Our regular blog readers will know that we love a good walk here at the Oakeley Arms, and we truly believe that right here in the heart of Snowdonia, there’s no better place for an amble, walk, stroll, hike, hill climb or mountain trek. Walkers can choose from glorious coastal scenery, wide open beaches, mighty forests and magnificent hills and mountains, so there’s a walk for everybody and every day.

Another thing that Snowdonia is famed for is its wonderful array of wildlife and nature. From the famous flora and fauna of the Snowdonia hills to the seaside birds of the coast. So why not combine these two wonderful things, and use a glorious winter walk as an excuse to practice your photography skills. Photographing wildlife is no easy task, but with these useful tips you’ll be snapping away in no time….

• You don’t need to spend thousands on kit – start with a basic camera, or even a smartphone. You can get extraordinary results from the most basic of tools.
• Find out what’s happening in the natural world and attempt to capture an element of it – for example is it bird breeding season, lambing time, autumn? These events provide wonderful opportunities for photography.
• Pack some binoculars, and if you do have a tripod take this too. If you can hold the camera steady then you’ll be better able to capture fast moving things.
• Think about composition – where the different elements of your image are within the picture. Do some research before you head out; the “rule of thirds” is a common photography rule – imagine dividing up the picture into nine equal boxes. The main elements of the image should lie on these boxes, making it more pleasing to look at.
• “Lead in lines” are another photography term – these are lines that draw your eye from the edge of the photograph into the middle.
• Get close to nature – if your subject isn’t tame then use a zoom lens.
• Make the most of the natural light conditions – light is different at certain times of the day and at different times of the year. Make the most of the natural light at the time to showcase your subject – for example an image at sunrise or sunset can suggest something completely different to an image taken in the middle of the day. Use light to create atmosphere and give your pictures meaning.
• Ask your friends and family for feedback – show them your images and ask them for honest (but constructive) criticism.
• Practice makes perfect so take lots and lots of images and review them when you get home. You’ll soon come to know the ones that work and those that don’t.
• Be patient – waiting for that perfect shot or trying to find the perfect subject can take a lot of time and you may not find it on your first walk. So instead, enjoy the walk but always keep your eyes peeled for photo opportunities.

And if you’re looking for some inspiration then why not check out the winning entries for this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition here

Will you find any tigers to take pictures of during a Snowdonia walk?? By Moni Sertel on wiki commons