photographer – devizine.com

It’s Not As Easy As It Looks

by Andy Fawthrop

The Devizes Arts Festival continued on a very wet Market Day this Thursday, and continues to throw up some real little gems. Here was another piece of interesting and imaginative programming from the committee…..

If you’ve ever watched a David Attenborough wildlife programme, or read about some of the campaigns of the RSPB, or the National Trust, or marvelled at the wildlife photography in the National Geographic, or even Wiltshire Life, there’s a reasonable chance that at some point Nick Upton was working behind the scenes on one of those projects. His work, which he showed us many examples of during his talk, and the well-stocked merch desk in the foyer, were great examples of the skill of this man.

Nick let us in on many of the difficulties and challenges in his line of work, and many of them were not related to mere simple technical stuff, such as which lens he might need to use, or about the quality of the light, but more about working in some extremely difficult physical and climactic conditions, extreme weather changes, being attacked by insects such as bees, wasps and hornets (and some bigger stuff too!), having to work with local indigenous people (and I don’t mean folks from TrowVegas or The Sham), but also having to cope with potential diseases, bites, droppings and things that could be considered seriously injurious to health.

We also got an insight into the many tools and techniques required – not just the amazing whizz-bang range of camera goodies, but all the associated non-camera items: drones, hides, tubes, camouflage, hard hats, periscopes, GPS tracking, motion and heat sensors, infra-red equipment and helicopters. And even that lot was never enough to secure great pictures – you still needed a lot of prior research (migration paths, animal behaviour patterns), a massive amount of patience and ability to soak up personal discomfort, and sometimes just a bit of luck.

On top of all that, some creatures apparently have the temerity to be vanishingly rare, or are very camera-shy, live nocturnally, move extremely fast, or are incredibly tiny. How very dare they? Clearly, this is not a job for the faint-hearted.

This talk was a great sweep across Nick’s career over 40 years, and covering over 30 countries, but it illustrated not only the man’s undoubted technical and related skills, but also his obvious passion for nature, especially those projects closer to home in the UK. These included working with hedgehogs, harvest mice, dormice and the re-introduction programmes of cranes, great bustards, otters and beavers.

It’s no wonder he’s won so many photography awards, and had so many pictures published and syndicated in many countries. Packing all that little lot (including hundreds of great photos) into just 55 minutes was no mean feat, so it was quite a fast canter. But Nick really came alive once he was off-script and responding to questions at the end of the session from the packed audience.

A really wonderful, and truly fascinating, topic for a Thursday lunchtime. Great stuff. Well done Nick, and well done DAF for booking him!

Meanwhile the rest of The Devizes Arts Festival continues until the night of Sunday 14^th June at various venues around the town. Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk

November was one crazy month for our friend and researcher from the Regional History Centre at the University of the West of England, Brian Edwards. Undoubtedly our only friend from the Regional History Centre at the University of the West of England!

Brian still found the time to chat with me, despite national media hot on the story and hounding him. I didn’t follow the scoop up with a feature, at the time, as it was all over the national news before I’d put the kettle on. Something Andy Warhol apparently said about being famous for fifteen minutes, which it’s likely he didn’t, but there you are. Brian certainly was so, more than poor ol’ Lot Long, the thatcher subject of Victorian photographer Ernest Farmer, who subsequently became the both unlikely and unsuspecting cover pin-up for a Led Zeppelin album…probably on minimal wage too!

Since the national sensation has retracted somewhat, the amazing find is being brought back local, as Wiltshire Museum in Devizes opens an exhibition celebrating the work of Ernest Farmer, on April 6th, and running until the 1st September. It’s going to be an interesting one, as little is known about the photographer, despite being a leading figure in the development of photography as an art form.

A Wiltshire Thatcher – a Photographic Journey through Victorian Wessex, will show how Farmer captured the spirit of people, villages and landscapes of Wiltshire and Dorset that were so much of a contrast to his life in London. While I’m sure there will be some fascinating photographs on display, of course, the kingpin to it all is this world renowned image of the elderly thatcher carrying a large bundle of sticks on his back and still coming up smiling! An iconic 1971 cover for famously featuring no words, Led Zeppelin IV has sold more than 37 million copies worldwide. The framed image in a hint of rural and urban contrasts is understood to have been discovered by Robert Plant in an antique shop near Jimmy Page’s house in Pangbourne, still its origins were unknown even to the band.

The origin of the central figure has remained a mystery for over half a century; that’s where our Brian stepped into the story. He recently discovered it in a late Victorian photograph album. His research involved monitoring everyday sources that stimulated public engagement with Wiltshire’s past. While following up on some early photographs of Stonehenge, Brian came across the Victorian photograph Led Zeppelin made familiar over half a century ago, and likely, being a bit of headbanger in his past, nearly spilled his coffee all over it in shock!! (He’s going to love me for saying that bit!)

The exhibit promises some exceptional Victorian photographs from Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset, featured in Ernest Farmer’s photograph album titled ‘Reminiscences of a visit to Shaftesbury. Whitsuntide 1892. A present to Auntie from Ernest.’ There’s over a hundred architectural views and street scenes together with a few portraits of rural workers.

So, if there’s a feeling you get, when you look to the West, and your spirit is crying for leaving, do check this exhibit out; I will, and no doubt you’ll want me to report my findings. Why not strap a bundle of hazel on my back while you’re at it, and I’ll thatch your roof for you too?!!