This week we were joined at Fisherrow for a fine, in-person presentation, this time given by Jean Manson ( www.jeanmanson.gallery ).  The room was busy with only a few folks joining by Zoom.

Jean invited us to dive right in with dramatic shots of Sharks in the waters off South Africa along with some of the aquatic life from local waters, with a particular interest in obtaining dynamic photos of seals in their natural habitat.

Travels in exotic locations such as Botswana provided ample variety along with the relative ease of photography above the water surface and so led to an interest in photographing wild animals on land as well.

Now preferring a mirrorless camera, due to their near silent operation and using mostly only a 300mm lens to keep equipment weight in check, we were treated to photos of a wide variety of animals from Jean’s travels with her camera.

Through Arctic Svalbard and onto Kaktovic in the very north of Alaska capturing Polar Bears, with as many as 39 individuals counted in one evening. Climate change and it’s effects on the bears was raised, but the issue of “sport” hunting by tourists was highlighted as perhaps a more serious and imminent danger for these iconic creatures.

The importance of guides with local knowledge and years of experience around wild animals was shown to provide excellent opportunities to capture many fine images of Brown Bear in Katmai National Park, with one wide-angle shot taken from just 10 inches away from a bear’s head. Fortunately, the bears were more interested in catching Salmon running the river, or in teaching their cubs how to fish, than worrying about a photographer.

We then raced across various African countries and into India seeing a great variety of birds and animal life, from Elephant’s outside the hotel window to big cats such as Leopard and Cheetah along with Gorillas, Deer, Wild Dogs, Owls and many more.

Covid restrictions may have hampered travel but Jean concentrated on the local wildlife and provided many excellent shots of Hares along with deer, badgers and hedghogs.  Jean talked about carrying your camera every day and getting used to capturing photos so regularly that you hardly need to look at the settings. Birds, particularly Gannets are a favourite and highlighted the fact that you should not take things for granted, Avian Flu has already decimated numbers on Bass Rock and recovery may take years.

Some take-home messages…
1) Carry your camera to capture photographs wherever you are – take a picture every day!

2) Some field craft goes a long way, getting to know your subjects improves your chances.
3) Scotland’s fine dusk and dawn light is less fleeting than in exotic locations, use it.

Next week is “Sets of Six”. Please bring along up to 6 images (or one video) on any subject to show other members. Alternately, if you have a special technique you think will help other members (like the printing tips which Charlie gave before) you can use this evening to tell us about it.