Apr 04, 2025

Only (April) Fools Rush In: Photography Inspiration, Tips & Ideas for April

It’s all kicking off! The dawn chorus is gaining volume, the race for sunlight on the woodland floors picking up pace and the bees are looking energetic in the warmer spring climes. And it won’t be long before that familiar aroma of charcoal sausages on the BBQ fills the air!

April is where Spring really kicks into gear. While it’s all-too-tempting to head out in shorts and t-shirts, April is one of the most unpredictable months for weather, which makes it an exciting prospect to photograph, but it is also prudent to be prepared for ALL weather eventualities!

Red Grouse Caught in a flurry of snow 11th of April 2021.

Focus of the month: Making Plans

For me, May to June are without fail the most hectic times of the year with or without a camera! From spring floral scenes to dramatic wildlife encounters, there’s a lot going on. That’s why April is the perfect if not essential opportunity to formulate a plan.

That doesn’t mean hiding away indoors in front of a screen. My plans tend to develop while out walking, so I might take 30 minutes to an hour first thing in the morning and/or evening to explore and thinking, I'll then write up any thoughts, ideas and observations in a notebook or word doc. The tricky bit is sticking to the plans when Spring really kicks off!

Creature of the month: Bittern

Bittern flying between reed beds, 15th April 2024 - 1/2500 f5.6 ISO (auto) 320

Bitterns are a species that you could argue are more impressive when heard than seen. That said, their famed illusiveness makes even the briefest encounter pretty exhilarating. April tends to see (or hear) a notable increase in their sensational “booming” call that has to be experienced to be believed. Spending most of their time in the thick of the reed bed and extremely well camouflaged when out, it’s when they’re in flight you’re most likely to catch a glimpse and as April warms your local wetlands, this might be your best chance to catch a rare glimpse.

Photography tip of the month: The “Spray and Pray” technique

Blackbird battle shot with electronic shutter around 20 frames per second 1/4000 f3.2 ISO 125

Bees, butterflies, birds and more, as all creatures great and small get busier, catching them in action is no mean feat. Even armed with the latest technology wildlife remains as unpredictable as ever.

While the old adage “spray and pray” is often offered as a disparaging indictment, if you can find a method within the madness, it can produce some surprising, even stunning results. Set your shutter burst / drive mode to a a maximum, if your camera offers an electronic shutter mode (usually on mirrorless) this can sometimes activate the fastest shutter bursts (eg Canon R systems). Also try and find a rough focus point close to where your quarry is likely to appear when you press shutter this will give you autofocus a much needed hand.

With fast shutter bursts there’s usually a payoff. For example on some Lumix cameras, the image sizes are reduced, on many if not most mirrorless cameras, using the faster electronic shutter can produce rolling shutter which distorts the photo. Every now and then though, the rewards will outweigh the risk.

Inspiration of the month: "I am Martin Parr", Film by Lee Shulman

A new film about one of the UK's, if not the world's most influential documentary photographers is a must see. It's available to view (rent/buy) and is still showing in select cinemas (in particular Picture House York).

Walk of the Month: Otter Trekking, 11th April 2025

Review of the month:

“Spent the day on the wildlife photography for beginners course. Got a much better understanding of Auto focus settings and techniques. Brilliant part of the afternoon when we stopped, stood still, and let the wildlife come to us. Would highly recommend.” John