I had a small and very nice commission the other weekend photographing a Venture Scotland work-party, for Scottish Natural Heritage. The location was the VS bothy at Kinlochetive down Glen Etive. A remote and beautiful location that can only be reached by walking in for a mile or so, unfortunately mostly via some very wet and boggy ground.
The work-party were a great bunch, very friendly and more to the point very relaxed and obliging being photographed. After getting the requested images I managed a few portraits, not something I normally do but pleased I took up the opportunity, see what you think.

I was going to write more extensively about why I dislike wildlife photography, well ninety percent of it, despite loving wildlife and nature. There was however a quick conclusion to my thinking on this - for me its just not creative enough, no visual excitement beyond the level of illustration.
I understand of course the skill required just to place oneself in an advantageous position. Skills if dedicated and have sufficient financial support not insurmountable. The latest equipment also has moved photographers onto a plateaux of excellence.
You don’t need the latest kit to be creative of course but for too long wildlife photographers have sought the latest this or that to give them ‘an edge’ over other photographers, especially if in a pro arena. Now perhaps photographers having moved to a position of equity might start to be more creative and experimental in their image making. By this I don’t mean what the camera can do but what the photographer can make the camera do and construct something more visually interesting and with depth. Pointing at a bird or animal and pressing the shutter for a 12fps burst then selecting the best is not being creative. There are two photographers that I do find interesting, Pal Hermansen and Jan Tove both having a good visual sensibility along with technical excellence, there are others but few and far between. I only mention these two to indicate that I don't have a blanket dislike.
However, The latest Veolia Wildlife competition offers some interesting and creative light over previous years dullness, so things might be looking up. Winners and commended can be found Here . This is the best access to the images on a website whose navigation is a guddle.
The work does in the main have a graphic minimal quality (lots of white backgrounds, snow or sky) rather than anything gutsy but nice and ’interesting’ non the less. At last.
One final note on the competition - the landscape work is really awful, dull, boring and second rate. Oh well.

I was fortunate again this year to be asked to help with the 21st Scottish Nature Photo Fair at Battleby near Perth. Hosted by Scottish Natural Heritage and organised by Lorne Gill and team.
There was some interesting speakers lined up that I’ll go through according to the running order.

Peter Cairns

This was going to be interesting as I was very critical of his 2020 vision project last year, Here. I was keen to hear what he had to say.
PC is a top bird and animal photographer with some cracking award winning images. As I alluded to last year there seems to be a plateaux of excellence with wildlife photographers, mainly through use of technology but PC is certainly edges ahead of the game. His landscape work is perhaps rather pedestrian to my eyes. I cannot to be honest recall many of his wildlife images off hand, there were some bears and some birds but... and a helicopter.
His talk however was well honed and entertaining.
He talked about the ‘Wild Wonders’ project and '2020 vision', the uk equivalent. To his credit he mentioned that there had been some criticism (more than mine I assume) but did not go into detail or mention any redress. My view of last year still stands.
As I understand 2020 was for 20 photographers to do 20 assignments in specific locations but its seems to be more than 20 involved and there’s considerable collaboration involved. I assume each taking a slice of the pie as they go along.
The 2020 vision to change our perception (PC came out with the tortuous analogy of borrowing from a bank ) of certain habitats is I believe flawed and naive. Yes, in certain instances images have influenced how we view the world and helped lobby action but in 2011 seeing yet more pretty pictures of wildlife and orange sun bathed landscapes or misty woodland does not instill new knowledge, we know, its how we care that should be a concern and animating as many people as possible.
Our governments don’t care; even with the various conservation bodies badgering (sic) them, if they wished to let someone have a golf course in the middle of the Flow country (good train service) or a string of pylons across our mountains then little will persuade them otherwise. Direct action has in the past but politicians are wise now to that, if they haven’t done their quota of U turns that month it might but otherwise the door is closed.
I’m rather surprised that so many conservation bodies have sponsored 2020 as it implies to some degree their failure. Maybe they will get a load of free images to use.
Perhaps if we completely stopped making visually attractive (particularly saccharin) images of the landscape and wildlife (a making good) that man is destroying, others might then take note. A degree of integrity that most of us fall short of I fear.


Anyway; what of the others.



Bruce Percy

Presented a selection of nice decorative landscape images though from a limited and rather tired catalogue of obvious techniques.  A great deal of coastal work (obligatory misty long exposure’d sea etc. etc.) and could we have an alternative to the hakney’d (what has become) view of Rum from Eigg. The range of BP's technique's seemed to consist rather consistently of long exposures, or, grad filters (very obviously used), or, object or pattern in the foreground, etc. and little else. This doesn’t mean his images are bad, they are in the main very nice, just not that visually challenging.
He wishes to seek the visual 'simplicity' of Michael Kenna but I feel lacks the sense of form or inner exploration, despite what he says. More a case of following in the wake of rather than quietly saluting and moving in his own direction. His endeavors I felt to be motivated more by ‘production’ and commerce, seeking the success of Michael Kenna perhaps.
BP is well travelled but with the work he presented it seemed more a case of following where others have been rather than where he really might wish or could be. Why the photo hotspots (ie. Iceland) rather than places of his own discovery. (The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep. - Paul Strand). Find your own landscapes.
I find so many (velvia school) photographers unwilling to look at or importantly study not just other photographic genres or photographers out with their narrow field let alone other visual art forms. Of course they say and I'm sure they do look at other work but I suspect rather superficially.



Lorne Gill

Gave an excellent presentation of his work for Scottish Natural Heritage (he is the snh photographer) and demonstrated how adept he is with work that can range from people to puffins and stunning landscapes (lovely images of St Kilda for example) along the way. Demonstrating an astounding and hard earned level of excellence with land, plant or creature.  A General Practitioner who could partake of a particular specialty if need be and we would be in safe hands.
I would perhaps have liked to see more self initiated work rather than for 2020 or snh.


Andy Parkinson

Gannets. and a story about photographing Gannets.


Sandra Bartocha

As you might gather, here and elsewhere I’m not a fan of the over saturated (velvia) hyper real imagery, so SB’s work was something of a surprise. I admit to a groan when first encountering her work. She works however with digital I should add.
Her work is of plants and woodland, also landscape and abstraction.
So why have I changed my mind now and at the fair thoroughly enjoyed her work.
Its of nature - that I love; has a visual ‘artistic’ sensibility and awareness - that I admire and find lacking in so many nature photographers; is spirited with a sense of adventure and experiment - I think this sealed the deal. She does occasionally dip a toe into the cliche’ but an amazing consistency of exploration has her move on. I think her work will be interesting to follow in years to come. It would be interesting to see SB tackle a darker low key mood.
SB finished with a 30 min av presentation of her images that was beautifully sequenced and transformed one’s spirit. It is this transformative aspect that I would say makes SB definitely an artist rather than ‘just’ a nature photographer.

Overall a first rate fair, with a good mix of work, (all images are interesting, just some more so than others), whether you adhere to my criticism or not. It was also really good to catch-up with friends.

Finished and home required a restorative visit down to the river to see what was new, a young otter playing by the far bank was definitely a plus. Emails brought a print sale and two images accepted for an exhibition. A good weekend.


www.northshots.com
www.brucepercy.co.uk
www.scottishnaturephotography.com
www.andrewparkinson.com
www.bartocha-photography.com

The year long experiment that was/is this Blog was generally I think successful and answered my main question of 'what is it like doing a blog'. Well; when you have something to say beyond just a diary entry it can work out fine and be suitably reactive. But, saying something for a blogs sake is never I found ideal, becoming forced. It can lead to arrogance and unchallenged opinionated nonsense, especially if a blog becomes reasonably popular, the blogger forgets his or her true worth. This is something I've noticed over the years.
There are of course excellent bloggers out there many of whom I subscribe, who can write eloquently and impart true and interesting knowledge, expressing opinions in a respectful and considered manner.

After a break of several months I have to consider if continuing (re starting) would serve any purpose; jury is still out on that. Maybe I should treat this blog more like a noticeboard, occasionally pinning snippets and images of course, perhaps that is the best strategy.

Standing by my kitchen window I happened to glance out and noticed a May fly heading towards me, now apart from the rather grubby window in its path was also that of a spiders web. The result was less than pleasant for the fly as it was caught in the web. It didn't struggle much, not that it had time as the spider who's web it was and had no doubt been waiting patiently sprang into action and rendered the fly still. Quickly wrapping it up and then finally carrying it back to no doubt suck it dry. Not my idea of a Sunday lunch but I'm sure the spider was more than satisfied.
It was by chance that I had my camera and short macro to hand, though with the kitchen sink between me and the window I was a bit restricted to get closer in the short time. It all happened within a time frame of 2 - 3 mins.






























Well the rest of the afternoon was a bit more colourful and less gory, thanks to a wee trip up to Glen Isla.

For some months now myself and a group of like minded have acted as a steering group to set up 'Friends of Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust', which will take on the roll amongst other activities of helping organise volunteers for any digs, Geophysics survey's and other projects that the Trust might require volunteers for.
One of the main things has been to create a website as a portal for information. I'm rather happy with the site I've put together for the 'the fiends', its general appearance I think works and sympathises with the notion of heritage. Its always good to have pretty much free reign when designing a website and I think my best are when I've not been constrained.
Have a look, see what you think: www.fopkht.co.uk

Every time I walk down through the wood by were I live there seems to be yet another tree limb having succumbed and crashed to the ground, the Winter and winds have caused amazing destruction.
Spring is here however and the warmer weather has brought quite a lot of plants on, countering the destruction.
What does seem to be doing particularly well this year is the Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), its companion the Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) however seem to be doing slightly less well. This might just be local but I certainly don't recall the Wood sorrel being quite so widespread and vigorous.

A weekend of sun and warmth brought out the wildlife and gave a natural boost for everything and one, shaking off the shacles of Winter, though there are still patches of snow to remind us that its not Summer quite yet.
Sometimes it might not be the landscape that fully captures our soul but a combination of elements. Thus was the case the other day when I was contemplating if the sun would fully burn of the cloud, while wandering along some low level moorland and rough grazing. It was however the added sound of Curlew and Skylark that transformed the location into something special. So imagine while looking at the image below their dulcet calls.