FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JAMES GRADWELL

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

I live in the beautiful city of Cape Town.

WHAT CAMERA EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?

I use and love Nikon.

I began old school with the F90 film body in conjunction with Velvia and Provia professional slide film. I then graduated to digital in 2004 and haven't looked back since.

However on my year long trip to South America due to the circumstance of my travels I could not carry heavy equipment and so I used a Panasonic prosumer camera until it was stolen and replaced it with a simple canon ‘click and shoot’ consumer one.

DID YOU STUDY PHOTOGRAPHY?

I, like most wildlife photographers am self taught. But I was really fortunate to have had the advantage of working as a guide for some of the most amazing local wildlife photographers such as Richard Du Toit, Gerald Hinde & Will Taylor and so had an amazing opportunity to learn from them by asking for advice and tips.

I also find through my profession that I meet so many other photographers of all types and that through them, the web and photography related books that my photographic jouney is a constant learning curve.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY?

In conjunction to my conservation studies I have also completed numerous field guide courses and studies as listed below:

• 3 Year National Diploma Nature Conservation
• 4th Year B-Tech Degree in Nature Conservation
• Field Guide Qualifications FGASA levels 1,2 & 3
• Field Guide Qualifications FGASA level SKS DA (Specialised Skills with Dangerous Animals)
• Field Guide Qualification  FGASA level SKS Specialist Birding (Theory)
• Tracking Guide Qualifications FGASA levels I & 2
• Cultural Field Guide, Western Cape, Garden Route, Namaqualand.

ARE ANY OF YOUR PHOTOS TAKEN OF ‘TAME’ ANIMALS?

All my photographs are taken of free roaming wild animals. In certain private game lodges the animals have habituated or become accustomed to the vehicles allowing one to get closer. If I have visited a wildlife sanctuary such as one in Australia I have mentioned it in the photo captions.

ARE YOUR IMAGES AVAILABLE FOR SALE?

I have images with stock libraries such as Gallo, Getty and iAfrica but can also purchase my work directly from me. If there are any images you may be interested in either digitally or in print, please send me an email.

DO YOU OFFER PRIVATE TOURS?

Yes, it is possible to book private personalised tours with me particularly if you can get a group of four or more togther (think photography club friends or the the like) but is subject to my availability.

Otherwise please refer to my busniness site www.photographytours.co.za that offers a host of photographic trips, day tours and holidays

DO YOU RUN PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS?

Yes I do, please refer to my website www.photographytours.co.za

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY?

My parents were unable to have children of their own so they adopted six from four different backgrounds. After our flock fledged the roost my parents decided they needed more, alot more! So they established a non profit orphanage for abandoned and vulnerable African children. There are currently 56 children in their care in an ever growing community of children and workers.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THIS ORPHANAGE?

Yes any form of help or donation would be greatly appreciated. There is also a volunteer program for those that want a more hands on approach. Please see their website for further details:  www.motherofpeace.org.za