FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JAMES GRADWELL
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?I live in the beautiful city of Cape Town though the nature of my work often means I am away.
WHAT CAMERA EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
I use Nikon camera equipment. I began old school with the F90 film body in conjunction with Velvia and Provia professional slide film. I graduated to digital in 2004 with a D70 and these days use a D90 with an assortment of Nikon lenses. However on my year 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 fortunate to have had the advantage of working as a guide for some of the most amazing wildlife photographers such as Richard Du Toit, Gerald Hinde & Will Taylor and so had an amazing opportunity to ask for any advice and tips.
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 had hundreds of my images with stock libraries such as Gallo, Getty and iAfrica but I have retracted them as I am currently developing a stock library where my work can be purchased directly from me. If there are any images you may be interested in either digitally or in print, please send me an email.
HAVE YOU WON ANY AWARDS?
Though I realise the virtue of recognition through photographic awards I have, as yet, not entered any international competitions. Locally I have won categories in an annual wildlife publication (Eco-journal) and with the Getaway Annual Photographic Awards.
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.
DO YOU OFFER PRIVATE TOURS?
Yes, it is possible to book private personalised tours with me but is subject to my availability. I also offer photographic day tours in and around Cape Town. Please contact me for further information.
DO YOU RUN PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS?
I am running a photographic workshop together with Vanessa Cowling on the 21-23 August 2009 in the majestic Cedarberg Mountains of the Western Cape, at a 5 star Relais and Chateaux Lodge, Bushmanskloof. Click here for details.
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, each of which could be considered a special case. After our flock fledged the roost my parents need to help children continued with their establishment of a non profit orphanage for abandoned and vulnerable African children. There are currently 56 children under their care in an ever growing community of children and workers.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO MAKE DONATIONS TO THIS ORPHANAGE?
It certainly is and 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