Well, another year has passed and it's only when I look back at those images I have taken over the last 12 months that I realise it's been quite a productive one! As always, the vast majority of my work is undertaken within 20 miles of my home, here, in north Kent and so, not surprisingly, 10 out of the 12 are "local". These are my personal favourites (though in honesty I could have included more) and so I don't expect everyone to like my choice but then that's photography where, like any other art form, it's purely subjective. Wouldn't it be terribly boring if everyone liked the same images?! I hope 2014 will be equally productive and I can see no reason why not considering the various trips and projects that I have planned but, who knows, mother nature may have different ideas.
Lesser redpollI was sitting in my hide on the marshes where I had a feeding station when all of a sudden this little chap appeared and began feeding just 4m away! I tentatively took a few shots to gauge it's reaction whereby it flew off but then returned, immediately, and stayed for the next few minutes. They are incredibly quick and the willowherb seed-head it was feeding on was swaying a bit so I was more than happy that quite a few came out sharp. I sacrificed depth of field for speed to ensure I stopped any movement and to render the background completely out of focus.
European bison walking in heavy snowfall. Bialowieza, Poland.Taken while co-leading a tour to photograph Europe's largest land mammal. I took a number of "clear" images as it stood in the meadow and was looking for something different. And so I stepped into the forest and composed this image through branches, to give the impression of peering into the world of the bison.
Wood anemone at twilightTaken to form part of a continuing, self-assigned, project shooting plants at twilight. That period between sunset and dusk and dawn and sunrise that lasts for, approximately, 45 minutes. It presents many challenges, not least subject movement and focussing issues as well as having to view plant photography in an entirely new way as few "conventional" compositions work in such conditions.
BluebellHaving photographed bluebells many hundreds of times over the years, I was looking at producing more than just a record shot and so as the sun rose and illuminated the background, I made a double exposure – one sharp and the other, out of focus.
Lizard orchid.A tip-off from a warden friend of mine led me to this wonderful plant which had flowered for the first time in 20 years at this reserve. Situated just a few metres from a seldom used footpath and keen not to give away it’s location, I would leave the path 20 or so metres before-hand so as not to leave a “path” leading directly to it that might otherwise have drawn attention to certain members of the public! In addition I would shoot, only, at sunrise and sunset when no-one was around. Very covert! I had a window of just 10 minutes when the sun appeared between trees producing this golden light.
Common darter dragonfly clinging to sea club-rush at sunrise.
Canoes and northern lightsThis image was made on the first night of the Northern Lights and Autumn Colours of Lapland photo-tour that I lead every year with photographer and guide, Antti Pietikäinen. It was the most incredible display that I have, personally, witnessed that lasted for close on 3 hours with curtains of green and violet moving and swirling in the night sky. As a result, it gave us the opportunity to move to different locations and shoot a variety of compositions. After a long day of travelling and shooting through the night, everyone went to bed exhausted but exhilarated. The best feeling a photographer can have – I think! This image went on to win The Telegraph’s Travel – The Big Picture photography competition.
