I blogged about being shortlisted in the Scottish Nature Photography Awards in April. Now, there is more exciting news to share – my images were highly commended in the first Deer Photographer of the Year awards.
Again, I was shocked about having four images shortlisted in this global competition. To get two of my photos beyond that point was simply a dream – until it was a reality. However, the news hadn’t sunk in until I saw my images on the Deer Photographer of the Year website. I have followed Hungarian photographer Bence Máté for years. He won Wildlife Photographer of the Year the same year I got my first camera. It was me saying that I wished I could take photos like that while walking around the exhibition of the 2010 award winners, which resulted in the treasured gift of a DSLR from my then-partner. To be highly commended in a competition that Bence won makes me realise the extent of my development as a photographer since then.
I love Bence’s winning image for both its beauty and his creativity and vision to capture it. Congratulations to him and the other winners and commended entrants – I am delighted to be recognised alongside such talented photographers. And – most importantly – the winning images showcase what incredible subjects deer are.
Below are details of how I captured my images of two very different young roe bucks on my local patch in Glasgow, as shown in the captions on the Deer Photographer of the Year website.
Hide and peek
“I captured this image of this young buck in the woods on a bright October morning. While the adults gradually became accustomed to my presence over a number of months, the kids of 2022 veered from being over-curious to nervous. However, they were moving further away from their mothers. With these baby steps towards independence, they became consistently comfortable in my company – as long as I made them aware of my presence and kept a respectable distance. However, that distance was dramatically reduced during this encounter when this boy decided to come over and investigate the crazy person with the camera while his sister hung back and watched. It was an unforgettable moment to talk to him while he sniffed my scent and wandered around just metres away from me.”
Buttercup browser
“I affectionately named this young buck Hellboy for his little devil horn antlers. I was surprised by how quickly he relaxed around me and that he allowed me to capture images of him wandering, grooming, and feeding in the long grass as the rain fell. He seemed reassured by the sound of my voice, so I chatted away while he ate. The flat light allowed me to capture plenty of detail. It was this encounter that inspired me to embark on a project to photograph my local roe deer. They have taught me so much about patience, persistence, and my photography, but I’ve also had the pleasure of getting to know them as individuals. Every moment with them is a privilege.”