The photograph of the month for June 2024 comes from my recent Namibia Masterclass workshop (Trip Report coming very soon) and is of the Namib dune sea at sunset. This particular part of the Namib desert is one of my favourite locations. This an area I have been returning to on each visit, and it always offers a fantastic play of light, shadow and sand. Interestingly, I have never seen anyone else in this area – even though it is relatively easily accessed and is only a short walk off the main tourist road into Deadvlei. The photograph plays on shadow and light and uses geometric form as its subject. The interplay of shadow and light and the drama of the flying sand is what makes this such a strong photograph for me. I will return to Namibia again in 2026 – full details will be posted soon.
I have just published episode 99 of my Wild Nature Photography Podcast. In this episode, I discuss the consumption of Nature vs, appreciation of Nature after a recent, somewhat sour ‘tourist’ experience during a tour in the Cango caves in South Africa. Apologies in advance, but I somehow managed to screw up the numbering of these podcasts and refer to this episode as number 89 during the recording when it is, in fact, episode 99. That was most probably jet lag.
Earlier this year I was fortunate to be highly honoured in the Polar Passion in Nature’s Best Photography awards, and yesterday I received the exciting news that I have also made the semi-finals in the international Nature’s Best Photography Awards. I have now had my photography make the semi-finals over ten times (including multiple highly honoured images) and am thrilled to have had my photograph selected again. I can’t share which photograph has been selected at this point in the judging, but will post the image up as soon as the final judging is complete. Hint, it was something from the Northern Hemisphere (not a Wolf, Fox or Polar Bear)…
Due to a medical cancellation, I have an extra place available this November / December for my Emperor Pengion expedition to Gould Bay in the Weddell Sea in Antarctica. This expedition is for those photographers who want to capture stunning, evocative images of the world’s largest and hardest-to-reach penguin – the Emperor. This is a region of Antarctica that is extremely remote and that is home to one of the largest Emperor Penguin colonies in Antarctica. It is an absolutely incredible and surreal place to visit and photograph these remarkable birds. To call it a life-changing experience would be understating the opportunity to camp, live with and photograph these incredible survivors. If you are interested in the trip of a lifetime to camp with and photograph these amazing Penguins please contact me for further information or to express your interest.
With all the hype about the Canon EOS R1 over the last couple of weeks, I have neglected to update the website with the (dare I say ‘more important’) photograph of the month. Without further ado, the photograph of the month for May 2024 comes from my February workshop for Arctic Foxes in the far north of Iceland (Read the Trip Report). This photograph is my favourite from the trip as it speaks to me emotionally on many different levels. The environment is dramatic with the blizzard, reduced visibility and flying snow. We get a real sense of a winter storm and the brutal reality of the Arctic winter. We have the mountains and ocean for context and a wonderful foreground of steep snow bank. The Arctic fox is small in the frame, making it appear fragile and alone in the huge Arctic expanse. Additionally, we have the perfect pose of the fox, looking into the camera, dusted with snow, as it watches over the entrance to the fjord on a huge, steep and dramatic snow bank. This sort of ‘animal in the environment’ photograph is often far more evocative and tells a much more profound story than a close-up portrait. Shot with the Canon EOS R3 and the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8L IS, this photograph is also a great example of when you don’t need a super expensive huge telephoto lens to make a fantastic wildlife photograph.
I will be returning again next February to lead another workshop for these wonderful Arcitc opportunists. There are now just a couple of places remaining on my 2025 expedition. If you have ever wanted to photograph Nature’s most remarkable survivor in Winter, this is your opportunity. Our remote cabin is ideally situated as a cozy home away from home and provides a beautiful base from which to photograph the Arctic Fox. Places are minimal; please contact me for complete details.
www.WILDNATUREPHOTOTRAVEL.com 