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PARTICIPANTS' RECOMMENDATIONS
Your Woburn Safari was quite simply, stunning! My thanks for providing a unique and privileged opportunity to see some of the world’s most amazing animals far closer than most will ever dream of. Your guidance enabled me to come away with my best pictures ever and has truly energized my photography. I look forward to joining you on future trips and have already recommended you to several friends and colleagues. Many thanks. Richard Lawson
I must say the Spring Cubs Day far exceeded my expectations, and could only have been improved with a little less sun. You were always on hand for any advice or help needed and went out of your way to get us some great shots. Bill Pound
We had a truly wonderful day. My daughter learnt a lot from your advice. You must keep me up-dated with future workshops as we would both love to attend some more of yours. Also been recommending you. I wouldn't suggest you change anything. It was great as it was. Good venue, good info, good company. WELL DONE. Yvonne Barton
Thank you for the excellent visits to the Farne Islands and to Bass Rock last week. I really enjoyed the two days and I am really looking forward to the Woburn Safari. Paul Keates. http://www.pbase.com/paul_keates/puffins_of_farne
Thank you for a wonderful afternoon at Woburn. Unbelievable.
Paul Keates Some of my photos can be seen at;
http://www.pbase.com/paul_keates/woburn_safari
I have already passed my recommendations to some colleagues. Please make sure I am on your mailing list. We thought it was a wonderful day on Bass Rock, getting to a destination that we would never have managed on our own. We got what it said on the tin, and your direct line to the Almighty certainly provided the weather. Thank you again on behalf of Bob, Iain and myself. John Smellie
John, Just a quick note to say I was very pleased with your trip and I will come on another one. I thought the day was excellent - I had never been on any "organised" trip before, or in fact spoken to any 'kindred spirits". I have to date always worked on my own. On looking at my results, I am delighted with many of them - at my stage it is very much about getting out taking pics and learning. Thanks again, Lister Cumming
Congratulations on a splendid safari. Quite the best photographic day I`ve had in 20 years. Highlights were getting so close to the lions, and finding myself being used as a feeding station by the lemurs. Roy Kneeshaw
Let me take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for a 1st class day out at the "Birds of prey" centre. I had a great time, came home with 1or 2 good shots, and a thirst for more days out like this. I will certainly be in touch again. Regards and best wishes, Roland Brooks
I have really enjoyed all of the workshops that I have been on with you, and I have learned a lot of new techniques through your help and advice. I am more than happy for you to use any of my photos for your website. That was a great day out at Woburn and I really enjoyed myself, also I took some great photos. I look forward to hearing what venues you have planned for next year because you have organised some really great days out this year. I must thank you for your time and effort. Best Regards Tony White.
Thanks again for brilliant day at Birds of Prey. I'm sure we all took something away to work on. l still have a long way to go as regards flight photography. No doubt a return visit in the future. Alan Maxwell.
Many thanks for the day at Donna Nook. It was a great day and I really enjoyed myself. Your help and advice were invaluable and it was a pleasure to have been in such good company. This was my first time with Photographers on Safari and I found it very beneficial - I am already trying to decide which trip to book for the New Year! Kind regards, Liam Bunce
Many thanks for the course yesterday. I certainly learned a lot more about my flash and camera too. I attach one of the photos I really like. Many thanks, Ian Boyd
Thank you very much for a superb week in
Just to say thank you for the attentive instruction and a good day out at Hamerton. I really enjoyed the day and have some lovely photos to remember it by. Thanks, Debbie Morffew
Just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic day on Friday - I have come home with some great photos - thanks for you help. Sue Mansfield
Just wanted to thank you for the course at Hamerton Zoo. I did pick up some tips from you and definitely have a better understanding of what the histogram is telling me. It was a pleasure to meet you and no doubt I will be booking one of your other courses in the coming year. Best regards, Liz Brown
I had an amazing time in Africa and I have continued to improve my shots in
I’ve just finished the first cull of the
Just to let you know how much I enjoyed the Birds of Prey Photo Day recently. With the weather being a bit wet and gloomy it was a real challenge for me to strive to get the best out of my camera and I learnt a lot that day. The birds you had on display were superb and even though my lens was not that fast – I got some great shots! Once again, thanks for a good day – I will see you again sometime! Steve Kenney
The first weekend home was a busy one, but we could not help thinking of what we were doing this time last week every now and then. The memories are still fresh, but as time passes they will be sustained by no less than 1408 pictures. Kees took far more photos than he had anticipated. I have already seen the first slideshow with a limited number of pictures. Beautiful! The whole journey was an absolute joy. What a nice group of people, all with the same passion and willing to help each other and to share experiences. I dare say that Kees especially learnt a lot from you, John. He had a great time, improving his abilities. And I just loved being in
Thank you for a wonderful day. It has given us food for thought and made us more adventurous with the camera. We will email you with some photos later. Thanks, George and Jackie Todd
Just a quick note to say thanks for the fantastic day we had at Wildwood. As beginners we initially felt a little intimidated when we turned up with our little cameras! We need not have worried. Everyone on the group was really helpful and friendly and the help and tuition you gave was very much appreciated. We will definitely see you again for another great day out fairly soon. Thanks again. Kind regards, Paulene Struthers & Peter Spencer
Thanks for the
Just a quick note to say thank you for such a wonderful day at the British Wildlife Centre. Andrew and I enjoyed the day and felt that it really was just the right level of instruction and admin and plenty of time for photographing. We are looking forward to the next session we have booked in August and will be visiting the website soon to see what else you have on offer. I can’t believe that I have so many great photographs to look at! Many thanks once again, Katrina & Andrew (McNamara-Goodger)
Thank you so much for a great day a couple of weeks ago at the Cat Survival Trust. I see what you mean about it being different to Santago but I am very pleased with the shots I got. I know there are a huge number of things I still need to remember to do and keep an eye on when I’m out with the camera but feel that I have improved a lot in the last few months. Many thanks again and hope to see you again shortly. Best Wishes, Hazel Murrell
Just wanted to say thanks for a great photo workshop. It made a nice change from weddings and portraits, although waiting for the moment rather than creating the moment took some getting used to! I had a whale of a time and couldn’t believe how quickly it went. I thought everything was really well organised and everyone who’s seen my pictures has been amazed at how close we got to the animals. It was great to have just a small group too, there’s nothing worse than having to shoot over someone’s shoulder. See you in June for the gorillas! Best regards, Sarah Riggens
You asked me, "Why the hell do I do your courses?" Well:
I enjoy your company
I always learn something
Meet other photographers
Makes me get out and about, rather than photographing the same old thing time and time again in my local area
The courses take me to places I have never heard about and places I wouldn't even think of going to normally
Your courses get into areas that, as a day visitor, I couldn't get access to
I plan to do many more photography courses when I sell my shares and go part-time
I would never have heard of the horses in Camargue if I hadn't come on your courses
Therefore, my investment in a few of your courses has completely opened doors for new things to keep me happy, content, get out and about, keep the old brain active, improve my photography and give me more zest to find more novel photographic material to seek that elusive perfection that I hope never arrives, so I keep relentlessly pursuing. So There............... and thank you. Best regards, Paul Keates
I would like to thank you again for hosting this wonderful event (Big Cats). The privileged access, the in depth knowledge & enthusiasm shown by the staff made it a fantastic day. I must also comment on your expert & helpful attitude shown to our group, irrespective of experience or equipment. Everyone was full of praise for the whole day. I would particularly like to thank you for the help you gave me, especially with the custom white balance settings & fill-in flash. I felt I learned a lot that day and I hope it shows in my pictures (attached). Once again, thank you for a fantastic day & I am already planning which "Photographers On Safari "event to go on next. Paul Hancock.
Hello John, Just wanted to say a big thank you for a great day on Monday which really opened my eyes to what can be achieved with the camera. Your help was invaluable and the setting stunning. I really hope I may get the opportunity to return to Port Lympne or one of the other venues to continue my learning curve. Unfortunately it appears I got a bit carried away with reducing F Stops so a number of the shots were under exposed but at least I now know what I should be aiming for. I have taken the liberty of send just a couple that didn't seem too bad to my untrained eye and where the histogram looked reasonable! Thanks again for a great day. Kind regards Keith Money
Hi John. Just want to thank you for a great weekend. A quick run through of the photos we took look promising (about 2000 between us ) - actually the best set of results we have had for a while. Changing the focus method has resulted in 90% of the shots being in focus especially the water shots. Looking forward to doing more trips with you. Best wishes. Dave and Mary
John, I just wanted to say thank you very much for last Saturday. We were blessed with some good weather and the whole day was excellent. The cats were superb and the vast majority of the images taken are wonderful. Can't wait for the Scottish trip. Again thanks for a great day, see you soon. Regards, Peter Jepson
Hi John, Just a quick note to say a big thank you for what was a wonderful day yesterday, which was the best birthday present my wife has given me over the last 40 years. Your style of tuition was perfect for all of us, regardless of whether we were experienced or like me just an enthusiast amateur, without much experience. Andy, the keeper, likewise was so attentive, that the whole day was most informative. I am now working slowly through the several hundred photos and hopefully will have more than a few which I will be proud of, thanks to you. I look forward to attending another day, hopefully next year. Thanks again, Mike Williams
Hi John, Just a note to say thank you for a great day. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I learnt a lot from spending time with you, and I shall be booking another workshop soon hopefully. Out of over 1200 pictures taken on the day, I have some good ones, but there are about 20 that I would be happy to have on a wall which is about what I hoped for at the start of the day, and I got my wish to be up close and personal with a Snow Leopard. Thanks again for a great day. Scott Robertson
Many thanks for an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable afternoon on Bass Rock. I can't make up my mind which I enjoyed more - the extraordinary maelstrom of the feeding frenzy of gannets and gulls that the chumming produced, or the fantastic privilege of getting up close and personal to so many stunning gannets on the rock itself. The five hours that we spent on the rock was sufficient to get a wide array of images ranging from flight and behavioural shots to extreme close -up portraits. As an ex-safety manager, I was very impressed with your concern for participant's safety - particularly your risk assessment and briefing procedure prior to our departure. Best wishes, and thanks again for a fantastic trip. John Devries
John, I can't thank you enough. You were marvellous, informative and a thoroughly nice chap. I can't wait to book with you again, In fact, after looking at my Gorilla piccys it might be sooner that you think. I took about 800 but only a few are acceptable to me. I am very critical of my work. Thanks for a fantastic day. At least my wife thought all my pictures were great. Maybe I can talk my friend in coming down with me next time. I am sure once he has seen my piccys he will want to come. Many thanks, Tim Cossins
Hi John, Lin and I just wanted to thank you for the excellent day at Old Warden last Saturday. We really enjoyed ourselves in the beautiful grounds and with the magnificent birds. The opportunity to photograph these birds in as near to "the wild" conditions as possible was wonderful. We are both pleased with the photos we took and we both have at least 3 or 4 of those special photos, which obviously made the day worthwhile. Being fairly new to digital photography, the advice contained in your course notes and on the day on exposures, focusing composition and the use of histograms etc was priceless and a real insight into what can be achieved with a little thought and practice. We also thought the staff at the centre were excellent and in particular Sarah, who we thought was lovely and worked extremely hard flying and holding the birds to make the day that much more special. Once again, John, Many thanks for a most enjoyable and memorable day. Hope to see you again sometime. Best regards, Francis & Lin Gibson
John, I thought I would drop you a line to say how much Fiona and I enjoyed the Big Cat day down in Kent on Saturday, what a day it was. We were really lucky with the weather because as soon as we got in the car to leave it started to rain! We both thought the day was excellent, the WHF is a great centre and both Andy and Fraser were great in helping us get great location shots and provided us with lots of information. Thanks to you for your help and guidance over the day. Between us Fiona and I must have reeled off over 400 shots and of course a lot are destined for the recycle bin, there were however some excellent shots and I attach two for you to see. We will use Photographers on Safari again soon. I am particularly keen in seeing the Golden Eagles. Best wishes, Michael Cole
Hi John, I just wanted to drop you a quick line to thank you so much for the hard work that you put into the India trip. Having been on many of your UK workshops I have always been impressed with your patience and dedication to ensuring that everyone comes away with some good shots and with a lot more knowledge than they arrived with. The trip to India was no exception. Despite the gruelling schedule you were always on hand with advice and encouragement. I have only managed to look at a few of the 4000 photos that I took but I am over the moon with most of them and totally amazed at what I managed to achieve. It’s all thanks to you. The trip was not just about Tigers it was about the people and the culture of a most fascinating and addictive country and I will definitely join you again, but not before I have sampled a few of the other trips that you have to offer. Thanks again. Paulene Struthers
Hi John, Just settling back to normal life today, so thought I would take a minute to thank you for an awesome week in Scotland. I am printing my pictures now and I think it’s just sinking in what a privilege it was to be with such stunning animals last week. My photos are the best I have ever taken. Thank you for your kind help, patience and support through the week. I think it was very successful and some good friendships were made. Full credit to you as well. Paula Moss
John, Just wanted to thank you for the course at Hamerton Zoo on Monday. I did pick up some tips from you, and I now definitely have a better understanding of what the histogram is telling me. I do still think that I need to really get a complete understanding of the effects of aperture, shutter speed and ISO for me to really get some great shots. That said, I did manage to get some super ones on Monday, and at least I know what I did to get them! It was a pleasure to meet you and no doubt I will be booking one of your other courses in the coming year. Best regards, Liz Brown
John, I have been having some fun sifting through all the recent images from Woburn and Santago. These have proved to be two fantastic workshops, and with your guidance I have certainly improved .The interesting thing is, that now I am beginning to see where the images could have been improved upon, and where they are not quite right. Thanks, once again, for your help and inspiration. I am looking forward to your 2007 programme. In the meantime I am getting out there with my camera and practising!! Many Thanks, Graham Sherburn
I’m just writing to say thank you so much for such a wonderful day on Saturday at Santago. I’ve almost finished sorting the 700+ photos (oopps!!) I took and am so pleased with the results – I’m even going to enlarge some to put on the walls!!! It really was a brilliant day. I’ve now seriously got the photography addiction though – it is only 3 days since I had the camera in my hand and I’m already looking at the map to see how far away Woburn is. Well – I will not take up any more of your time, thank you so much again for such a memorable day, I’m sure I will see you again some time. Best wishes, Hazel Murrell
Hello John, Many thanks for Monday. Woburn was an excellent experience, one to be relished and done again. My father was over the moon and hasn't stopped talking about it. We both love wildlife and it was a memorable day. Dad isn't really that interested in the art of photography, he now appreciates the lengths we will go to and the intricacies behind getting 'the shot'. I got a lot of shots off, some are really quite nice and worthy of some after-work in CS2. See you at Santago--- Can’t wait. Regards Grev
Hi John Thank you for the photo trips last week, I really enjoyed the events you organized and was really impressed with the way things were organized and the animals we were able to photograph. Some of my pics have turned out really well (well I think so). I have yet to finish going through them all. Thanks again for everything, Andy
I have some pictures I'm really really pleased with. I had such a great day at Santago and I learned a lot. Terry thinks I was working on too lower depth of field, but personally I think the ones I did get are far better than I could ever imagine. Strangely Terry has some very good ones too..... I'm utterly amazed. Nicola Howard
Thanks very much for the very useful day on flash at the
...Just to say many thanks for today: I learnt loads, and there is a core of the pics that I took that look very good....Thanks again for a terrific day - which I really enjoyed, Kind Regards, Mary Swift
Just a quick email to say thank you. The Santago Leopards photo shoot was smashing. I look forward to the Small Cats on the 19th. Simon Massey
Just a note to say a big thank you for a great day at Hamerton. I am sure we have some good shots. I was impressed with the amount of time you had for all the group. Hope to see you again. Stuart, Pat, Cathy Stamp
Thanks for a great day: learned a lot. See you soon, Sue Cutler
Thanks yet again for arranging another opportunity for us to take splendid photographs. I really enjoyed the whole day and could not have wished for better. Thanks again, Ray Staley
Just like to say as always I had 2 great days out with you. The gorilla day was unbelievable and I also got some great shots and with the cheetah cubs. That one was my favourite and I have really got some good shots there. Anyway, John, carry on with the great workshops and I’m sure I’ll see you soon. Regards, Yvonne.
Just a quick e-mail to thank you for a wonderful trip (Masai Mara) and lots of laughs. I have not had a moment to sort my ‘photos yet but I am sure that I will have many shots that I will be thrilled at. Hope to see you in 2008 somewhere until then thanks again & love to Nadine. She is a great girl. Celia Rawlings.
Just a note to say how much Jodie and myself enjoyed last Friday’s Woburn Safari. It was as good as I expected it to be and I am very happy with some of the shots I got, especially of the lions. We both will never forget the lemurs. They were fantastic. A really memorable day, thanks again. I will definitely be seeing you again sometime next year for the gorillas and maybe some of the other shoots. Thanks, Jeff Bartlett
Just a few lines to say how much my Husband enjoyed his day on Saturday. I am sure it was something he will never forget. He found the advice and hints you gave him invaluable. I am sure he will put them to good use when we go to
Many thanks, John for a fabulous day at Santago Leopards. What a day. I really enjoyed it. Those cats are beautiful aren’t they? I’m only going to attach one photo, not because it’s all I’ve got, but there are so many. I don’t know where to start. Also, as I thought everybody would send in an image of a Clouded Leopard, I would be different. Wishing you all the very best, Dean Lawrence.
Please find attached a few of the pictures I took at Port Lympne. I hope that they might be good enough to put on the website?. Thank you for all your time and advice, I learnt a lot and really enjoyed the experience. Do you have any places left on the big cats sanctuary in kent course in August? Many thanks once again, Ro Older
Just a note to thank you for a fantastic workshop last Monday. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have got lots of photographs to remember the day (a few are attached). I will definitely save up and book one of your other workshops and I might even let my husband come next time!!! What a terrific day and one that will stay with me for a very long time. Once again thank you for a fantastic day. Kind regards, Kim Medcalf
Many thanks for the excellent day. Good tuition, good company; good driver; good weather, cooperative (!) animals - a great day; I enclose a couple of my favourite pics. Regards, Ian Phillips
A short note to let you know how much Mary & I enjoyed the day at the British Wildlife Centre. You will be seeing us again and that’s for sure! Kind regards, John Carter
An absolutely fabulous week in Sweden photographing Black Grouse and other species. Probably learned more about photography in one week with you than in the last 20 years put together. Many thanks for your efficient organization. Robert
Just a quick note to say thanks for this weekend’s trip to Donna Nook. It's an area that's new to me and without guidance would not have ventured seawards in the dark! That coupled with your helpful advice (good to be reminded to check histograms), cheerful company, and excellent weather made for a truly memorable and enjoyable break. Thanks once again, will be checking the website soon for next year. Kind regards Bob Owen
John, I attended your course on 21st August & would like to thank you for such a great day.You gave very helpful instruction & guidance so even I as a novice got some great shots. Hope to see you next year for a day with the big cats. Regards, Sarah Dowling
John, Bryan and I would like to thank you for a great day at the Santago Leopard Project in Welwyn. It was a wonderful experience to be able to see the leopards at such close quarters, and to have the opportunity to take some pictures. Thanks again for a great day, Roland Parker
John, Just a quick note to thank you for the session on Sunday 22nd. Great day, great experience and came away with some very satisfying shots. Thanks again and regards, Richard Gosney.
Hi John, Just wanted to say thank you again for an absolutely amazing day on Sunday. I had a brilliant time and will definitely be looking to come back, either on this same workshop, something different, or perhaps even both. Have attached some of the pictures I took. I have so many that I am really pleased with, especially the Pallas cat. Thank you again and I look forward to attending another of your workshops in the future. Wendy Smith
Hi John, Just wanted to drop you a line to say what a wonderful day we had yesterday. I learnt so much (but still have a long way to go) and got some great shots. Even though Mick doesn't take photos he got some good video footage and we both enjoyed being privileged to be so near to the animals. Thanks once again. Kind regards, Mandy & Mick Haxby
Hello John, Just a quick note to say thank you for a great day at Santago. I really enjoyed the Leopards and feel privileged to be able to photograph them. Being a complete novice, I took away some valuable tips from you and look forward to putting them into practice. I will certainly join you again on another day out in the future. See you soon and thanks again. Gus Page.
Hi John, Just a quick note to thank you for a super day, I really enjoyed myself. I have had a look since I got home and seem to have got some lovely shots, I really love the composition of the attached photo of Harry, and thought you might like the pic of you risking your life (well your fingers) for the sake of art! Take care and thanks again. Lisa
John, Just a quick word of thanks for a splendid day of instruction on flash. I have found that it opens up a new dimension in wild life photography, especially birds in shaded area's or sat in a tree with the sun back lighting. I have enclosed a few shots for your perusal. Best regards, Neil Greenberry
Hi John, Many thanks for the day at Donna Nook on the 24th Nov. It was a great day even though the weather was a little dreary. I really enjoyed myself; your help and advice were invaluable and it was a pleasure to have been in such good company. This was my first time with Photographers on Safari and I found it very beneficial - I am already trying to decide which trip to book for the New Year! Kind regards, Liam Bunce
Hi John, ...just to say many thanks for today: I learnt loads, and there is a core of the pics that I took that look very good....Thanks again for a terrific day - which I really enjoyed. Kind Regards, Mary Mahon
Hi John, Thank you very much for a superb week in Scotland. Everything was perfect, great shots, great hotel/food and a nice set of people. Paul Keates
Hi John, Just a note to say THANK YOU for a great day on Friday 26th Oct. I am sure we have some good shots. I was impressed with the amount of time you had for all the group. Hope to see you again. Stuart, Pat, Cathy Stamp
Hi John, Just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic day on Friday - I have come home with some great photos - thanks for your help. Sue Mansfield