As this month is National Walking Month, I thought I’d share with you how much walking I do when I’m out and about photographing, either for myself or for business.
If you enjoy photographing the great outdoors, you often have to walk quite a way to get images that are free of other people, cars, buildings etc so that you have a ‘clean’ image of the countryside, weather, wildlife or even flower that you want to capture.
Of course another issue is that you have to lug your equipment with you, because having just one lens isn’t always going to get the job done. I use a brace of matching cameras and very occasionally I also have a tripod strapped over my shoulder.
On occasions it can be quite a trek and I must have clocked thousands of miles over my years as a photographer!
Farming:
I photograph farm equipment and farms, so capturing images of the farmers at work and their different chores; I can end up walking over many of acres of land unless I’m lucky enough to get a lift on a tractor.
And the images may have to be captured at all times of the day and night – or seasons – so I can be back and forth several times.
I’ve captured farmers while muck spreading – which doesn’t smell at all if it’s dry, but is extremely smelly if wet! And I’ve also take images of drilling, ie sowing seed which does take place at all times of the day- and into the night.
The Unexpected:
Living in Wiltshire, there are many occasions where if you’re in the right place at the right time, you can capture images of military exercises; paratroopers leaving the plane or even a helicopter lifting white chalk to repaint the White Horses, which are dotted around the county.
Wildlife – animals and flowers:
Capturing wildlife is an example where you often need to be walking somewhere well away from people, otherwise the animals won’t appear. Also, you need to have good lenses to capture them if they’re somewhere in the distance and you don’t want to scare them. Plus you need different lenses to capture movement and distance too. Then there’s the waiting as well as the walking – you have to be very patient too.
Also photographing wild flora is something that needs to be done when fewer people are around getting in the way. That often entails getting up earlier than most, so that you can get images without having to wait for other humans to move out of the way.
It always seems to be the case too that when you see a field of poppies, or a field of bright yellow rapeseed, the field isn’t conveniently near a road. You have park up (safely) and walk to where you can get a good image. Of course, always keeping to footpaths and not going on to private property without permission.
Sunsets and Sunrise:
Capturing sunsets and sunrises can also be a challenge, as you need to have an uninterrupted view of the sun, without distractions, and you also have to have patience, to wait until the right moment.
Coastal walks and seascapes:
These can be incredibly rewarding, but again, you often have to walk a long way, especially if you want to get cliff top images.
Also, capturing beaches without people means either knowing places where other people don’t, or making sure you arrive early enough when you can photograph a virgin beach – minus humans!
Of course with all of these activities, it’s important to always follow the footpath signs, as farmland is private and to be always aware of your personal safety.
If you’re going to be walking more than normal this month, take your camera or your phone with you and document your walk in images.
If you’d like to book a photoshoot for your business, then please contact me on: neil@moore-photographics.com
