About
2022 in South Africa’s Timbavati leading a photography safari for Penda Photo Tours.
About
Alan Hewitt
I am a freelance wildlife photographer, filmmaker, writer, podcaster and photography safari leader based in Northumberland in the United Kingdom.
My appreciation and fascination of wildlife leads me to document and share the natural world we live in. I am particularly interested in trying to photograph wildlife in a way that tells a natural history story. From my favourite local patch, The Farne Islands to the birds and mammals of Sub-Saharan Africa, I am always amazed by our wildlife and natural history.
Throughout 2020 to 2023, I was an official FUJIFILM UK X-Photographer and I continue to work with them as an ambassador. I am also an ambassador for specialist filter manufacturer, Formatt-Hitech.
In 2020 I consolidated my photography tours with my friend and business partner Kaleel Zibe to our dedicated African Photography Safaris website. I also lead and guide photography safaris for Penda Photo Tours.
I welcome commissions for photography and filmmaking assignments, workshop/tour leading and written articles.
Red-billed oxpecker on board a zebra, photographed in South Africa’s Greater Kruger.
About
In the Camera Bag
I use Fujifilm cameras and lenses, the X-H2S, X-H1 and X-T2 with the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm, XF150-600mmXF, XF50-140mm f/2.8 and XF 18-55mm, plus the 1.4x teleconverter. I’ve also had extensive use of the X-T3, X-T4 and XH2 plus the XF200mm and XF10-24mm lenses.
I’ve enjoyed working with the the medium format GFX50s and GFX100s with the GF250mm f/4, GF32-64mm.
I use a 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 tripod and Alan 2.0 monopods. Both are incredibly lightweight but sturdy with huge load ratings.
Like most photographers, I have a large collection of camera bags and I’m yet to really find one that fits all of my requirements. I use a ThinkTank Airport Commuter for travelling with gear, especially on flights, and a Manfrotto RedBee-210 ‘in the field’.
I often use graduated filters when photographing wildlife in a wider context. My filters of choice are the Firecrest Ultra range from Formatt-Hitech for their incredible colour neutrality and sharpness. In May 2019 I accepted an invitation to become a brand ambassador for Formatt-Hitech filters.
More recently in 2020, I’ve started to move in to filmmaking projects. The Fujifilm cameras I use give me what I need with features such as 4k footage and F-log capability. But, not unlike stills photography, there’s a whole host of accessories needed to get the best results.
For filmmaking I use a manfrotto fluid video tripod head, an Atomos Shinobi external monitor, Zoom H4N multi-track audio recorder, a Smallrig camera cage and long-lens support with various attachements and a Formatt-Hitech Firecrest Ultra 3 stop ND filter.
About
Ethics
As a responsible and conservation-minded photographer, I am committed to a number of ethical standards in my photography.
First and foremost, the welfare of subjects always takes priority over the photograph.The vast majority of my photographs are of wild subjects. Where this is not the case, I try to point out the circumstances surrounding the photograph.
I do not use live bait or other bait which may harm or adversley affect the behaviour or well-being of an animal. I do not not use sound lures to attract or distract animals.
I put a great deal of effort into learning about the the animals I photograph and the habitat I work in. This fieldcraft helps me avoid any actions which may cause distress or harm to the animals or place myself or those with me in any danger.
While processing my photographs I enhance and ‘fine-tune’ only. I do not use any digital manipulation in such a way to misrepresent the subject or its habitat and environment. I believe wildlife photography should exist to form a natural history record and that carries an implicit expectation that the photograph is a depiction of a scene witnessed and experienced in nature by the photographer.
Bohemian waxing, a rare winter visitor to Northumberland.
