlife).
Spend most of the budget on the glass, and get a decent weather sealed body (excellent point Trevor). Much of this can be purchased on the used market, to save 25% - 50%. Doctors and lawyers seem to go through a lot of this gear, with very little actual usage.
Part of the reasoning behind the 20+ Mp full frame cameras, is the crop taken from the center still has equal or more resolution than the cameras with the smaller sensors. The end product (images, photographs) is equal or better, and the full frame adds other opportunities.
Again, there are less expensive ways to go, you just need to be a very skilled stalker (wildlife).
Spend most of the budget on the glass, and get a decent weather sealed body (excellent point Trevor). Much of this can be purchased on the used market, to save 25% - 50%. Doctors and lawyers seem to go through a lot of this gear, with very little actual usage.
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jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Hobby starting out and working it eventually into income. Stupid question is all photography digital or is film used as well? What would you recomend for a camera body?
Photog
Explorer
When you get into weather sealed bodies, the field gets very narrow.
Nikon D200, D300, D700 and the big body series.
Canon 5D MkII, and the big 1D series big bodies.
I think Pentax makes a weather sealed body.
I don't know about the rest.
There are a number of wildlife/natural history photographers that have no other jobs. Much of their income comes from speaking engagements and teaching workshops. John Shaw and Moose Peterson are a couple that come to mind.
Research wildlife photographers, and see if you can speak with a few of them, about what they do to put food on the table. You may find the hobby more enjoyable than the career.
Digital is the way to go. The publications that purchase the images are up to speed now. Very few would require a piece of film (negative or transparency).
Any definition for "Adventure Photographer"?
Nikon D200, D300, D700 and the big body series.
Canon 5D MkII, and the big 1D series big bodies.
I think Pentax makes a weather sealed body.
I don't know about the rest.
There are a number of wildlife/natural history photographers that have no other jobs. Much of their income comes from speaking engagements and teaching workshops. John Shaw and Moose Peterson are a couple that come to mind.
Research wildlife photographers, and see if you can speak with a few of them, about what they do to put food on the table. You may find the hobby more enjoyable than the career.
Digital is the way to go. The publications that purchase the images are up to speed now. Very few would require a piece of film (negative or transparency).
Any definition for "Adventure Photographer"?
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Thank you, I will try and locate some wildlife photographers and talk to them. I was thinking that adventure photography is taking pictures of people white water rafting, Mountain biking, Xterra racing.
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
Pick a lens system first then worry about the body. All of the big players make nice glass and bodies. If you really want a high mpix full frame cam but don't want to break the bank there is only a few options. The 5D II, and the Sony A800 or A900. All other 20 mpix cams, D3x, 1ds III, will run you 6 grand plus just for the body.
Edit: for the record I really like what Sony has been doing lately. If I was starting from scratch I'd give them a very serious look.
Edit: for the record I really like what Sony has been doing lately. If I was starting from scratch I'd give them a very serious look.
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jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Where would be the best places to purchase the lenses and the camera body?
Lost Canadian
Expedition Leader
When ordering from the US I only use B&H. In Canada I go through The Camera Store.
Photog
Explorer
You live on the east coast, so I would recommend B&H or Adorama. There are others (KEH, etc.); but I would use the info at B&H as a baseline.
If you are going to make a business of it, you will want to get a 2-4 year degree in marketing and business. The photography will be less than 10% of the time spent in the business. The photography needs to meet the needs of the buyers, and may not need to be outstanding photography work.
There are many outstanding wildlife photographers that have no idea how to market their work (starving artist). There are OK photographers that make a great income, because they know how to market their work and find buyers.
If you pick it up as a hobby, and you sell some of your work now and then; please charge the going rate and get paid the going rates for your work.
If you are going to make a business of it, you will want to get a 2-4 year degree in marketing and business. The photography will be less than 10% of the time spent in the business. The photography needs to meet the needs of the buyers, and may not need to be outstanding photography work.
There are many outstanding wildlife photographers that have no idea how to market their work (starving artist). There are OK photographers that make a great income, because they know how to market their work and find buyers.
If you pick it up as a hobby, and you sell some of your work now and then; please charge the going rate and get paid the going rates for your work.
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jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
Thank you, I'm hoping to get half as good as the people on this site. Their pictures are incredible.:ylsmoke:
taco2go
Explorer
Great advice, can't go wrong with the generous input from top level craftsmen and artists on this forum.
Someone mentioned 'visual literacy' recently. Look at lots and lots and lots of pictures. It's free and you learn a ton! I checked out some books by Tim Fitzharris from our local library. In addition to the helpful practical and technical advice, his books are chock full of stunning wildlife and landscape images.
Enjoy the process..
Someone mentioned 'visual literacy' recently. Look at lots and lots and lots of pictures. It's free and you learn a ton! I checked out some books by Tim Fitzharris from our local library. In addition to the helpful practical and technical advice, his books are chock full of stunning wildlife and landscape images.
Enjoy the process..