Bird Photography with Canon Ambassador Ellie Rothnie

Join Canon Ambassador Ellie Rothnie at the Hawk Conservancy for a day of bird photography, expert tuition and hands-on Canon equipment. Celebrate Camera Store Week with Castle Cameras and Canon at the spectacular Hawk Conservancy Trust in Andover, for a full day of bird photography, expert tuition and hands-on experience with some of Canon's finest cameras and telephoto lenses. Join Canon Ambassador and professional wildlife photographer Ellie Rothnie for an inspiring and practical bird photography workshop in one of the UK's most impressive settings for photographing birds of prey. Whether you're new to wildlife photography or looking to take your bird photography to the next level, Ellie will share her knowledge, experience and creative approach to photographing birds in flight, giving you plenty of tips, techniques and inspiration to put into practice throughout the day. Learn from a Canon Ambassador The day will begin with a presentation from Ellie, exploring how she approaches bird photography and the techniques she uses to capture compelling images of wildlife. Drawing on her extensive experience photographing birds and wildlife both in the UK and overseas, Ellie will cover everything from camera settings and autofocus techniques to composition, tracking moving subjects and making the most of changing light and backgrounds. She'll also share her approach to photographing birds in flight, helping you understand how to anticipate behaviour and react quickly when those fleeting photographic opportunities present themselves. Put your skills into practice The real excitement begins when we head out into the Hawk Conservancy Trust for the day's spectacular flying displays. Throughout the day, you'll have the opportunity to borrow Canon demonstration cameras and lenses, including a selection of Canon's EOS R mirrorless cameras and powerful RF telephoto lenses. This is a unique opportunity to put Canon's latest technology through its paces in a genuine wildlife photography environment, capturing birds in flight during the Trust's live displays. Ellie will be on hand throughout the day, offering practical advice, helping you get the most from the equipment and sharing tips and tricks to improve your photography. Whether you're looking to master Canon's autofocus system, experiment with different focal lengths, improve your tracking technique or simply capture that perfect moment, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn by doing. Live Flying Displays Your ticket includes access to the Hawk Conservancy Trust and its scheduled flying displays, giving you multiple opportunities throughout the day to photograph a variety of birds of prey in action. 11:30am – Wings of Africa Experience the incredible speed, agility and power of African birds of prey as they take to the skies. 2:00pm – Masters of the Skies A spectacular display showcasing some of the world's most impressive birds of prey. 3:45pm – Woodland Wonders Round off the day with another opportunity to photograph birds in flight and put everything you've learned into practice. Please note that display times are provided by the Hawk Conservancy Trust and may be subject to change. Canon Demonstration Equipment Canon will be providing a selection of EOS R cameras and RF lenses for attendees to try throughout the day. This is an excellent opportunity to experience Canon's latest mirrorless technology in a real-world wildlife photography environment, with access to lenses and equipment that you may not normally have the opportunity to try. Whether you're considering upgrading your camera, looking for a longer telephoto lens or simply curious to see what Canon's latest equipment can do, you'll be able to get hands-on and see how it performs for yourself. Refreshments & Lunch Tea, coffee and juice will be available during the day. We recommend bringing a packed lunch to enjoy at one of the outdoor picnic tables. Alternatively, food and refreshments are available from the Hawk Conservancy Trust's restaurant. About the Hawk Conservancy Trust Set within 22 acres of woodland and wildflower meadow, the Hawk Conservancy Trust is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey. Home to a wide variety of species, from owls and eagles to vultures and hawks, the Trust offers visitors the opportunity to see these remarkable birds up close while learning more about their behaviour, conservation and the challenges they face in the wild. The Trust is also home to the purpose-built National Bird of Prey Hospital™, where sick, injured and orphaned birds of prey are cared for. For photographers, the combination of beautiful surroundings, incredible birds and spectacular flying displays makes the Hawk Conservancy Trust an exceptional location for wildlife and bird photography. About Ellie Rothnie Ellie Rothnie is a freelance wildlife photographer, tour leader and photographic guide based in the UK. In October 2023, Ellie was appointed a Canon Ambassador for the Canon EMEA regions, an achievement she is particularly proud of having photographed with Canon equipment throughout her career. Ellie's work has received recognition in numerous international photography competitions, including three consecutive years at the Festival de l'Oiseau, Nature's Best and the British Wildlife Photography Awards. Her photography has taken her across the UK and further afield, with projects in East Africa, the USA and Europe. One of her ongoing projects focuses on the charismatic Dalmatian pelicans of Lake Kerkini. Ellie is also in her 14th year as a tour leader with Nature's Images, one of the UK's leading wildlife photography trip companies. She also co-leads photographic trips with one of Europe's most respected herpetologists through NatureBG. With extensive experience photographing wildlife and teaching photographers in the field, Ellie brings a wealth of practical knowledge and enthusiasm to this special event. What to Expect • Expert tuition from Canon Ambassador Ellie Rothnie • An in-depth presentation on bird and wildlife photography • Practical advice on photographing birds in flight • Tips on autofocus, camera settings, composition and tracking moving subjects • Access to Canon demonstration cameras and RF telephoto lenses • Three spectacular live flying displays • Plenty of opportunities to put your photography into practice • The chance to photograph a wide variety of birds of prey • A full day at the Hawk Conservancy Trust Come along, try some of Canon's latest wildlife photography equipment, learn from one of the UK's leading wildlife photographers and capture some incredible birds in flight. It's a fantastic opportunity to improve your photography, try new equipment and spend a day surrounded by some truly spectacular birds. Hawk Conservancy Trust admission is included with your event ticket. Please note that flying display times and individual bird participation are subject to the Trust's programme and may occasionally change.