Photography is a great way to discover the wonders of the natural world, says Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserve Officer Robert Morgan.
Lifestyle coaches, the gurus of modern times, all advocate ‘live the moment’. We all understand that we should be immersing ourselves in life to get the most out of it. The experience of a friend’s wedding, watching a favourite band in concert, or simply a family day at the beach, being ‘present’ is what’s vitally important. However, it is still surprising how many people’s first thought is to film or photo an event on their phone. Although, let’s be honest, we have all at some time created a small rectangular barrier between ourselves and real life.
Nature lovers have always understood the power of being present; for looking, listening, and truly feeling life around us, creates a powerful sedative to the stresses of 21st century life. Despite the mantra of ‘turn off, and tune in’ photographing and filming the natural world can be a relaxing and rewarding experience. Of course, as with everything, there are exceptions. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen a visitor to one of our Broadland reserves struggling to get their phone out of their pocket to take a photo of a swallowtail butterfly, only to see it float off, leaving behind a failed attempt to capture it for Instagram. I have to resist the urge to suggest that they stop, stare and take a moment to enjoy its beauty.
Robert's daughter and granddaughter taking photos of flowers
Like life, wildlife photography often requires some quantity of luck. But as the saying goes, ‘…the more you practice, the luckier you become’. Wildlife photography as a hobby teaches patience and allows the mind to wander away from everyday troubles. One learns the ebb and flow of the natural world, weather systems, the subtle changes in the mood and light of nature and, most importantly, everything in it is uncompromisingly beautiful.
Photography has always been an important part of the wildlife conservation movement. Emma Turner, an Edwardian naturalist who lived on a house boat moored in the reed fringe of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Hickling Broad, played a pivotal role in early wildlife photography. She captured on film many of the birds of the Norfolk Broads, and as well as her pioneering photography, she was at the forefront of women’s natural history writing.
In 1911 she photographed a young bittern, and it proved to be a pictorial record of the first breeding attempt since 1886. Her bittern picture resulted in her being awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Photographic Society. Her book, Broadland Birds, was published in 1924 (and is still available!) featuring this and many of her other photos.
In modern times the work of photographers and filmmakers has brought the worldwide wonders of wildlife into our sitting-rooms. As well as inspiring, entertaining and informing, they have also highlighted, through graphic images, the damage we are doing.
Whether you are a seasoned photographer or an amateur with a camera phone, photographing nature, be it a rutting deer or tiny iridescent beetle, can be a magical gateway into the world of wildlife.
And you don’t necessarily have to live near a nature reserve - a churchyard, garden or other green space can provide more than enough wildlife for a keen eye and creative mind. ‘Live the moment’, can, for a wildlife photographer, mean focusing on, and capturing for others, the astonishing and beautiful life we have all around us.
Entries are now open for Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s nature photography competition. NWT is encouraging people of all ages to enter, with a chance of winning a pair of binoculars from competition sponsors ZEISS, worth over £1200.
The photography competition is free and open to all, closing date of 31st July. Photographers are encouraged to send their best images from across the seasons, with all portrayals of nature welcomed. Landscapes – especially NWT’s nature reserves – birds, mammals, plants, marine life, bugs, and people enjoying wildlife.
The competition will be judged by a high-profile line-up, including wildlife photographer and cameraman Josh Jaggard; wildlife presenter, conservationist and author Ajay Tegala; award winning, Norfolk-based photographer Paula Cooper; and conservationist and wildlife presenter, Jess French.
Judges will select a favourite photograph for each month of the year, and these will be printed in Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s 2024 calendar, and shown in an exhibition at NWT Cley Marshes this autumn.
Two special prizes will be awarded to the overall winners – the judges’ overall favourite and the best young photographer. Each will receive a pair of binoculars from ZEISS’ new SFL (SmartFocus Lightweight) range. All winners and runners up will be invited to join a guided tour of NWT Cley Marshes with ZEISS Ambassador, Toby Carter, where the runners up will have to opportunity to purchase ZEISS products at an additional discount.
All entries must be submitted online at: www.norfolkwt.uk/photocomp