Q. What is an 'Artomologist'?
A. I originally invented the word to describe my work to people whenever they asked - bug photographer just didn't really describe it! I am the world's leading Artomologist - because I am also the only one...!
Q. How do you get the ladybirds to pose for you?
A. Little whips and chairs...! if only that would work.
I can only create the stage, then I must wait for the players to do their thing and be ready to capture the magic. I speak Ladybirdlish, Butterflippery and Mantispan fluently and am learning Froggin at the moment to make directing frogs a little easier....
Q. You must have an amazing camera!
A. Yes, I do have some great cameras and lenses now.
But I started with a very basic SLR and a lense with some
screw on macro filters. I used copious amounts of film
(lots of AGFA neg film bought on special at the supermarket because shooting on transparency was just so expensive!).
I graduated to a mediun format Bronica and then
embraced digital when the quality became excellent.
Just remember it is the ideas and challenges that were overcome that make an image arresting, not the equipement.
Q. Do you travel all over the world taking these pictures?
A. Yes. My twin passions are ladybirds and travel and I like to combine the two wherever possible. Whenever I have an exhibition of my work, I try and make time to go searching for local charismatic mini-fauna... I have photographed insects on all the continents so far. Madagascar, Borneo, New Guinea, China and Far-north Queensland are high on my list of future destinations and I cannot wait to get back to Vietnam and Thailand.
Q. Which is your favorite image?
A. This changes all the time. I also remember the challenges to create every image - the weather, cramped body positions etc...so images that caused me to experiment to get the result I wanted are always favourites. Images that happened as chance encounter are also favourites because the remind me of just how much random beauty there is in the world.
Q. Are the ladybirds real?
A. Of course! And they are alive and they are really on the flower. My work happens 'in camera'. Sometimes I use PhotoShop to 'mother nature' petals and stems. I am trying to create a perfect garden universe and make you fall head-over-heels in love/ fascination with my subject matter, and a big chewed hole in a petal or a big plop of caterpillar frass undermines the message....
Q. Why don't I see these things in my garden?
A. They are probably there if you don't use pesticides. If you spray or a neighbour is spraying, then you won't find much - so stop using that poison right now!
insects are usually tiny and especially good at keeping out of view. Most little things make a tasty snack for birds. Ladybirds are easier to find because they wear warning colours on their backs and make a bad meal, so don't have to be as cautious.
Take time to just sit in the garden on a warm, sunny still day and just start looking, gently and slowly through the foliage - you may be very surprised at what you discover!
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