Shooting Bears

I'm off on the 19th. to shoot bears & wolves in the Bavarian forrest after reading an article in PP about TATRA PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS.
Is there anyone else out there going from the PU club?
CHEERS Vic.

This sounds like an excellent opportunity. I would have to book outside of the agency since I'm not from the UK but it's definitely something I would wish to experience someday.

On the side note. Which lenses are you taking with you?

Hi Luftwalk.
Two bodies. K7 & K5. 18-55WR, Sigma 10-20, Sigma 24-60F2.8, Tamron 75-300
Sigma 50-500, AF-540FGZ flash gun, Uni-loc tripod, Gorillapod, Infrared remote.
Have a look at, tatraphotographyworkshop.com
One day I will visit your country as I believe the lakes and mountains are quite spectacular. My wife and I used to go to what was Yugoslavia before the war for many holidays but never got to Slovinia.
Have a look at my Picasa link for a small collection from a previous holiday.
CHEERS Vic.

Hey Vic,

Quite an array of gear you have there. I guess you're going on the Europe's Greatest Predator's workshop? It has to be exciting getting up close and personal with all these animals. The Kenya safari you have on your Picasa link also makes for a great set of pictures. Again...one of the things I'd like to experience.

Btw, I would recommend Slovenia for nature photography, like you said, there is a wide array of lakes, mountains, sea,... crammed into one little country

Your a lucky man Vic, but you know we now expect to see some stunning pics

Hi Alan. I'll try my damdest if my fingers don't freeze off. It should be still covered in snow out there.

I don't think there are any trains there though which I believe is your thing!
We have a fantastic viaduct near hear. The Welland Valley which every now and then they run steam trains over. You and your railway friends should look it up as even without the trains it is still a good site for photographs.

Luftwalk. Save your cash and look for Freemans Safari. You live in a tent for the time of the holiday and go to sleep with the sound of lions in the background all through the night.

CHEERS Vic.

Trains aren't really my thing Vic, the ones I posted recently were only to have a go at something different, believe me I would sooner have the bears and wolves

OK Alan. I've just had a look at your PPG link and it seems I got it wrong. You seem to like nature and wild life. I see some are macro. That's something I want to try and have a reversing ring with a 50mm A 1.7 and an old (80) model Pentax ring flash which one day I must get round to trying on little things.
CHEERS Vic.

Hey Vic,

I'm guessing you should be back by now. How was the trip? Any nice photos to show?

Yes I'm back and yes I got some good shots. I've yet to edit them though. As the weather is so good in the UK just now my wife has me slaving away in the garden and I've also started my part time summer job in the local theme park. I will get round to editing them and post some on the forum just give me a little time. In the Bavarian forest the weather was very warm and sunny although there was still about 1 metre of snow on the ground for the Bears, Wolves, and lynx to play and fight in.
CHEERS Vic.

u working in wicksteeds park then on the rollercoaster.

Hi col55555ine. Yes that's the place and yes I'm in the Arena where the rollercoaster is, but my job is supervisor on the photo boothes and the games stalls although sometimes if we are short staffed then I also work on the rides as we all muck in to help each other. I work weekends and in the high season F.S.S.M.
Is your location near Wickys? Or do you just know it and travel to it?
If you come in then look me up. Youv'e seen my photo on here so you should recognise me. CHEERS Vic.

I've managed to post a few in the photos. I still can't get them all to download and some duplicate but at least I managed some. CHEERS Vic.

Hey Vic,

nice photos you managed to take. I'm especially jealous of the lynx photos since they are really rare to get in the wild. Are there different lookouts for different animals? How does the whole workshop look?

Hi. Go to, tatraphotographyworkshop.com and you'll see the setup. It's a large Nature Park/Reserve in the Bavarian forest and although the animals are in fenced areas the area is large and you only occasionally see any fences. There are also moose, otters, and other animals and you need to walk quite a long way from one to the other through the forest. when you get to each one there are viewing platforms. The cameras were going like machine guns and I took 1983 photos of which I'm sure I'll get rid of 75/80%. Look it up and enjoy it. CHEERS Vic.