I have been an enthusiastic amateur and club photographer since my school days. I have taken photographs of many subjects over the years, but until recently macro (or more accurately “close-up”) photography was my main interest. This year (2009) I have become an enthusiastic, if not always successful, bird photographer, recording the “garden” and water bird life in and around Gosport.

Formerly a prolific producer of Cibachrome prints in my blacked-out kitchen darkroom, I have now fully embraced the digital era from camera through to printer – a methodology that I consider to be much more civilised. At any rate, I wouldn’t go back! (Actually I probably would, but only kicking and screaming.)

In 1988 I gained a Licentiateship in the Royal Photographic Society (LRPS) in the Nature Prints category. I progressed to the Associate level (ARPS) in 1994 with a panel of Pictorial slides. Finally, in 2000, I gained a Distinction in the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (DPAGB) with a panel of prints. There are higher qualifications to aim for (FRPS, MPAGB) but I have long since decided to stop while I am ahead… 

Equipment Matters?

I use Canon camera equipment almost exclusively. Having progressed through a lengthy series of film and digital cameras, I now (2009) use a Canon EOS 5D Mk II with a Canon Ixus 980 pocket camera for backup.

My main lenses are:

Macro Photography: Canon EF 100mm F/2.8 Macro for magnification down to life size or 1:1; and the more specialised Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x macro lens for magnification from life size to 5x life size. as focus is critical in macro work, I use a steady tripod with macro rail and cable release in natural light when possible, and an on-lens Canon MacroTwin Lite MT-24EX flash gun when not.

Rose Stamen, MP-E 65, 5x mag, 27 Feb 2009

Bird Photography: having tried the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens (“trombone” zoom – yuck!) and Sigma’s 150-500mm f5-6.3 DG OS HSM ultra-telephoto zoom (a good compromise lens but a bit soft) I now use Canon’s EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM prime lens. As one would expect with a prime lens, the quality is very good, but sometimes I do miss the ease of use of the zoom.

The “DO” stands for “Multi-Layer Diffractive Optical (DO) Element”, which is a special (and expensive!) lens coating to correct chromatic aberrations. By incorporating the DO element, the 400 DO is much smaller and lighter than a comparable lens having conventional optical elements. It was supposed to be the first of a series of DO lenses, but indifferent reviews led to the concept being dropped. I like it, however. With a Canon 1.4x teleconverter attached I have an effective 560 mm lens combination with Image Stabilization that enables me to hand-hold with reasonable success.  

Mute Swans in close formation over Haslar Lake

Other Photography: Over the years I have built up a varied collection of other lenses – not to mention cameras – but the lenses that see most use are probably two zooms: Canon’s EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM and EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM. I also take a Canon Ixus 980 with me for backup or when I don’t want to lug a heavy/bulky camera around with me.

A foggy morning off Haslar Marina Pier

Me and my Blog (My Blog and I?)

Many of the posts in my Blog relate to my daily walks – a five-mile circuit, off-road where possible, which incorporates some of the nicer waterside views and better birding areas that I have found so far. I started walking  a couple of years ago when I needed to lose a lot of weight, and I have continued ever since as a means of keeping it off. Apart from the fresh air (very fresh at times!) it is nice not to wheeze and perspire any more after the slightest exertion!

If you are interested in following my ramblings (in both senses of the word) here is a map. Click it for one you can actually read . . .

My morning walk...

Many of my older photos can be seen in my galleries here on Images from Nature, a site that I built for myself. Maintaining this site has proven very labour intensive, however, and for the sake of convenience (and not a little laziness) my more recent pictures are on my “SmugMug”-powered gallery site: www.paulcphotography.com. It is a lot easier to let someone else manage all that clever ”behind the scenes” webby programming stuff.

Onward . . .

Paul Chesterfield, ARPS, DPAGB.