Featured photographer
Roy Mangersnes, Norway
I am a nature photographer living on the south-western coast of Norway, near the city of Stavanger. I bought my first SLR while taking my masters degree in animal behaviour in 2000. It was a manual Canon AE1 with a manual focus lenses. I believe I learned a lot from those first years with the manual gear, constantly taking notes to remember the shutterspeed, aperture, weather and other relevant details at the shoot. The reason I started nature photography was a sincere interest for animals and animal behaviour through my studies, and a growing wish to capture what I experienced in the field. This way I would be able to share my devotion for nature with others.
I started looking at birds as a kid, and I still have a certain attraction to our feathered friends. However, as I have ventured further and gained new knowledge about the natural world that surrounds us, my photography has turned to include nature photography as a whole. My favourite subject is constantly changing as I meet new incredible species around the world. However, I always tend to return to the birds of prey, and particularly the Northern Goshawk. I never get tired of observing the strength and graze of the Goshawk.
The diversity of nature photography is very appealing to me. The way nature photography is balancing between documentary and art. However, the power of a single image to captivate the public, and create awareness of the world we are living in, is what I find most fascinating about nature photography. In a longer perspective I like to use my photography to promote the need of awareness. Nature photography is a powerful tool to make the public aware of the issues concerning human influence on the natural surroundings. Pictures can be stronger than words if they are used in the right way. Photography can either be used to show the audience the beauty of nature, or it can be used to show the acute need for action as the natural world is suffering from human interference.
Today I am the youngest member of the Norwegian Professional Nature photographers Society (NN), and have published my work in several magazines and books in Norway and abroad. I was Nature photographer of the year in Norway 2006, and category runner up in the International Bird Photographers Award in the same year. My images are sold through stock agencies Samfoto in Norway and Nature Picture Library in the UK.
If you are interested in my work please visit my website www.wildphoto.no and follow the blog at www.roywildphoto.blogspot.com.
Below some of my photos:
