Red Squirrels: Remote Release Work

Recently I bought myself some new camera kit: a Nikon 14mm f/2.8 lens and an ML-3 wireless remote release. The aim of this was to capture the popular red squirrel from a more unique perspective, showing a different side to my photography.

I have spent many hours perfecting this technique, each time adjusting a setting just slightly to ensure the next session’s photographs are an improvement on the previous. I have finally got some photographs that I am willing to post online and that I am pleased to have taken.

To get the shots, I placed my camera on a piece of wood to protect it from the damp ground, ensuring that it was close to the rock on which the squirrels would be appearing. The focus point was set manually before hand, along with the aperture and shutter speed. From then on, it is just a case of timing and setting off the shutter at the right time from the hide!

The camera which I used to take the red squirrel photographs.

Here is the first shot that I am very pleased with, and is my personal favourite. “How Do You Do?”

And the second, “Too Close For Comfort”.

I’ll be continuing this project from now on, hopefully getting some more and even better shots of the reds!

Wildlife Photography Talk: 30th March 2012

In October 2011 I gave a talk on my wildlife photography to 40 people, the maximum the venue can seat, at the Allendale Forge Studios to raise money for my expedition to the Borneo jungle this summer.

Due to the success of the last talk, I’ve decided to put on a second talk on the 30th March 2012 at the Allendale Forge Studios. During the evening I will talk about my wildlife photography and experiences so far, including how I got the shots and a bit about the wildlife itself. My images will be projected by an HD projector throughout the evening.

There will be a raffle at the event as well with some great prizes, including a print of one of my photographs. The event will be raising money for my Borneo expedition again where I will be working with the Kelabit tribe of Sarawak. This will include building a museum and establishing trekking routes to help further the ecotourism of the area. As well as this, I will be trekking through the jungle and gaining valuable experience for my future aspirations.

Doors will open at 6.30pm, and the talk will begin at 7.00pm. Tickets are £7.50 each and refreshments will be available, including a complimentary glass of wine. If you would like to book tickets, please contact me.

Top Five Photos from 2011

Happy new year! I thought that I would post my favourite five photographs that I have taken during 2011…

The first photo is my personal favourite out of all the photos I have taken so far.

I took this photo of a juvenile little owl in July at a nest site close to my home. Usually it takes hours and hours of waiting, mostly unsuccessful at first, to get a photograph that I am happy with. However, having left the hide opposite the nest for a couple of weeks, I managed to get this shot within an hour and a half on my first session waiting! It was a magical evening with the whole family, two owlets and two adults all screeching around my hide. The best part was that the owlet actually chose such a photogenic branch from all the other hidden, obscured branches around.

Next up is my first remote release shot of a red squirrel.

For this shot I hired a wide-angle lens and used a cheap remote release to get this shot. I wanted to try out a new perspective to my photographs, there are only so many red squirrel shots you can take with a telephoto! Annoyingly, the remote only worked with my Nikon D80 and also required the camera to be pointed towards you, so my hide is just out of the shot on the left! I now have bought my own set up, a much more wide-angle Nikon 14mm f/2.8 lens with ML-3 remote. More shots coming in the near future.

The third picture is a more dramatic wildlife shot.

This is of a yearling atlantic seal which has been attacked by a bull seal. Some people may not like this photograph, but I like the story behind it and the fact that the raised flipper looks as if it is wiping away a tear.

Fourth is a white-tailed eagle on the Isle of Skye.

For this shot I spent three days taking trips out from the harbour on Skye, drifting in front of the eagle’s nest. After much waiting, the eagle came down and allowed me to get this shot of it being chased by a great black-backed gull.

Finally, I think it has to be my latest success!

This photograph of a red squirrel in evening light was taken a few years ago in Kielder Forest, Northumberland. It has just been announced as the 16-18 year old category winner and overall winner in the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards! Very unexpected, as I mentioned in my last blog post, but I think it has earned a place on my top 5 of the year.

And that is all! Happy new year and all the best for 2012!

RSPCA Young Photographer Awards: Results

On Friday, 16th December, I was at the Tower of London for the award ceremony of the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards. There were around 8000 entries to the competition which has been running for 32 years, and there were some really great photographs in the final too!

Here is my entry:

Admittedly, I had no confidence that I would be bringing back a prize from the competition. However, I managed to win the 16-18 years category and the overall winner as well!

Part of my prize, along with two glass trophies, is a 3 day photography break with wildlife photographer Danny Green and his team to photograph the deers rutting in October next year – something I am really looking forward to!

Well done to all involved in the competition, it was great meeting lots of different people there.

Photograph by Philip Toscano/RSPCA