Links ~ Wildlife & Nature Photography

I love spending time on the net looking at websites, galleries and forums. Apart from being useful for resources and information, some sites help give me inspiration and, when I’m down and low on spirit to ‘get out there’, motivation. Many of these sites I have bookmarked, have come and gone in popularity and interest for me but others remain and I regularly visit.

Although most of the galleries have the option selling their prints, I prefer to stay away from commercial photographers. Personally, I think if you are trying to sell your images and have to make a living out of what you are doing, you loose something – a connection with your subject, the freedom to do what you want – I don’t know, but those sites I’ve just not found interesting. Most of those professional photographers sites I have visited, just seem more about selling their latest book, tours, etc., and do little to show off their images. Laurie Campbell is an exception for me as I do like his photography and he has genuine talent.

Although the sites are not listed in any particular order of favourites, Walter Barthélemi is at the top as he has become the photographer I admire the most and whose images can either inspire me or depress me because because it makes me realise how poor my own photography is in comparison.

My favourite blog is Eric Weight because it’s the closest to the way I like to do mine only he does it better. A mixture of photographic and wildlife interest and makes a very interesting read as well as the great visual images.

Websites Galleries

Walter Barthélemi My favourite wildlife photographer. Many of the more ‘famous’ and well known photographers, I find just too boring and commercial – Walters images you can just relate to and seem very natural. His video photography is also amazing and very atmospheric.	Jody Melanson Mainly wildlife photographer from Alberta, Canada, manages to take amazing photographs of birds with similar equipment as myself yet does it much better! I like his type of photography as it is not only technically very good but also visually appealing.

Allon Kira I’ve linked this directly to his Kingfisher photographs which he manages to take with only a 300mm lens and converter and, until recently, ‘only’ a 20D camera. I also love good Kingfisher photographs and he has some of the best.	Dirk Jürgensen Dirk manages to produce some amazing landscapes from views that most of us would not see if we were out for a walk and all with modest Olympus equipment.

Henry Liu Another Canadian photographer whose landscapes have fabulous colour and depth in them, even more amazing considering he’s only been taking them since 2005.	Israel Fichman A mixture of great images especially the landscapes and Kingfisher photographs

Blogs

Eric Weight His blogs are called field journals because that’s what they are – a record of his exploits out in the field with his camera.	Johnnykinson Another local blogger and an enjoyable read as I particularly like his way of thinking.

PCWanderings There’s a number of local bloggers whose blogs I like to read regularly and this is one. Like the others, it’s not only a good source of local information but a good read.	Owl’s about that then! Paul Riddles blogger on mostly owls. I struggle to see any of these and he sees them all the time! It’s also been interesting over the time I have visited his site, to see how much his photography has improved as well.

The early birder Recently discovered blog from Mark Chivers which has some very nice photographs of mostly birds.	Major Wildlife Photography Norfolk wildlife photographer with some nice bird and mammal images.