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Pro Showcase Ben Hall

Above This close to a shy subject. When working abroad I have his photographs with a 35mm Leica equipped with
Dartford warbler to pack much more to try to cover all eventualities, just a standard 50mm lens. He was referring to
flitted around in which becomes difficult with restrictions on hand the specific moment in which all elements come
the undergrowth baggage. One thing that should never be overlooked together to create the perfect photograph, and this
in Arne, Dorset is appropriate clothing. Muted colours in a noiseless is something I always look for in my own work. It
before finally fabric are absolutely vital when stalking, with doesn’t necessarily relate to action – it might simply
landing on a twig. breathable, lightweight clothing for summer and be the moment the light strikes the subject in a
warm layers in winter. certain way. Often, the magic happens when several
Above right A elements all combine at just the right moment. Light,
shutter speed of The natural world is unflinchingly brutal – how do and its ability to completely transform a subject and
1/2500sec was you reconcile this when out in the field? scene, is a crucial part of this.
needed to freeze Nature can be enchanting and uplifting one moment,
this kingfisher as and raw and brutal the next, but it’s important to You lead wildlife workshops across the world –
it erupted from show both sides of the coin. It’s not easy to witness what questions are you always asked?
the water. any animal suffer and I have seen things that have I often get asked questions relating to gear, but
been upsetting and difficult to accept. During a trip perhaps the most frequently asked question is which
Far right Ben to the Pantanal to photograph jaguars, I saw a jaguar of my pictures are the best sellers. This is hard to
came across this kill a capybara. The struggle went on for several answer as there are images that have sold more than
feisty red grouse minutes and all the while I could hear the desperate, others but may not have earned me as much income.
on the Peak piercing squeals of the capybara as it tried to escape. The image that has earned me the most money is one
District moors That was hard to witness, but I had to remind myself of a flock of flamingos flying over the Andes, taken in
while working on that nature is a cycle we should never control. For a Torres Del Paine in Chile. Often though, the images
an assignment. wildlife lover, this doesn’t make it any easier. that sell again and again surprise me.

What separates a snapshot from a photograph? The UK is home to a huge variety of wildlife – what
When my interest in photography began, I studied are your personal favourites?
the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson. He coined the Despite having travelled to so many amazing places
phrase ‘The decisive moment’ and he captured all of around the world, I still love photographing wildlife
in the UK, especially on my local patch. Much of
our native wildlife tends to be shy, elusive and
NATURE IS ENCHANTING ONE difficult to approach. My favourite subjects are

MOMENT, BRUTAL THE NEXT. IT’S great crested grebes, sea birds and mountain hares.
Endless opportunities present themselves in the UK,
IMPORTANT TO SHOW BOTH SIDES even on your own doorstep.

48 PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY