17th October A Wildlife Extravaganza with Brian Pettit

24/10/11

The Colliton Club was packed for Brian Pettit's talk on 'A Wildlife Extravaganza'.

Brian, accompanied by Tim on the projector, put together a highly amusing and interesting photographic talk on his wildlife photography, accompanied by animations which made everyone laugh

To begin with he took us through his photographic process, from early unsuccessful attempts at photographing grasshoppers to some stunning examples of nature photography. I don't think many of us had realised how beautiful and varied grasshoppers were. He let us into some of his fieldcraft secrets and gave us advice on how to get the best photographs .

Most of Brian's talk was centred around wildlife photography in the UK (indeed, most of it in familiar sites in Dorset and Hampshire) although he took us to France, Spain and then to Zimbabwe for some stunning shots of lions, giraffes and other African animals. He differentiated between local photography (when you can spent hours or days at the same place, pick your weather and lighting conditions, really getting to know your subject) and trip photography (when you only have a very short amount of time, no control of the weather and have to make the best of what nature throws at you.)

Brian's evening was one of the most entertaining we have had, and his photography was superb. Those of us who have not tried our hand at nature photography left inspired to have a go ourselves.

Helen Jones