WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES

Big Cats, Birds of Prey, Wildlife Walks, Nature Photography, Talks & Safaris

 

Introduction to Wildlife Photography This workshop includes an introduction in the classroom, two photography sessions and the opportunity to review and discuss your images as a group - and it's a great day out! What You Will Learn How to compose a good shot How to set a correct aperture to give a blurred background to your shots Use of ISO to change shutter speed Focussing for sharp shots How to correctly expose your shots Use of fill-in flash. Skill Level 2, Activity Level 2.  Previous Experience - you should have attended our Explore Your DSLR/Compact System Camera Part 1 workshop, or be confident shooting in Aperture Priority. See our Tigers & Cheetah gallery. Dates, Venues & Prices >>		Introduction to Birds of Prey Photography This workshop includes an introduction in the classroom, two photography sessions with ample time for plenty of flying and portrait shots of the birds, and a review and opportunity to discuss your images as a group - and it's a great day out! What You Will Learn How to compose a good shot How to set a correct aperture to give a blurred background to your shots Use of ISO to change shutter speed Focussing for sharp shots How to correctly expose your shots Use of fill-in flash. Skill Level 2, Activity Level 2.  Previous Experience - you should have attended our Explore Your DSLR/Compact System Camera Part 1 workshop, or be confident shooting in Aperture Priority. See our flickr group of student shots >> Dates, Venues & Prices >>
Wildlife Photo Walks We offer a variety of Wildlife Photo Walks with subjects from deer to dragonflies.  On many of our walks you'll spend a full day 'in the field', where you'll learn how to work on the move, to review and take decisions on your photographs on the LCD screen - essential skills for both travel and wildlife safari photography, and you will have the opportunity to practice using your zoom lenses and other kit, with feedback throughout. As all our Photo Walks are different, please visit the venue page in the list below for full details. See the gallery of images from the Bushy Park Wildlife Walks. Thanks to GD student Chris Price for the stag photo.  Chris is now running his own successful photography business >> Dates, Venues & Prices >>		Wildlife Photography Masterclasses with wildlife photography expert Paul Hobson We'll supply some great photo opportunities so that you can fine-tune your skills during a full day's photography, with advice throughout from a wildlife photography expert and the opportunity to ask questions about how to photograph animals and birds in the wild Skill Level 3, Activity Level 2.  As all our Wildlife Materclasses are different, please visit the venue page in the list below for full details. See the gallery of student images from recent Masterclasses. Dates, Venues & Prices >>
Wildlife Photography Safaris From big cats to rhino photographed close-up from a safari vehicle with advice, hints and tips throughout the day.  As all our Photography Safaris are different, please visit the venue page in the list below for full details. Skill Level 2, Activity Level 2.  Previous Experience - you should have attended our Explore Your DSLR/Compact System Camera Part 1 workshop, or be confident shooting in Aperture Priority. See the South-East and West Midlands galleries from recent Safaris. Dates, Venues & Prices >>

Dates, Venues & Prices for our Wildlife Workshops

Region	Day	Date	Venue	Cost £	Places	Reserve Your Place
Devon & Cornwall	Sun	13 October 2013	Cotehele, nr Plymouth Introduction to Birds of Prey	95.00	>3
East Anglia	Sun	15 September 2013	Hedingham Castle, Essex A unique Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey in a stunning mediaeval castle setting at Hedingham Castle	100.00	>3
East Midlands	Sat	3 August 2013	Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire. Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey - Hawks & Owls in Hardwick Park with wildlife photography expert Paul Hobson. Lots of opportunities for action and portrait shots.	95.00	>3
East Midlands	Sat	14 September 2013	Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire. Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey - Hawks & Owls in Hardwick Park with wildlife photography expert Paul Hobson. Lots of opportunities for action and portrait shots.	95.00	>3
East Midlands	Sat	5 October 2013	Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire. Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey - Hawks & Owls in Hardwick Park with wildlife photography expert Paul Hobson. Lots of opportunities for action and portrait shots.	95.00	>3
East Midlands	Sun	13 October 2013	East Midlands & Peak District British Birds of Prey Masterclass with award-winning wildlife photographer Paul Hobson. A full day of photography, opportunities for a mixture of portrait and flying shots, with the birds in appropriate natural settings, with advice throughout.	95.00	>3
East Midlands	Sun	17 November 2013	Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire Close-up & Macro Advanced Techniques - from harvest mice to insects and other natural objects - with wildlife photography expert Paul Hobson	85.00	>3
East of England	Fri	28 June 2013	Burghley House, S Lincs. Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey - This is a great day out and you will have the opportunity to capture images of birds of prey, in flight and at rest. Quote the following voucher code (PR11-107863J) when booking, to claim your £10.00 discount (Please note this voucher applies only to this workshop)	95.00	>3
East of England	Fri	12 July 2013	Hamerton Zoo, Cambs. Introduction to Wildlife Photography – Experience close encounters with Cheetahs, Tigers and more. Create stunning wildlife images.	95.00	>3
East of England	Fri	16 August 2013	Hamerton Zoo, Cambs. Introduction to Wildlife Photography – Experience close encounters with Cheetahs, Tigers and more. Create stunning wildlife images.	95.00	>3
East of England	Fri	23 August 2013	Burghley House, S Lincs. Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey - This is a great day out and you\'ll have the opportunity to capture images of birds of prey, in flight and at rest.	95.00	>3
East of England	Fri	20 September 2013	Hamerton Zoo, Cambs. Introduction to Wildlife Photography – Experience close encounters with Cheetahs, Tigers and more. Create stunning wildlife images.	95.00	>3
London & South East	Fri	28 June 2013	Wildfowl & Wetland Centre, London Practice your wildlife composition with wading birds from around the world in the beautiful London Wetlands! Limited to 4. Entrance included!	75.00	FULL
London & South East	Sun	30 June 2013	Bushy Park, London Wildlife and Waterfowl Photo Safari Walk 11am-4pm - Red and Fallow Deer - Limited to 4! £10 GD Progression Discount Applies	75.00	FULL
London & South East	Sat	27 July 2013	Wildfowl & Wetland Centre, London Practice your wildlife composition with wading birds from around the world in the beautiful London Wetlands! Limited to 4. Entrance included!	75.00	2
London & South East	Sat	3 August 2013	Bushy Park, London Wildlife and Waterfowl Photo Safari Walk 11am-4pm - Red and Fallow Deer - Limited to 4! £10 GD Progression Discount Applies	75.00	3
London & South East	Sun	4 August 2013	Wildfowl & Wetland Centre, London Practice your wildlife composition with wading birds from around the world in the beautiful London Wetlands! Limited to 4. Entrance included!	75.00	3
London & South East	Fri	9 August 2013	Surrey, Sussex & Kent Action Photography with falcons, hawks, owls and eagles flying just for you in 450 hectares of beautiful Kent countryside at Mace Farm, inside the M25 close to London. Sandwich lunch included.	85.00	>3
London & South East	Sat	31 August 2013	Bushy Park, London Wildlife and Waterfowl Photo Safari Walk 11am-4pm - Red and Fallow Deer - Limited to 4! £10 GD Progression Discount Applies	75.00	3
London & South East	Fri	13 September 2013	British Wildlife Centre, Surrey Introduction to Wildlife Photography - Access to Enclosures - Foxes, Otters, Scottish Wildcats and more...Closed to the Public - Private Opening 10am-4pm. Lunch and refreshments all included.	110.00	1
London & South East	Fri	20 September 2013	Port Lympne Animal & Safari Park, Kent Bespoke Jeep Safari - Ostrich, Giraffe, Rhino and many more animals, Special Photography area for Gorilla Feed with No Public Access....Lunch included. Fantastic day to practice with longer lenses from a moving jeep for your safaris!	125.00	1
London & South East	Sat	28 September 2013	Bushy Park, London Special Evening Bushy Rutting Photography Walk 1pm-6pm - Red and Fallow Deer - Hear the amazing roar and photograph the stags - Limited to 4! £10 GD Progression Discount Applies	85.00	>3
London & South East	Sun	29 September 2013	Bushy Park, London Special Evening Bushy Rutting Photography Walk 1pm-6pm - Red and Fallow Deer - Hear the amazing roar and photograph the stags - Limited to 4! £10 GD Progression Discount Applies	85.00	>3
London & South East	Fri	4 October 2013	Bushy Park, London Special Evening Bushy Rutting Photography Walk 1pm-6pm - Red and Fallow Deer - Hear the amazing roar and photograph the stags - Limited to 4! £10 GD Progression Discount Applies	85.00	3
London & South East	Sun	13 October 2013	Wildfowl & Wetland Centre, London Practice your wildlife composition with wading birds from around the world in the beautiful London Wetlands! Limited to 4. Entrance included!	75.00	>3
North East	Sun	15 September 2013	North East Hawk Walk Photography Experience at Walworth Castle with Northside Falconry (Lunch and refreshments included). An amazing opportunity to photograph the birds hunting in a natural habitat!	105.00	>3
North West & North Midlands	Sun	1 September 2013	Ilam Park, Peak District Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey - Hawks & Owls in Ilam Park with Expert Falconer Paul Hallam of Willow Falconry.	95.00	>3
North West & North Midlands	Fri	18 October 2013	South Lakes Wild Animal Park At home with the Animals! How to capture and compose better wildlife images.	90.00	>3
South	Sat	21 September 2013	Kingston Lacy, Dorset Birds of Prey	95.00	>3
South	Fri	27 September 2013	Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour Join Peter on a photo walk around the Island, photographing the red squirrel and a wide variety of birds.Price includes ferry, but not admission which is £5.80 per adult.. National trust members do not pay admission on production of membership cards.	75.00	>3
South Wales	Fri	28 June 2013	Skomer Island Photograph the puffins on Skomer. Price includes boat and landing charges	85.00	FULL
South Wales	Sun	30 June 2013	Skomer Island Photography the puffins on Skomer island. Price includes boat and landing charges.	85.00	FULL
West Midlands & Cotswolds	Wed	3 July 2013	West Midlands Safari Park VIP Photography Safari -6 photographers only - This ultimate Photographic Safari arranged in conjunction with the Safari Park will provide close proximity to the big five in their enclosures to capture stunning wildlife images. As close as you can get to an African Safari in the UK - Lunch provided	160.00	FULL
West Midlands & Cotswolds	Wed	11 September 2013	West Midlands Safari Park VIP Photography Safari -6 photographers only - This ultimate Photographic Safari arranged in conjunction with the Safari Park will provide close proximity to the big five in their enclosures to capture stunning wildlife images. As close as you can get to an African Safari in the UK - Lunch provided	160.00	>3

 

REVIEWS

Hi Jan, I hope you are very well. I was really thrilled with this image I captured at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park last week, your classes are really paying off! Looking forward to seeing you again in the new year. Kindest Regards, Heather Burns

Hi Jan, I had another fabulous day with you and Paul on Saturday and have some super images of both the mice and moths and the more creative lighting techniques on the macro shoot, I have already started to think about some projects I can work on over the dark winter months when the weather is being unkind to be out and about. I am looking forward to booking onto some more courses in the new year. Kindest Regards, Heather  Take a look at some of the images from this workshop >>

Hi Jan, We have been on a number of photographic courses and still find Going  Digital offers the best. The structured day, with the right balance of theory and advice combined with practical time in the field and feedback afterwards is what makes such a difference! Having just completed the Birds of Prey day at Hardwick Hall 27/10/12. We came away with renewed confidence and skills to apply to all areas of our photography. Can't wait to put this into practice next week in Botswana!! Many thanks Helen and Tony

Dear Jan Can I start by saying a very big thank you to yourself, Paul and Paul for a fabulous day last Sunday, I had a wonderful time photographing Paul's beautiful birds with a group of very friendly fellow photographers and hugely experienced tutors who genuinely wanted us to get the best out of the day and produce some great photographs. I came away thinking if I had 5 or 6 good photographs to send to you I would be happy, the problem has been whittling it down from about 30 breathtaking shots and about 100 great shots!  On another note can I also say how good Ash and Pandora were on the last workshop I attended, like Ash I enjoy photographing bands and was struggling to get any useful shots, his advice has come in very handy for the back end of he festival season and I have taken some great photographs of which one is going to be published in Classic Rock magazine (the band I took the photo of are using it for their promotional literature). I am looking forward to trying out some new techniques in November when I am attending the next Wildlife workshop with yourself and Paul at Clumber Park. All for now Warm Wishes Heather

Hi Jan Many thanks to you and Paul and Paul for a great day on Saturday. I came away feeling I had learned alot and am trying to make sure that I retain and use all the valuable tips you gave us. As part of the learning process I have attached some photos and would be grateful if you could look at them and tell me what I could do better - apart from getting all the subject in the frame!! I only had my new camera a few weeks ago but am really pleased with the results - when I scrolled through the many hundreds I took on Saturday I began to recognise some areas for more attention to detail etc. All in all it was a great day, a valuable experience and added to my ever growing knowledge. Regards Pauline

Hello Jan, I just wanted to say a very big thank you for a terrific course on Sunday 15th July. I had a fantastic time and enjoyed every minute. I think your presentation was spot on - and I think the feedback that we got from yourself and Paul out in the field was excellent. I certainly came away from the day with a much improved knowledge of photographing wild birds - and I have a number of amazing photos too... My thanks again for a wonderful day. I am definitely going to book myself on to the Masterclass course later in the year - so hopefully I will see you again then. Yours very sincerely, Martin Williams.

I had the opportunity to go to one of ‘Going Digital’ workshops yesterday. It was a full day workshop on ‘an introduction to wildlife photography’ at the local Hamerton Zoo. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but what I received was first class, so did everyone at the event (10 people). The initial tutorial taught (or reminded you) how to shoot in Aperture mode, to enable you to get the subject as sharp as possible and the foreground and background blown out of focus. I must admit that I have spent many ours blowing out backgrounds in Photoshop in the past, as this was one thing that I struggled with. Assistance was given how to set up your cameras and to gain answers to any questions that you may have had. After the tutorial, off we went to shoot some big cats (and I mean BIG) because you get the chance to cross over the public barriers to physically be right next to the animals. The Keepers supplied the animals constantly with food to get them in the right positions to get that extra photograph. For £95 for the whole day was a terrific value for money. I learnt a lot, so did my son who came with me. Bernie Driver

Hi Andy. Thanks very much for the superb day on Sunday at Port Lympne. I got some fantastic pictures (took around 750 in RAW) which I'll soon set about cropping and improving when time permits. (Work always gets in the way!). Your courses always provide great value for money, personal tuition coupled with fantastic locations really make it an ideal day for us photographers. Keep up the good work, that's now my 5th workshop and I always mention Going Digital to my other photography enthusiasts. Must look for my next!! Cheers to you and Tish, Rob.

Hi Jan, I just wanted to say another big thank you to you (and Paul and Pandora) for the course last Saturday, it was brilliant!!! I can't believe the standard of the pictures I have taken. It really has taken me to the next level! Regards James.  (Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey, Hardwick Hall, 19th May)

Hi Paul, Thank you for a fabulous day at the West Midlands Safari Park on 25th April. My dad and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and my memories of the day will remain with me for a long time. I am really pleased with some of the photos I took and attach a few which I thought you might like to see. Sorry its taken a while to send these to you. The day after the photography day I fell over and I have broken a bone in my arm so the last couple of weeks have been a bit hectic. So relieved it didn't happen before the photography day! Thanks again for a wonderful day and all your help and guidance. Kind Regards Sarah Marriott [Fuji Finepix HS20]

Hi Jan, thankyou so much for the brilliant day on saturday- you were all very patient with me! have just seen the photographs on the website and am very pleased to have some of mine on there. I promise to keep practising! hope to see you again soon. Pauline (Introduction to Photographing Birds of Prey)

I just wanted to email to say thank you for a great day on Friday.  I really enjoyed being able to get so close to the big cats, especially the tigers!  Elliot Hook

"I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say that I thought the Wildlife workshop on 28 July was tremendous!  What a day it was - you (as usual) and John were so knowledgable and as usual again - so keen to help and advise - thank you!"  Annette Crook

Thank you SO much for taking the time to critique the shots...that was excellent feedback, you have such a fantastic eye for everything! I've learnt more in your courses than in any other and am so grateful for all the help :) It was the little things you were saying and the reminders while we were busy clicking away that made a huge difference to me.  Neha Brackstone

Thanks very much for another excellent day last Wednesday at Hamerton.   John was absolutely correct about booking a similar course - it really reinforced learning and increased my confidence no end.   I took my partner back there on Sunday.  She was amazed at where we were allowed to stand.  I shall be doing more workshop days.  The combination of access to shots and you and your colleagues' training is absolutely fantastic and represents great value for money.  Francis de Clermont.

Many thanks for a very informative and enjoyable course, it has taught me how to use my camera properly as opposed to just on auto or program mode. I learnt so much in such a short time, the course was well presented in a laid back manner which put everyone at ease.  I am very pleased with some of the shots I captured, I have attached one that I have adjusted and another straight from the camera, feel free to comment.  Mark Thacker

I thought your one-day course was excellent on Friday August 14th: well planned and well executed with not 1 but 2 assistants helping you. The facilities were first-class and the flying machines were pretty co-operative both standing still and in flight. The day was perfectly balanced, I felt: theory for an hour, then on individual cameras to get the settings correct for 1/2 hour and then into the field. The feedback session in the middle of the day was so useful too, as it enabled us to put right all the errors we were making; the software you used to pinpoint the focus point I really liked.  Malcolm Rea

Wow! What an experience!  A training course in such a setting and with tigers and cheetahs as subjects - definitely beyond anything I could have expected.   Looking at the photos when I got home really brought home to me what an experience I had been priveledged to take part in. The fact that my skills have improved seems almost incidental.  On that note, I do feel that I have gained in knowledge and now feel more confident to use my camera and will definitely stay off the 'auto' setting! Many thanks to you and John for that.  Please pass on my thanks to John and Tracy for making it such a great day and being so helpful.  Looking forward to seeing you on the next course.

Enjoyed the Wildlife Photography Course at Hamerton last week so much that I have booked onto your Travel & Landscape Course at Hardwick Hall!  Here are some of my better efforts from last week - many thanks for your help & advice in achieving these - much improved from what I had ever taken previously.

Going Digital provide great courses. The Introduction to Wildlife Photography is excellent! Jan and John provide information, guidance, advice and feedback in a constructive and easily understood manner to all participants on the course in a way that you cannot find else where. When photographing the wildlife, which always perform well and seem to also enjoy the experience, help and guidance is always at hand. If you are new to digital photography or have some experience you will find these courses invaluable and very enjoyable.

I would definitely recommend the “Introduction to Wildlife Photography” course at Going Digital.  Jan & John were very helpful and only taught you what you needed to know about your camera, rather than being bogged down with the piles of information in the instruction manual!  I learnt so much about my camera in such a short time and came away with images I never thought I’d be able to take.  A word of warning though – when they say you’ll be wiping tiger breath off your lens ….. they mean it !

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