British Wildlife for Canvas

Monday 29th September 2014

Autumn is officially here and it's a fantastic time for spotting and photographing British wildlife, and they make perfect subjects for canvas prints and great gifts for the animal lover. Best of all you don't even need to venture very far, there are a number of species sitting in your own garden.

So what's around this time of year, and how can you get the most out of your photos?

In the Garden:

• Birds- Everywhere, if you have a bird feeder, with a little patience you'll have a multitude of photo opportunities.
• Hedgehogs - You'll find them in hedge rows (what a shocker!), and scrub land. Remember to watch out for them before you light the bonfire in case ones snoozing under Mr. Guy Fawkes!
• Squirrels - Scurrying about woodland and stealing food you put out for the birds.
• Foxes - You'll catch these at dusk and night, like hedgehogs if you leave food out, you may entice some pretty close.

If you want to attract more wildlife to your garden and help you get even better photos, there are a few things you can do to make your garden wildlife friendly. Get a bird feeder and box for instance, you can even make hedgehog houses. You'll find loads of great ideas online with the wildlife trust.

Further Afield:

• Badgers - You'll find badgers around woodlands and grassland but they are nocturnal so pretty difficult to capture on camera. You may however get lucky and have one stumble into your garden in search of food.
• Deer - You'll need to head to a deer park or country estate here, but this time of year is the rut, when young stags develop antlers and compete for female deer, so you could potentially get some great action shots.
• Rabbits & Hares - You'll find them hopping about meadows, heath and grassland. If you can find a decent spot you'll find hordes of them together, usually in meadow land.
• Birds of Prey - Keep your eye about the countryside. Look up at clear skies and keep focused on high branches.

Top Photography Tips:

• Be patient: Remember, these animals are wild, and it's highly unlikely that they will just stroll on into the shot and offer up a perfect pose. It will take a lot of your patience and self control. You may spot your subject really easily in your own garden, or you may have to go in search of them. But more than likely you will be rewarded from your efforts.

• Get on their level: Wherever your subject may be or you predict them to be try and get on a similar level. This always makes for a great shot, and it will make the photo seem more vivid in being in their environment.

• Keep still and steady: This applies to you and the camera. It goes without saying that these are wild animals, and although some may be more used to humans than others, a slight noise or sudden movement is enough to make them scarper.

• Keep your eyes and ears open: Wherever you go you'll be in contact with some form of wildlife, from the sky to the ground. So always be prepared, keep your eyes open and focused on areas where you might expect to find your subject. Most are camouflaged very well into their environment so make sure you don't miss an exciting opportunity. Keep your ears tuned for snuffling, twigs snapping and bushes rustling too.

So if you are a wildlife lover, this time of year is fantastic to start practising your photography. It makes a great subject and will make a wonderful addition on canvas in any home. Also with Christmas fast approaching (can you believe it?!) they will make perfect gifts for the animal lover. Get your order in today and get 20% off your order with voucher code AUTUMN1