News
This page includes my favourite pics of the Month, info on planned projects, updates on courses events and successes etc.

Latest News

July 2010 - Success in British Wildlife Photographic Awards.

I have just heard that 5 of my pictures have been shortlisted for the Awards this year - four in the Seasons catagory and one in the Animal Portraits catagory . It is Good to get some recognition for the hard work and effort that we put in to the work.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES 2011

June 2011 - Workshop in wildlife photography - I am organising a 3 day workshop in Mid Wales. A chance for participants to enjoy 3 days at a top class country hotel with spa and swimming pool and fabulous sessile oak woodlands and river. We will enjoy the very best of woodland nature photography hopefully getting close to spotted and pied flycatchers, mute swans in a beautiful setting and and other woodland birds. Also a chance to experience wild otters and red kites. Details coming soon - let me know if you are interested. Tel -01646 622205

MAY and September 2011 After a successful course this year I will be running two weekend courses on landscape and nature photography for the Field Studies Council at Margam Park near Port Talbot in South Wales next year. Spring bluebells and landscapes along with nature in close up will feature highly on the May course while rutting deer and waterfalls will be the focus of our Autumn weekend.

Bookings and details from the FSC at Margam

MAY 2010 - More good news as I pick up a further Distinction with the Photography Alliance of Great Britain - DPAGB. My 15 print panel was marked by 6 top judges to gain the award. The target score was 300 points and I managed to get a total score of 320.

April 2010 Four images accepted in the welsh salon. Also saw my first experience on the judging circuit when I judged at Bridgend Camera Club. The experience was very interesting and I now realise what a dilema judges have in making their decisions. The experience should make me a better photographer!

Sept 09 - Good news as I pick up an ARPS with a well acclaimed 15 print panel at the Royal Photographic Society HQ in Bath. The Distinction from the RPS will spur me on to try bigger and better achievements - future wildlife photographer of the year sounds good!!

April 09 - two awards this month - Winner of Best Wildlife Image in the Welsh Salon of Photography, also got selectors choice award for kingfisher action shot - pure elegance.

March 09 - Best ornithological image at the Welsh international Projected Image Salon with "kingfisher style"

Dec 08 - Kingfisher action pics made several national newspapers over Christmas.

Nov 08 - I am pleased to announce that I was successful in getting a Distinction in photography from the Welsh Photographic Federation on November 2 2008. My kingfisher panel was highly praised so I am now Paul Richards AWPF. Next stop will be a Distinction from the Royal Photographic Society.

Planned Projects
I wish to travel around Britain and Europe in the next few years and will be selecting some project work to keep me focused. Trips in the next 24months will include:

- A walk down the Wye Valley Way from source to sea

- Ireland and Scotland for coastal Landscape and perhaps a little fishing!

- A tripto Finland through Norway and Sweden in the camper van

Anyone with advice and or recommendations on must visit places in these locations please contact me.

ONE TO ONE TUITION - Want to learn a little more about how to be a better nature photographer?

I am available on a one to one basis for anyone wishing to improve their nature and landscape photography. I know how technical and confusing digital photography and image processing can be - I have learned the hard way! I can deliver anything from a half day instruction course on the principals of good photography with a review on editing and image processing options to an intensive action packed weekend out in the very best locations on the Pembrokeshire and Gower coasts.

If you fancy a weekend's intensive nature photography at my favourite locations on the Gower or in Pembrokeshire Please contact me to arrange a specific programme for your needs. I do a two or three day tuition course on nature photography looking specifically at heathland and coastal wildlife including adders and many of the less common heathland birds. We can also look in detail at basic processing and editing of digital images in Lightroom and photoshop.

Accommodation can be provided at both locations ( bed and breakfast provided in Pembrokeshire at my home if required) or if you fancy a weekend away I have a static caravan at Rhossili on the Gower. Here we can have an intense weekend of nature and landscape photography working late into the night or mull over our days photography with a pint and a pie in the local pub.

Prices vary depending on accommodation required:

half day instruction - £50.00 per session (5 hours)

weekend/two day instruction - £95.00 per day without accommodation

weekend/two day instruction course £250 includes Two nights B&B and packed lunches provided. Extra days provided at £100 per day - includes accommodation and meals.

- JULY2010

Taken at the end of June but not processed until July so Its a july favourite.

This little cutey was fast asleep with his brothers and sisters on the bank backlit by the sun - I couldn't resist!

- JUNE 2010

Another rabbit shot this one photographed through the flowers from a low viewpoint. She had gorgeous eyelashes!

- MAY 2010

Another happy week spent on the Gower coast taking opportunities for bird photography as I walk through the coastal heathland habitat. The bird numbers do appear to be down probably due to the hard winter! This stonechat gave me a happy flap just as I pressed the shutter

- APRIL 2010

I was lucky enough t spend a week on skomer this month. Dawn and dusk were fantastic all week and this image stick in my memory - the silhouette of the rabbit grazing as the sun rises at dawn

- MARCH 2010

This swan was chasing a rival out of its territory. I like the spray against the black shadowy background

- FEBRUARY 2010

A shot taken quite by chance as I waited for the kingfisher. There is no substitute for spending time in the field and birds and water is beginning to be favourite subject of mine.

- JANUARY 2010

This has been one of the pictures that has been on my top ten of most wanted pictures. It is nice to achieve it so early in the year and on a lake in Pembrokeshire!

- DECEMBER 09

The fulmars were back early so I took advantage of an early morning visit to the cliffs. I can't decide which one I like best!

- NOVEMBER 09

This represents the colour of Autumn and I just love the colours reflected in the lake - I should call it "on golden pond"

- OCTOBER 09

I know another boring shot of a kingfisher - but it wasthe only shot of the day - I deserved it just for being there for 4 hours!

- SEPTEMBER 09

This shot of a backlit grebe gave me alot of satisfaction because the shot goes one step further in getting something different - not just a record shot but a shot with atmosphere.

- AUGUST 09

No pics too damn wet!

- JULY 09

Another attempt at capturing the beauty and colour of our wild plants. The weeds on disturbed groun provided the blaze of colour for this shot.

- JUNE 09

The pied flycatchers became my summer project and whilst I got some fairly good pics I need to repeat next year to improve upon the flight shots.

- MAY 09

The foxes were a real challenge as the vixen and cubs were more than a little wary! I Liked this intimate picture with mum and one of the cubs having a moment together in the sun.

- APRIL 09

One of my new year resolutions was to improve my macro skills and in particular my flower photography. I hope you like first effort called "Honesty"

- MARCH 09

It was a pleasant surprise this month to get best ornithological image at the Welsh International Projected Image Salon. "Kingfisher Style" is a superbly sharp image of the bird powering its way out of the water.

- FEBRUARY 09

Bird photography doesn't get any better than this - red kites in the snow. I haven't ever experienced a more satisfying day of photography ever - love it!

- JANUARY 09

Once again the cold spell has led to more photographic opportunities. The water rail is a difficult bird to photograph at the best of times due to its secretive nature. I took this one as it caught a stickleback along the edge of a small stream

- DECEMBER 08

The cold spell has bought many shy birds out into the open. Capturing this jack snipe feeding alongside a pool was a fantastic high for me - it is a bird rarely photographed.

- NOVEMBER 08

Garden birds provide much interest and entertainment during the winter months. If you take the time to set up perches and photographic opportunities carefully your pics can look artistic and natural

- OCTOBER 08

Bingo I'm in seventh heaven with a tame kingfisher doing everything I want her to do and all in slow motion! Well I must make the most of this whilst she is around. My canon 5D failed after only 18 months light duties - I am disgusted with the Canons' at the moment and may swap to Nikon!

Iam pleased to announce that my panel of kingfisher pictures was awarded a Distinction by the Welsh Photographic Federation - this pic was one of twelve put forward highlighting a day in the life of a kingfisher.

- SEPT 08

This month I spent a day with seals along the pembrokeshire coast to try and get some action shots depicting the harsh environment in which they have to survive. This is a moment when two females had a dispute in the surf.

- AUGUST 08

At long last a kingfisher in flight. I have been trying for ages to get an action shot of these delightful birds. This one came up with a nice fat shrimp - more to come I hope!

- JULY 08

They say the best selling wildlife images display anthropomorphic qualities. This is my all time favourite of swan and Cygnet enjoying a quiet moment together

- JUNE 08

A trip to mid-Wales and a friends garden led to a series of woodpecker shots. I like this natural shot of a young bird feeding on nuts placed in a rotten log .

- MAY 08

May is the best time for adders and this year I got series of unusual shots using a new 180 mm macro lens. This female reared up as a walker leaned over to see what I was doing stretched out on the ground. Click! I had an angle not previously shot.

- APRIL 08

April started slowly but a dawn visit up onto the cliffs near Broadhaven South led to a series of stunning backlitshots of the Welsh Mountain ponies - I love them anyway!

- MARCH 08

March wasn't a fantastic month so once again practiced landscape photography and spent some time on getting quality shots from the feeding station in the garden. I am so looking forward to the return of the breeding sea bird colonies to the cliffs of Pembrokeshire.

- FEB 08

My canon 1D mark 3 had to be repaired due to faulty auto focus in servo mode - tested again on red kites with variable success.

- JAN 08

Weatherr dull and uninviting here in Pembs so tried to get close to woodland birds at our local nature reserve

- 31/12/07

Not too many opportunities for waders this month so practiced my landscape photography. Not too many sunsets though- very wet and dull!

- 30/11/07

A trip to a very wet Scottish Highlands to improve my landscape photography was a most memorable experience thanks to our expert tutor Ian Cameron. The remains of this old pier proved to be my favourite shot you can see more on portfolio shortly.

- 31/10/07

This picture of our friend Anna and her greyhounds Esmie and Millie is my first attempt to captivate the special relationship between owners and their pets. The greyhounds prove facinating subjects for photography and I am sure that their agility and movement will be the subject of future photo sessions on the beach at Freshwater West.

- 30/09/07

My target this Autumn of a kingfisher diving in for fish just wasn't possible as I just wasn't quick enough. Autumnal pics of foxes in the city was the next best thing

- 31/08/07

For August I spent a little time photographing badgers at a nearby sett. A few nuts and a little patience was allit took to attract these lovely animals and I had them feeding just feet away! Bliss!

- 30/06/07

June highlight was the discovery of breeding Dartford Warblers on the Gower. I watched and photigraphed a young family whilst laying in the gorse - ouch!

- 31/05/07

Early May , before it got wet provided a chance to get something unplanned. A super sunset and strong almost blinding light and a mountain pony enabled this fluke backlit shot of a horse -I call it "Spirit of the horse"

- 30/04/07

April was hot hot hot and the snakes were out early. The adders provided many happy hours of stalking and waiting but thanks to the sunshine there were plenty of opportunities.

- 31/03/07

It was so nice to greet spring with the return of the fulmars - my favourite bird. Spent a few dozen hours watching and photographing this elegant and beautiful bird.

- 28/02/07

February is not yet over but it was nice to visit the kites again at Gigrin farm in Rhayder. Here is my best shot of the day .

- 31/01/07

January was spent photographing the few waders that were around. My favourite picture is a compilation of two shots - curlew flying in a gale at sunset. It all happened but It took two shots to create the scene that I had experienced on the day.

- 31/12/06

My target this month were the elusive Jays I had seen and heard in the woodland where I was photographing kingfishers. A few nuts and alot of patience payed off big time as they started to use the kingfishers perches around the pond.

- 30/11/06

THis month was spent watching the estuaries and I managed to get very close to kingfishers and little egret. The kingfishers gave me then most satisfaction and must be one of my favourite birds.

- 31/10/06

The happiest day of the month was the day I captured my best kingfisher shot and curlew pic on the same day. As I lay on the beach with camoflauge gear a chough nearly landed on my head, cheeky buggar! What a joy this photography is sometimes.

- 30/9/06

Another quiet month for me. Whilst out trying to photograph snakes I came across these Migrant Hawker dragonflies in a mating wheel. so in the water and two wet feet later a nice photograph.

- 31/8/06

August is often a quiet month for wildlife as wild birds remain quiet after the breeding season and young birds keep a low profile. So Itook a visit to my brother in london to photograph urban foxes and his cockerel!

- 31/7/06

I was delighted this month as I achieved a long term ambition to photograph a kingfisher at close range. An all day wait at teifi marshes nature reserve was rewarded.

- 30/6/06

I am now making at least one trip annually to Skomer island and this month the object was to photograph a flying puffin with sandeels. I got it on a rather wet and cloudy day, but target achieved!

- 31/5/06

This was a desparately sad month as my dear 19 year old niece was killed in a car accident. I was on photo trip up in Scotland and this was one of the last photos taken before I heard the news. Fly free my dear sweet girl!

- 30/4/06

This was an unexpected photograph, as we visited a man with a barn owl only to photograph a cat with beautiful green eyes

- 31/3/06

Moved to Pembroke this month. Another lousy month as far as the weather was concerned but a new venue proved to be successful with this close up a wild Pembrokeshire otter - fantastic luck!

- 28/2/06

Poole harbour and a silky red sea - perfect for February blues

- 30/1/06

A rather boring grey and very wet month led to some experimentation - A cockerel provided the most memorable experience of the month.

- 30/12/05

Formby Point proved to be a fantastic venue for photographing red squirrels and fox.

Definately a highlight

- 30/11/05

Another arty print taken at a slow shutter speed giving it a soft focus feel. The swan's position brings an elegance to the picture

- 30/10/05

Scotland proved to be the highlight of my year. Yes wet but the photo opportunities were Terrific.

- 30/09/05

Caught these six ringed plovers in a row late in August on coast of N Wales. Another Arty photo!

- 30/08/05

Ijust love this shot of a sleeping gull on still water. The reflections look like an oily slick. Arty photos give me great pleasure. Taken with 300 mm lens