Helen Black’s first clicks to expert tips!
My passion for wildlife has been lifelong, as a small child I was always animal mad so much so, that when my Dad bought us a portable tape recorder (back in the ‘70’s) one of the first things I did with it was set it to record outside when I put some food out for the birds! I have also loved photography too, which might have originally come from the hate of having my own photo taken so I was always the other side of the lens. The two started to align about 6 years ago when I had more time to dedicate to getting out and about, taking this opportunity to hone my photography skills by going to workshops, visiting zoos and wildlife hides and just getting to know my kit.
My journey with Watatunga started in September 2020, not long after they had their first reserve tours start. I had seen information in the press about them and was eager to see what the reserve had to offer. I loved the idea that I could go on ‘safari’ without having to leave the country, burn lots of aviation fuel and also support the conservation programmes that Watatunga are involved in.
My first visit didn’t disappoint, I enlisted my husband as ‘driver’ and loved the open, free aspects and space that all the animals had to enjoy. The varied natural spaces Watatunga has on offer makes for the opportunity to take some truly stunning images but also shows just how settled and happy the animals are too. I can’t think of anywhere that has open meadows, woodland, lakes and sweeping views all in one reserve, it is the best place to be whatever the weather.
When the reserve started to offer photography sessions I booked for an evening one and had the most amazing time, and as a bonus we had a sunset. I came back again a couple of months later for a similar evening but this time it was wet, still, the animals didn’t mind and we saw lots. Don’t ever be put off by thinking you’ll not be able to see wildlife or take photos if the weather isn’t warm and sunny, some of my favourite shots at Watatunga have been on wetter and colder days.
By this stage I had started to share my favourite images from each tour with Anna at the reserve and they have used many in their social media feeds which has been an honour. At the start of 2023 Anna approached me to see if I’d be interested in leading some of their tutored photography sessions. After the initial shock of being asked (I don’t make a living from photography) I had a long think and thought, yes, I can do this! My job previously had been as an IT trainer so I’d had experience in preparing and presenting my own material but it had been a few years since I’d done this so I needed to consider long and hard about what to include and what I thought would be useful information to share.
My first tutored tour happened in July last year and it was a great evening, it rained (don’t you just love the English summertime), everyone was a little apprehensive about what we’d see but it turned out to be a real success. Lots of animals came out to see us and I was able to help some of the more experience photographers get even more out of shooting in the much lower evening light and to also remind them of the changing conditions and what to concentrate on to get the most out of the session.
Attendees on these sessions have had a real variety of skill levels, from experience landscape photographers who wanted to do more wildlife to those who came with just a smartphone. However good we think we are as a photographer it’s always good to have someone reminding you of the best place to stand, the ever changing light levels and also if the action is happening somewhere other than what you have your camera is pointed at. This is my role during a tutored session, I want you to go home with some great images, help you edit them if you are not very confident in doing this but also to learn something new however, large or small to help you when you are out photographing wildlife. One attendees on my first tutored session was Gareth Clifford whose photos you may have seen on several social media posts from Watatunga, I even loaned him some of my kit during the evening.
Talking of learning new skills and getting out of your comfort zone, Watatunga subsequently asked me to take photos of their tours for marketing, team photos and also help them record special events. Photographing humans is not usually my thing but this has made me broaden my skills and has been very enjoyable.
Photography and my love of wildlife has opened lots of doors, I have made some great friends at other wildlife parks, zoos, reserves and hides, this has come from years of visiting, sharing, observing and talking to keepers, guides and owners. I regularly take photographs for Hamerton Wildlife Park and occasionally I get to go ‘off show’ to see and photograph some of their new arrivals.
I have also been very lucky to have some of my images used for conservation purposes. Recently I was approached from 2 doctorate students in Brazil and Iran as they wanted images of some of their native species that are on the brink of becoming extinct. One was making infographics for the local farmers to identify and educate them to saving these special species. As I had shared photos of these species (taken in UK zoos) on my Instagram account they had found me through those posts. I was so very happy to be able to help with conservation in this way, this is a Corsac Fox infographic used by shepherds in Iran.
I have several tutored photography sessions running this year, it’s a great opportunity to come to an amazing reserve, connect with likeminded people, learn something new and just have a fun time. I hope that I will meet some of you in 2024.
Written by Helen Black
Photographs by Helen Black