Having just enjoyed reading Erwin’s latest blog I am so glad that I am not alone in my struggle to balance both my home and work life. The last five months have simply disappeared in a blur of travel, photography, image processing and spending time at home with my wife. In September I travelled to the Shetland Islands for a month to put the finishing touches to an article, October saw me make my first foreign trip for four years when I returned to India’s Bandhavgarh National Park for 2 months of tiger photography and since returning to the UK I have barely left my computer, except for one day that I have managed to get out with my camera. And I don’t even have children!
How those that do manage to become successful wildlife photographers whilst having children is beyond me, I really don’t know how you do it! Though if I’m being completely honest I probably haven’t been working as hard as I should have been since returning from India. Both myself and my wife run our own businesses from home and we have both become quite adept at providing distractions for each other. There are always cups of tea to be made, dogs to be walked and chats to have but it is these little moments that are the most important to me and after a somewhat relentless 8 weeks in India I felt like I’d earned a bit of ‘self-employed’ laziness!
Sub-adult defensive posturing as an adult passes closely overhead, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Unfortunately the rapidly changing world of wildlife photography does not allow this approach for too long and with dimishing returns from stock sales and a convenient continuation of the miserable February weather I now have to set about the tedious process of trying to catch up on some agency submissions. Oh good…more processing! This selection of ringed plover images are a perfect example of what’s been idling on my hard drives since I took them on a remote beach in the Shetland Islands last September and they represent the tip of a very large processing iceberg!
An iceberg that shows no signs of thawing any time soon. Cup of tea anybody?
Hello Andrew,
good to see you made it back safe and sound from the Shetland Islands. As always, I love your images. They are so simple, so honest without any sign of ‘bragging’. They carry a kind of ‘quietness’ I really enjoy. I like your approach to go deep and not wide and although I haven’t had the pleasure to meet you in person, a quote by Freeman Patterson comes to my mind: “The camera always points both ways. In expressing your subject, you also express yourself”.
Hope to see more images from the Shetland Islands soon! And yes, I’d share a cup of tea with you anytime.
All the best,
Erwin
ANDY!! Welcome back. The blog has been missing you. And what lovely pictures to make a return with. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you made of India.
My best
Niall
Nice to see you back Andy. You’ve been missed on UKNP too
A lovely set of Ringed Plover images, the low POV gives them a very special, intimate feel.
Matt
Superb images Andy,
You have really captured an array of behaviour and portraits of this often ‘overlooked’ species well, a pleasure to scroll down through the images. If the iceberg really is that big I cant wait to see more!
All the best
Dave
Greetings Andy,
Welcome back to the mundane reality that is a large part of nature photography…somehow when we make the leap we do not factor in that screen time. One’s rear end grows roots and eyes become saucers. Working from home with one’s partner helps …Oh how easy it is (and delightful) to be distracted Lois thinks she is doing me a favour when I am (inevitably) behind with a book and she lets me work in peace…
Hope you will be posting some shots of those large striped pussy cats soon
Paul
Hello Mate
Cracking set of images, love the second one.
Dan
Hi Andy, nice to see you on the blog again.
I hope Shetland went well for you. I’m now well and truly settled in to life in South Georgia, the views and wildlife are totally stunning. Just back off a 4 day camping trip to a Macaroni penguin colony
Really need to go back there and spend some more time with them, but that will have to wait until next season!
Next big thing in line will be several thousand King Penguins at Salisbury Plains, should get a little time to take some photos around doing the work I’m supposed too!
Ali
Great read and shots, Andy. Look forward to seeing more from your ‘To process iceberg’ if you can drag yourself away from the sofa!
Hi all and thanks for taking the time to post comments. It’s certainly nice to be back blogging again and to see that in my absence the blog has gone from strength to strength.
Al – I’m glad life in South Georgia is treating you well, I can’t begin to describe how jealous I am of you and how much I would love to be there to, especially for such a prolonged period. I’ve no doubt that it will be tough at times but all that hardship will no doubt contribute to what will be a sensational experience so enjoy, be safe and I’ll be in touch soon.
My best to all
Andy