16024 RGS ONA Magazine 92_PRINT 12/09/2014 14:16 Page 8
Picture Perfect Will Nicholls (06-13) describes his passion for photography and his trip to Cambodia.
Above: Will’s award-winning photo earning him the title Young British Wildlife Photographer, under 18 category winner: Red Squirrel, Kielder Forest, Northumberland Below: Immature Little Owl
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hen I first joined the RGS in 2007, I had just moved from Newcastle to the Northumberland countryside. The move into a more rural setting left me surrounded by the natural world, making a welcome change from the pub I used to live opposite. It is not surprising then that I quickly developed an interest in wildlife, and subsequently wildlife photography. Having managed to buy myself a very basic camera, I began to take photos of everything I could see around me. At the time I thought my photos were fantastic, but in fact they were very poor! Luckily, I didn’t think that at the time, and continued to snap away whenever I could. Kielder Forest is not too far from where I live, and I used to make regular trips to the hide there to photograph the red squirrels. This endangered mammal is extremely popular nowadays in the UK, and I was privileged to be able to take photos of them regularly. Once my photography had improved, I was encouraged to enter the British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2009. This was the first year the competition had run, and it is now an extremely prestigious event in the wildlife photography calendar. To my amazement, I was awarded the title of Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year! At the time, I wasn’t keen on the image that won me the award, and it was my parents that made sure I entered it. With my confidence boosted, I knew that photography was something I should definitely stick at. It is a great hobby, as it gives you a perfect excuse to get outdoors and get fresh air. Nowadays, my hobby has turned into a profession. I have been involved in the business side of my photography for around six years, but I would class myself as a professional for the last three or four years.
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