Behind the Lens with Paul Parsons

Emma Chaplin
, 17 June 2024
Behind the Lens with Paul Parsons
Sand Martins © Paul Parsons

We caught up with Paul Parsons to ask him about his wildlife and marine photography. All of these photos were taken in Sussex - it's very important to him to show what amazing wildlife, and in particular, marine wildlife, we have here.  

Tell us a bit about yourself

60 years ago, I was born in Shoreham-by-sea and have always lived in West Sussex. Lancing, Shoreham, Worthing and now Sompting, up on the South Downs.

I have run a small decorating business for the last 35 years, and so working for myself has given me the flexibility to chase the tides and ideal sea conditions for my marine life photography.

Sprat swoosh © Paul Parsons
Sprat swoosh © Paul Parsons

When and why did you first develop an interest in wildlife photography?

As a kid, I always loved being in the sea. Snorkelling on holidays or finding creatures along the local beach at low tide. My Grandad, Les, used to push his shrimp net along the shallows and I would snorkel along behind him, studying the little flat fish and crabs he discarded from his net.

20 years later, I found out that you could actually learn to scuba dive and in this country too. As soon as I was learning to dive, I felt the need to photograph everything I was seeing and I wasn't even a photographer back then. It was the way light appeared underwater that inspired me to save up for a camera. Then with each dive, I realised that the wildlife was quite happy to tolerate my presence. I could watch and study the creatures up close and fine tune my photography.

I spent my first years diving off the beach at Worthing. Shallow beach dives gave me a couple of hours dive time underwater to explore and observe wildlife, both night and day. It was very exciting to see what lived a stone's throw off our beach.

Red Mason Bee © Paul Parsons
Red Mason Bee © Paul Parsons

What are your favourite subjects to photograph?

Underwater, my favourite subjects are Cuttlefish and watching their behaviour.

On land, I enjoy spotting birds of prey, especially Owls.

I am finding that the terrestrial wildlife is not quite so easy to approach. Many creatures are cautious and flee once they are aware of your presence. Being underwater you become part of the aquatic environment. Moving slowly, most underwater species will carry on about their business and only a few may consider you a threat.

Cuttlefish © Paul Parsons
Cuttlefish © Paul Parsons

Any near misses?

One evening on Brighton beach, we entered a calm sea at sunset. I walked into the water to put on my fins. As I put my head beneath the surface, I was surrounded by a thick sweeping ball of Sprats. The low sunlight was sparkling through the water and the light rays from the orange surface were reflecting on the silver fish. The Sprats were under attack from a gang of Sea Bass and so they darted around me. I called out to my buddy to look beneath the surface but the moment was soon over. I couldn't get a photo of the spectacle as the cameras were set up for macro that night, but what a sight to see.

Jewel Anemone © Paul Parsons
Jewel Anemone © Paul Parsons

What equipment do you use, in brief?

I have used Nikon cameras since I started. I now also use OM Systems due to the advanced technology they have been pioneering. The big brands are only now just catching up. The OM1 was National Geographic's wildlife camera of the year, last year.

I started my photographic days with 36 frames on a roll of slide film that would take a week to be processed and returned, to sometimes find you had messed up your images.

I enjoy using the wide angle action cameras in rock pools, ponds and rivers. Also the obligatory use of my mobile phone camera for scenes and still life.

Barn Owl © Paul Parsons
Barn Owl © Paul Parsons

Do you have a favourite?

When I look back at my images, I can usually recall the dive or the build up of the final images. There are lots of little stories to go behind the images so many photos are my favourites.

Moorhens © Paul Parsons
Moorhens © Paul Parsons

Has anything unexpected happened when you've been out with your camera?

On a Shoreham night dive, my camera was grabbed by a 30cm Squid, right in front of my face. We were eye-to-eye until it released the camera and jetted off. On my own in dark water, watching a Basking Shark looming towards me. The dorsal fin getting bigger and bigger...

Any tips?

There is so much help and advice on YouTube these days. Everything has been covered.

Practice your shots and rehearse your camera layout. Stay cool when you find that magic moment and don't forget to enjoy your surroundings.

See more of Paul's work by following him on Facebook 

Paul Parsons by Paul Parsons!
Paul Parsons by Paul Parsons!
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Comments

  • Madeleine Palmer:

    Fabulous interesting photography on land and sea. The detailed shots are so timely and artistic.

    Paul has a special eye and talent for capturing the right moment for taking the photograph.

    Congratulations Paul.

    21 Jun 2024 20:53:00

  • Madeleine Palmer:

    Fabulous interesting photography on land and sea. The detailed shots are so timely and artistic.

    Paul has a special eye and talent for capturing the right moment for taking the photograph.

    Congratulations Paul.

    23 Jun 2024 12:52:00

  • Dominic Thomas Feely:

    beautiful,
    more like these please,
    they make me feel happy

    04 Jul 2024 17:50:00

  • James Weaver:

    Lovely shots Paul. I particularly like to photograph butterflies but anything entomological interests me. Good luck in your endeavours. Jim

    04 Jul 2024 19:52:00

  • Deborah Hale:

    Wonderful photos!

    05 Jul 2024 08:20:00

  • Pam Kelly:

    These are beautiful. Thank you.

    05 Jul 2024 15:01:00

  • Helen Stiles:

    Thank you Paul for sharing your photos, they are amazing.

    06 Jul 2024 07:28:00

  • Peter George Trigwell:

    Brilliant photographs.Especially the owl.

    06 Jul 2024 08:49:00

  • Ton Lord:

    A side of you I didn’t know about Jelly! Great to know you love nature as much as we do, and I feel inspired to get out and take more photographs!

    06 Jul 2024 20:28:00

  • Karen Fielding:

    Wonderful !

    07 Jul 2024 07:42:00

  • Vicki:

    Beautiful pictures, what patience!

    08 Jul 2024 12:06:00

  • Mark Andrews:

    Wow ! Stunning photos . Love the sprat whoosh ! Good enough to win the Countryfile competition…?!
    Cheers,
    Mark

    09 Jul 2024 19:45:00

  • Tessa:

    Really interesting and fascinating article and amazing photographs. We tend to forget that there’s really exciting wildlife on our doorstep. I particularly liked the photo of the cuttlefish.

    10 Jul 2024 18:33:00

  • Coralie:

    What wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing them!

    13 Jul 2024 09:14:00

  • Paul Parsons:

    Thank you all for your kind comments. They are very much appreciated.
    I have enjoyed photographing our Sussex Marine life for many years and I am pleased to be able to share them publicly with the Sussex Wildlife Trust. I am always hoping to get a website/blog up and running but making the time is proving a challenge . I always find time to take more photos though..

    19 Jul 2024 12:32:00

  • Beryl Ferrers-Guy:

    supeurb photography – much appreciated – well done!

    21 Jul 2024 15:52:00

  • Paul Parsons:

    If you are interested, I am now running a Facebook page with a mixture of my photographic images.
    https://www.facebook.com/share/VJn42XEeQrMjcPWM/

    06 Oct 2024 21:23:16

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