Trial and error
Becom i ng a better photog rapher is a s much about
being disappointed in what hasn’t worked, as it is
about celebrating what has. I’ve never been on a
ca mera cou rse i n my l ife so, for me at lea st , it rea l ly
is just a case of trial and error. You learn just as much
from that almost-amazing shot as you do from the
rare occasions when you produce an image that you
are actually proud of. The critical thing is to take
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The more you understand about your subject,
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virtuous circle: the better your photography, the
more you are likely to understand the birds – as well
a s apprec iate a l l t hei r l itt le i nt r icac ies. If you’re
serious about taking a photograph to be proud of,
you need to start by getting serious about what
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GARDEN BIRDS
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countryside, when I have time, between shows. But
whether you live in the remotest fringes of Britain
or – as I do – in the middle of a heaving city, the
beaut y of bi rds is l i kely a lways w it h i n you r reach.
The moments I have cherished most are scatteredAbove: Orange-
breasted sunbird, Cape
Town. Your subject
doesn’t always have to
be upright! This sunbird
shows that
disregarding gravity
can give images a sense
of fun and energy.The moments I have cherished most
are scattered far and wide, from my
bedroom window in central London,
to the southernmost tip of Africa