60th Anniversary lecture by Andy Rouse

On the evening of 11th April 2005 celebrated wildlife photographer Andy Rouse came to Millfield Theatre on a sunny spring evening and wowed us all with his amazing photographs and humorous and sometimes alarming tales of how they were taken. You need several things to be able to take such images, a deep understanding of animal behaviour, patience, a good guide and nerves of steel. Recognising when a brown bear has had enough and wants you to leave, now, is a literal life saver.

There was a rich selection of images, those that had the “Ah” factor, such a cheetah cubs and baby elephants, through to the majesty of rare birds, views of hippos with the photographer at eye level in the water and others which make uncomfortable viewing; animals stalking and killing their prey, not through cruelty, but to survive. Nature at its best and most powerful!

All of the photos had their own tales to tell visually, but Andy explaining the way he actually shot each image was captivating. He talks in straightforward language, he is not into the technicalities of taking the shot; his focus is on the final result, portraying the animal behaving naturally, while also being aware of leaving space at the time of shooting, for captions and bar codes around the animals to allow use in magazines etc.

This is a man who lives in hides for days on end only leaving to perform the necessary functions, who lays below his jeep to get a view up at rhino a few feet away and who comes almost face to face with lions. Andy is a professional wildlife photographer, whose absolute passion for his subject is clear to see and I for one could view his photographs and listen to him for hours!

Andy Rouse also drew the club raffle for us and presented our President Marilyn Steward with a certificate from Awards for All. We were lucky enough to be granted the entire amount we had applied for and which will enable us the buy a digital projector and spare bulb, laptop computer, Adobe Photoshop software, a printer and scanner.

We are delighted to have received these monies which is another great way to celebrate the club’s 60th anniversary. It will also enable the club to keep up to date with the changes in the world of photography and hopefully encourage new members, by allowing us to offer digital workshops.