JACOB J. WATSON-HOWLAND
I'm not a wildlife photographer. No. I'm a Fine Artist. I take high resolution, black and white images of (mainly) nature. I'm leaning towards minimalist, large-scale prints, containing a small animal within a huge, dramatic landscape. The test shot for this style is the Gannet above the sea (below).
Conventional wildlife photography has become oversaturated with ultra close up, colourful photos of exotic animals. How about we give space to show the greater context, the story, and landscape the animal lives in? Let the subject breath in the frame a bit. That's what I'm doing. That's why I'm a Fine Art Photographer.
Conventional wildlife photography has become oversaturated with ultra close up, colourful photos of exotic animals. How about we give space to show the greater context, the story, and landscape the animal lives in? Let the subject breath in the frame a bit. That's what I'm doing. That's why I'm a Fine Art Photographer.
Accolades
Bradt Guides '9 of the Best Young Wildlife Photographers'
https://www.bradtguides.com/best-young-wildlife-photographers/
Kent Wildlife Trust 2022 Wildlife Photography Competition
Special Commendation (Bird Category)
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/photography-competition-2022
Lenses Pro
'40 of the Most Wildlife Photographers in the World'
https://lensespro.org/famous-wildlife-photographers/
RSPB Wingbeat Magazine- (Article Coming Soon: 2024)
https://www.bradtguides.com/best-young-wildlife-photographers/
Kent Wildlife Trust 2022 Wildlife Photography Competition
Special Commendation (Bird Category)
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/photography-competition-2022
Lenses Pro
'40 of the Most Wildlife Photographers in the World'
https://lensespro.org/famous-wildlife-photographers/
RSPB Wingbeat Magazine- (Article Coming Soon: 2024)
Check out some of my first photos, from aged 15-18!
"Special Commendation"
17th October 2022 "Avocet side-profile"
This high-key, monochrome photo of an avocet I took was specially commended in the Kent Wildlife 2022 Photography Competition. I am incredibly proud of this, as it's the first time my work has ever been commended in a competition.
I overexposed my camera by increasing the ISO, this overcompensation created a whiteout effect; a technique I had taught myself by watching tutorial videos on YouTube such as "Fine art wildlife photography by Lisa Langell" and "Risk and Reward in Wildlife Photography by Janine Krayer". I then implemented the theory I'd learnt via trial and error with my camera- quickly learning to use it in harsh, midday conditions against bright backdrops- as shown in this image !
The subject itself represents an amazing UK conservation story: a bird once extinct in the UK it has now repopulated and recovered due to the amazing work from NGOs including the RSPB (who I volunteer for and am a member of). I talk more about this story on my Instagram blog, where I regularly post nature related content to my 1,200+ followers !
This high-key, monochrome photo of an avocet I took was specially commended in the Kent Wildlife 2022 Photography Competition. I am incredibly proud of this, as it's the first time my work has ever been commended in a competition.
I overexposed my camera by increasing the ISO, this overcompensation created a whiteout effect; a technique I had taught myself by watching tutorial videos on YouTube such as "Fine art wildlife photography by Lisa Langell" and "Risk and Reward in Wildlife Photography by Janine Krayer". I then implemented the theory I'd learnt via trial and error with my camera- quickly learning to use it in harsh, midday conditions against bright backdrops- as shown in this image !
The subject itself represents an amazing UK conservation story: a bird once extinct in the UK it has now repopulated and recovered due to the amazing work from NGOs including the RSPB (who I volunteer for and am a member of). I talk more about this story on my Instagram blog, where I regularly post nature related content to my 1,200+ followers !
"The Beginning"
11th January 2021
It was the frostiest morning of the year, I walked down the path at the end of my road with my camera. The surroundings were devoid of any sign of life, other than the brave local Robin singing its heart out- fearlessly protecting its home.
It was the frostiest morning of the year, I walked down the path at the end of my road with my camera. The surroundings were devoid of any sign of life, other than the brave local Robin singing its heart out- fearlessly protecting its home.
Let's go back to the start of my journey as an aspiring wildlife photographer. It'd been 6 months since I bought my Canon 250D in July as lockdown restrictions eased and I could venture outdoors beyond my back garden. This was the very first time I had the chance to photograph the natural world, but definitely not the first time observing it. I have been an avid naturalist for as long as I remember, whether it was birdwatching at the local nature reserves, watching blue chip documentaries like Blue Planet I or being engulfed in natural history books like the collins British Wildlife books I still read today- nature has always been at the forefront of my mind !
However I'd never had a means of documenting and sharing my love for the natural world with like-minded people, as everyone else my age just didn't seem to be passionate or remotely interested in it. That was until I went to a local camera shop in June to get my passport photo, something in my mind was ignited as I saw shelves full of cameras staring at me through the glass cabinets.
By July I had done my research and bought a camera. That's when this journey began. I spent all the time I had watching photography videos; learning the basics and going outside photographing anything I could- I was hooked. Through persistent trial and error I have taught myself how to get respectfully close to wildlife and how to photograph it, which will always be an ongoing process for me !
This was the first image I captured that actually stood out from the previous ones taken, it symbolises my first 6 months of wildlife photography and all the hard work it it took to get this image itself.
However I'd never had a means of documenting and sharing my love for the natural world with like-minded people, as everyone else my age just didn't seem to be passionate or remotely interested in it. That was until I went to a local camera shop in June to get my passport photo, something in my mind was ignited as I saw shelves full of cameras staring at me through the glass cabinets.
By July I had done my research and bought a camera. That's when this journey began. I spent all the time I had watching photography videos; learning the basics and going outside photographing anything I could- I was hooked. Through persistent trial and error I have taught myself how to get respectfully close to wildlife and how to photograph it, which will always be an ongoing process for me !
This was the first image I captured that actually stood out from the previous ones taken, it symbolises my first 6 months of wildlife photography and all the hard work it it took to get this image itself.
"Kingfisher of the Creek"
24th December 2020
I crouched beside the creek on a cold Christmas Eve morning, patiently waiting for the Greenshanks to move upstream when a flash of orange entered my field of view; a Kingfisher! It hovered for a second, enough time for me to focus and fire the shutter, resulting in this image.
I particularly like how both the creek and a boat is shown in the background- highlighting the birds habitat-which is sadly at threat as 79% of Kent's bodies of water are of a poor quality. If the waters aren't recovered to a higher quality, Kingfishers are likely to decline in my local area.
I crouched beside the creek on a cold Christmas Eve morning, patiently waiting for the Greenshanks to move upstream when a flash of orange entered my field of view; a Kingfisher! It hovered for a second, enough time for me to focus and fire the shutter, resulting in this image.
I particularly like how both the creek and a boat is shown in the background- highlighting the birds habitat-which is sadly at threat as 79% of Kent's bodies of water are of a poor quality. If the waters aren't recovered to a higher quality, Kingfishers are likely to decline in my local area.
"Mastering New Techniques"
9th March 2021 By this point of time I had mastered the beginners techniques and decided to experiment with the light.
I had purchased a book by previous wildlife photographer of the year Richard Peters "Photographing Wildlife at Home". A key element of this book is the use of light and different techniques that can be used to make more ordinary subjects become more eye-catching. One of the techniques was 'low-key' (underexposed) photography which can be achieved by underexposing the camera at least 1-stop when the subject is in direct light whilst being surrounded by a shaded background- this was the case for the European Starling perched on my shed roof impatiently waiting its turn to use the bird feeder !
This book gave me a greater appreciation for the more common garden bird species that can be overlooked in wildlife photography and enabled me to learn new techniques like high/low-key photography that I continue to use to this day. It also highlighted the importance of using light effectively in photography, rather than going for rarer subjects in uninspiring light.
This book gave me a greater appreciation for the more common garden bird species that can be overlooked in wildlife photography and enabled me to learn new techniques like high/low-key photography that I continue to use to this day. It also highlighted the importance of using light effectively in photography, rather than going for rarer subjects in uninspiring light.
"New Lens, New Style"
24th October 2021
The beginning of Autumn 2021 was also the beginning of my macro lens journey. It'd arrived just in time for the emergence of fungi. So I began experimenting with new techniques...
The beginning of Autumn 2021 was also the beginning of my macro lens journey. It'd arrived just in time for the emergence of fungi. So I began experimenting with new techniques...
A macro lens enabled me to use a much shallower depth of field of f/2.8, meaning I could create images containing lots of bokeh; helping the foreground and background blend in a very aesthetically pleasing manner, which also helped the in-focus subject stand out more like the Amethyst Deceiver in this image !
This has been an incredibly important part of my journey, as a macro lens has opened my eyes to a whole new world of natural history photography and challenged me to try new compositions and techniques-even if I have to get a magnifying glass to see the subject !
This has been an incredibly important part of my journey, as a macro lens has opened my eyes to a whole new world of natural history photography and challenged me to try new compositions and techniques-even if I have to get a magnifying glass to see the subject !
"Postcard Picture"
2nd May 2022
Spring had arrived, and therefore had the arrival of new life. Photographing these newly hatched ducklings allowed me to portray this yearly emergence of life, but it wasn't easy !
There were many challenges I faced to get this shot. One difficulty was how unsurprisingly energetic the ducklings were, so even with a high shutter speed it was difficult to get the pin sharp portrait I was after. Another challenge was picking a singular duckling out of the crowd without any others getting in the foreground or background- which would become a distracting element.
I overcame this challenge by purposely overexposing the background (creating a 'whiteout effect') so there was no distractions and also using a shallow depth of field to draw the viewer's attention to the duckling's eye.
In post production, I converted the image to monochrome as the absence of colours helps focus on the texture of the ducks fluffy down feathers.
I overcame this challenge by purposely overexposing the background (creating a 'whiteout effect') so there was no distractions and also using a shallow depth of field to draw the viewer's attention to the duckling's eye.
In post production, I converted the image to monochrome as the absence of colours helps focus on the texture of the ducks fluffy down feathers.
"My Visit to Falmouth"
22nd May 2022
As I walked along the clifftops of Looe Island (Cornwall) I noticed the light was hitting this Herring Gull whilst the jagged cliffs behind it were engulfed in a pocket of shadow. To exaggerate the contrast between subject and background, I underexposed so the cliffs became completely black which ensured the Gull stood out from its surroundings- very minimalistic I know !
As I walked along the clifftops of Looe Island (Cornwall) I noticed the light was hitting this Herring Gull whilst the jagged cliffs behind it were engulfed in a pocket of shadow. To exaggerate the contrast between subject and background, I underexposed so the cliffs became completely black which ensured the Gull stood out from its surroundings- very minimalistic I know !
Going to the Falmouth University Open day and speaking to the lecturers gave me a greater idea of what to expect from the Marine and Natural History Photography course itself. Walking around the campus and being able to see all the equipment and facilities was incredibly exciting and definitely solidified my desire to join the University.
In the last year or so I have become quite fond of Cornwall, travelling to the surrounding areas like Looe, Newquay and of course Falmouth on multiple occasions has made me more familiar with the county. This will make me be able to settle in straight away !
In the last year or so I have become quite fond of Cornwall, travelling to the surrounding areas like Looe, Newquay and of course Falmouth on multiple occasions has made me more familiar with the county. This will make me be able to settle in straight away !
"Eye of the Eider"
28th May 2022 My photographic trip to the Forest of Dean:
After Cornwall I went on an 8 day camping adventure to the Forest of Dean, one of the largest woods in England. Although I didn't see any Wild Boar, I did see this stunning Eider at WWT Slimbridge- our largest and fastest duck species here in the UK.
I was very intrigued by its wedged-shape head and I wanted to draw the viewers eye to this remarkably unique anatomical asset of the duck. I did so by increasing the ISO on my camera to ensure the glistening water behind the subject had been replaced by a clean white background, which contrasted effectively against the Common Eider's striking colours.
I was very intrigued by its wedged-shape head and I wanted to draw the viewers eye to this remarkably unique anatomical asset of the duck. I did so by increasing the ISO on my camera to ensure the glistening water behind the subject had been replaced by a clean white background, which contrasted effectively against the Common Eider's striking colours.
"The Orchard Conservation"
15th July 2022 Comma Butterfly basking in the sun at my school's orchard. This year was the first time I attempted photographing butterflies with the help of my macro lens, but it was definitely not as easy as photographing stationary mushrooms...
On a sunny day like this, photographing butterflies isn't easy. This is because butterflies use the surface of their wings to absorb heat from sunlight to use as energy; which is exactly what this Comma is doing here. Therefore on a warm sunny day like this, they have so much energy which makes them very quick and restless-especially when you try to get close and photograph them !
Luckily for me, this Comma had fluttered onto a nearby bush and began to bask in the midmorning sunshine. I slowly leaned forward and took a burst of shots. Surprisingly, it wasn't too bothered by my presence- that sunny spot must've been too warm to resist !
This was taken in an area of my school grounds called the orchard. This is a great place to take photos whenever I have time during the school day and is also where I do weekly conservation volunteering which involves the maintenance and creation of different habitats; therefore increasing biodiversity on the school grounds. I've had a lot enjoyment doing this and it has inspired me to partake in different conservation courses and join different conservation volunteer groups, like at Sandwich Birds Observatory which I joined in October 2022.
I believe combining my love for natural history photography, storytelling and conservation will result in my work becoming more impactful and inspiring for other people. It will also help spread awareness on conservation stories and issues imposed on our natural world, like habitat loss and climate change. This is something I aim to build upon and improve in the coming years.
Luckily for me, this Comma had fluttered onto a nearby bush and began to bask in the midmorning sunshine. I slowly leaned forward and took a burst of shots. Surprisingly, it wasn't too bothered by my presence- that sunny spot must've been too warm to resist !
This was taken in an area of my school grounds called the orchard. This is a great place to take photos whenever I have time during the school day and is also where I do weekly conservation volunteering which involves the maintenance and creation of different habitats; therefore increasing biodiversity on the school grounds. I've had a lot enjoyment doing this and it has inspired me to partake in different conservation courses and join different conservation volunteer groups, like at Sandwich Birds Observatory which I joined in October 2022.
I believe combining my love for natural history photography, storytelling and conservation will result in my work becoming more impactful and inspiring for other people. It will also help spread awareness on conservation stories and issues imposed on our natural world, like habitat loss and climate change. This is something I aim to build upon and improve in the coming years.
"My Dutch Adventure"
24th August 2022
At the end of August I went on holiday to Holland with one aim, to photograph Red Squirrels. It was a week full of early morning rises and late evening adventures with many ups and downs along the way, but the reward I eventually received was more than it worth it !
At the end of August I went on holiday to Holland with one aim, to photograph Red Squirrels. It was a week full of early morning rises and late evening adventures with many ups and downs along the way, but the reward I eventually received was more than it worth it !
After many hours with brief rustles in the bushes, split-second sightings and unsatisfactory shots, I was beginning to think that my dream of getting the intimate squirrel shot I was after was unattainable. Nevertheless, this didn't stop me from trying and on the penultimate sunrise I woke up and set out with my camera to try one last time.
I went to a spot I'd become quite familiar with, it was on the border of the woods we were staying in which backed onto a large field. My return to this particular place was due to the fact I'd seen a glimpse of a Squirrel here the day before at dusk, and concluded that a habitual wild animal would most likely pass by this patch the following day.
At first this didn't seem the case, I arrived before first light in camouflage and waited patiently in silence. I had been extremely lucky with the weather the entire week and this morning was no exception to that trend, the sunshine broke through the trees and the world began to wake up. The birds began to sing around me, but their beautiful notes couldn't entice the squirrels to reveal themselves.
3 hours had passed, other than a brief Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch cameo, not much action had occurred. However I'd caught a few glimpses of the Squirrels darting up a distant tree-trunk or scurrying across the opposite field with an acorn in its mouth. They were taunting me ! Regardless of the lack of Squirrel action and my ever increasing appetite for some breakfast, I remained determined to get the close up shot I was after.
As mid morning approached my patience paid off as two Red Squirrels chased each other up a tree a few metres away from me ! One briefly paused and looked towards me (as you can see in the first image), the morning light shone right onto it and the orange leaves from the False Autumn in summer complimented the Squirrels rusty brown coat perfectly. The second image was after the chasing had ended. This was the other Squirrel, which had decided to have a morning nap in the tree right in front of me. I was really pleased with this shot as it was displaying its natural behaviour and was clearly unfazed by my presence; this is always my priority when photographing wildlife.
Both shots are different but both images convey exactly what I was after: intimacy. The first one is intimate due to the Squirrel looking straight down the lens, which gives a sense of connection between the viewer and the subject. The second one is the subject displaying natural behaviour, creating a sense of tranquility and is also a glimpse of the subject in its natural environment, displaying its natural behaviour without any interruption- it almost seems as if the camera wasn't there and the viewers peering into the Squirrels world unobtrusively. This feeling is what I want to continue to portray in my future projects and will always prioritise the wild creatures welfare over anything.
I went to a spot I'd become quite familiar with, it was on the border of the woods we were staying in which backed onto a large field. My return to this particular place was due to the fact I'd seen a glimpse of a Squirrel here the day before at dusk, and concluded that a habitual wild animal would most likely pass by this patch the following day.
At first this didn't seem the case, I arrived before first light in camouflage and waited patiently in silence. I had been extremely lucky with the weather the entire week and this morning was no exception to that trend, the sunshine broke through the trees and the world began to wake up. The birds began to sing around me, but their beautiful notes couldn't entice the squirrels to reveal themselves.
3 hours had passed, other than a brief Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch cameo, not much action had occurred. However I'd caught a few glimpses of the Squirrels darting up a distant tree-trunk or scurrying across the opposite field with an acorn in its mouth. They were taunting me ! Regardless of the lack of Squirrel action and my ever increasing appetite for some breakfast, I remained determined to get the close up shot I was after.
As mid morning approached my patience paid off as two Red Squirrels chased each other up a tree a few metres away from me ! One briefly paused and looked towards me (as you can see in the first image), the morning light shone right onto it and the orange leaves from the False Autumn in summer complimented the Squirrels rusty brown coat perfectly. The second image was after the chasing had ended. This was the other Squirrel, which had decided to have a morning nap in the tree right in front of me. I was really pleased with this shot as it was displaying its natural behaviour and was clearly unfazed by my presence; this is always my priority when photographing wildlife.
Both shots are different but both images convey exactly what I was after: intimacy. The first one is intimate due to the Squirrel looking straight down the lens, which gives a sense of connection between the viewer and the subject. The second one is the subject displaying natural behaviour, creating a sense of tranquility and is also a glimpse of the subject in its natural environment, displaying its natural behaviour without any interruption- it almost seems as if the camera wasn't there and the viewers peering into the Squirrels world unobtrusively. This feeling is what I want to continue to portray in my future projects and will always prioritise the wild creatures welfare over anything.
25th August 2022 In between the Red Squirrel photoshoots, I visited the nearby lakes to photograph the birds that called this body of water their home.
Coots are a very intriguing animal once you become familiar with them. These monochrome waterbirds are very photogenic and abundant, which creates the perfect opportunity to get creative and try new techniques- which is exactly what I did.
They are also very aggressive ! Constantly swimming towards each other with their heads just above the surface like a shark's dorsal fin approaching an oblivious swimmer, then suddenly they'll take off; flapping their wings frantically with their little legs running over the surface. Basically they are not scared to make a splash and cause commotion.
This was what I wanted to convey in the first photo. This was taken on the final evening of my trip, I cycled along the lake and noticed the golden sunset reflecting the water behind the Coots. This was the perfect opportunity to take some underexposed shots against the golden summer sun before it disappeared beneath the horizon. I lowered the camera's exposure by 2 stops and used a high shutter speed as the Coot tugged on some pondweed, splashing water droplets into the air in all directions which were illuminated by the golden light. The use of a high shutter speed froze the water droplets in mid air and the dramatic underexposure ensured that the only light exposed was the golden light from the sun.
The second photo was also an underexposure., but this time I wanted to focus on drawing the viewer to the Coot's stunning white beak. This time the lighting conditions were slightly different. This was taken on an overcast evening so there was an absence of direct dramatic golden light. However, due to the Coot's white beak being such a contrasting feature, as well as the surface of water creating a vivid reflection, I managed to underexpose in these usually undesirable conditions effectively, this results in the white beak (and its streaky reflection) standing out against the dark empty space. The white feather floating on the water also helps in terms of composition as it creates a greater sense of balance in the frame.
They are also very aggressive ! Constantly swimming towards each other with their heads just above the surface like a shark's dorsal fin approaching an oblivious swimmer, then suddenly they'll take off; flapping their wings frantically with their little legs running over the surface. Basically they are not scared to make a splash and cause commotion.
This was what I wanted to convey in the first photo. This was taken on the final evening of my trip, I cycled along the lake and noticed the golden sunset reflecting the water behind the Coots. This was the perfect opportunity to take some underexposed shots against the golden summer sun before it disappeared beneath the horizon. I lowered the camera's exposure by 2 stops and used a high shutter speed as the Coot tugged on some pondweed, splashing water droplets into the air in all directions which were illuminated by the golden light. The use of a high shutter speed froze the water droplets in mid air and the dramatic underexposure ensured that the only light exposed was the golden light from the sun.
The second photo was also an underexposure., but this time I wanted to focus on drawing the viewer to the Coot's stunning white beak. This time the lighting conditions were slightly different. This was taken on an overcast evening so there was an absence of direct dramatic golden light. However, due to the Coot's white beak being such a contrasting feature, as well as the surface of water creating a vivid reflection, I managed to underexpose in these usually undesirable conditions effectively, this results in the white beak (and its streaky reflection) standing out against the dark empty space. The white feather floating on the water also helps in terms of composition as it creates a greater sense of balance in the frame.
"An Unusual Encounter"
18th September 2022 As I walk towards my house, I notice the starlings fly away in unison as a large silhouette glides against the overcast sky onto my roof. Realising it's a local elusive Sparrowhawk, I rush inside and grab my camera to capture this unusual encounter...
September isn't the best month for wildlife photography. Summer is ending but autumn hasn't arrived, bird activity declines drastically as summer migrants begin to leave and residents recharge after a hectic breeding season, the days start becoming noticeably darker and I go back to school which reduces my time with my camera but that doesn't stop me going out as much as I can spontaneously ! This was the case in this encounter. What was strange about it was the Sparrowhawk was clumsy, slow and seemed to lack predatory instincts. When I looked back over my images the reason behind this peculiar behaviour became more apparent; it was half blind. This explains why it wasn't hunting properly as Sparrowhawks rely on their excellent eyesight to pinpoint prey and it also aids with coordination which they need to weave through obstacles at high speeds.
This shot shows how menacing birds of prey look; with its piercing beady eyes and razor sharp talons stomping towards the lens. No wonder other birds can be so skittish when a predator like this can attack at any given moment ! They can be fearsome and threatening but they play an invaluable role in controlling bird populations and removing weak/sick animals.
Normally Sparrowhawks are much harder to get close to and don't stay in an exposed spot for long, so this was a nice experience to have. Although I haven't seen the Sparrowhawk since and the natural world is a cruel place; so it might have not been able to survive. Hopefully it did !
This shot shows how menacing birds of prey look; with its piercing beady eyes and razor sharp talons stomping towards the lens. No wonder other birds can be so skittish when a predator like this can attack at any given moment ! They can be fearsome and threatening but they play an invaluable role in controlling bird populations and removing weak/sick animals.
Normally Sparrowhawks are much harder to get close to and don't stay in an exposed spot for long, so this was a nice experience to have. Although I haven't seen the Sparrowhawk since and the natural world is a cruel place; so it might have not been able to survive. Hopefully it did !
"The Return"
1st October 2022 Autumn had returned, once again bringing a fresh new batch of beautiful mushrooms, colours and stunning golden light.
The changing of season is always so refreshing. The transition from summer to autumn is particularly inspiring as many different organisms return to our ecosystems- my favourite being mushrooms. They can emerge in their hundreds over night, in all different shapes, colours and sizes. This one was so small I had to use the macro lens as a ray of autumnal sun cracked through the tree canopy and illuminated the micro mushroom. This really represented the start of autumn for me; my first mushroom shot of the year !
"Mycelium Moonscape"
October 2022
My most recent images have coincided with the emergence of this years fungi. My foraging and identification skills have improved since last year so I have had bundles of opportunities with these incredibly underrated organisms that play a vital role in recycling and decomposing organic matter in our ecosystems.
However on this occasion I stumbled upon half a dozen Shaggy Parasols, which caps were the size of my hand ! Instead of taking a side profile shot level with the mushroom I decided to shoot directly above its cap with my macro lens. This was to show the variation of cream to brown colours and the incredible detail of the Parasols cap that tends to get overlooked. It reminds me of an outer planet's surface !
Having a macro lens gives me more freedom to experiment on sessile subjects like flowers and fungi with different compositions and techniques that I cannot try on motile subjects like birds and mammals, which I find quite creatively refreshing.
However on this occasion I stumbled upon half a dozen Shaggy Parasols, which caps were the size of my hand ! Instead of taking a side profile shot level with the mushroom I decided to shoot directly above its cap with my macro lens. This was to show the variation of cream to brown colours and the incredible detail of the Parasols cap that tends to get overlooked. It reminds me of an outer planet's surface !
Having a macro lens gives me more freedom to experiment on sessile subjects like flowers and fungi with different compositions and techniques that I cannot try on motile subjects like birds and mammals, which I find quite creatively refreshing.
"Blue Tit"
December 2022
During the winter, when food was scarce for wild animals, I made the most of their more frequent visits to my garden. Including this stunning Blue Tit I became very familiar with.
"Love Doves"
February 2023
An opportunistic shot taken on my neighbours front garden wall of intimate behaviour of Collared Doves. These Doves are monogamous, meaning they mate for life, a perfect symbol of Valentines Day.
"Back from the Brink"
March 2023
The cruel, harsh and sun deprived evenings of late winter drew me to the stunning nature reserve of Stodmarsh. Despite being in search of Tawny Owls, it was always a pleasure to encounter the remarkable Marsh Harrier- a bird that was once on the brink of extinction in the UK. Habitats of extensive reedbeds like Stodmarsh play a vital role in stabilising these birds of preys population.
"Broken Flora"
March 2023
During my 3rd consecutive year photographing Snowdrops, I decided to take the project a different direction. I focused on the imperfect; broken; dirty flowers, rather than the 'perfect' subjects I often do when photograhing flowers. This is a project I will continue to explore this winter.
"Spring in my Garden"
April 2023
Every spring our garden is full of colourful flowers. On this particular day there had been an April shower, once it had cleared I went outside and underexposed my camera when photographing this Tulip, creating this blackout effect I was incredibly pleased with.
"Butterfly Season"
July 2023
This year I experimented using my long zoom lens to photograph butterflies, rather than my macro. This sharp shot of skipper was my favourite of the summer project.
"3 Sandwiches"
July 2023
A highlight of my summer was photographing a Sandwich Tern colony. It was the first time I'd ever seen them and this action filled frame was my favourite photo I captured of these magnificent birds.
"The New Era Begins"
September 2023
In September a big change occurred: I went to university ! This allowed me to access new kit I have never had been able to use, in the first months I practice my composition skills, this image of a Ladybird emphasises this, as I consciously incorporated the leading line across the frame.
"New Gear, Some Idea"
September 2023
Incorporating a flash and array of new lenses has really improved my portfolio. This insect was only a few millimetres across, but with the new gear I managed to get photos I would have only dreamed of being able to take a few months before.
"Lizard Landscape"
September 2023
Lizard Point is the most southernly mainland point in the British Isles, it's a dramatic landscape that was on my bucket list for years until I was lucky enough to take a trip down there with the university. Taking harsh landscape shots isn't my speciality, however I love a challenge and was satisfied with this moody shot.
"Autumn Returns"
October 2023
October means one thing to me: macro mushroom photography! Mushrooms are always great subjects to practice new viewpoints and compositions, and October is the best month to see them.
"Little Egret on the Inlet"
October 2023
I noticed a Little Egret across the inlet, on a fallen branch. I laid down, getting eye level and purposefully underexposing to create this stark contrast of the small heron in its natural habitat.
"A Message from Our Future"
October 2023
My first step into climate change and conservation photojournalism. I photographed the Just Stop Oil protest aftermath on my campus; a significant piece of history with the future uncertain.
"The Rat that Changed My Mind"
October 2023
I find a family of brown rats living in a compost heap- a misunderstood creature in an overlooked habitat. I start to document their daily routines and unseen behaviour, opening my eyes to the importance of the habitat and all the elusive animals that call it home.