Activities and projects with which I am or have been involved:

I have portfolios on several sites such as:

Axis Arts

Saatchi Online Gallery

Inner City Living - is an exhibition of the North West's finest photography, furniture, lighting, ceramica, glassware, jewellery, textiles, sculpture and art brought together to create one living space at the heart of the city centre. I had several pieces included in the 2005 show and in the 2006 show.

Second Nature Images was a collaboration with three other wildife and nature photographers from the North West of England. We exhibited at local venues and achieved coverage on the BBC Lancashire website and in local press.

I was an active and founder member of North West Nature Group - a group of nature photographers in the North West of England who provided images to wildlife trusts and nature reserves for use in promotional and educational material.

Redeye is the North West photographers network, through whom I had an exhibition of work at Gallery Oldham in 2004 having spent the summer attending weekly workshops under the guidance of professional photographers AJ Wilkinson and Sarah Jane Eyre.

I have been a volunteer zoo checker with the Born Free Foundation with the purpose of providing photographs of animals in captivity in local zoos so that this may help in ensuring animals do not suffer unnecessarily.

Nothing to do with nature or wildlife but I photographed artists signed to Blue Cat Records both on location and performing live at the Blue Cat Cafe in Stockport. If you are interested in the Manchester music scene take a look at this site.

Books on nature and wildlife photography and art

There are some excellent  which I have in my library and from which I gained enormous inspiration and knowledge. Included here are my favourites and those which I can recommend to anyone interested.

There are several items of  and  software and hardware which I can also recommend to those interested.

Useful sites I have found

For anyone visiting or based in or around Preston, Lancashire, take a look at Preston Blog - a useful resource to find out what is going on and where in the city.

An excellent site for anyone interested in British wildlife is UK Safari - a very informative site, well worth a visit and they have a free newsletter to keep you up to date with what the wildlife is up to.

If you are interested in bird watching or just enjoy birds, one of the best resources I have across is FatBirder - excellent site with details on the best places to see wild birds as well as when to go, what to use and what to wear.

Photography Sites:

AOP - The Association of Photographers

Bureau of Freelance Photographers - They run excellent courses for new freelancers

British Institute of Professional Photographers - Great professional association for gaining qualifications and working with a mentor.

Royal Photographic Society - The RPS has a variety of special interest groups within the main society catering for all interests.

A World of Photography - Searchable directory of photographers and all photography resources, photography supplies and services.

NatureScapes - A photographic community site dedicated to nature photography. Some excellent articles.

Nature Photographers Network - an active and valuable online community of nature photographers from around the world.

Photographers.co.uk - British photography community site with lots of information and listings.

PhotoLinks - The Photography Network provides lots of links to various photography sites

Photography HQ Resource Directory - Another good resource.

PhotoSite UK - Directory listing of photographers websites in the UK.

Photographers Place - Another photographic community site

Photography School - offers state-of-the-art training in professional photography by the New York’s Institute of Photography

EOS Magazine - photography magazine dedicated to the Canon EOS system filled with useful articles and information.

 

Art Related Sites:

PAD Gallery - Preston - lots of interesting artists work in the shop and gallery in Preston

Access Arts' Art Deadline - a useful artists' resource

Art.com - Lots of art on sale here, including some of mine!

Art Support - Another artist resource site.

Your Art Links - Lots of links to art and art related sites.

Vision Grove - An interesting art site

   

Wildlife Art Sites:

World Nature Artists Group - Some lovely images from these artists

lWildlife Art Society International - Probably the best known wildlife art society.

 

Nature and Wildlife:

British Wildlife Trusts - wildlife trusts of the UK

National Trust - The National Trust website - they look after the environment in the UK

Wild About Britain - A very good resource site about wildlife in the United Kingdom

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust - The WWT have a number of bird sanctuaries in the UK, my nearest is Martin Mere which I visit regularly.

Woodland Trust - As you might guess, they look after and protect much of our ancient woodland

World Wildlife Fund - The WWF website is a real resource packed full of information. I do a Walk for Wildlife each year to raise money for them.

Fungus HQ - Everything fungus, from 5 facts about bacteria and fungi to zygote fungi.

 

Chinese Art and Calligraphy:

Chinese Art - A wonderful selection of traditional Chinese paintings. All paintings are originals and available. A beautiful site.

Chinese-arts - An on-line gallery selling original works of art of oriental styles & various techniques. Includes traditional Chinese painting, Chinese oil paintings, Calligraphy, scrolls, and folk arts.

 

 

Photographers Sites:

Images from the Wishing Well - nature and wildlife photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador

Australian Landscape Photography - from photographer Mark Gray

My favourite photoblogs - just some of those I enjoy visiting

 

 

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