Nuthatch, Bedfordshire
Nuthatch on tree. Photo: Ben Andrew
Back story: In my local woodland there is a good feeding area for birds. Lots of regular visitors walk there and place food down, and one star species that visits is the Nuthatch!
Tech tips: Even during a nice sunny day, woodlands can be dark and gloomy, so I always use a tripod. This helps with those lower shutter speeds, and it also helps me train my lens on one area. When I visit with a particular shot in mind, I often pick where I’d prefer the Nuthatch to land and wait, pre-focusing on the area.
Collared Earthstar, Bedfordshire
Earthspore fungi among leaf litter. Photo: Ben Andrew
Back story: I enjoy photographing all species of fungi, but some are more photogenic than others. The Collared Earthstar is often found in the woods locally to me, so it’s always a case of locating good specimens!
Tech tips: Unlike lots of fungi species, I don’t think getting eye-level on the ground works for this one. To show the star shape, it’s best to look directly down on it. Using a narrow aperture to ensure the entire scene is sharp and in focus is key for the image to work.
Fox, London
Red fox. Photo: Ben Andrew
Back story: In a quiet part of a London cemetery, Foxes are very used to people. This particular cemetery has a number of wonderful trees with autumnal leaves.
Tech tips: I wanted a background that created a diffused bank of autumn colour, so I needed a slope of leaves leading to a carpeted floor. It was then a case of getting low to create this smooth and clean background as well as shooting using a wide aperture such as f4/f5.6. Then it was simply a matter of waiting and hoping the Fox moved into the right spot!
Red Squirrel, Dorset
Red squirrel foraging for nuts. Photo: Ben Andrew
Back story: Brownsea Island has a good population of Red Squirrels. Before the island closes for the winter there is a good chance to visit on a day trip, when autumn colours are at their peak, and photograph these wonderful mammals as they forage.
Tech tips: The key with this was to ensure I picked a particular squirrel that was spending time in the fallen leaves. I knew where I wanted the squirrel to be for that autumnal feel; then it was a matter of getting low and waiting. They sit relatively still when they bury chestnuts!
