End of a year and the beginning of a new one.
A new year brings with it the promise of fresh hopes and an essential drive to fulfill any new objectives that we may have set for ourselves. It is a time for reflection, growth, and the pursuit of aspirations that can lead to personal and professional development. I haven’t been able to write a blog post since the summer months, which feels like quite a long time.Busy with photography, work, and caring for two young boys.One of my new resolutions for this year is to update my website much more regularly than I have done in the past, in order to keep it fresh and engaging. Additionally, I aim to create a dedicated platform for selling my prints, allowing me to share my photography with a wider audience.
In terms of my photography endeavors, I’m looking at doing more wildlife videos throughout this year. I believe that capturing the intricate behaviors and natural habitats of various species can add a compelling dimension to my work. Sometimes, you can’t effectively purvey the true wonder of nature with a still photograph, where a carefully crafted video would serve as a much better medium to capture the dynamic beauty and movement of the natural world. I've always found that the most difficult part of wildlife photography is capturing that precise moment when an animal is telling its story in the most compelling way. This fleeting instant can reveal so much about the creature’s behavior, emotions, and environment, making it essential to be both patient and observant.
Looking back at 2024, I feel as though I have made a fair amount of progress in both my personal and professional pursuits. The experiences I had this year greatly helped me grow.. I am the kind of photographer who doesn’t plan too much in advance and instead prefers to be reactive and spontaneous in my approach to capturing images. This method allows me to fully embrace the unexpected moments that nature often presents, making each photograph a unique glimpse into the world around us. Most of my photography work stems from spending as much time as possible out in nature, immersing myself in the environment and observing the intricate details that often go unnoticed. I check the weather forecast for my available time, choose a location that fits the weather, and consider what wildlife I might see there during that time of year or season. Even when I’m out and about exploring different locations, the camera is always readily at hand, allowing me to pause and capture a photo whenever an interesting opportunity presents itself. Roads can be a particularly great spot for observing various species of birds, for instance. These avian visitors may be attracted by litter, unfortunate roadkill, or even the grit that often accumulates along the roadside. Additionally, fence posts and electric poles can serve as excellent perches for birds of prey, such as a kestrel or a buzzard, for example. It's not always safe to stop by the side of the road to take a moment and enjoy the beautiful views that nature has to offer. This year, I want to be more organized, but we'll see what happens. Last summer, I had several fairly successful trips to the picturesque south east of Ireland, where I dedicated my time to photographing a variety of terns, waders, and stunning birds of prey. Hopefully, I’ll get the opportunity to return to the east as much as possible this year, as there is so much more to discover in this beautiful region. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing in remarkable locations in Wexford, such as Tacumshin, Lady's Island, and Cahore Marsh, where I experienced great success capturing beautiful images. However, I am aware that there is still an abundance of areas to investigate and new species to document.
Also this year, I would like to think that I will be able to enhance my photography fieldcraft significantly. By this, I mean I aim to get much closer to the subject, allowing me to truly immerse myself in their natural behavior and capture more authentic moments. It’s actually what I spend most of my time diligently trying to achieve and perfect. There is so much to think about, consider, and explore in this area that one could easily write a comprehensive book about this intriguing subject, and perhaps even several volumes dedicated to its many facets and nuances. It's all about the process of learning, and this is truly the enjoyable part of the journey!
Finally, I would just like to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who has followed me on Instagram. I greatly appreciate those who have taken the time to like, share, and send me messages of support. It's a challenging platform to navigate at the best of times, and I am grateful for your engagement and encouragement. Thank you for your time in reading my blogs, and I truly hope that you find enjoyment in the content I share.
