Can you tell us the story behind your photo in this exhibition?
I try to document the rut in Richmond Park every year since I’ve started photography. I’ve only missed one due to a broken camera (I broke it while setting up for the rut three weeks after I’d purchased it). Last year’s self imposed rut assignment was deer with anything on their heads, be it flora or avifauna.
My wife and I were watching this particular stag having a good thrash while sheltering from the rain. He eventually seemed satisfied with his efforts and settled for what you see in the photo, which wasn’t as impressive as most of the others around that day. Soon after, a Jackdaw flew in and landed on his back. Although I did notice that it was a little special, at the time I didn’t spot the apparent eye contact between the two until much later. I like to think the Jackdaw was giving the stag some fashion advice.
How did you go about getting that shot?
I wish I could say it was all planned and I was waiting patiently for hours and there was meticulous planning beforehand, but it wasn’t anything like that. I just happened to be sheltering from the worst of the rain while trying to protect the camera with a rain cover on the way to having a much needed coffee. It just so happened that this stag was thrashing about in the grass between resting and a bit of bolving (roaring) – probably part of the reason for choosing the tree for cover. I think we were just about to move on, so I’m glad we actually stayed a little longer.
How long did you have to wait for this shot?
Not long at all. From the moment we had sheltered to the shot probably about 10-15 minutes. For the actual photo, it was no more than seconds.
Did you use any particular equipment or software?
I used a Nikon D810 with a 500mm f4 lens on a Gitzo Tripod with a lensmaster gimbal head. I actually had the wrong white balance set as I was experimenting with a manual setting that worked before the cloud and rain came in. This was corrected in Lightroom along with cropping (the original was in portrait orientation) and sharpening.
I had the aperture set to f/5.6, in hindsight I probably would have set the aperture to f/8 or more but I am really pleased with how this came out.
What are your favourite scenes, species or motivations behind your photographs?
I wouldn’t say I have any favourite species or scenes as such. Given most of my well known work are Red Deer photos; I’d have to say one of my favourites has to be the rut in Richmond Park. The sounds, smells and sight of the deer and the park keep drawing me back.
One of my main motivations for wildlife photography is that I find it is a great way to relieve stress. I couldn’t just watch wildlife all the time, so the camera comes too.
What would you like people to think about when they see your work?
To be honest I’ve not really thought about this, other than that I hope they enjoy what I have to show. As I Have mentioned in the previous question, I currently try to document what is around me. A lot of the wildlife around us is taken for granted, so I hope that people also find the native nature as interesting as I do.
With regards to the photo in the exhibition, I hope the interaction between the Red Deer and the Jackdaw raises a smile.
How long have you been a photographer and how did you get started?
I started with wildlife photography about 2009 when I purchased a telephoto zoom lens a few years after I got my first DSLR. I blame my wife and the Polish countryside around where she grew up as a more recent catalyst as I wanted to document what I found around there.
What would you advise someone wanting to start taking photos of wildlife or nature in their local environment?
When it comes to equipment, you do not need to spend lots of money. Just because you don’t have the big heavy shiny kit doesn’t mean you won’t take good photographs. Choose the right camera make that suits you. It’s no good if you don’t like how it’s balanced, or how the controls are laid out. If you can, spend the money on the lenses over the camera body. Unless you have more cash than you know what to do with you are likely to be sticking with one make. If you are also considering stabilisation, ensure that you pick the best tripod your budget will allow. This should be as high as lenses on your list of equipment. Don’t make the same mistake I did, you’ll end up buying another tripod later.
Just get out there and take photos. Practice will mean your photos get better regardless of what you’re trying to achieve be it something creative or just a decent record shot.
There are plenty of places to practice be it urban, coastal or countryside. For animals and birds, an ideal place to start is in a local park as they are likely to be used to people. I have found that ducks, other waterfowl and garden birds very good to start with. Don’t just rush in or get too close. If you can get level with or lower than your subject it can give a better shot. Sometimes sit back and watch the behaviour you can learn a lot and apply it to the photography.
Experiment with your technique, try and emulate others and put your own spin on it. Share your photos and get feedback, post them online or join a camera club. Learn from your mistakes and from others. Looking at some of the photos from the competition, I will be looking twice before I discard them.
What projects are you working on now or have coming up?
I don’t tend to plan photo projects too much as real life gets in the way. Its not that I don’t ideas, it’s more whether I get the opportunity to carry them out. At some point I think I may have to change my outlook on taking photos and concentrate more on getting the subject and its habitat rather than the close up portrait.
Over the last few years, I have occasionally thought about the Wagtail roosts around my town, it might be a good opportunity to have a go with them. One site, and probably the best roost around the town happens to be on private land so I’ll have to ask permission. As the area is very busy and usually with far too many people I’m not sure they will allow me. If the roost is a decent size, there is no harm in asking.
Next year I hope that I can document the hedgehogs visiting the garden. I had five this year and they seemed to tolerate me being close. Sadly none of them have stayed despite my best efforts to make them feel at home with food, shelter and a section of my garden that is less attended to than the rest. If they do come back, I may even be allowed a trail camera or two to help me document them. (If I get the right camera there could be live streaming.)
I have repeatedly promised to go and photograph the Peregrines at Charing Cross Hospital in London when I’m in the area and I have always been carried away with other things and then not going. If I mention this here I have no excuse but to visit now.
I am also thinking about a trip for my 40th Birthday in a couple of years – current thinking either Shetland, Arctic Foxes, bears somewhere in Europe or birds in Spain or Hungary. But, unless I get a nice bonus or the trip is sponsored, it is more likely to be a 43rd birthday by the time the trip happens, or a snatched half a day on to a short city break somewhere.
The weather didn’t quite work for me on this year’s trips to watch and photograph the deer rut in the London Parks so I might try for an early start again next year if I’m not doing other things.
When I’m driving, if circumstances allow, I’ll be out a lot more with even more ideas and projects to try.
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