Behind the Lens - Stephen Redden

Tell us a bit about yourself

I'm 58 years old and live in Southwick. I work for Southern Water as a network inspector looking after the clean water pipe network. Any spare time is mostly spent out with my camera, although spending time with the family is always fun, and combining the two even better.

 How long have you been a member of the Trust?

For around four years, but I have been visiting Woods Mill for much longer.

Where are your favourite reserves to visit?

Woods Mill is probably the favourite as it is the closest to us, which means I'm able to get out early in the morning before work. Early mornings in spring are my favourite times to get there. I particularly like to photograph birds. 

When did you get into wildlife photography?

Covid is to thank for that, as during lockdown, the best places to go out and still be isolated were the open spaces like Woods Mill, and that is when I first started to really pay attention to the wildlife around me. Birds are my favourite subject to photograph.

What equipment do you use, in brief?

I use a Canon R6 MII and a Canon R7, with 100-500 f4.4-71Lis USM lens.

What’s your favourite photo and why?

The Fox. It was taken in the street outside our home and it was one of those moments when you lock eyes with a beautiful wild animal and I was just lucky to have the camera with me.

See more of Stephen's photos on Instagram @yarnwildandfree