Ben Locke In Focus

From badgers and snakes to wild boar and deer, Ben Locke has captured some of the Forest of Dean’s rarest inhabitants in amazing detail. SoGlos.com puts this amazing amateur wildlife photographer in focus.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Ben Locke and I’m 36, married with no children so far – just a cat! I live in the Forest of Dean, having moved there about five years ago from Gloucester, and work as an analyst/programmer. Besides photography, I love music and enjoy playing the guitar badly, going out exploring the Forest of Dean and further afield, watching wildlife and spending (too much) time playing computer games.

When did you first develop a passion for photography?

I’ve used a camera for occasional snaps most of my life, but only since moving to the Forest of Dean have I used one with such regularity. I enjoy watching the local wildlife, I go for a lot of walks with my wife, and the area is very photogenic – keeping a camera with me just seemed the natural thing to do.

What equipment do you use when you’re out and about?

I’ve only started using a DSLR in the last few months – a Canon EOS 300D and a telephoto lens that I tend to use for my wildlife pictures. Prior to that I used (and still do use) a Panasonic Lumix FZ7. It’s a great little camera, and incredibly easy to use. I’d like to try the latest models in that range to see what they can do. That’s about it, apart from a cheap tripod I picked up on eBay, but I rarely use it.

Gallery of pictures by Ben Locke

Out of the 10 photos you picked for the gallery, which is your favourite and why?

I think it would probably have to be the wild boar in the Forest of Dean. It’s not the best photo I’ve taken, but it was the result of so much time and effort. They’re a fascinating species, and to manage to get face to face with a creature that was driven to extinction in the UK in medieval times feels pretty special if not a little scary, particularly in the dark! If the powers that be will allow the wild boar to continue to inhabit the Forest they originally roamed, I hope to take many more pictures of them.

Do you use any software to edit your pictures?

I do, although I wouldn’t say I’m particularly proficient with any of it! I like to experiment though. Like most people I use Photoshop for making minor adjustments and corrections, and I enjoy messing with HDR techniques too, as you can probably tell from some of my pictures.

Are you a film or digital advocate?

For me it has to be digital. It’s great to be able to see instant results, and the fact that there are no costs for developing your pictures, coupled with low cost high-capacity storage cards, means that there are no barriers to trying things out. Having the results of your work in a digital format opens up all sorts of further possibilities such as editing, sharing and publishing too. I wouldn’t go as far as to say ‘digital is best’ as my experience of film in the last 20 years is non-existent, but I think I’d find it very prohibitive switching to it now.

How did you learn to take such powerful photos – do you have any formal training?

None at all. It probably shows in many of my pictures! I suppose what I do has largely been a combination of patience and trial and error. I’m always learning, and I often look towards other members of the website Flickr or my father for tips and inspiration. I often see photos from other local photographers and wonder ‘how the heck did they do that?’... I have an awful lot to learn, but I’m in no hurry.

If you could photograph anyone who would it be?

I’ve never really taken photos of people. It just doesn’t occur to me to do so. I’m not into the whole celebrity thing either, so I’d be hard pushed to name anyone like that.

What’s your favourite Gloucestershire location?

I’ve spent my life in Gloucestershire and so many different places hold different memories. I’ve never really thought about having a favourite. I guess over the years my answer would have changed, but since I’ve lived here at least, I suppose the Forest of Dean would be my answer.

Do you have any tips for budding snappers?

I don’t really have any technical tips – I’m a novice and still learning myself! I recommend using a photo-sharing service such as Flickr to share your photos. There are some really friendly and helpful people there who will offer tips and encouragement (thanks to you all by the way!). The most important thing is to enjoy what you do.

You can see more of Ben Locke’s photos by visiting his Flickr profile http://www.flickr.com/photos/frotcott/.

SoGlos.com
6 August 2009