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Anonymous
I'm toying with the idea of pursuing wildlife photography, but I know absolutely nothing about cameras. Can you gives give me some good forums, books, camera names that can set me in the right path?
>> Anonymous
You know, there actually is a board for photography.
>> Anonymous
you know its good to try it in both places
>> Bitter Anon !!WJLRQ1cwCyZ
>>154701
That's illegal in some states.
>> Anonymous
You need a good zoom (optical not digital), I think the Canon S3 is supposed to be great for the price.
>> Anonymous
go black and white film to start, you'll learn a wealth of knowledge about lighting and shadows that isn't nearly as obvious in a color medium
>> Anonymous
Two suggestions:

1) Talk to some established photographers about camera hardware and composing a scene.

2) Be prepared for the hard work of the job: The real issue with wildlife photography goes way beyond knowing how to use a camera and compose photos. You will need to have amazing patience and good outdoor skills. You can't just walk up on wild animals. You will have to learn how to stalk and hide, just like a hunter. Be prepared to camp out for hours--completely motionless--in some freezing cold, mosquito infested, swamp waiting for the off chance that whatever creature you are supposed to be photographing MIGHT wander by...
>> Butter Anon
Well, he didn't say if he wanted to do it as a hobby or professionally. I'd recommend taking a formal class, that way you might get some dark room experience too which might be useful depending how far you want to take this path.
>> Anonymous
>>154737
Shit. Hours?
Depending on the animal and how serious he wants to go into this, days. Possibly longer.
>> Anonymous
>>154740
you know, getting to spend days in the wildness just enjoying the scenery appeals to some people
>> Anonymous
>>154826

Of course it appeals to some people. But it also doesn't appeal to many others. Personally, I enjoy it. I relish sitting in a hunting stand for hours at a time. It's peaceful, and it's a wonderful break from the hectic world of business. On the other hand, some of my friends can't sit still for 5 minutes, let alone 5 hours--and that's INDOORS. Outside with muck, bugs, and all sorts of critters is a different story.

Don't forget all the wonderful hassles encountered when you are travelling to middle-of-nowhere places in the world, carrying tens of thousands of dollars worth of fragile camera equipment. You get to deal with corrupt government officials, locals who don't speak your language, and various other people who want to rob/kill/rape you, not necissarily in that order.
>> Anonymous
>>154826

Don't forget that photography isn't necissarily a walk in the sunshine. You don't get to go outside when it suits you, and you can't just turn around and step back inside into air conditioning whenever you get tired. You go when and where it suits the photograph. It doesn't matter if the weather is uncomfortable, if the local ants are eating your feet, or if you have to go take a piss. You have to tough it out and wait.

I recall reading about how one photographer for National Geographic literally laid for seven hours in a pool of his own urine, waiting for a certain type of butterfly to come by so he could photograph it. The urine thing was intentional. Apparently it attracts the butterflies...and also all sorts of other (bitey) insects as well.
>> Anonymous
img.4chan.org/p/

Oh wait, you wanted a good forum, I can't help you there.