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Eyes Wild Open
“People should be encouraged to think for themselves, question all the time and not simply accept the doctrines of others.”
With eyes wild open, submerged in the strange and spectacular world of wildlife, acclaimed nature photographer, author and artist Nick Garbutt delights in exposing rare and exotic wonders to a global audience. As survival threatens all species Nick’s exploration of earths unique creatures helps educate against extinction. Paring his skills in photography and illustration with a talent for writing, Nick has published several award winning titles such as 100 Animals To See Before They Die, Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide, and Wild Borneo along with numerous articles in National Geographic, Africa Geographic and BBC Wildlife magazine. The detail of expression and range of experience Garbutt offers has made him one of the most sought after photographers, writers, speakers and advisors for environmental education and conservation around the world. Most recently he advised on the BBC Natural History series Madagascar and continues to travel for photo tours and lectures. His own website serves as an archive of incredible images and curious facts about creatures great and small, providing a rich visual resource to encourage awareness for and action in aid of wildlife. In search of some wild inspiration one need look no further than nature historian and conservation ambassador Nick Garbutt.
Was photography a natural progression from your studies in zoology? In fact it was a happy accident. I always knew I wanted to study zoology at University and throughout my teens my grand parents in particular tried to encourage me to take up photography as they saw it as complimentary. I had a couple of older cousins who were fanatical about photography and I remember feeling so daunted at family reunions as they showed off their latest cameras and chatted about all sorts of technical this and that. To me it seemed like another language and appeared scarily difficult. So I shied away from it.
Then during my last year at the University of Nottingham I was instrumental in organizing an expedition to Borneo and the task of taking the photos during the trip fell to me. So I borrowed a camera (I don’t think I’d ever really picked one up beforehand), had a couple of quick lessons from the head of the photography unit in the zoology department, read an ‘Idiots Guide to 35mm Photography” on the plane on the way out and proceeded to spend three months taking awful photos. But the challenges and processes of trying to get good wildlife photos captivated me. I was hooked. And that was that.
How has your knowledge and background in wildlife research shaped your style as a photographer? Having a background in zoology has been very helpful. I think if you look at the majority of the world’s most respected and renowned wildlife photographers you’ll see that they are first and foremost passionate about natural history. Long before they picked up a camera they were bird watching or collecting insects or looking for snakes etc. I was no different. I’ve been fascinated by the wildlife for as long as I can remember (my Dad bought me a wildlife encyclopedia when I was 5). This life-long interest and subsequent study at university was the perfect grounding for developing a better understanding and appreciation of the natural world. There’s no substitute for time spent in the field observing wildlife and this then translates in to being better tuned to interpreting and recording this in photos.
Where was your first photographic expedition? The expedition I organized during my last year at University. It was 1988 and was 23. Just after graduation I left with 3 colleagues to spend three months in Borneo studying Proboscis Monkeys in Bako National Park. I’d never been to the tropics to watch wildlife before. Nor had I ever picked up a camera before.
NICK GARBUTT
INSPIRATION
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