Hello fellow nature and wildlife photographers!

Esther BeatonConservation, Environment, Mentoring, internships, Nature and Wildlife, Nature Photography, New South Wales, On the Beaton Track, South Australia, Wildlife Photography

Here is an opportunity for your photos to do some powerful good. Let me tell you the story behind this wonderful new grant created especially for those devoted to conservation photography. I “knew” Wayne Lawler going back to the days in the 1980’s when my stock agency, Auscape International, represented him as one of its contributing photographers. I only knew … Read More

How to carry out an assignment for a geographic magazine – Part 2 – Being in the moment

Esther BeatonAustralian Geographic, Behind the Scenes, Bird Images, Environment, Habitats, Nature and Wildlife, Nature Photography, New South Wales, On the Beaton Track, People Photography, Photography Techniques, Professional Photography2 Comments

I started shooting the story on pearl faming in New South Wales before I’d even signed the contract with the magazine. That was because a key event was happening immediately – an event that could not be rescheduled or wait for the convenience of a photographer — seeding the oysters.  On one beautiful warm morning, as the first flush of … Read More

The Worst Drought Ever – are the birds coping?

Esther BeatonBird photography, Environment, On the Beaton Track, Photography Techniques, Victoria, Wildlife Photography2 Comments

It’s the worst drought in New South Wales “in six generations” some say. Others say it’s the worst recorded since European settlement. Still others say the worst in 400 years.  Chiltern-Pt Pilot National Park, near the New South Wales border, is one of the world’s birding hotspots. When I was there on an assignment in 2004, I also found it … Read More

Victoria’s Coast and Photo Tip: Charming the Birds

Esther BeatonBird Images, Bird photography, Habitats, On the Beaton Track, Photography Techniques, Quick Tips, VictoriaLeave a Comment

There are some great bird photography locations in Victoria, but during my January trip the drought was playing havoc, with days of unexpected rain, paralytic heat, and dust storms. But even with a little persistence, even in the worst of weather you can still find a few plucky birds. The scenery along the shores of Western Port Bay, might not … Read More

A Visit to AWC and the Challenges of Mammal Photography

Esther BeatonConservation, Nature and Wildlife, Photography Techniques, Professional Photography, South Australia, Threatened species, Wildlife PhotographyLeave a Comment

Wayne Lawler, staff photographer for Australian Wildlife Conservancy, photographing Boodies and Woylies at night with several flash units, Yookamurra Sanctuary, South Australia

I love the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. I love all conservation groups but the AWC has an astounding success rate. Not only are they re-establishing populations of highly threatened species, they are achieving the job at discount rates. They run a mean, tight ship as far as admin spending goes. Income goes almost entirely to field projects.  So a trip in … Read More

The Story Behind the Green And Golden Bell Frog Image

Esther BeatonAustralian Geographic, Behind the Scenes, Conservation, Cute Animals, Ecology, Nature and Wildlife, Nikon, Photography Equipment, Photography Techniques, Professional Photography, Threatened species, Wildlife PhotographyLeave a Comment

It was the magic year of 2000. Everyone had breathed a sigh of relief that our computers and systems hadn’t gone haywire. In Sydney it was the time of the Olympics. Energy was high. Somehow the threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog became emblematic of this productive and heartfelt era. I was on assignment for Australian Geographic to do a story … Read More

Take better photos with your smartphone

Esther BeatonBehind the Scenes, Digital Photography, Environment, New South Wales, People Photography, Photography Equipment, Photography TechniquesLeave a Comment

You can take great photos with your smartphone – as long as you remember two things: The smartphone is for internet use only. The quality is not adequate for print, unless it’s postcard size or smaller. This is due the the small format, i.e., the sensor in the iPhone is smaller than your little fingernail. Others may argue that you … Read More

Behind the scenes on this month’s magazine feature

Esther BeatonAustralian Geographic, Behind the Scenes, Conservation, New South Wales, Professional Photography, Wildlife PhotographyLeave a Comment

Wedge-tailed eagle Raptor rehab story

This week I’m taking you behind the scenes of my current published assignment for Australian Geographic. It’s only a short feature and you can see it in the November December 2016 issue called “Raptor rehab”. Here are some notes as to how and why I shot some of the pics. I was allowed very limited access to these injured birds of … Read More