Paul Blackley - Isle of Wight Wildlife Photographer

My passion for wildlife inspires my photography and is a big part of who I am; one of my most memorable experiences is working with Project Jonah on the South Island of New Zealand to rescue Pilot Whales that had stranded themselves on the beach. I helped save 43 whales and it is something I will never forget. Looking into a whale’s eye and seeing it look right back at me was amazing. The whale must have been very frightened, but the look in its eye seemed to be a look of trust. I aspire to be able to capture that look with my camera so others may be able to experience what I felt. I have also been very lucky to have surfed and swam with Dolphins on numerous occasions.

I am, and have been a member of several Conservation Trusts for many years and have also been known to run into the sea at Compton Bay in the middle of winter to rescue a guillemot covered in oil and take it across the Island to the RSPCA.

We live on a beautiful planet that we share with many other animals. I hope that in my photography I portray the natural beauty around us and in doing so remind everyone how lucky we are to share this environment with such an incredible diversity of species.

I have also been a surfer for over 30 years and during the early 1990's travelled to many places around the globe. In recent years it has been my photography that has brought me back to the sea and I enjoy photographing many water sports.

I had my first exhibition this year at Dimbola during May and June, featuring wildlife from the Isle of Wight. I also have a selection of my work on display and for sale at Afton Park Nursery near Freshwater Bay. I have been published in a number of newspapers/magazines and last year one of my images was used for a 2008 calendar with proceeds going to the 'Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust'.

I am a qualified Microsoft Office Instructor and in the last 2 years I have undertaken some voluntary teaching at West Wight Training Centre on the Isle of Wight. Recently I developed and led an introduction to photography workshop at the centre.

I have been influenced by the work of Mark Carwardine, Heather Angel and Flip Nicklin.

If you enjoy looking at my photographs please let me know. Any feedback is very much appreciated and you can leave me a message by using the contact screen.

Regards

Paul