Date of birth: 10^th of January 1959

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

I have been passionate about nature since I was 10 years old.  But back in the days I didn’t use a camera yet.  I often went fishing or looking for eggs. Later, when I was around 20, I started observing nature.  It became a hobby to register everything on camera like a trophy.  The subjects had to be frame filling and totally sharp. Later I used a more artistic approach. Nowadays most of my photography is project based, together with my son Mart.

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

What I take with me depends on the subject. Always my Canon 1DX body, a wide-angle zoom, a tele zoom, a macro lens and a set of filters. When birds are involved I also carry a tele lens 300mm F2.8 (with converters) with me. For special projects I bring a drone.

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

I don’t have a subject that I prefer. I can have a lot of fun with landscapes, birds, plants, etc. For me it’s more important to study the subject. I spend a lot of time on one subject, learning about animal behaviour or just waiting on the perfect light conditions for a specific landscape.

What is your favorite nature preserve?

In Holland: the beach, especially the beaches from the isles in the Wadden Sea.

Abroad: remote locations in Norway, Sweden and Finland

What is your favorite shooting position?

I don’t have a favourite shooting position, it totally depends on the subject. If I have to name one: a few years ago I was taking pictures in a small lake and standing to my middle in an Icelandic pond filled with water of 30 degrees shooting mergansers.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

I admire photos more than I admire photographers.

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

Patience, perseverance, creativity are a few of the most important.

Which light situation do you prefer?

Early morning or late evening light. But I also like the light coming from the stars, the moon and the northern lights during night time.

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

90% aperture, 10% manual

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

That depends on the picture. Some pictures require a lot of preparation time. Others need more processing. If I have to name a percentage, I would say 95% creating the image and 5% processing it.

Which processing program do you use?

Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop and a few plugins.

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

Study your subject and enjoy being out in nature. Photograph what you like and be critical on your pictures.

You can find out more about Jan Smit on his website: http://www.smitinbeeld.nl

Date of birth: 24^th of March 1961

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

For me, nature and wildlife photography started simply as a way to record my adventures and trips so I could remember and revisit them for years to come. What started as an afterthought gradually evolved into a consuming passion.

Seeing a subject in a new light and trying to capture an expression that describes the animal’s personality, a moment of tenderness, a sense of family life or a unique behaviour, is always a challenge for me. I’m always trying to reveal an animal’s soul by creating interesting and engaging images.

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

I like to work with 2 DSLR cameras: Canon 1D Mark IV and Canon 1DX Mark I.  I am very happy with my Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS I USM lens. Sometimes I use a 1.4x or 2.0x converter on this prime lens.

A second lens I like to work with is a zoom lens 70-200 mm f/2.8. This is a very comfortable and handy lens for photographing wildlife, as you never know how close the animal will get. I also carry a standard lens 24-70mm, a wide angle lens and a macro lens in my backpack.

I like to travel in Africa and electricity is not always for granted, as a consequence I always have sufficient memory cards with me as you never know whether you’ll have the possibility to back-up your pictures in the evening.  I use a steady Gitzo tripod and for photography out of a jeep I use a Wimberley and a Manfrotto clamp attached to the bar in front of my seat.

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

I love African mammals a lot. For example, it is easy to photograph a sleeping lion, but the challenge is to make a “different” lion picture. I once was in Tanzania and it was raining the whole day. We located a pride of lions. One of the males was soaking wet and you know from experience that he is going to shake his manes after a while and that is the special moment you are looking for.

What is your favorite nature preserve?

I love Botswana and Tanzania a lot. Both countries offer such a great variety of wildlife. Tanzania has a lot of open plains where you can photograph hunting Cheetah.

The migration in Tanzania is also famous. Over a million wildebeests and about 200.000 zebras flow south from the northern hills to the southern plains for the short rains every October and November, and then swirl west and north after the long rains in April, May and June. So strong is the ancient instinct to move that no drought, gorge or crocodile infested river can hold them back.

In Botswana, the Okavango Delta supports large concentrations of animals and is perhaps one of the best places to see birds in Africa.

What is your favorite shooting position?

In Africa the safest way to photograph animals is from a jeep of course. I like an open jeep as this is a comfortable way to travel around.

Normally when you photograph animals, a shooting position low to the ground is the best, but this is not possible in Africa as it is too dangerous and it is not allowed to get out of the jeep.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

Two amazing photographers and good friends that I have always looked up to are Danny Green (UK) and Jim Brandenburg (USA). I had the privilege to follow master classes with both of them and I’ll never forget their skills, passion and perseverance.

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

Patience, patience, patience,… 😉

Passion is also very important, even if you have to stay out in the bush for the whole day, you have to be passionate. It happens that you go back to your tent after following an animal the whole day without one good shot, but do not forget that you had the privilege to stay with the animal and were part of his life and routine.

Which light situation do you prefer?

I love the morning light in Africa. I can’t compare it with morning light I experienced in other countries I have visited. The surroundings are also amazing as all animals wake up, everything is fresh and a new day starts.

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

I prefer to use aperture priority as depth of field is one of the most important tools for my wildlife photography.

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

The time I spend to photograph a certain animal depends on the subject, the location and the weather circumstances. I once worked three weeks on a certain shot that I had in my mind. I love leopards and I was dreaming of a shot where a leopard was behind a tree, bush or rock looking at me, having eye contact with only one eye, the other eye hidden. That was a shot hard to get as first of all a leopard is an elusive animal and you have to find it first and if possible, stay the whole day with him and follow his actions. Secondly they normally don’t hide behind a tree 😉  But one day, all worked out well and I managed. Some years after that leopard shot, I also managed to have a lion doing peek-a-Boo behind a tree.

Unfortunately, image processing is a necessary and time consuming thing, but I’m rather outside.

Which processing program do you use?

I use Lightroom for archiving, key wording, selecting images and some basic adjustments and editing, Photoshop for the processing and the final touch.

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

The most important thing is patience. What I also advise is to observe and study your subject. Especially if it’s an animal. It is so important to learn their behavior. This will certainly help you to predict certain actions so you’re always ready to press the shutter.

What I also would like to point out is to leave an animal in his comfort zone. Do not push too much to have the ultimate shot. I rather leave my camera aside and enjoy a scene than making the animal uncomfortable. We are a guest in their natural surroundings.

Karin added an additional note on the subject of conservation photography:

I would like to tell something about conservation photography too. I am sure that you agree that the wilderness of our natural world is under increasing pressure and that is why that I, together with two other wildlife photographers, realised my second book called “The Magic of Hope”.

Dr. Jane Goodall has written the foreword and supports the project. She reminded us that every little bit counts.
Nowadays, we are spinning a web of destruction on this planet, but we need to believe that there is hope. Through “The Magic of Hope“, we connect the purity and innocence of the next generations to the confidence and wisdom of generations present and past.

The internet and social media platforms have opened up massive opportunities for young people to experience nature and it takes just a little encouragement to get them involved and reconnected.

Our project begins from children’s drawings in Africa and Europe depicting their view of wildlife, to messages of hope from conservationists and iconic individuals throughout the world together with our photographs. Proceeds from this book will go to the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots Foundation.

Embrace the beauty of our planet, our Earth and believe in Hope.

You can find out more about Karin Van Couwenberg on her website: http://www.wildlife-photography.be/

Date of birth: 13^th of March 1968

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

My elder brother had a Nikon camera in his room and of course his young little sister was not allowed to play with it. But that camera kept intriguing me, so with my first after-school-weekend job, I saved money to buy my own, an analog Minolta. In my twenties I loved to travel to Asia. That’s when I started taking pictures of people in their surroundings. It was much later that I got interested in Nature Photography. But the “nature seeds” had already been planted in my earlier years. I was brought up with nature and when my friends went to the beach in the south, my parents took us to the mountains, the Italian Dolomites. I grew up in a little village in the middle of Holland, a place surrounded with forests. On Sunday afternoons you would often find us in the woods.

Later on, due to my job and me living in Amsterdam ‘the need for nature’ was tucked away till I moved to France and became a professional photographer. Being close to nature and be able to spend a lot of time in it, made me look at the world differently. Photography can make you see how beautiful the area around you is, and realize how very fragile and vulnerable it can be.

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

I don’t really have a standard ‘ready to go’ bag, as a lot depends on the trip, the photo shoot itself, or even the season. But it always includes my Canon body and the 70-200mm lens.

The contents of my bag varies whether I have to hike a lot or not. I can take my 300mm F4 and one of my wide angle lenses and Lee filter set or I can also decide to take my old manual “heavy” lenses or a macro lens. My bag has too much stuff in it that I should get rid of, but a walking GPS, a thin emergency blanket, a little whistle, a little note book and some hot tea in a little Thermos along with sandwich/cookies are not to be missed.

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

As a nature and landscape photographer I shoot many different subjects – flowers, close-ups of nature, different types of landscapes – but a red line in my portfolios are trees. I inherited my love for trees from my father. As a child I did not always enjoy the long walks in the forest but when I took more interest in nature I saw what my father loved in trees: the interesting shapes, the colors, the power they can express. The older the tree the more ‘character’ it has. Trees are a great photography subject to explore.

What is your favorite nature preserve?

In the Auvergne there are two Regional Nature parks with many Natura 2000 sites and nature reserves. It’s hard to say which one is my favorite though. Each one has its own character and beauty. There are volcanoes, mountains, forests, so each can be enjoyed in different seasons.  Over the years I have lived there, I have explored them a lot, which now allows me to know when and where to go to enjoy nature at its best.

What is your favorite shooting position?

This question made me laugh!

My shooting position all depends on the subject and in which angle I can get the best composition, reflection or light effect. Sometimes I am happy there is nobody around to see my shooting position, especially when I am crawling on the ground all focused on the subject or when I lay down with my face in the wet ground to get a shot of tiny flowers.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

Admire is not the word I would use but there are a lot of photographers that inspired me over the years. Moreover I still discover new talented photographers.

Back home my parents had a subscription to the US National Geographic magazine. I think Jim Brandenburg was one of the first photographers I got introduced with via NG and I still like to follow his work. When I just moved to France a photographer introduced me to a Japanese photographer, Shinzo Maeda. And when I mentioned his photography work to my father, he stood up and said, ‘I think I just bought one of his books on a flea market’. It can’t just be a coincidence!  After this book A tree, a blade of grass, I bought some others and I got inspired by his vision, the way he looked at landscapes and tree close-ups.

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

Quality number one, in my eyes, is a certain respect to nature, which is more an attitude than a quality, in fact.

Second, a photographer must be able to ‘see’ and not only ‘look’. Creativity is important to stand out from the crowd. You have to know enough technique to follow your heart to express what you feel through a scene you create.

Which light situation do you prefer?

I like the early morning light best. Everything is fresh and clear then. Unfortunately you do not always have these perfect conditions so it’s a nice challenge to see what you can do with the natural light at a particular moment and see how a scene can be best translated in a frame, be it in a more graphical or abstract way for example.

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

You can say I am ‘a manual’ photographer. I like to have control over the settings. In my photography I do not always like to have everything sharp, I often use little DOF (depth of field) depending on the subject.
I also use manual focusing as it gives me more freedom and I can choose the exact point I want to have sharp in the frame.

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

90 % in the field and 10 % at home processing the image. Every image needs to be processed but not too much.

Which processing program do you use?

I use Camera Raw for the first basic processing, like white balance, lens correction then Photoshop.

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

Create the images YOU like not the ones OTHERS like. Follow your heart and focus on a personal goal, subject or project. That is the only way you can grow in your photography.

You can find out more about Kristel Schneider on her

Website: http://www.kristelschneiderphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristelschneider/ (Follow her)

Facebook personal page: https://www.facebook.com/kristel.schneider.7 (become her ‘friend’)

Blog: www.visionsandnature.com (news, interviews, workshops and phototours)

Facebook workshop and phototour page: https://www.facebook.com/visionsandnature/ (join her in the field 😉 )

Date of birth: Back in 1960

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

Gradually. I guess I was born interested in nature and it made me navigate to things like the biology club we had in my school when I was just ten or so. I had friends who shared this interest. And I lived in an area on the eastern fringes of Helsinki with lots of forest around us. We spent lots of time outdoors and watching birds provided us with something to do. It was fun and exciting. Eventually it led to photographing, first with my father’s camera and at about 15 I got my first own camera body. My first bird image is from 1972, a pheasant.

Bird photography was something I did pretty much constantly albeit in varying levels of engagement as I grew up, studied economy, got married, started working in the world of business, and the family grew. At some point I started to harbor the idea that I’d like to turn my hobby into a career and in late 2004 I quit my day job and set up my own business as a bird photographer. It’s been my path since and I hope to continue until very late retirement.

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

Canon has been my choice since way back and now I’ve been a Canon Explorer for a few years. At the moment I have two EOS-1D X Mark II bodies plus a 5DS R.

Lens choices depend on the project and the target. Some birds are photographed from afar, which requires long tele lenses and extender; others allow one to get closer and work with a birds-in-the-landscape approach, and then I can use some wide angle lenses.

Up until about three to four years ago, for well over a decade the 500mm was my number one lens. Now I vary my lenses more, ranging from 24mm to 600mm. 70-200mm is a very good lens and I use it quite a lot.

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

Birds and pretty much only birds. I’ll shoot a squirrel or a wolf if it happens to cross my viewfinder but it’s not what I go after. I decided to use my knowledge of birds as the bedrock for my photography, besides, they are fascinating. Also, choosing birds means you’re not stuck to certain habitats or areas or style of photography. The world is my oyster, so to speak. However, I specialize in European birds; one lifetime is not long enough to do all the birds of the world as much as I want to cover them. Although, sometimes I venture further out, Japan for example, as a bird photographer’s dream holiday, or I follow European birds to where they winter, such as North Africa.

What is your favorite nature preserve?

I’m not sure I can say one is better than the other but if pressed, maybe the Urho Kekkonen National Park in Finnish Lapland. I love the North, in all times but especially in the winter; I love snow.

Another absolute favorite would be the Varangerhalvøya National Park in the north of Norway.

What is your favorite shooting position?

Anything comfortable… Joke aside, it is true that it’s important to have a good position and be comfortable, because it’s a waiting game, and even when shooting, it often takes a long time, because the key thing in bird photography is to have many opportunities to get it right, whatever it is one is working with.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

There’s a few, but one that I have always looked up to is Finland’s grand old man of nature photography, Hannu Hautala. He’s a nature photography pioneer, especially in the northern winter, and a prolific author of books, but perhaps it’s also his kindness, openness and willingness to share and help that truly mark him as somebody to admire and like.

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

If for one’s own enjoyment, patience. If for a wider reach of audience, perseverance.

Which light situation do you prefer?

Snowlight

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

Shutter Priority, because I want to control movement.

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

Impossible to say. But I guess it’s about two thirds out there and one third at the computer. Which is why I have hundreds of thousands of RAWs to sort out when I retire…

Which processing program do you use?

Phase One’s Capture One to convert RAW to tiff and make the basic adjustments, finalizing the image in Adobe PhotoShop to edit. For browsing and deleting I use Canon DPP 4, making presentations I use Phase One’s Media Pro.

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

Go out, observe. Study your subject. Especially if it’s an animal, learn their behavior. For two big reasons! One: it will help you in your photography as you will learn to anticipate action so you’re ready for it, instead of being always helplessly late. Two: you avoid doing harm to your subjects. Number two is actually Rule Number One.

You can find out more about Markus Varesvuo on the website he shares with a few colleagues: http://www.birdphoto.fi/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/markusvaresvuo/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/markus.varesvuo

Date of birth: 31^st of January 1991

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

That’s an easy one. My father was already passionate about photography and I loved joining him on his adventures. Nothing changed in the meantime, but now I bring my own camera along.  Being successful in a couple of photo competitions made me even more passionate to continue and bring my photography to the next level.

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

It depends on the situation. Most of the time I photograph landscapes and details, therefore I use a 21mm lens and a 70-200mm lens. But recently I use my 24-70mm lens a lot. I like to travel light, but so far I’ve never managed to do so, I always carry too much equipment.

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

I don’t have a big preference for a specific subject. I just like to be an all-round photographer. It all starts with an interesting subject and when I do some research I become passionate about it. I like to put a lot of energy in just one subject, but it doesn’t matter if it’s a landscape, an animal or a person.

What is your favorite nature preserve?

I love beaches. They are so dynamic that every moment is different. Unfortunately our beaches have a lot of human influences. That’s why I love to go to the Wadden Islands. The coast is actually something that attracts me all over the world. When I go abroad, I will often visit the coastline of the country I’m travelling through.

What is your favorite shooting position?

I don’t have a favorite shooting position. I just like to be on the same level as my subject. Lying down on the ground with the smallest creatures is amazing, but standing behind the tripod for a magnificent landscape gives me the same feeling.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

There are so many great, passionate photographers out there that I admire. I admire their photographs as much as the story they tell.

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

A photographer has to love and know his subjects. In my opinion, the photographer is just taking advantage of nature in a lot of situations. For example by controlling the situation by feeding, manipulating and transporting their subject. If you are a nature photographer you must have some respect for the subject and minimalize your influence. I am really disgusted by those photos with frogs in impossible positions or riding on the back of a crocodile. The worst thing about this is that those pictures often get published and encourage other photographers to do the same thing.

Which light situation do you prefer?

I like dynamic weather and sunbeams peeking through the clouds but my favorite light situation must be a dark cloud formation lit up by the sun with a rainbow on top of it.

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

I use the aperture priority quite often but for a few things I do set my camera on manual mode.

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

If I need more than 5 minutes to process an image, then I did something wrong in the field. So I think it must be around 80% photographing and 20% processing. But when I count all the preparation time and waiting hours, then the percentage of processing will be less than one percent.

Which processing program do you use?

Lightroom is the main program that does 99% of the job. I only use Photoshop for the things that Lightroom can’t handle.

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

Spend a lot of time with your subjects and in nature. Discuss your pictures with fellow photographers and always try to improve them. When you spend lots of time with your subject you will get a special connection with it. In my opinion good pictures always come from love for the subject.

You can find out more about Mart Smit on his website: http://www.smitinbeeld.nl

Date of birth: 23th of June 1986

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

When I turned 18 I received a digital SLR. To be able to use it I read a lot on the internet and I quickly ducked into the garden to try out all those different techniques. It was there that my passion for nature grew and I tried to capture that nature as beautifully as possible. I feel way more comfortable when I’m alone or with a few people photographing nature than when I photograph in a city or in a crowded place.

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

It all depends on the subject, accessibility of the site,… Usually I have a full backpack. Most of the time I take two bodies (Canon 7D II and 6D), a wide angle lens (Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6), a standard lens (Tamron 28-75 F2.8) and a zoom telelens (Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 OS). Depending on the subject I take my telelens (Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 sometimes with tele-converters) or my  macro lens (Sigma 150mm F2.8) with me. When traveling, I take my Macbook Pro and an external hard drive (2TB Transcend Storejet) with me. My Gitzo (GT3541XLS) with Markins ball head always goes along as well.
Besides all that I also have a drone (DJI Phantom 3 Advanced). I’ve been trying to always carry the drone with me for the past year.

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

I used to like photographing birds but now I mainly photograph landscapes. Landscape photography is something that you can do whenever and wherever you want. Nevertheless, I tend to photograph pretty much everything. When visiting a site I try to take as complete a view as possible (landscape, small and large animals, abstractions …)

What is your favorite nature preserve?

From close by to far away:
Close to home, I can highly recommend the Heidebos in Moerbeke. Very peaceful, varied landscape with heathland, open woodlands,…
A little bit further, but still Belgium: the High Fens, a desolate area which is beautiful in every season. Not far from the border with France are the Vosges, also one of my favorites. Not only for the chamois, but especially the landscapes are gorgeous.
For the rest I prefer the High North. I have now visited all Scandinavian countries several times (7x Sweden, 2x Norway, Finland, 4x Iceland, Spitsbergen). That last one was truly breathtaking!

What is your favorite shooting position?

Bird’s-eye view, hence the drone.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

I admire photographers who can let their images speak for themselves and thus make very poetic images. For example: Vincent Munier, Michel D’Oultremont, David Pattyn, Theo Bosboom

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

Eye for composition

Which light situation do you prefer?

Grazing light and backlight

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

Almost always aperture priority. Manual in very rare, specific situations.

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

80%-20%? I try not to spend too much time on editing. I’d rather be in the field 😉

Which processing program do you use?

Adobe Lightroom

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

Try to be original, although that is easier said than done!

You can find out more about Sam Mannaerts on his website: http://www.natuurbeeld.be/

Date of birth: 9^th of September 1972

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

About 15 years ago, my knowledge of nature was almost nonexistent.  By taking a job as a nature conservationist in Turnhout, my love for deer arose.  Hours, days and weeks I’ve studied them until I decided to take my photo camera along. The kick I got from my first deer portrait was amazing, the former kicks I got while skateboarding and snowboarding lapsed into nothingness. A passion was born!

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

One camera (Nikon D7200) and three lenses. A Nikon 80-400mm telephoto lens, a Nikon 200mm macro lens and a Tamron 90mm macro lens.
Furthermore, an angle finder, some flashes and reflectors and a tripod so I can dry my coat…

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

It depends on the season.  In autumn and winter, I tend to photograph more mushrooms and birds. But my favorite seasons are by far spring and summer because of the butterflies and dragonflies. When you ask me to choose one topic I would definitely choose dragonflies.
Photographing a dragonfly is like a time travel for me. I feel like I’m catapulted back more than 300 million years, knowing what those animals have survived for so long, I do have the greatest awe and respect for them.

What is your favorite nature preserve?

My favorite nature preserve has to be the Kalmthoutse Heide. I have been working there since 2003 as a nature conservationist and know the area like my pocket … which means I still
discover new things there and I often get surprised.

What is your favorite shooting position?

Eye-to-eye or slightly below… which means an angle finder is of unprecedented value for my macro photography.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

Like everyone I constantly get amazed by the beautiful but also more innovative images of people like Vincent Munier and Bence Maté.
Closer to home, there are two names that come to my mind: Misja Smits for her fairytale-like macro images and Yves Adams for his impressively versatile portfolio.
But at the monthly meetings of BVNF I’m always looking with open eyes to the versatility and quality that is on display.

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

The main quality is having respect for the subject and its surroundings!
Furthermore, a large portion of knowledge of nature and the will to learn, then the reverence will come naturally.
And finally the technique, the time and patience to turn that respect and awe into beautiful images.

Which light situation do you prefer?

Backlight. Usually backlight in itself is sufficient, sometimes I use reflectors and/or flashes to get some balance in the shot.

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

Usually manually. Only for bird photography I work with aperture priority.

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

95% for the making of an image, 5% for the post-processing. I’d rather spend more time in nature than behind my desk.
In terms of processing I apply: cropping, removing eventual sensor spots, adapting levels and sharpening.

Which processing program do you use?

Lightroom to import and catalog my images, and for the further processing I use Photoshop.

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

Everything starts with passion and desire that you need to repeatedly go to the same area to photograph the same subject while still enjoying it!
Shoot for yourself and not to get ‘likes’ on Facebook or to win prizes in numerous competitions. If other people like your pictures it’s a very nice bonus but it should never be the driving force otherwise you won’t be able to persevere.

You can find out more about Filip van Boven on his website: http://www.pbase.com/filip_van_boven

Date of birth: 27^th of February 1966

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

I really became passionate in 2004 when I joined the association for nature photographers in Nijmegen. There I learned there is much more to nature photography than just registering species. I felt particularly attracted to working with composition and mood.

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

A backpack with: 1-2 body’s (Nikon D800/D7100), 3-4 lenses (14-24/f2.8, 24-70/f2.8, 70-200/f4 and a 105mm macro lens), my Gitzo tripod, a filter set and an umbrella.

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

Landscapes, because I feel extremely challenged and thrilled by the transformation of ordinary landscapes into compelling images by using good composition and light/mood.

What is your favorite nature preserve?

Actually I have two: Hautes Fagnes (Belgium) and Hatertse Vennen (Holland).

What is your favorite shooting position?

I am not sure what you mean by this, do you mean landscape or portrait mode? In that case I use landscape mode most of the time, because it usually suits my subjects best. But I am always extremely pleased to find compositions for portrait mode.

Which nature photographer do you admire?

For my own style of shooting I am inspired by the landscapes of Hans Strand, Paul Wakefield and Joe Cornish. In general I greatly value the stunning work of my good friend Theo Bosboom.

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

Dedication! To get out of bed early, to keep working on skills, to study and learn, to improve.

Which light situation do you prefer?

I like the diffused light of cloudy weather or mist, because they give the nicest and most subtle tones and colors.

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

I mostly use aperture priority, because depth of field is my first priority. After that I can change my shutterspeed by changing the iso.

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

Maybe 99% vs 1 %. I like to make my images in remote places like the Hautes Fagnes, which means long walks. And I usually have to visit a spot several times before I am satisfied with my compositions and the mood in the image. I am not a great photoshop wizard, I just do the ordinary things in Lightroom, like small tweaks of white balance, light, contrast, saturation, sharpness. Usually not more than a few minutes per image.

Which processing program do you use?

Lightroom

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

My advice is to concentrate on one aspect of nature photography for a longer period of time. Like I did with wildlife in my early years, and landscapes after that. In my experience that’s the best way to improve and make compelling images. A second advice is to ask feedback from experienced photographers, do not just rely on Facebook feedback.

You can find out more about Michel Lucas on his website: http://www.michel-lucas.com

Date of birth: 27^th of May 1979

How did you become passionate about nature photography?

I have been passionate about nature since my early childhood. This eventually left me with the need to “freeze” the moments experienced in the wild and to share them with others. That is how I got interested in visual arts. Then, after a very clumsy attempt with pencils and watercolors, in 1994 (I was 15) I borrowed my Dad’s SLR and got hooked with photography forever. One day, eventually, I realized that one could not only document the reality but also express himself with images and that is when I decided I wanted to do this as a full-time job!

What do you take with you on a photo shoot?

It depends, of course. I have a lot of equipment and I take with me only what is necessary for the images I have in mind. For example, if I am searching for wolves I will carry my 500 mm with converters but leave my macro lens behind, or if I am climbing a mountain to photograph the sunrise from the summit, I will have a very lightweight backpack. In general I always try to have with me at least one camera body, one wide-angle zoom lens and one medium tele zoom lens (70-200 or 100-400mm).

What subject do you prefer to photograph and why?

Wolves and bears in the Apennines, because I love the places they live in; the physical effort required to find them and… the mental process they force me through to be able to photograph them!

What is your favorite nature preserve?

Abruzzo National Park in Italy

What is your favorite shooting position?

Sitting on my butt, embracing my tele with my arms and with the tripod opened at its lowest between my legs…

Which nature photographer do you admire?

Ah, way too many… Jim Brandenburg, “Nick” Nichols, Tim Laman, Heikki Willamo, Vincent Munier…

What quality must a nature photographer absolutely have?

I’d say three

1) Patience

2) Knowledge of the natural history of the subject

3) Respect for the subject and its surroundings!

Which light situation do you prefer?

Sunset light after a storm!

Which setting do you prefer: Manual-Aperture Priority-Shutter Priority?

Manual for accuracy and whenever it’s possible. I use AV when in a hurry…

In percentage terms how much time do you take to create an image and to process the image?

90/10 !

Which processing program do you use?

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop plus a few plug-ins

Do you have any advice for future nature photographers?

Don’t focus all yourself on getting “the” winning shot only. Instead pick an interesting subject, get to know it intimately; be patient and give this project a lot of time. At the end this long-term work will pay back, both in terms of personal experience and results. As a professional, in fact, proposing customers a complete and strong body of work on a certain subject has proven more profitable than showing a few stunning shots. This approach has worked for me but maybe it doesn’t for everybody.

You can find out more about Bruno D’Amicis on his website: http://www.brunodamicis.com/