The Natural World
Zaneta Threlfall is one of the most skilful and original wildlife photographers working today and we were delighted to welcome her to Falkirk last Thursday evening.
She is a recent winner of the British Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, has featured in the Scottish Nature Photography awards, her photographs are widely published in the UK, Poland and Germany, and she is a widely published writer on wildlife and natural history.
As a natural historian Zaneta’s ingrained concern is the welfare of her subjects with her photographs giving the viewer the impression that they are looking through the lens themselves into the natural world. The first image in her presentation was a prime example of that featuring a young otter secluded in its natural habitat and totally unaware of the photographer positioned some distance away. A puffin gazing out from its burrow echoed that style, and as with the otter, Zaneta spoke authoritatively on its lifestyle.
Rather than static images of her subjects, Zaneta concentrates on their behaviour as exemplified by her photographs of Kingfisher. Here she discussed the differing habits of the male and female of the species adding even more interest to her cleverly photographed images. The sudden movements of Red Squirrels make them challenging subjects and a head on image of this popular creature in mid air as jumped straight towards the camera was captivating. Photographs of owls hunting, and making eye contact with the camera and with their wings extending across the frame, drew the viewer into their world.
Studies of a family of foxes and a family of badgers captured the character of both, the inquisitive nature of foxes and the caution yet curiosity of badgers.
Highly accomplished photographic technique enables Zaneta to utilise a shallow depth of field, contributing to that viewers impression of looking into another world. Her extensive knowledge and understanding of the natural world not only contributes to the particularly high standard of her photography but added to a fascinating presentation.
Exhibition – Falkirk Writer’s Circle and Falkirk Camera Club
Now on, in the ground floor turret in Callendar House, is our joint exhibition with Falkirk Writer’s Circle. The theme of the photographs, poetry and prose is Autumn in Callendar Park and shows the autumn colours, the wildlife, and the way the park is used.
Thanks for looking in.