Local Photographer Jim

Local Photographer - Jim Wilson

I have lived in Norton Bavant for over 11 years. I like to think of myself as a keen amateur photographer, and after 30 odd years of snapping I now specialise in taking photos of people, wildlife and landscapes whilst on holiday in strange and exotic places. My fiancée Annette (a fellow artist) has also recently taken up photography, and so we now choose the holiday destinations based on how good or enjoyable we think the photography might be!). Our first trip together was to The Gambia earlier this year, which turned out to be not your average beach holiday! Next year we plan to go on safari to Kenya and Uganda, taking in the Masai Mara and Lake Victoria then rounding it off with what promises to be an unforgettable trip to Rwanda to get close up and personal with the Mountain Gorillas.

I have sold a good selection of prints, at the Wylye Valley Art Trail, which were either mounted or mounted and framed, as well as being presented in a range of hand printed greetings cards which were particularly popular.

Selection of Greeting Cards

I have, like most other photographers, “gone digital” and now use a Sony digital SLR and just a couple of zoom lenses (a 10mm - 20mm for landscapes and an 18mm – 250mm for just about everything else) but I’m seriously considering adding another zoom with a longer range to enable me to capture more distant wildlife.

Sand dunes, De Hoop National Park, SA

I have also decided to try and improve my photo-editing skills, and now use Adobe Photoshop now that I have learnt some more advanced techniques at a training course run by Warminster College.

The Cheesering, Bodmin Moor

Most of my digital work is now uploaded on Flickr - take a look.

If you are interested in any photographic pieces or cards, please contact me by email. Jim Wilson

Chinese Fisherman

My first really exciting holiday destination that got me hooked on the combination of travel and semi-serious photography was in 1991, when on an impulse I booked a 30 day trekking holiday in Nepal, primarily for the walking, but as I had my camera (film in those days) and a couple of lenses with me I quickly became accustomed to the role of “group” photographer. I was more than happy to dawdle at the back of the group taking shots, and found myself compiling a travelogue of people and places as we wound our way up the foothills of the Himalayas until we reached the base of Mount Everest.

Dune 45, Namibia

It wasn’t until I returned home and had my films developed and prints made and displayed in albums that I appreciated just how enjoyable and rewarding I had found the whole experience, and I promised myself I’d try to repeat the experience as often as possible.

On the Prowl !

Since then I have had another walking holiday in Northern Spain trekking around The Picos de Europa, spent a month in Australia taking in Sydney and Northern Queensland, had a trip to Morocco visiting Casablanca and Marrakech, been to Namibia to climb the wonderful sand dunes and see the wildlife in Etosha National Park.

School boys posing in the Gambia

I have also visited India to marvel at the Taj Mahal and track down tigers on the back of an elephant, been to South Africa to drive the Garden Route, go whale watching and go on safari, and lastly taking a trip to China walking the Great Wall, enjoying my first balloon flight and being awestruck by the magnificent Terracotta Army!!

Still on the list of “photographic trips to make before I die” are The Galapagos Islands and Peru, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Canyon. We’ll have to wait and see though.

Sixpence in Norton Bavant woods

Since moving to Norton Bavant I have taken an interest in entering different photographic competitions, and take pleasure in participating in local events and competitions.

I have been fortunate enough to have won the best of class in the photographic category in The Sutton Veny Flower Show three times now with various prints selected from my travels or from those taken locally in the beautiful countryside that we are fortunate enough to have on our doorstep.

I have also exhibited some of my work during The Wylye Valley Art Trail, using the lovely setting of our Village Hall.

Red Panda, China

Nice spot for a bit of afternoon sun

On the lookout for tigers !

See more of Jim & Annette's work

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