Going from fishing in Somerset to award-winning photography

Brian lives in the West Country, a place he has been all his life. His passion for photography began when he went fishing on the Somerset Levels.

"I was more interested in the wildlife I saw rather than the actual fishing so I sold my fishing gear for a EOS5000 with an assortment of lenses and I went around the West Country taking pictures."

Brain bought his professional equipment in 2000 and he's taken pictures in the UK ever since.

"There's too much to photograph in the UK to go abroad. I know where the deer are, where the owls will be. I don't have that knowledge abroad. I'm going to Cornwall then 2 months later I will be in Scotland with the National Trust."

Even though he has a wide collection of wildlife pictures and he still continues to pursue this career he has also turned his attentions to shooting sports.

"I do country sports photography, shooting pictures mostly. I went along to take pictures of my friends and I approached sports magazines with the pictures and they used them. I take pictures of deer, dogs going after pheasants, people shooting - that sort of thing."

Brian sells his work to country publications and writes for photographic magazines and newspapers.

The growth of digital photography helped sway Brian to covering shooting sports as it was something not many other photographers were doing at the time.

"People can now take great pictures for a few hundred quid, it's getting harder for the professionals. You need to find a niche and not many do shooting sports."

You also need to find some patience and be prepared to practise lots as you can spend hours waiting for the perfect shot and when it finally comes, you need to be prepared.

"Going out and taking photographs is much better than going on a course. You're better off going out there and doing it rather than sitting behind a desk."

Stamina would also be good to have, as when you're walking long distances carrying heavy equipment it can take its toll on you.

It doesn't matter if Brian is going to photograph deer or a group of people out shooting, planning is the key to a successful trip.

"I do plenty of research. I go to see the area and phone people to make sure I'm there at the right time. You don't want to be wasting time. Planning is the key, you can get the occasional off the cuff shots but planning is the best way to go. Remember to pack the right equipment too as if you're somewhere like the Scottish Mountains the weather can turn quickly so I always take two mobile phones on different networks, a first aid kit and a GPS system just in case."

A friendly smile and an approachable persona will make your job ten times easier than if you're rude to people. Communication is the key to creating contacts and if you're friendly they're more likely to help you out. Brian makes contacts through his website and while he's out taking photographs: "Eventually people to start to recognise you and these are the people who will phone me up to tell me there are some deer in a certain place or some other animal elsewhere."

Once you know where the animals are you need to be able to get close to them and for that you will need camouflage gear, hides and long lenses.

"I use Canon lenses, 12mm up to a 600mm, the 600mm f/4 is my favourite and the heaviest! Long lenses create the best wildlife pictures as you can get close to the subject without physically moving."

Morning or evening is the best time to photograph wildlife as the light isn't as harsh as it is at midday. Overcast days are also perfect as the light is even. You also need movements in your pictures, after all an action picture looks awful with frozen legs.

"For movement select a lower shutter speed I also use in camera focusing points and pick the aperture focus point nearest to the subjects eye and I then make sure I am shooting on a high enough shutter speed."

Remember you may need a license to take photographs of certain animals like owls.

"I applied for a license to get close to some Barn Owls. I hid in a scrap car on a farm and waited patiently for the right shot- I got one of an owl carrying a mouse and it's turned out to be my favourite picture."

Brain converts his RAW shots in Lightroom and then sharpens, changes the colour balance and reduces noise in post-production.

"I don't add or delete anything. I believe it's best to get it right in camera. If I am somewhere and something is in the way, like a branch I will move myself rather than crop it out later in Photoshop. Too many people rely on a computer to make an image right now. It takes the skill out of photography. I much prefer to improve my technique in camera. Digital is brilliant for what I do as I can look back instantly and check the exposure. I can also adjust the ISO for every image which is particularly good in low light, especially if the sun comes out suddenly. Gone are the days when I would have had to swap over the film! Digital is a big landmark for photography. The outlays are cheaper, you can send images instantly to people and don't forget the usefulness of a website."

Of course to spend hours away from home waiting for the perfect picture you must have a very patient and understanding family and Brian would like to thank his wife Ellie and son Alex for their patience over the years.

"All I can say is just go out there and do it. Learn your subject and learn it well. See your mistakes as learning curves and most of all just enjoy it.

Brian has an image library that will be launched in a months time. Visit the site for more information: riflephoto.

You can visit Brian's website: Brian Phipps.