“I’d love to photograph the Northern Lights and an Arctic polar bear”

This week, Stuart Benson shares some of his favourite photographs.

Stuart, who lives in Ollerton near Knutsford and Rhosneigr in Anglesey, bought a good camera four years ago during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns and his hobby has taken off.

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Guardian Camera Club member Stuart Benson

When and why did you take up photography?

I have dabbled a bit over the years but bought a decent camera and lenses in early 2020 as a lockdown hobby. I also bought a new guitar, but the camera won!

A kitesurfer on Anglesey

What do you love about taking pictures?

I take photographs of wildlife and water sports and the occasional landscape and night shot. I am always thinking about how subjects are lit, almost always with natural light, to make them interesting and photogenic. I like the fact that I can create something of beauty and originality without necessarily being able to draw, paint or write words or music.

A polar bear on Svalbard

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Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

At the right times of year, particularly around dawn and dusk, wildlife in Anglesey and around Cheshire is as interesting to photograph as anywhere. I like to photograph great crested grebes and butterflies at both locations, stags at Tatton Park and the starlings at Neumann’s flashes. I also love Skomer and the Shetlands for puffins and other birds. And, of course, Africa for the great predators. But so far, my favourite place is the Galapagos Islands simply because the animals there are so fearless of people.

A puffin on Skomer Island in south Wales

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

Animals and birds! Taking a photo of an animal or bird is easy but getting a truly satisfying photo that’s well composed in complementary light, with the right foreground and background is difficult and challenging. My favourite technique, when the opportunity arises is back lighting, since it provides so many options for exposure. I am not a photographer of rare birds or animals; I would much rather take a good photo of a common creature than an average photo of a rare one.

Deer at Tatton Park

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Barely a day goes by without a photograph being taken

What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook?

I like to see what locals are photographing and I enjoy learning from other people.

Great crested grebes at Tatton

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

I would love to photograph the Aurora Borealis in the Arctic with a polar bear in the foreground.

A puffin on Skomer Island