Behind the Lens with Jeff Penfold

Jeff Penfold has been a member of Sussex Wildlife Trust for a couple of years now. We caught up with him to hear about his wildlife photography.

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into wildlife photography

I live in Bexhill with my wife Mary. I worked as a Chartered Building Surveyor, but took early retirement in 2014. I've always been an outdoors person and enjoyed country walks. We went on a cruise in 2015 and met a couple who were keen photographers. When I got back, I bought a camera and become increasingly interested in photography, eventually turning to wildlife as a subject matter. We have Coombe Valley nature reserve on our doorstep, and I visit there regularly, so that became a good place to take the camera.

Do you have a favourite spot other than Coombe Valley?

Yes, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, by way of Pett Level and Winchelsea beach. There's always something that draws me to Rye Harbour. It doesn't matter what time of year it is. I go several times a month. I never come away disappointed. My favourite has come to be the 'resident' Kingfisher outside the Discovery Centre. I'm part of a local What's App group for birders so I get an alert if something interesting has been spotted, such as the Spoonbill. I hopped straight in my car!

What equipment do you use, in brief?

Until a couple of years ago, it was a Nikon with a range of lenses. But I jumped to a Sony RX10IV bridge camera and I've never looked back. A gamechanger. It's got a built in zoom lens and it's not too heavy. 

What’s your favourite shot and why?

This one of a Kestrel. It came out of the blue. I was at Knepp photographing the Storks and it photobombed them, hovering 30 metres away. 

What are you trying to communicate with your photographs?

I am so pleased when people seem to respond well to my photographs. Through my daughter Katy I ended up getting involved with Charity For Kids in Hastings. They fundraise to buy equipment for disabled children. I produce calendars every year to help raise money for them and they go down well. 

Any tips?

Relax and enjoy your surroundings. Don't let technology dictate to you. Learn as you go. My work was so technical, I no longer want to be a slave to it.