Narrator: You will hear two students talking to their tutor about a photography assignment.
Tutor: So, you're off to Glen Affric next week in the Highlands of Scotland for your photography assignment.
Brett: Yes, that's right.
T: So have you got the map I gave you of Loch Affric and the surrounding area?
B: Yup - here's mine_
Mica:…and mine. Loch means 'lake', right?
T: Yes, that's right. Now, you've read up on it, so is there anything in particular that you want to look out for?
B: Well, as I said, I'd love to get some really good shots of the pine trees, particularly old ones.
M: You're going to see them all over … Look, there's a particularly big area of forest to the south-east here and several smaller ones.
T: 1Yes, they're OK, but if you look at where the two lochs meet …
B: 1Um, where it narrows in the centre of the map?
T: 1That's right. You'll find some of the oldest pines there - up to 200 years old.
B: Great - I'll mark that.
M: 2What about red deer? Can we hope to see any?
B: 2I guess they'd be more out in the open, in the non-wooded areas
T: Well, they like an area near the edge of woodland.
M: So perhaps this largest area of forest – here, in the coiner of the map?
T: 2Yes - they also need water, so between the woodland and the river - I'd try that spot. 3What you should also look for are red squirrels.
B: But they're so rare in Britain!
M: Not here, though. You might get a good picture of one among the pine trees near the loch.
B: Mm, close to the loch… Um, perhaps this south side of Loch Affric.
T: Mmm. 3Not right on the edge, though - that's where you'd look for birds - but in this slightly bigger patch of woodland behind it.
B: Just away from the water a bit, then.
T: Yup. There's plenty of wildlife to tempt you. But remember to go for a good shot when you see it.
B: Yes, 4I remember what you said in your lecture - if you're in a good spot, the light is good: if an animal is about to move into a great position, then be ready and go for it. My problem's hesitation - I wait too long!
M: You lose the moment.
T: Well, a lot of inexperienced photographers have that particular problem.
M: What if you frighten your subject off?
T: If you do, it's like anything, you have to put it down to experience.
B: 5So you shouldn't wait too long, but don't take the shot too soon either - sometimes you've got to have patience.
T: That's one of the most important qualities if you're a wildlife photographer. You may have to sit for hours waiting for the perfect moment. But suddenly something will take your breath away and you'll realise it's all been worth it.
Tutor: Right, so do you have any further questions about the trip?
Brett: Well. yeah - I was wondering about the weather -they're forecasting a lot of mist.
T: Well, yes, but I wouldn't worry - in the long run, you'll still get your pictures.
B: But ...
T:6 You just have to be careful. You know, experts say there's no such thing as bad weather when it comes to photography.
Mica: What about driving rain?
T: 6Well, yes, that doesn't make things easy, but it does mean that you need to take the landscape into account. Perhaps to a greater degree than you would normally.
M: Is that because of shadow and things like that?
T: Well, you get shadow in good weather.
M: Yeah - I guess so.
B: 7Um, I'm really looking forward to photographing the Scots pine trees. I want to make the most of all the stunning reflections in the water.
T: Just take your time, and you might capture an amazing reflection - you really should profit from this with the water around you.
M: 8You were talking last week in your lecture about a piece of equipment called an angle finder, and I've been checking them out on the Internet…
T: Ah-hah, it's a clever little device - particularly useful if you're down on your knees trying to get really close to something in the grass, like an insect or bird.
B: 8I've got one actually - and what's great about it is that it prevents neck pain, because it's like a periscope on a submarine - you can lie down and look through it without hurting your neck.
M: Definitely worth buying, then!
T: Now, is there anything else?
B: Well, I've been looking at some wildlife paintings by Scottish artists. I thought they might help me get ideas.
M: That's a good suggestion.
T: 9Some designers can be helpful, too …. they can help give you ideas about camera angles and how you use natural light.
M: Hmm, I’ll look into that, 10One other thing … I know you said we should consider matters related to conservation when we choose a scene to photograph.
T: I made that point because, well, images like the ones you're going to take can sometimes reveal some of the conservation problems faced by species and habitats. It's just something to bear in mind.
