A CHANCE conversation that led to a two-and-a-half year project culminating in the publication of a book will be the subject of a talk at The Witham this month.
Barnard Castle-based photographer David Williams will take to the stage in a one-off event on Tuesday, January 29, at 7.30pm, when he gives a talk about how his collaborative coffee table book, A Wild Life, came about.
Mr Williams, a passionate photographer for more than 40 years, said: “I had been exhibiting at The Witham and Sir Anthony Milbank saw a picture I was showing. He said he would like to record everything on his estate.
“Unfortunately, he passed away about nine months into the project. However the family said they wanted to go ahead and it turned into more of a commemoration of his conservation activities.
“I spent a good year on the estate capturing the photographs and there are only a few species I didn’t manage to find. All the words in the book are Sir Anthony’s and there are beautiful illustrations by his widow, Belinda.”
Audience members will get the opportunity to view some of the “behind the scenes” images which didn’t make it into the book. Mr Williams will also bring along a pre-production copy of the stunning 160-page hardback book, which documents the wildlife, especially bird life, living in and around the Barningham Estate.
Since completing the book Mr Williams has been awarded a fellowship with the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers. He added: “The talk will also be about how I set up the shots and the equipment I used but with a bit of humour added in for instance how I used a plank of wood to get some shots.”
All the money raised from the event, including any sales from photographs on the night, Mr Williams said will go towards the fundraising pot for The Witham. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased via The Witham.
