Ian Douglas - joined 2025
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My passion for wildlife began as a young boy, fishing in the local river for trout with garden earthworms in what was then rural Devon. While fishing, I became fascinated by the wildlife I occasionally saw - otters, kingfishers, deer, basking sharks and dolphins (whilst sea fishing off the rocks) and many others.
Photography began with an Instamatic and I worked my way up through a 35mm Praktica, a Nikkormat (1975) and eventually an Olympus OM-4ti and medium format. Initially I focussed on macro and general photography, early attempts at wildlife were challenging; my gear was limited to what I could afford, like a manual-focus, manual-diaphragm Photax 500mm F8 lens. In those days, the high cost of film and equipment made serious wildlife photography feel like a pursuit reserved for the wealthy.
Many years later, the shift to auto focus and the advent of digital cameras changed everything, making wildlife photography accessible and more affordable for all.
The observation and fieldcraft skills I honed as a boy finally proved invaluable. I now photograph mostly British wildlife and, though I'm still learning the nuances of birding, I have a love for digital editing—a process I enjoy as much as I did working in a traditional darkroom many years before developing E6 and processing cibachrome prints.
I’ve been an active member of several photographic clubs, where I’ve championed the importance of printing, believing a truly finished image is one you can hold in your hands.
I continue to live in Devon with my wife, who shares my passion for wildlife photography, and although most of my photography continues to be local, retirement has given me the opportunity to travel further afield and expand my photographic opportunities.
I am absolutely delighted and proud to be a part of the ZPC.
Photography began with an Instamatic and I worked my way up through a 35mm Praktica, a Nikkormat (1975) and eventually an Olympus OM-4ti and medium format. Initially I focussed on macro and general photography, early attempts at wildlife were challenging; my gear was limited to what I could afford, like a manual-focus, manual-diaphragm Photax 500mm F8 lens. In those days, the high cost of film and equipment made serious wildlife photography feel like a pursuit reserved for the wealthy.
Many years later, the shift to auto focus and the advent of digital cameras changed everything, making wildlife photography accessible and more affordable for all.
The observation and fieldcraft skills I honed as a boy finally proved invaluable. I now photograph mostly British wildlife and, though I'm still learning the nuances of birding, I have a love for digital editing—a process I enjoy as much as I did working in a traditional darkroom many years before developing E6 and processing cibachrome prints.
I’ve been an active member of several photographic clubs, where I’ve championed the importance of printing, believing a truly finished image is one you can hold in your hands.
I continue to live in Devon with my wife, who shares my passion for wildlife photography, and although most of my photography continues to be local, retirement has given me the opportunity to travel further afield and expand my photographic opportunities.
I am absolutely delighted and proud to be a part of the ZPC.
