Photographer of the Week: John Gavin
By John Gavin
Newburyport
I discovered my passion for photography by accident - or should I say because of an accident.
When I was 27, I was in a serious car crash. I broke almost every bone in my body and was in double traction for 13 weeks. I spent 7 months in Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester.
While there, I ordered a Pentax camera from Hong Kong and lay in my bed, shooting out the window at a cemetery! I focused on one gravestone; 6 months later, when I was finally wheeled out of the hospital, I had my family take me to the cemetery so I could read the name on the headstone I had been shooting.
Soon after, for some reason I started to notice wildlife. I had a small 135mm lens, but soon bought a 300mm lens. I didn’t know anything about photography at all, but taught myself as best I could. The more interesting things I saw, the more I became hooked. I never had any desire to photograph people. My subjects had to have fur, feathers, or scales. Nothing else interested me at all.
Over the years I got a Nikon camera and some Nikon lenses and was in heaven, making sure to teach myself about wildlife as well as about the camera. I never was involved in wildlife groups or camera clubs. I am a loner, and that is what wildlife photography is all about. It is not a group experience.
I now have gone digital with the help of my daughter, Jennifer. I use a Nikon D80, and have just two lenses: an 80-400mm and an 18-200mm. At this point, that is all I can afford and they have served me well. In my opinion, to capture great wildlife shots, a photographer must have at least a 400mm lens.
What attracts me to this type of photography? Who knows? But wildlife is my whole life. I come alive out in the woods, swamp, or wherever. I am happiest when I am with these wildlife subjects. I don’t always have to be getting images; it is the experience of seeing stuff most people only see on TV. I can’t even begin to relate all the incredible moments I have had with wildlife. If I come home with an image, great. If not, well, that’s okay, too.
I just love being out with all kinds of nature no matter what it is. That is the exciting thing -- when you leave home, you never know what you might see, unlike other kinds of photography. Wildlife is unexpected and cannot be planned.
Stuff pops up when you least expect it and you have to be ready, quite fast. In most cases, you don’t have time to check settings or plan a shot; you have to do it all on the fly. Experience pays off.
Unfortunately, too many people I encounter in the field don’t have a clue about understanding a particular species or its behavior. It looks good, so get an image. You have to study wildlife as much as the camera. I hate to be negative, but since digital cameras came into being, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of photographers literally stalking wildlife and unfairly disturbing them out of ignorance.
For example, one thing that shows me right away that someone is not familiar with wildlife is if their first reaction when they spot an animal or bird is to jump out of the car! Inevitably, the creature runs off or flies away. Remember: a car is an excellent photo blind.
This past winter, there was a snowy owl spotted around here. People came in droves on weekends to see it -- they chased this poor owl all over the place, stressing it out beyond anything I ever saw. I spent 3 months with that bird and saw behavior by so-called photographers that went off the charts. I get pretty angry at that. People have to understand they cannot get prize-winning images like they see in magazines without some expensive long lenses, a lot of understanding, and, more than anything, patience. A good wildlife photographer needs to know when to back off and not pursue the animal. The image is not more important than the animal.
Example: I was spending hours watching another snowy owl when a guy pulled up, shot a few images, then got out of his car and approached the bird to spook it into flight. I asked him why and he claimed he had to get to a bathroom and didn’t have time to wait for the bird to fly off. I almost hit him. Birds in winter are stressed out already and to keep spooking them is bad, period.
I spend most of my time on Plum Island and the surrounding area. I have been going there for 30 years. Back when I was working I used to go to northern Maine twice a year to work on moose and other deep woods species.
My daughter lives in Idaho, and when I can afford it I go out there. We team up like partners and shoot ‘til we drop. We go to the Tetons and Yellowstone in the off-season, as well as some Idaho locations. We have the same equipment!
I am in my twilight years, so dreams of traveling to faraway places for wildlife photography escape me. I went to Kenya years ago and that was the highlight of my life. I could write a book about that -- I had to use a crutch all over the country! In fact, one of my guides there is a very close friend to this day, and named his first son after me. Quite an honor for a Maasai. I have been to the Everglades a few times.
Unfortunately, I have a lot of health problems, from arthritis (and joint replacements) to pulmonary and cornea issues. So I am not in the best of shape to be chasing wildlife. It has limited my activity, but I still go out to take photographs almost daily. My obsession cannot be deterred. I still think the way I did when I was 30.
My daughter is a huge inspiration to me. She got into this all on her own without any prodding from me and she is incredible. Good wildlife photographers have a natural talent that in most cases cannot be taught. You either have that “eye” and become excellent, or you don’t and become a “weekend warrior” who is able to get some good stuff from time to time.
I also have give credit to two people who have been of great help to me: Bob Secatori (a biologist) and Sue McGrath of the Newburyport Birders.
Over the years, I have laid in swamps for hours, been chased by moose, beaten by a swan, and bitten by insects so badly that I had to swat them out of the camera while changing film. I could tell you a million stories over the years of “uncomfortable” filming experiences -- and I would not change one of them.
 | About John John Gavin grew up in Manchester (Mass.) and moved to Newburyport in 1987 to be close to his beloved Plum Island. His wife Pat is a nurse at Union Hospital. His disability payments make it impossible for him to afford better gear, but he’s not complaining: “I have done quite well for what I have." |
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Awesome story, John. Shooting wildlife is also a passion of mine and I wholeheartedly concur with your assessment of some photographers who disturb things in nature in order to get a shot.
Your photos are beautiful and I loved reading your story.
awesome
Wow. Every one of these photos is just breathtaking.
John's photo essay is beautiful. I especially loved the first picture.
sir, your photos took my breath away.
Stunning. True talent.
great story John, and pics as well.
Great story and great stuff.
You would enjoy Meritt Island Wildlife Refuge and Blackpoint wildlife drive near Titusville Florida.
Very nice, any of your family ?
Beautiful pictures. I have to laugh because when I first saw the Bohemian Waxwing, which I had never seen before, I didn't realize it has something in its mouth. I thought that was part of its beak. Senior eye moment, I guess. Wonderful story. Thank you.
Kudos to John, for his understanding and care for his subjects. To paraphrase a famed nature photographer, John Shaw, "To become a good nature photographer, you must first be a good naturalist."
In fact, that applies to photographing any subject. Photography is a form of visual communcation. With verbal communication, a speaker who knows a subject well has a better chance of getting his/her message across. The same holds true for a photographer.
fantastic story and shots, wish I had the patience to teach myself
Inspiring! Great story.
Terrific photos and terrific story. I'm taking up photography as my retirement hobby and I'm shooting wildlife at our winter home in So. Florida. I'll take John's comments to heart and not stress the animals.
Beautiful and you're right nature is the best subject...I once was out on a walk and saw a tree full of waxwings when I had no idea what they were, I originally thought is this an all-female flock of cardinals, it was a tree with berries like the one in the shot and they were amazing, I wish I had a camera then although capturing an image and ending up with art like this is rare indeed.
Hermosas fotografias, los colores, las escenas, la naturaleza, todo en el momento exacto. Una manera hermosa de mostrar al mundo entero la importancia de cuidar el planeta Tierra y así poder conservar nuestro patrimonio natural a traves del cultural.
¡¡Excelente trabajo John Gavin!!
Rough translation:
Beautiful pictures, colors, scenes, nature, everything in the moment. A beautiful way to show the entire world the importance of caring for the Earth so as to preserve our natural heritage through culture.
Great job John Gavin!
I enjoyed the pics and the stories very much. I appreciate the fact that he goes all out to not disturb his subjects.
Great photos as always with you. It is such a thrill to see Jen following in your "footsteps".
John, your pictures are just incredible. I am a native of Newburyport who has moved north to Woodsville, NH to serve two churches here. I also love birds and wanted so much to see a bohemian waxwing. So, here I am up North where they can be seen frequently (I am told) and one shows up in Newburyport! My son forwarded your site to me and I am so thankful. Blessings, John.
John! Thanks for making my day. Your photos are inspirational and your respect for your subjects is clear as day. Wishing you many more years of health and shooting.
What talent, John! Thank you for sharing these images. I promote tourism to Essex County and am a strong advocate for sustainability. We are so lucky to have these beautiful creatures that live in or stop by the North of Boston region on their migration - grateful you could capture the moment without altering their existence. Living in West Newbury and kayaking around Plum Island, I come across all kinds of "critters" and tell my colleagues about these various sightings. Glad to be able to show them your images. Keep up the great work.
Wonderful photos and sentiments. I also have no to little interest in people as subjects; I laughed out loud when I read that. I love nature and architectural shots (buildings of natural media).
******I believe photography should be about the "captured" moment, not of the "forced" moment, and even when people do make it into the picture, their expressions and moments should be captured as well, those are the best pictures! People can get "spooked" too much, also.********
You also inspired me to save for a longer lens. But there's also a macro lens savings account (I love bugs), so we'll see which one wins out!
Wonderful ! Thanks for respecting the animals too =
I am the lucky one because John is my brother-in-law and his beautiful photos hang in my home. To you, personally, John, you know how much I admire you! I will never tire of looking at your work. I am so proud of you. I am thoroughly enjoying the lovely comments made by so many people. What a great thing to see all this recognition. You deserve it.
WOW!!! Some great shots. I hope I will be anle to get some like that as soon as I take some photography classes..
These images belong in National Geographic. All the photographs are beautiful, but that image of the Snowy Owl -- so well camouflaged among the tiny dead leaves of a bush in winter hibernation -- is incredible. Her wing plumage shows silhouettes of another flock of birds in flight. So cool.
Stunningly beautiful! Great work and congratulations, John.
Thanks for sharing the story and photos John! As an amateur wildlife photographer, I understand the terrific feeling of studying the subjects and being out in nature - it's quite a feeling. As for your last comment about Lamar valley - I couldn't agree more.
Take care and keep shooting.
Absolutely beautiful images that made me smile..love the cedar waxwing and seeing the feathery 'whiskers' of the snowy owl. I hope your photos will be published in a book. Thanks for sharing!
Not sure which impressed me more: the story or the photos. Thank you for sharing, and all the best.
John - I've been admiring your work from afar - Idaho - for quite some time. You always impress and inspire me. I'm so glad you are able to pursue your passion!
John - I've been admiring your work from afar - Idaho - for quite some time. You always impress and inspire me. I'm so glad you are able to pursue your passion!
To think that John and I wasted several years back in the late 60s while at Vandenberg AFB playing golf instead of photographing the wildlife on base is painfull!
Great shots, my friend; keep it up.
What I aspire to! Very inspirational.
From John Gavin:
I want to say THANKS to all of you for your kind words. I am stunned at the response and with deep humility I can tell you I appreciate it more than you know. I never expected this at all.
There are lot better wildlife photographers out there than me, but if any of my words help protect wildlife and make people think first, then it was worth it.
Thanks again.
While your pictures are wonderful, you appreciate and make the most of what you've got, understanding that a great photographer doesn't need the most up-to-date sophisticated equipment to capture an impressive image. Hooray, both for your images and your attitude!
John, your photography is terrific, and I agree with you about the snowy owl for I have seen it first-hand at the refuge.
Wow! Thanks for sharing your beautiful images of nature. Those photos make me appreciate the beauty of our area even more.
John, great photos and great story. Everyone who wants to shoot wildlife should read your story to get an understanding about not stressing out animals and to be patient, but to get out as often as possible, even if it is in your own back yard.
The wife and I enjoy photography as our hobby. We take our cameras everywhere we go, and we seem to be in the right place at the right time to see something wonderful in nature. There are many times we do not take pictures, just enjoy the day.
We have some great shots of animals. We live in Idaho; we visit the Tetons and Yellowstone very often -- who knows, we might have crossed paths at one tine or another. Lamar Valley is a great place. Keep up the great work.
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