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W simple, the viewer makes an instant connection.
hat are you hoping
to achieve through
and pictures that show the subject in its
your images?
environment. They draw the viewer in and
Ben Hall is a one of My personal mission statement is three words I feel most drawn to conceptual images,
Britain’s leading wildlife – communicate, educate, inspire. When it hold their interest. Environmental images,
photographers. His comes to imagery, there are no language however, are usually the most difficult to keep
images have won him barriers, so using pictures to educate and simple. There’s often so much happening in
over 30 international inspire people can be a powerful way of the image, whereas there needs to be some
awards, and he has communicating with a global audience. Despite uniformity and the subject should be instantly
appeared on numerous the many success stories, we continue to hear visible in its environment, despite it taking up
television shows such comments which decry many conservation a small portion of the frame.
as BBC’s Countryfile efforts. I believe that powerful images which
and Walk on the Wild reveal the beauty and intricacy of wild nature What’s involved in creating a Ben Hall
Side. His images are are critical in raising awareness and keeping masterpiece?
sold worldwide and people’s interest, faith and hope alive. Before I pick up the camera, I visualise the
have been used by image in as much detail as possible. I think
major publications and There’s a deceptively simple cinematic about the subject, environment, weather and
advertising agencies. quality to much of your work – how do you light, and explore how all these elements will
He also runs photo achieve this? fuse together to create the final picture. With
workshops in the UK Simplicity is something I strive towards. the exception of those lucky and welcome
and overseas. benhall I believe that overcomplicated images are moments of serendipity, this is rarely a quick
photography.com confusing for the viewer, and this confusion process. I like to return to the same locations
can lead to detachment. By keeping images over long periods of time, often years, to build
46 PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY
