The deer hunters
Venture into Richmond Park’s rustic landscape and it soon becomes evident why the Big Smoke is regarded as one of the greenest capitals in the world. The sprawling nature reserve covers 2500 acres, is the largest Royal Park in London and is famously home to over 600 red and fallow deer. The dynamic between visitors and the park’s permanent residents is quite something. Sightseers stop to admire large herds lazing in the sun, joggers head off piste to avoid passing bucks and slow-moving traffic grinds to a halt as hinds saunter across the road. Richmond Park is a wildlife smorgasbord all year round, but October is the month every photographer should have in their diary.
The red deer rut features stags at their antler-clad best, as they parade around vying for female attention and occasionally clashing with rival suitors. Our pro and Apprentice met in late September – just as the rut was kicking off – for a two-day shoot in the hope of photographing deer at sunset and sunrise.
BUCK THE TREND
The pair entered the park’s north-west entrance (Richmond Gate) and immediately happened upon a group of red deer in a large grassy clearing. “This is a great place to start, Kevin,” said Matthew. “It’ll be easier to get to grips with the deer out in the open. While you’re more likely to get better images in woodland, it’s more challenging.
“We can condense the shots we’re going to be taking into two categories. A close-up or portrait that will focus on a behaviour, and a wider atmospheric image that’s more about the background.” He explained that spending time observing wildlife is vital, because it allows the photographer to familiarize themselves with their subject’s behaviours. The conversation soon turned to kit as Kevin produced his AF-S Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR. This
