Biography

A brief history of Stephen Morrison's photographic career - by request!

My interest in Natural History stems back to my childhood. Even while in nappies I was apparently more interested at looking under stones and under bushes than watching television (and this is still the case). Then in my later childhood that interest blossomed and I had an urge to record the beauty and diversity of the natural world. Throughout my working life I have been an ecologist based in Dorset, England, and have been self-employed as such since 1999. I finally went professional as a photographer in 2004.

Now into my middle years, I have finally managed to hoard the equipment I felt I needed to do justice to my subject. My primary interest was in photographing birds and insects. However, I was always disappointed with the results, feeling I had not captured the spirit of the beast. My late entry into landscape photography showed me what was missing from my wildlife photography. While the genre taught me to keep the image simple, it has also taught me to use the light conditions to produce the image desired by my mind's eye. Previously, I had been a purest when it came to using light for insect photography, only the natural light would do and in the field that is still the case I believe. However, I have come to realise that an ability to control light can lead to abstract images that can capture the true spirit, intricacy, and beauty of an insect. Composition is very important of course but I don't always follow the well-known rules. I also look for images that are free from distractions. I now try and apply these principles to my wildlife photography but my subject often has other ideas!

The camera can see more than the brain and eye can comprehend in the brief moment of image capture, both in time and space. I believe it is the mental ability to see what the camera sees that can lead to images of pure beauty. I hope I can achieve that one day.