Of the three talks I offer to camera clubs, this particular lecture has the longest history, as I began photographing flowers, fungi, and insects in my teens and even started giving lectures on the subject by my early twenties. I was equally enthusiastic about birds and mammals, but given the fact that, at the time, I didn't own a car and that I lived close to the countryside (our garden also had a pond and backed don't a playing field), I sought out those subjects that were readily accessible throughout the year, and that required a modicum of equipment. For years, in conjunction with extension tubes, I 'made do' with a 100mm f/2.8 lens, with many of the resulting images reaching publication.
I could tell by the number of questions asked both during and following how well it was received, but I wasn't quite prepared for the number of lovely emails that ended up in my inbox, along with newsletter subscriptions. As a typical Brit, I'm not especially good at blowing my own trumpet, but on this occasion, I think I'll throw caution to the wind and publish one from attendee, Graham; I hope you can forgive me!
"I just wanted to thank you for your brilliant Zoom presentation last night at Bishopthorpe Camera Club York. Your enthusiasm and knowledge were off the scale. I particularly enjoyed your down-to-earth approach and easy-to-follow suggestions for a cheap and decent macro photo kit. I Have a Canon R5 and bought a 100mm 2.8 Canon Macro lens, which I haven't used enough yet! Just bought some extenders a couple of weeks ago and have tried them in the garden recently. Thank you once again; I was certainly inspired by your talk, which, for me, was one of my favourite zooms ever!"
One of the photos featured is this one of wild garlic, also known as ramsons, which was made last year in a local woodland using my 'wildlife' lens, which, at the time, was a hefty 200-400mm. As much as I loved it, it was simply too heavy (particularly when travelling overseas), so, along with my beloved Nikon D850, it was traded in for a Z8 and 400mm f/4.5. I haven't looked back since!
One of the significant advantages of Zoom presentations is the fact that, of course, it matters not where the club is based, which has resulted in me giving numerous Zoom talks throughout the UK and abroad from as far-flung as Australia to the US. If you're a camera club or photographic society and are interested in me giving a presentation, then do reach out. I look forward to hearing from you!
See the list of talks that I offer and contact me here.
