Marine & Natural History Photography student shortlisted for student photographer award
26 July 2024
Harvey Pringle – a student on Marine & Natural History Photography (MNHP) – has been shortlisted for the UNiDAYS Student Photographer of the Year award.
His submitted image, The Aerial Escapist, features a stunning shot of a crested gecko leaping between plants. Harvey travelled to London to attend the exhibition, which gave him a chance to network with fellow photographers and competition judge Matt Porteous.
We caught up with Harvey to discuss the story behind his image and his progress on the course so far.
Congratulations on being shortlisted for a UNiDAYS Student Photographer of the Year award. How did it feel to get your work recognised?
I’ve been somewhat sceptical about the value of entering competitions in the past, but I now fully understand the benefits. This was my first-ever competition entry and being shortlisted among the final 24 images out of 1,000 entries was incredibly rewarding. Previously, I lacked confidence and belief in my own work, so seeing my image succeed provided a significant boost to my self-confidence. Travelling to London with my mum to see the exhibition in person was a truly unforgettable experience, too.
Can you tell us about how you captured the image?
Capturing the final image required numerous attempts. I contacted local reptile shops, keepers, breeders, and a veterinary college to gain access to a variety of geckos. Since the photographed gecko was captive, the image had to be taken indoors to ensure the animal's safety. Consequently, I exercised creative licence by photographing a bush outside my university accommodation. This image was then used in post-production and overlaid in the background. The editing process took a full day to ensure the background appeared as realistic as possible and to achieve a seamless transition between the two images.
The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was working with a live animal. I conducted the shoots alone, without an assistant. Consequently, I had to set up the camera on a tripod and use a remote trigger to allow me to focus solely on the animal. Throughout the shoot, I constantly monitored the animal's well-being to ensure it was not under any stress. Before photographing the animal, I took test shots using my hand to minimise the amount of time the animal had to be handled.
More images above from Harvey's The Geckos of New Caledonia portfolio.
What are the most important skills you learned on MNHP that helped you get the winning shots?
The course has equipped me with a range of technical and personal skills essential for capturing the shortlisted image. The most significant skill I have gained so far is the ability to convey scientific information from reliable sources, such as research papers, in an engaging and digestible manner. Another important skill I have developed is the ability to self-reflect and critique my own work. For example, it took several shoots to capture this shot - after each session, I would review my images and identify areas for improvement. This iterative process continued until I was satisfied with the final result.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the MNHP lecturers for their guidance and support throughout this academic year, particularly Tim Cockerill, the module leader for the portfolio this image was taken for.
What was it like to meet award-winning photographer Matt Porteous? Are you a fan of his work?
I have followed Matt Porteous’ work for a considerable time and meeting him in person was an incredible experience. The competition encompassed all areas of photography, and my entry was the only shortlisted natural history photograph. As a wildlife photographer himself, Matt was particularly interested in the setup of my shot and appreciated the time and effort involved in capturing it. We also discussed scuba diving and freediving within the industry, as well as the MNHP degree at Falmouth , particularly the underwater module. I got a business card and an Instagram follow from him, which was great!
This experience highlighted the significant benefit of entering competitions - they provide the opportunity to network with professionals in your industry.
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