Visiting Mam Tor in the Peak District and contemplating the barn owls gliding silently through the countryside solidified Josh’s love for photography. In his article, we learn his most valuable lessons to develop your career and the ingredients that help him tell great visual stories.
My passion for being outdoors started in my youth when I spent my time playing sports with my brothers and friends. As I grew older and team sports lost their appeal, I turned to hiking as a way to stay active and engaged with nature. My love for wildlife, which began in childhood thanks to my dad’s bird-watching trips and animal stories, was rekindled in my twenties through a friendship with someone deeply passionate about the subject, particularly owls which are my favorite. This renewed interest led to an evolution from taking pictures on my phone to investing in a better camera and eventually led to a desire to travel and see more of the world’s natural beauty and wildlife with my friends.
Two experiences stand out as defining moments in my passion for landscape photography. The first was a trip up Mam Tor in the Peak District, near where I live, to capture the sunrise and witness a temperature inversion for the first time. The feeling of standing above a sea of clouds was truly mesmerizing.
The second was during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK when I had the opportunity to observe a family of barn owls hunting during the long summer evenings. The sight of these ghostly creatures gliding silently through the countryside was truly enchanting and further solidified my love for art. And the following are four valuable lessons I have learned along the way:
Embrace discomfort and fear, as stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal and professional growth. Examples include hiking in the dark, solo hiking, and waking up early for good lighting despite lack of sleep.
Only invest in new gear if your current equipment is limiting or holding you back.
Take the time to fully learn your camera and editing software. I regret not spending more time practicing with Lightroom. Additionally, make a habit of continuous learning through watching YouTube videos and masterclasses to expand your photography skills.
In photography, it is essential to take numerous pictures. Additionally, studying weather maps and understanding how to match conditions to the landscape is crucial. Instead of having a rigid plan for the entire week, remain flexible and seek out the best conditions. Utilizing weather apps can be beneficial, I’ll mention some of my favorites below. The time of year also plays a role, for example, there are specific seasons and regions where certain owl species are more active.
Despite the effort, nature photography allows you to capture the beauty and diversity of nature while also raising awareness for conservation efforts. It can be challenging and requires patience and skill, but the rewards are well worth it.
The images you create can be used to educate others and inspire them to appreciate and protect wildlife for instance. And to make the most out of each experience, I think every great photo must have these factors set right in place:
1) Composition, including the use of negative space and leading the viewer’s eye through the frame.
2) Unique or striking light and overall conditions.
3) Purity and simplicity in the image.
4) Natural-looking colors correctly addressed in post-production.
In this regard, my favorite creature I have ever photographed would have to be one of my short-eared owl or ‘SEO’ images. Finding these elusive birds requires a lot of research and patience, as I spend hours scouring apps and social media for their locations. But the real challenge is getting close enough to take a crisp and clear image of them, especially when they’re in flight and I have to shoot hand-held.
I remember the first time I saw one after weeks of searching. I had taken many trips and had come up empty-handed each time. But one day, I received a tip about a pair at a nature reserve in Yorkshire. I made the three-hour drive, and after walking around for an hour, one finally came into view. The moment was such a great payoff for all the time and effort I had put into finding one.
I have set a personal goal for myself this year to capture a print-worthy image of a Long-eared, Short-eared, and Barn owl. I believe this project will help grow my love for the subject and my photography skills, which will ultimately contribute to my career growth. I hope you can join my journey. As a native of England, I find inspiration in many regions of my home country and the UK and would like to show you my favorite places. The Peak District holds a special place in my heart, but I find it to be more of a wildlife haven than a landscape photography destination these days. The Lake District is another favorite of mine, particularly for hiking mountains and capturing great conditions. But my top pick would have to be Scotland. I am eager to spend more time there this year, exploring the mountains and immersing myself in the wildlife kingdom of Mull.
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