Who're your favourite UK wildlife photog's?

It's been a little while since we've had any general discussion on here - so I thought I'd ask & see who your favourite UK wildlife photographers are and why?

As to my own favourites, I think I've got to say that it comes down to two photographers - Pete Cairns and Niall Benvie. Why? Because both have thought about their photography and are using it to make the rest of us think.

Not that I pay much attention to 'professionals' but I think Guy Edwardes deserves a mention here - I just like his images, pure and simple

I could say the same of Pete Cairns & Niall Benvie - though Nialls' website gives me a bloody headache.

But there's a few 'geezers' on this very forum who could give them all a run for their money - SERIOUSLY SO.

PS - I can think of someone who'll be really cheesed off if his name isn't included in this thread somewhere VERY soon - any takers

If I had to pick one, the one that has inspired me the most, I would say Laurie Campbell.

He covers a huge subject matter (instead of specialism - e.g. birds) in an understated way, no pomp, no cermony, nothing to unimportant to point a camera at, just quality photography speaking for itself.

I have to agree with Andy though, this forum has opened by eyes ( and the eyes of a few others ) to other equally effective, but not a prolific in image number, UK wildlife photographers.

Peter Cairns certainly inspires me but I would like to mention Ben Hall, maybe not so well known and famous but his photographs do have their own personality and very artistic style.

No Tom - that's not who I was thinking of

In my book there are way too many to mention so I'll just list a few, obviously there's Laurie Campbell, but there's also Colin Varndell, Mark & Tony Hamblin and Dave Kjaer, I also greatly admire the work of Paul Hobson and Danny Green

All very hard working photographers who constantly produce the goods and keep the standards very high

Well for my money I think Tim Munsey takes some extrodinarly good images,and he has helped me a couple of times,with odd problems.He always seems to me to get just the right look to his photos,not to sharp,the colors are always spot for me,so take a bow Tim.....

Stewart.....................

Well i'm going to have to go with Andy Rouse.He's very knowledgeable in he field of work.Plus i learnt alot just from reading his book.Plus his shots are fantastic.

I also really like the shots from Elliott Neep(love the shots in his website).

And i tottally agree, alot of the peeps on this forum should all get a mention, as i also learnt so much from YOU guys.As i've really had to "up my game" so to speak.

As Larry said there are many photographers out there both pro and amateur who are producing outstanding work.
As photographers we each have our own individual style of photography which in time improves and becomes almost recognisable.
Wildlife in the landscape and arty shots are now become more popular,Andy Rouses current osprey work is outstanding incorporating the beautiful background colours into the picture,David Tiplings slow shutter speed work which he showed at the Birdfair this year were magnificent and the french photographer Vincent Munier is producing some incredible images.
Everyone can learn from these images and it gives us the kick up the bum to get out there and take something better!!!


Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk

There's way too many good photographers around to mention them all, but on a personal note it has to be Nigel Blake for me.

He's very approachable, takes some stunning pictures and his processing skills are second to none.

If I had to pick one photographer I would vote for Laurie Campbell as unlike many of the top UK photographers he rarely visits the 'Honey Pots' where if you have the time and money the images are put on a plate before you. Laurie has an enormous variety of images which are largely due entirely to his own efforts.

Although I do not take many landscapes like Andy I find Guy Edwardes work insperational (recently awarded Canon's new calander) and his talents don't stop with landscapes. But I agree with others that there are many photographers on this forum who produce very insperational images and I know many professionals look to this and other forums for insperation - myself included.

I always find the work of Justin consistently high and I am sure if he (and other like him) were able to devote all their time to their photography they would be up there with the very best.

My own friend Frederic who runs a restaurant full time still manages a number of local photographic projects every year and amongst these he built a floating hide and produced a series of Great Crested Grebe images that were simply amazing and all this when he finishes at 0100 hours and is up 4 hours later for that magic light.

It is the individual efforts of a photographer from conception through to the finished image that wins my admiration and sets them apart!

David

Neil McIntyre.
Understated style and sees the same things I see.

John MacPherson also gets a shout from me. Maybe not an out and out wildlife photographer, but he has some inspirational shots in his library, and when he explains the story behind them it makes you want to go out and give it a go.

Interesting to see who's been inspired by who

Over the years I have been influenced by many photographers. Of the out-and-out pros from the UK, Nial Benvie, Laurie Campbell and Mark Hamblin have consistently shown dedication, commitment and a pure simplistic style that really shouts experience and shows great subtlety. Saying that, I have always been impressed and view with great interest the high quality of images posted here, which is why UKNP is the only forum I visit.

My inspiration comes from photographers such as Frank Greenaway, not just for technical skill but for their outlook. Most importantly there are some super photographers here on the forum.... If I had to name a favourite it would be an ex moderator based just outside Lyme Regis.....

All the best

Landscape: I have to say that I admire and am inspired by Joe Cornish. I feel that he truely depicts the more remote corners of the British Isles better than anybody else.

Nature: Laurie Campbell is the main man closely followed by Andy Rouse, and we use their work a lot, but I have to say that Tom Wylie's work is gaining more of my, and my colleagues, admiration for its versatility.
.

Colin Varndell I have had the pleasure of spending some time with him at his house very inspirational and Heather angel also had the pleasure of spending some time with Elliott out in the field.

Phillip.

Ps I also like John Chapman's work

I have no favourite, but i will always be more impressed by a good image by a non professional, than a good image from a professional.

As well as many of the above, I think Stephen Dalton deserves a mention. I`m also quite partial to some of Chris Packham`s work in his book "Wild Shots".

My favourite has got to be Me

Why? Because it's me that hits the button when I think the time is right to take the shot & it's me that process's the final result.

With regards to shots taken by others, there are to many out there to choose a favourite so it's easier to say me

Hi All,

As for the pro's Simon King and Andy Rouse produce fantastic work IMO, but as others have said people who post on this forum have some stunning work. On another note a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Terance James Bond (he lives local to me) he in my mind is the UK's greatest wildlife artist.

Regards

Rob

Photographers I've met personally and spent time with photographing are Guy Edwardes, Colin Varndell and Andy Rouse (He's been mentioned a few times now AndyA ). Ross Hoddinotts macro work is good and also Brian Pettit.

I admire work from a lot of others (some of whom inhabit this forum). You guys amaze me here as you generally do this part-time. I gain a lot of insight from you and inspiration to get out whenever I can and try to emulate you.

Rob

This is actually something I've wondered about myself in the past, and to be honest, there wasn't a single answer. What I do know is that the people whose images I admire everyday are on this site, and it is by seeing what is possible that keeps me wanting to improve far beyond the level I'm at now. In the past couple of days alone, I have been so impressed by shots like Elliot Neep's hyena, Andy Astbury's hoverfly, ARD's kingfisher, Chris Lloyd's remote robin etc. etc. etc. The majority of people posting on this site have regular day jobs, yet produce the most incredible, professional and gripping images. Kudos to you all; I'm truly grateful that you share your work.



Mark

There are many excellent UK nature photographers, both professional and amateur, and many of them post on UKNP. The standard of work exhibited in this forum is extremely high and certainly motivates me to improve my own photography.

If I had to name a few names, some that immediately spring to mind are David Kjaer, Mike Lane, Guy Edwardes, Andy Rouse. Mainly because I have met all of them personally and find them all approachable, knowledgeable and professional in their approach.

For me Andy Rouse's recent work over the last 2 years has been excellent.

Guy Edwardes is able to mix both landscape and wildlife photography and produces images of fantastic quality (Guy -I just wish you would update your website a bit more often....)

I had a look at Ben Hall's website and he too has some fantastic images, and mostly from the UK too.

From the forum I would pick out Justin and Phil Hurst for a bit of extra praise as they always post images of superb quality and demonstrate that you don't need the most expensive kit in the world to take great nature photographs, just a good eye, dedication and some skill on the PC for the post processing.

cheers

Sean

Has to be Stephen Dalton

Hey Gang:

I have to say Dr Heather Angel is my favorite British shooter. Even though she is now in her 60's she is in China working on aproject.

William