Biography

I am an African based Safari Director  my photographic role is to capture the essence of my clients safari featuring them in the (metaphorical) picture as well as back-up photographs for their own personal use should then not capture the essence of their trip. 

I grew up using a Nikon FM2 and still  have it I still shoot film - its my passion.

After using an EOS3 I made the switch to Canon and enjoy EOS 1 series Digital bodies as well as L series lenses. for the majority of working and serious photography. 

I have a 5x4 Arca swiss field camera and still enjoy using this now and then. Large format and wildlife is an intriguing photographic challenge that can only be described as a labour of love!

I have chosen Micro 4/3rds for three reasons:

1) Size: I need to shoot with a camera that does not overshadow my clients equipment.

It needs to be compact enough to easily travel unhindered on the smaller weight limited aircraft between camps. 

It needs to be discrete enough for me to unobtrusively capture images of people without being intimidating - subtly is the watchword when dealing with both tribesmen and the my affluent guests

When out hiking or climbing [the likes of] Kilimanjaro having a light weight camera facilitates it use so much more than "better" (heavier & bulkier) cameras that remain in their camera case or porters bag

2) Quality: Getting to travel to some of the best places to photograph wildlife and scenery in the world, with the best trackers and rangers in the world a camera would be worthless were the quality not impeccable.

Bottom line image size is not imperative but quality is The images I give to my guests or submit to magazines and articles as well as show off to the close circle of guests and guides need to be representative of the splendour of their safari

3) Inspiring: Its important to me to have a camera that enthuse's me to explore my creativity in order to capture images of substance.

Having a camera that provides tactile user input allows me to unleash a creative aspect in the way that an artist understands and produces quality through the tactile use of a brush more than a mouse.

So it is with cameras that I have a disconnect when technology comes between knobs and buttons that I find stifle's my creativity 

After using the Panasonic bodies, the GF1, GX1 and GX7 I was sold on the quality offered by the smaller prime lenses in this portable Micro 4/3rds package.

I had deliberated the OMD 10iii - thrilled by the ergonomics of the rear Fn button programmed for autofocus and 4k video.

But was offered an incredible deal on an OMD M5 ii.

I was swayed by the tactility and incredible customisability of the camera together with the attractiveness of the water resistance and durability. Lastly the swivelling rear display means I can close it and not stress about cracking the LCD - truly a suitable camera for African conditions.

I have since tried the OMD EM1 and the OM-D EM1x a 1/2 frame camera with the same size as full frame camera's - theres no point in my mind. I may as well use my full frame canon kit

Having met the Olympus rep Gareth he's informed me that there will be an update with an OM-d EM5iii due in July - I think I would buy sight unseen.

Lens wise: Its early days but:

Currently I have a Panasonic 14mm f2.5, Olympus 12-50 f3.5-6.3, Olympus 75-300f6.7, a Sigma 30mm f2.8. Olympus 40-150mm +1.4x extender, 45mm f1.8

Whilst the 75mm f1.8, and Panasonic 20mm f1.7 are on the cards for low light minimalist portraiture, and I want to replace the 12-50 with the 12-40 f2.8. 

I have the Hahnel FL600 with its off camera transmitter -Awesome flash gun.

Lastly Im after an extension tube for macro work, but I do have a reversing ring that I can make work as well as adapters for Nikon and Canon EOS. (non autofocus) 

Updated after first safari shooting exclusively with the Olympus.