AN INTERVIEW WITH BROOKE HAYCOCK

By Ellie Simpkin

Year 10 pupil Brooke Haycock has been photographing wildlife since he was eleven years old. This year, he has been commended for his entry to the RSPCA by being awarded Young Wildlife Photographer. During the Christmas holidays, he spent his time in Kenya photographing wildlife in their natural habitats in the safari.

How did you get into photography?

"I first got into photography by using a small Canon PowerShot camera that I was given when I was eleven. I enjoyed taking pictures of birds on the garden bird feeder, and then that passion developed into getting a better DSLR and really trying to satisfy myself with a good image while enjoying the beauty of nature and the great outdoors"

Who is your main inspiration?

"My main inspiration is David Attenborough as he has done so much to make us aware of wildlife and the natural world I admire his dedication to conservation and to film from a young age What he discovered to show to other people was remarkable and eye-opening at the time and now he still is an inspiration at the age of 96 commentating on many documentaries with his iconic voice"

What was the longest time that you waited to capture the perfect shot?

"I have waited thousands of hours over the last couple of years trying to get different shots, but the longest time in one go would be thirteen hours when I was motivated to capture a photograph of a fox cub family in the Bluebells. Very disappointingly, I didn’t see one fox, but that is how it goes most of the time! Funnily enough, as soon as I left, they decided to come out, of course But for me, it’s not about the “perfect shot; just spending time outside is so relaxing and peaceful in itself"

What has been your proudest moment?

"My proudest achievement is coming runner-up in the RSPCA Wildlife Photography Competition but I hope to do better next year. I feel like I’ve achieved something whenever hard work has been rewarded with a good photo Currently, I’m trying to photograph a goshawk which is an elusive raptor. It’s already been well over a year with no great success but that’s the working project for now. That will certainly be rewarding when the moment happens!"

Where were you on the safari and where did you position yourself to get these shots?

"I was recently on a safari in Kenya where I had the privilege to see and photograph some of the most beautiful animals, mainly lions and cheetahs but also the emotionally intelligent elephant. I got the chance to lie on the ground under the Land Rover while they grazed only a few meters away which was unbelievably surreal (and also nerve-racking!) but amazing"

What equipment do you use?

"The equipment I use currently is the Canon 500mm f4 ii with a 1.4 teleconverter paired with the Canon R6 which allows me to capture the details of the subject I’m focusing on"