Wildlife and Adventure Photography

Send us Fan Mail I'm using this tagline in some of my promotional material and I thought I would share what it means. Going beyond that, what inspires you and your photography? Is there a particular photograph you're trying to get, or are you looking to share an aspect of something that you're passionate about with someone else? Part of my motivation is to sell photographs so that I...

Send us Fan Mail Being able to control what, within your photograph, is in focus and what isn't, is one of the best ways to create interesting and engaging photographs. How to achieve this is the question I'm asked most often. So, what do you need to know? In this podcast I'll take you through the key areas; understanding depth of field, how to set it, how to maintain the correct ex...

Send us Fan Mail Animals will often act on instinct and we tend to think of that as their default operating condition. And, for a long time, human beings (homo sapiens) were thought of as being the only intelligent animal around. But, as we've learnt more about the animals around us, that belief has been challenged. It's now known that many animals exhibit behaviours that go beyond insti...

Send us Fan Mail So, you're going to do some wildlife photography and want to get the best results. What are a few things you can do to give you the best chance of coming back with some great photos? In this podcast, I'll talk about doing your research and preparation before you go, and being patient and always ready when you get there. I also talk about the best times to shoot (includin...

Send us Fan Mail Understanding the 'modes' on your DSLR or Mirrorless camera allows you to make use of the full potential of your equipment. But which mode is right for you? In this podcast I'll take you through what are, in my opinion, the two most useful modes for most types of photography; Shutter Speed Priority and Aperture Priority. And the chances are that you'll make use...

Send us Fan Mail I was recently asked to suggest a camera for someone who shoots exclusively for social media. While I much prefer to see photographs on a wall, or in a photobook, many photographs will only be seen as social media images. So what do you need to think about if this applies to you? That's what I talk about in this podcast. It's time for another podcast... Thank you for listenin...

Send us Fan Mail I'm a big believer that practice makes perfect, but I'm not always disciplined enough to take photographs regularly. This isn't usually a problem for me as I do often use my camera, but, if you're one of those people who puts your camera away until just before that big day, or trip, this might be for you. My challenge is for you to describe your local area in 1...

Send us Fan Mail In a previous podcast, I spoke about my preparations for my trip to Namibia in September. EHRA does great work and they are one of the projects I support from sales of my photographic prints. I'm currently training for a 100km hike over 5 days to fund raise for their 25th anniversary. If you're planning a big trip, what steps are you taking to make sure you're fit e...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever notice that people seem to vanish the moment you suggest showing them your latest photos? Whether or not you do, these suggestions might help you to rethink your photography. Think of three photographs that you love. What is it about them that makes them standout? Which elements are common between them? This might be the use of colour, composition, the use of the foreg...

Send us Fan Mail I've spoken about the differences between DSLR and Mirrorless cameras in the past and I thought it was time for an update. You might be thinking about buying your first camera system, or you may have a DSLR system and you're thinking about transitioning to Mirrorless. Wherever you are, I hope this podcast will help. Previously there were clear differences between the two...

Send us Fan Mail Love them or hate them, tripods are essential for some types of photography. So, are they useful for you? In this tripod I'll give you some tips for buying and using tripods: What type of head best suits your needs? How can you minimise the chances of your tripod falling over? What's a monopod? What options do you have if you use a smartphone? I hope you find it useful....

Send us Fan Mail Most of us need to apply  a little planning before heading off for a wildlife shoot, otherwise our results can be disappointing. So, what are the best questions to ask yourself before you go? They will include: Which animals will I be photographing? What are their habitats like? When are they active? Which behaviours do I hope to photograph? These questions, and more, have a beari...

Send us Fan Mail Camera gear can get very expensive very quickly, so buying used equipment can be a good move. It's especially true if you want to expand your current gear options, or buy professional level gear. This is not an in-depth buying guide, but I wanted to share what I think are the most important considerations. It's time for another podcast... Thank you for listening. Please Like...

Send us Fan Mail In September 2024, I'll be taking part in a 100km trek in Namibia. Organised by EHRA (Elephant-Human Relations Aid), it is a fund raiser to celebrate their 25th year of operation. You can find out more about them on their website . In this podcast, I share where I'm currently at with my preparations, and what my plans are as my departure date approaches. It's time for an...

Send us Fan Mail Creating sharp photographs is a basic requirement for most photographers. In this podcast I'll go through a few things to consider if you're not getting the results you want, but first of all, there's something to consider. Sharp focus is a tool, rather than an end in itself. Just as exposure and composition contribute to the final result, focus can do the same. Com...

Send us Fan Mail This might sound trivial, but... if your photography involves transporting your camera equipment to another location, I have a few suggestions for you. There are lots of bags available, and having the right bag can make the difference between a pleasurable experience, or one that is uncomfortable and frustrating. A few things to consider: Bag design Can it accommodate everything t...

Send us Fan Mail This might be a little harsh, but there's no doubt that some of us will head for the nearest exit when certain people want to show us their photos! If you're one of those people, this podcast is for you (and my online courses too)! Here are the 6 reasons and I go through each one in turn: Your subject (or lack of) Your composition (if there is any) No connection between...

Send us Fan Mail If you know what you're doing, a short look at a landscape will tell you a lot about what the inhabitants have been doing and who they are. The term for the evidence left by animals, of their presence, is spoor. This includes dung, footprints and other evidence such as damaged vegetation. Animal sounds are also very helpful, not just from the animal you're looking for, b...

Send us Fan Mail Portrait photography can be very rewarding. For me, a good portrait is one that captures something of the personality and story of the subject. But it isn't as easy as it looks! Whether you're shooting portraits of an individual, or at an event such as a wedding, and whether you are being paid, or doing it as a favour for someone (or even to build your portfolio), there...

Send us Fan Mail When we start to talk about specialised photography, travel, nature and wildlife are good examples, we often think of Mirrorless and DSLR as being the only options. However, most of us carry a very capable camera with us every day on our smartphone. In this podcast I talk about what I use my smartphone for when I'm travelling, and a few accessories you might want to consider....

Send us Fan Mail Jargon is useful if you understand it, and photography has its fair share. In this podcast I give a quick definition of the following terms: Prime lens Zoom lens Standard lens Fast lens Depth of field Dynamic range Noise Back button focus Hopefully a penny or two will drop for you! It's time for another podcast... Thank you for listening. Please Like and Subscribe, as it really do...

Send us Fan Mail Choosing the right lens, or lenses, is obviously important when it comes to creating the photographs you love. So, which lens or lens combination is right for you? This will depend upon the type of photography you do, and here are some questions to ask: Should I use a prime lens or a zoom lens? What is the best focal length, or focal length range? How much can I afford to spend? H...

Send us Fan Mail I usually talk about wildlife photography and thought I'd step back for this podcast. If you're photographing nature, you're likely to be in an uncontrolled environment. This includes the weather, light, and whether or not your subject will show up! All of this means that you need to do the correct preparation before heading out with your camera. In this podcast I t...

Send us Fan Mail Cheetahs are one of my favourite animals and I know many other people feel the same way. But, aside from the obvious (i.e. their speed), did you know that there are only 6,500 mature adults thought to be remaining in the wild (from 40,000 in 1960)? Or, did you know that they almost went extinct 10,000 years ago? I hope you enjoy the podcast. It's time for another podcast... Thank...

Send us Fan Mail Today I had the pleasure of meeting Cory Mortensen. Here's some background: Born in the small town of New Prague, Minnesota, and raised amidst the sun-soaked landscapes of Scottsdale, Arizona, Cory Mortensen embarked on a unique journey that shaped both his life and literary career. Choosing an unconventional path, his journey began with dropping out of college to immerse him...