What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
I’ve been slowly collating more of a portfolio of landscape, underwater and wildlife photography. As an ecologist, I’m fortunate that I can take my cameras out into the field as part of my work while surveying for fauna and flora, and I try to capitalise on this where I can. I’m hoping to document more endangered species and how they interact with their environments. I’ve got a trip booked to the reef in a few months’ time and hoping I get some shots worth adding to a portfolio.
What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
I’ve become a lot more aware of my surroundings, I’d say. Whether that’s listening for bird calls, scouring the undergrowth for a plant or some coral for a nudibranch, you begin to notice a lot more. It slows you down and you find things you wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s something I’d like to continue getting better at.
What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
I often feel rushed when I’m taking photos. A bit of stress that I’ll miss the moment and the subject might move on or the conditions will change. I’ve ruined a few photos feeling this way, but it’s a good learning curve.
Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
I think many people have had similar conversations when shooting film, but getting to use an old diving camera has sparked plenty of conversations. It’s gratifying to get to talk about my Nikonos-V with people who used to dive with them pre-digital.
What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
Has to be Honto in Brisbane.
If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
Title maybe It’s the humidity that kills you . Soundtrack by Violent Soho.
Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
My favourite Instagram account (that unfortunately no longer exists) was @luke.and.elle, if I remember correctly. It’s been gone a while now, but their photos were inspiring.
Other than that, it would have to be Robert Walwyn. His work with aerochrome, HIE, and the photos he’s taken of the regrowth after the bushfires is awe-inspiring —go check him out!
I’m Angus, an ecologist based in Brisbane, Australia. I’ve been taking photos on film for about 8 or 9 years now and started using my parents’ old Minolta Dynax from the 90s, but have transitioned to shooting on a Nikon F5 and a Nikonos-V.