We were treated to an array of great wildlife images from around the globe in this fascinating talk. From frogs of the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia, to buzzards on our own doorstep, there were plenty of captivating images to inspire us all. The idea that to be a wildlife photographer you have to own a long (and expensive) lens was quashed with Des’ many wide-angle lens shots. His kit list is far smaller than most would expect, then again who wants to carry a heavy bag around a rain forest in tropical heat! It was evident by the end of the talk that to take great wildlife images, you have to understand your subject, simply owning all the latest expensive gear isn’t enough. And whilst many of his images were taken abroad, he also showed what amazing wildlife is here in our own back yards. www.captivatingnature.co.uk

Reviews Archives - Melbourne Photographic Society

Q: Steve Bond knocks it out of the park

Steve Bond, long-time friend of MPS, recent talk 'Life and Times of a Freelance Sports Photographer' scored big with the members (OK, we'll stop the sporting puns now). We had the low down on how to shoot cricket and football, where to sit, what to look out for, what publications are looking for and plenty of examples of his great images, in print and online. As if capturing the action isn't hard enough, in this fast-paced digital age, he also has to get the images downloaded, named and electronically transferred so they can appear within minutes on live blogs and in the next days newspapers. Whilst I doubt any of us will be shooting premiership football anytime soon, Steve's insights can easily be applied to village clubs who will no doubt be grateful of someone capturing the action for them – we all have to start somewhere! We were also shown some great shots of the wildlife around Melbourne Pool and further afield (hence the above image – no sports shots due to copyright restraints). Steve's definitely in a league of his own (OK, one more sports pun) and I'm sure he'll be back again with more stories from the world of pro photography.

Q: The fantastic Falklands

They may be 8,000 miles away and an 18-hour flight but Derek Trendell’s talk on the wildlife and conflict on the Falkland Islands left many of us keen to make the journey. It was surprising to see how much evidence of the conflict was still visible. Apart from the many memorials and graves there was still some plane wreckage and mine field signs; although recent reports say the islands are now mine-free … good to know for the wandering wildlife photographer. Talking of wildlife, Derek showed us a huge variety of birds in his talk, his favourite being the gentoo penguin. Whilst there were many unusual species it was interesting to see house sparrows, apparently travelling to the islands as stowaways on cargo ships. Whilst the UK does offer us puffins and seals, I’m sure many of the club’s wildlife photographers would love to swap them for penguins and elephant seals for a week or two. The distance and geography of the islands doesn’t make this an easy trip. Plenty of planning is involved, not just getting there but getting around once you’re there, but judging from Derek’s photos, boy does it look worth it!

Q: First meeting of the new season!

Thanks to David Couldwell for his interesting talk. With a vast array of different types of photography we learnt everything from the rules of shooting motorbike racing, with regards to selling images to magazines, to what stock photography websites will and won’t accept and what does and doesn’t sell … plus much more besides. This was our first meeting back in what will be a entire season held online via Zoom. OK, there’s no tea and biscuits (apart from those you buy yourself!) and no post meeting pint but we might be grateful of the comfort of our own sofas when winter comes and the weather turns bad!

Flash Basics – finished image
Flash Basics – finished image

Reviews

Flash Basics – finished image

By Admin|2023-10-03T21:18:45+01:00October 3rd, 2023|Reviews|

Above is the finished image from Steve's Flash Basics [...]

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Steve Bond knocks it out of the park
Steve Bond knocks it out of the park

Reviews

Steve Bond knocks it out of the park

By Admin|2023-10-01T18:42:15+01:00October 1st, 2023|Reviews|

Steve Bond, long-time friend of MPS, recent talk 'Life and [...]

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Les Nixon talk – ‘Contrasts’
Les Nixon talk – ‘Contrasts’

Reviews

Les Nixon talk – ‘Contrasts’

By Admin|2022-09-30T19:03:30+01:00September 30th, 2022|Reviews|

MPS were treated to an entertaining and fascinating evening with [...]

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Steven Fairbrother’s The Full Monty II
Steven Fairbrother’s The Full Monty II

Reviews

Steven Fairbrother’s The Full Monty II

By Admin|2021-01-11T10:31:37+00:00January 8th, 2021|Reviews|

This week our fellow member Steve Fairbrother gave an [...]

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The fantastic Falklands
The fantastic Falklands

Reviews

The fantastic Falklands

By Admin|2020-12-01T07:54:19+00:00December 1st, 2020|Reviews|

They may be 8,000 miles away and an 18-hour flight [...]

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Chris Fletcher – a talk of contrasts
Chris Fletcher – a talk of contrasts

Reviews

Chris Fletcher – a talk of contrasts

By Admin|2020-11-13T16:14:55+00:00November 13th, 2020|Reviews|

We were treated to some spectacular shots of Birmingham [...]

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Simon Pearce’s talk went with a bang!
Simon Pearce’s talk went with a bang!

Reviews

Simon Pearce’s talk went with a bang!

By Admin|2020-11-06T08:06:53+00:00November 6th, 2020|Reviews|

There weren't any firework pictures even though it was November [...]

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Des Ong lecture
Des Ong lecture

Club News, Reviews, Wildlife Photography

Des Ong lecture

By Admin|2020-10-25T07:15:30+00:00October 25th, 2020|Club News, Reviews, Wildlife Photography|

We were treated to an array of great wildlife images [...]

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Bill Ward – a class act
Bill Ward – a class act

Club News, Reviews

Bill Ward – a class act

By Admin|2020-10-25T07:15:23+00:00September 25th, 2020|Club News, Reviews|

Melbourne Photographic Society were treated to a very interesting and [...]

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First meeting of the new season!
First meeting of the new season!

Club News, Reviews

First meeting of the new season!

By Admin|2020-10-25T07:15:47+00:00September 17th, 2020|Club News, Reviews|

Thanks to David Couldwell for his interesting talk. With a [...]

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