Photographer speaks to Rotary club

The Rotary Club of Umina Beach recently hosted wildlife photography Ms Esther Beaton as guest speaker.

She spoke about her 35 year career as an international wildlife photographer.

"Esther showed us a group of photos from her collection and spoke to us about how she got her start in the field," said club publicity officer Mr Geoff Melville.

"Esther spoke of her first assignment with Australian magazine, Good Weekend.

"She was to cover whales and whale watching in Australia.

"This was in 1988 when whale watching was something new and not as popular as today," Mr Melville said.

"Esther spoke with passion about the good the bad and the ugly in wildlife photography, giving animated descriptions of photoshoots and how difficult they can sometimes be.

"Some of her assignments with National Geographic were highlighted and one in particular involved Mutton Birds in Denmark," Mr Melville said.

"Other subjects included caterpillars, cane toads crocodiles, wasps, and flies.

"Duck hunting was an assignment that Esther was not really happy about photographing as the duck hunters were not happy to be photographed and did their best to discourage her," Mr Melville said.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 2 Sep 2018

Geoff Melville, Rotary Club of Umina Beach