MARK CARWARDINE

We catch up with the prolific Canon pro wildlife photographer

ZOOLOGIST AND Canon Ambassador Mark Carwardine is a widely published wildlife photographer and an outspoken environmentalist. An award-winning writer, a TV and radio presenter, a best-selling author, a wildlife tour operator, and a magazine columnist (phew), he was also chair of the judging panel of the prestigious ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ competition for seven years and was selected as one of ‘The World’s 40 Most Influential Nature Photographers’ in Outdoor Photography magazine. We spoke to Mark about his career to date, his passion for wildlife and photography, and the Canon kit he uses to capture such great nature shots…

How did you first get into photography?

My father was a keen photographer and had a makeshift darkroom in the attic. He taught me how to print black and white photographs, and from then I was hooked. When I was 16, I had a Saturday job in a camera shop and saved every penny I earned for three years to buy my first proper camera. And from then on it became a lifelong tradition – spending all the money I had earned on various bits and bobs of camera equipment!

What attracted you to wildlife photography specifically?

I’ve been obsessed with wildlife forever – literally, since I could walk and talk – and all I ever wanted to do was to work with animals. I’ve been very lucky to be able to do that for the entirety of my adult life.