Gordon Roberts passed away on January 28, age 83. Will miss our phone calls and all the great conversations had over these past few years. He was always so passionate and supportive of the Frank story and it's sad he wont get to see the book done. And doubly so as this year I'm into it, with other work done I now have the space to write the book.
This post is from 2012 ...Rest in Peace Gordon.
The last few weeks I've been looking through Gordon Roberts books, the New Zealand wildlife photographer. His quote on Frank being the inspiration for taking up photography is in my first post. In both books Game Animals of New Zealand and High Country Four Seasons Gordon mentions Frank in the introduction.
I've interviewd Gordon, he's a wealth of knowledge, very passionate about the project and one of my key people for answering any questions I may have on the finer aspects of being a hunter turned wildlife photographer.
In the introduction for Game Animals Gordon writes how he spent a winter's night in the Hunter Valley with Frank and Wattie Cameron. At that time he was early on in his hunting career and hunting professionally for the New Zealand Forestry Service. That night in the hut a discussion started on stalking and photographing wild animals. Gordon maintained all one needed to be a good photographer was to be a good hunter, Frank and Wattie weren't in agreement on this. Camera skills and other attributes came into it.
Gordon soon realised all this with his early years photographing wild animals, but he persevered and also got a lucky break when he was employed as a guide for John Johns the NZFS senior photographer.
He told me his hunting skills and knowledge of tahr country helped him to get the job and working with John set him on the path that led to a successful career as a wildlife photographer. He also said he never forgot that night in the hut with Frank and Wattie and the lively discussion they shared.
I especially love the photos of the tahr in Game Animals, I love all the photos! But my favourite is a shot on page 111 of a bull tahr. He's a very handsome specimen, and is looking directly into the camera, his thick coat swirls about his chest and a ridge of bristly hair sits up on his back, maybe these are indicators that he's clocked Gordon?
The captured movement of the coat adds a dramatic contrast to his fixed gaze and the craggy rock face setting. Its a sublime photo and I find myself turning to that page often to study it and immerse myself in the various textures and atmosphere.
So right now I'm fascinated with these animals, especially after some You Tube searches watching them run up and down unbelievably steep mountain sides with ease. They are true masters and mistresses - love the nannies too - of their lofty domain.
Gordon says photographing tahr is the most demanding due to their challenging alpine habitat and he decided some years ago to focus on these animals. (P8 introduction Game Animals).
The last section of the book shows this commitment to securing stunning shots of tahr in some unbelievably difficult situations and locations. Viewing these fine photographs with many shots showing heads turned to the click of the camera or the animals displaying a posture that indicates they are sensing something just beyond the bush line. I feel as if I'm right there trying hard not to be heard or scented. Stunning.
I borrowed both books from the library, so if you want to see these great photos and haven't they shouldn't be hard to find.
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| I mentioned the Tahr image to Gordon, he sent me a signed photo. Soon to be framed and on the wall! |
