British Reptiles – Dorset An extremely rare opportunity to photograph all of our British reptiles in their native heathland habitat. Seeing our British reptiles in the wild is extremely difficult – photographing them is normally even more challenging.

To handle, disturb and photograph some species of British reptile you need a special licence from Natural England. To make sure we comply with the necessary legal requirements and to improve our chances of obtaining some stunning photographs of these wonderful creatures I have teamed up with a member of staff and fully licenced reptile handler from the RSPB and arranged to run this workshop on a private area of their Arne reserve in Dorset.

Arne has a beautiful and special landscape where you can enjoy a vast expanse of open heathland and old oak woodland. It is also one of the very few places in the UK which is home to all 6 of our British reptiles. This lowland heath habitat is very rare in Europe, and its special wildlife also includes Dartford warblers, nightjars plus many species of butterflies, dragonflies, and moths. It is also home to nearly 500 types of flowering plant including rarities such as the small carnivorous sundew.

During the day we will hope to find and photograph all the six British reptile species including the rare Sand lizard and Smooth snake. Other species targeted will include Grass snake, Adder, Common lizard and Slow worm. As always wildlife can be unpredictable so we can’t guarantee any particular species but study projects run on the reserve mean there is significant local knowledge and thus more chance of

achieving this goal.

The RSPB licenced reptile handler will have attempted to pre catch some species the day before which will increase our opportunity to obtain some stunning images. He will remain with us all day and as well as locating and managing the specimens will provide background information and advice so that our photos are as natural as possible. With his help we will make full use of the local habitat and vegetation to ensure that your images are as natural as possible.

I am a teacher with nearly 40 years’ experience both as a wildlife photographer and specialist in close up photography. I regularly give talks to camera clubs and other interested groups. I also lead a number of other specialist workshops and African safaris often teaming up with experts in their specific field. I have had some wonderful photographic teachers over the years and in turn enjoy supporting others as they experiment with and learn new techniques in wildlife photography.

As your wildlife photography guide I will lead the workshop and provide all the necessary photographic guidance and training. This workshops is designed specifically for the enthusiastic photographers with a real interest in photographing wildlife. My aim on this and all my courses and tours is quite simple, to help you master many of the field techniques required of a competent wildlife photographer and to come away having improved your technique, your knowledge of the subjects and with some memorable images. As with all my workshops my aim for this one is quite simple. It is to help you master many of the field techniques required of a competent wildlife photographer and to come away having improved your technique, your knowledge of the subjects and with some memorable images. As I will be seeking to help you experiment with and learn new techniques I limit the number attending this workshop to a maximum of 8 so that I can spend as much time with each of you as you'd like or want.

Photography level and equipment Successful wildlife photography can require some specialist equipment but excellent images can be captured without investing in the expensive lenses and cameras. Some more modern compact cameras with their excellent close up and telephoto performance are extremely effective. Whilst these will be perfectly adequate for this workshop to develop your technique further and be able to control aspects such as depth of field, shutter speed to freeze motion etc. you may benefit from using a DSLR camera. I will provide as much or as little tuition as possible but it will help if you reasonably conversant with your cameras controls as well as the basic principles of general photography. Unlike many of my workshops where I specify a particular lens the choice for reptile photography is less simple. I generally take 3 lenses - telephoto, macro, and a wide-angle. If you don’t have a macro lens a set of extension tubes is more than adequate and indeed is all I often use. Together these will enable you to produce a wide range of styles to suit each species and location. Some individuals may be docile and allow very close photography but others may need 200mm or greater.

Whilst not essential electronic flash gun or small reflector will also prove useful for providing a little extra light when required. One of the aspects I will explore on the day is the use of light, both natural and artificially.

Some form of camera support may also prove useful although a

conventional tripod is only of any use if it allows you to get down very low. A simple bean bag or even your camera bag or rolled up coat is often more useful to provide a secure rest for your camera.

The day will start with a brief introduction to the techniques and equipment required to photograph reptiles and I will pitch my presentation to suit the experience of the group. As we embark on the day I will assist with direct explanations and demonstrations of relevant techniques plus camera settings, lighting etc.

Fitness level and clothing required We will be walking over open heath and though woodland and using a number of very different locations but none will be more than 1km from the car park. The ground may however be wet and rough underfoot and you would be well advised to wear reasonably strong walking shoes or boots. It is regrettable that this workshop may not be suitable for wheel chair users. If you have any particular requirements please do contact me first at bob@naturesphotos.co.uk.

We will hope for a fine reasonably warm day but please wear suitable warm waterproof clothing preferably with plenty of layers so you can remain comfortable if conditions should change. Some of your best shots may be taken sitting or lying on the ground so please be prepared to get dirty !

As we will be visiting a number of different locations you do need to be able to pack up and transport your camera equipment from location to location. A good camera bag will therefore be useful.

There are no facilities providing food on or near the reserve so you will need to bring your own lunch and drinks for the day. Toilets will be available at the start and end of each session.

Reptiles are very susceptible to the weather. If the weather forecast is very poor the day will be postponed and another date offered. I will contact you a day or so before if this is the case.

Location: RSPB Arne near Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5BJ

Times: 11am – 5pm

All dates, availability and costs are advertised on my website, www.naturesphotos.co.uk.

Other dates may be available if groups wanted to book them. Please contact me for further information.

To book places please visit my website and complete an online booking form or contact me direct, details below.

Telephone 01327 352505 or Mobile 07983 427202 (preferred) or email info@naturesphotos.co.uk.