Photography Blog

It is with utter heartbreak and shock that I was emailed this week from Sumatra,asking for some of my Sumatran Orangutan images to be asked for a campaign Ian Singleton the director of SOCP are fighting. Once I stopped and read the proposals my heart missed a beat I cannot lie. As each day passes I want to get out there with my camera to do something. Below are Ian’s words and the campaign they are fighting to stop large areas of Sumatra being dug up and lost for ever. Lost is the key word, mankind just never fails to shock me with their mindless greed.

On the 30^th December they rule, when everyone is looking to the New Year and relaxing officials decide whether its good to hand over some of the most precious rainforests in the world to developers hell bent on bleeding the soil of its riches and replace it with a vile, unnatural habitat killing some of the world’s most protected animals found nowhere else on earth.

Dr Ian Singleton –

“The Acehnese Government is pushing to finalize the proposed Spatial Plan in the next coming weeks along with and additional NEW draft governor’s regulation, which opens a door for new permits in large critical areas of the Leuser Ecosystem. If approved, this new plan and the new regulation will result in the rapid devastation of most of Aceh’s remaining lowland forests, the last stronghold for the Sumatran Orangutan, tiger, rhino and elephant. This also totally undermines the legal status of the world renowned Leuser Ecosystem. What’s more, it will not only seriously impact biodiversity and regional carbon emissions, but also seriously jeopardize the lives and livelihoods of many thousands of Aceh’s 4 million people”

I put a slideshow SOCP are using and my images will be used to raise much needed awareness before the December 30^th deadline. In the new year I’m hoping go out there with my camera and report on this I wish I could go tomorrow, in the meantime to everyone who follows my blog please sign the petition on the links below thank you.

This has to be stopped  –

Sign – www.change.org/LeuserHeritage
Fax – ww.endoftheicons.wordpress.com/?p=1710
Donate – www.sumatranorangutan.org

Thank You.

I was recently asked to do a talk/questions and answer session at Nottingham University for the students on the Biological Photography & Imaging MSc, BSc course, School of Life Sciences. It’s great to be asked back once more after last year’s talk which I really enjoyed. Helping others to “see” wildlife and use the medium of photography to capture what you see in an ethical, respectful was my message.

I was joined by other photographers where everyone talked about their own careers, where they started, their futures and what best advice we can give to the next generation of photographers.

It tops off a wonderful year talk wise for me and my wildlife photography, I have had the honor of presenting two talks at different times in the Natural History Museum in London as part of their Genesis program of talks alongside the amazing exhibition of Sebastiao Salgado. I love going through my work and how and where it begin showing the foundation to my wildlife photography today.

I have a designated page here on the talks I offer and booking details etc. Some of the talks I do are listed if you want to no the many others I do then just send me an email,many thanks.

Nikon Celebrates the 80^th Anniversary of NIKKOR Lenses : 80 Years at the heart of Your Images.

“Craig Jones is a professional wildlife photographer, an experienced expedition and workshop leader, who runs his own photo tours to many places throughout the UK and further afield around the world. Skilled as a wildlife photographer by interpreting and presenting wildlife as he sees, in a way that invokes beauty, mood and emotion with each moment captured.”  Nikon,  Japan.

I have been chosen to become one of the -Eyes of Nikon– Contributing photographers –

NIKON, Japan have now released this to the world, and the book is due in December 2013. I’m very pleased to be asked by Nikon to be one of the 20 “Eyes of Nikon” contributing photographers for this book. It’s a collection of stunning images taken with Nikon lenses to celebrate 80 years of Nikon lenses.

The book is due for releases in December 2013 and I’m really looking forward to receiving my copy. There are some massive names among both the “Eyes Of Nikon” and the “Master of Light” contributing photographers and it goes without saying I’m extremely proud to be asked to contribute to this amazing book and the displays at different venues around the world that will accompany the book and its release.

The press release from Nikon, Japan –

A collection of original photos by twenty photographers active around the world, as well as explanations of the NIKKOR lenses.

Release: Scheduled for release on December, 2013
Availability: Japan, the U.S., and countries in Europe and Asia
Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese
Contributing photographers: Ahn Jun, Andrea Bruce, Bob Martin, Colston Julian, Craig Jones, Daisy Gilardini, Donald Miralle, HASHi, Hiroshi Kaneko, Kabo, Marcelo Gomes, Keith and Mark Sutton, Norihito Ogata, Phil Knott, Taisuke Koyama, Takao Fujita, Tomoko Suwa-Krull, Topaz Leung, Yoi Kawakubo, Yuhki Touyama

To see the full story and all the contributing active photographers then please click here to be taken to Nikon’s site. I will update my blog when the book is launched and display some of the images they chose, many thanks.

I’m delighted to share with all my followers of my blog that one of my favorite Sumatran Orangutan photos called Beautiful Eyes has been selected to form part of Nikon Pro special tablet edition of their magazine showing all that’s best with Nikon and the associated products. Read a short introduction to this amazing app here on I am Nikon Blog.

Nikon Pro is the tri-yearly print and tablet magazine for professional photographers and serious enthusiasts. It features the best in photographic imagery and technical advice from around the world, and is available in print in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. to subscribe click here

You can download it from iTunes here Google play here

To have one of my images alongside some of the biggest names in the world of wildlife photography is a massive honor. Having only celebrated fours years as a full time professional wildlife photographer last month this is just amazing. So thank you to the guys at Nikon Pro, Nikon.

I feel from a photography point of view my work has only just really started, utilizing my many skills learned over the years. I look forward to spending the next twenty or so years among nature, happy, where I hope to share what I see with my peers and followers. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over the last fours years. Below is the Nikon pro press release issued today with the launch of this brilliant App.

Nikon launches Nikon Pro WILD special tablet edition

We are proud to present Nikon Pro WILD – a free special tablet edition, featuring the very best in wildlife photography and giving you a taste of the full Nikon Pro magazine. This special edition issue is themed around Wildlife and is free of charge from the App Store or Google Play. Designed to give newcomers a taste of what the full Nikon Pro magazine has to offer, the WILD version celebrates awe-inspiring photography and the stories behind the image, just as the regular Nikon Pro does

From the chilled-out posture of lounging polar bears to the steely eyes of the Amazon leaf frog, Nikon Pro WILD supplement features a bespoke collection of stunning images and video captured by some of the biggest names in wildlife photography.

Contributors include Vincent Munier, who talks about his latest solo trip to the Arctic, and National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, who shares video and arresting, portrait-style images of some of the world’s endangered species. This special edition is available for download exclusively via the Nikon Pro app, on both iTunes and for Android on Google Play

Nikon Pro WILD is produced by the Nikon Pro team.

‘Wildlife is a photography enthusiast’s dream,’  Nikon Pro’s editor says. ‘Getting these kind of shots can take weeks or even months of painstaking work, which is why we’re delighted to be able to bring these images together in a single collection on tablet, for people all over the world to enjoy.’

I am now offering  a new and private and bespoke photo tour service. Where I will lead a private safari to many different places around the globe, offering a unique experience within nature. Everything is arranged on an exclusive basis to suit your individual requirements. The beauty of private safaris is that you share with those you know, or it’s just you and your partner where I guide you throughout the whole time your with me. Where you benefit from an almost one to one experience among nature.

These custom trips are for one person right the way up to six people for any number of days and at a time of your choosing. With a private trip as this you choose when you want to go, at any time of the year. You choose how long you want to go for and as many days as you like. Larger numbers and the cost is significantly reduced. Click here to be taken to this page.

The aim of all my tours is simple: to offer unmatched experiences that maximize opportunities to watch and photograph wildlife in the finest locations and to help participants improve their techniques and achieve the best results from their photography, irrespective of their level of experience.

I work with some of the best ATOL -protected companies around, that have been providing trips to some of my locations for many years. Working alongside these companies helps me with the logistical support I need on the ground enabling the very best experience for each and every client.

Places I offer these amazing private safaris too are

India- Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger

Jaguars And Wildlife Of The Pantanal – The amazing Jaguars of Brazil

Kenya – Masai Mara Migration – The amazing event in nature known as the Migration

Madagascar – The amazing wildlife and diversity of this place will blow you away

Finland – Wolves, Bears and Wolverines its one of the best places in the world to witness these.

Sumatra – Home of the Great Ape-Sumatran Orangutan.

Falklands  Islands – One of the only places in the world where the wildlife are so trusting and close.

Mull- Otters, Eagles, beautiful coastline Mull offers everything you can imagine.

Shetland Islands – This beautiful coastal group of islands with blow you away with its wildlife

Texel- A Spring bonanza of wader birds and others this small Dutch island offers some great birdlife

The cost of a private safari to one of these destinations is dependent on the number of clients per trip, the number of days and nights your require and approximate dates. For an extract quote please email me at craig@craigjoneswildlifephotography.co.uk many thanks.

As the trees lose their leaves and the countryside is turned in to a mosaic of stunning colours, animals all around the country are feasting on the bounty of food that is plentiful now, from berries to horse chestnuts, the countryside is a wash with food.  Birds starting to migrate to and from the UK with lots going on.  Over the last two weeks I have been to several different places throughout the UK with clients covering the Deer Rut, Red Squirrels and Short-eared  Owl.

One of the places I visit in the UK has a really good woodland area and when you walk through these woods with their well established and majestic trees there is always a lot of Deer activity around. With the Autumnal colours the Deer blend in so well within these habitats and their coats are beautiful to see, with clear markings throughout. All my clients got some amazing images from some great encounters over the last two weeks.

We had a mixed fortune with the weather after one of the wettest periods in autumn so far, but there is always an image to be taken I say not matter what the weather throws at you. Also over the last week or so I have visited my Red Squirrel site in the North west coastal region of the UK with clients booked in on my One to Ones. This whole area is managed by the wildlife trust who keeps an eye on the population of Red Squirrels that were almost wiped out 4 years ago.

Numbers are slowly increasing with the hard work and dedication of the local trust and volunteers.  We visit this site in the morning and then head to one of my Short-eared owl sights in the afternoon as this is one of the many duel-One to Ones I run. The full list can be seen here. These places are all built off the back of my extensive knowledge on these areas and time served there.

Every living animal for me has their own spirit, their own character and I really try to capture that within my work and try and show and get clients who come with me to see differently and to engage in the bigger picture which in turns makes for better images I believe. Unplanned, unscripted in its truest form, watching wildlife and capturing those briefest of moments when you witness their unique behavior, this is priceless.

These days have only just started so if you want to book on or see what I offer then please click on the following link. I have many other one to ones and workshops that carry on throughout the Winter offering a real encounter with nature.

I do have a few spaces free due to a cancellation on my Tigers of India tour next April. I have been going to India since 2009 and working with the same guys year in and its an amazing trips where clients have some amazing images and times. To see this trip and past blog posts of what we got up to click on the following link and I hope you can join me next year, many thanks.

This slideshow I hope inspires you to not only love nature but to spend as much time as you can among her beauty. Nature is and always will be a massive healer of the mind and body for me, my images capture what I saw my work and slideshows take each person on a journey of beauty I was privileged to see.

I was asked by high street giants Currys &PC World to become a judge on their six week photo challenge recently.  The competition encouraged everyone who entered to put their skills to the test in a series of photography challenges.  It was wonderful  to be asked to be a judge and to set one of the tasks which I did. I choose Composition as I feel this is a real important element to any photograph. Click here to see the task I set.

I’m pleased to announce here are the winners from each of the categories from the recent Currys/PC World six week photo challenge. Well done to all that entered. With so many incredible entries to choose from, it was tough picking.

This is the winning image from the challenge I set by Sean Lowe from Pembrokeshire. The image was called – ‘ArachnidWalk’ and was taken using a Nikon D90, 90mm 2.8 1:1 Macro.

“I chose this image as my winner because I thought the photographer showed a real understanding of composition within this image. Spiders by their very nature are often found once disturbed, hidden away in dark, dank places only really visible once you come across them or through the loud screams of someone seeing them all of a suddenly.

This image brings their beauty to the forefront and lets you see just how stunning up close they are at the same time placing the Spider among its natural habitat. I loved the lighting and the shaded areas which adds a great deal to the image. I love the space given to the image by placing the subject over to the right with the Spider slightly angled inward.

The image is sharp, well-composed and for me was the winner from a brilliant standard so well done to all those that entered there were several all competing in my mind for the winners spot but I went with this image, thank you.” – Craig Jones

Well done to everyone that entered the standard was very high and all the winners can be seen on Currys/PC World Blog here