Andy Atkins
@andyatkins.bsky.social
Interested in rational thinking and evidence-based conclusions regardless of where, who, or when they come from. Weird combo of analyst/strategist bod and part-time pro photographer. Trustee at Rural Arts. RUSI Member.
The special on today's photographic menu is Lapwing, aka Green Plover, Peewit, etc. All images taken this week on the moors over Wensleydale. IMO, one of the hardest, but most rewarding, birds to capture in flight. #birds #lapwing #wensleydale #nikonz8
April 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The special on today's photographic menu is Lapwing, aka Green Plover, Peewit, etc. All images taken this week on the moors over Wensleydale. IMO, one of the hardest, but most rewarding, birds to capture in flight. #birds #lapwing #wensleydale #nikonz8
Another from yesterday's dawn outing above Wensleydale. This one from when the lek was dispersing, so no display feathers, but a lovely warm light from the early sun on this male Black Grouse. Again, image taken from vehicle at distance with a long lens! #birds #blackgrouse #nikonphotography
April 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Another from yesterday's dawn outing above Wensleydale. This one from when the lek was dispersing, so no display feathers, but a lovely warm light from the early sun on this male Black Grouse. Again, image taken from vehicle at distance with a long lens! #birds #blackgrouse #nikonphotography
#Wensleydale was full of mist after dawn this morning but before that, on the dale tops, it was glorious and the #BlackGrouse lek was in full swing. Note: parked well off the lekking ground before dawn and images taken with a big lens from the car. #birds #nikonschool
April 8, 2025 at 3:23 PM
#Wensleydale was full of mist after dawn this morning but before that, on the dale tops, it was glorious and the #BlackGrouse lek was in full swing. Note: parked well off the lekking ground before dawn and images taken with a big lens from the car. #birds #nikonschool
I'll be appearing at Tennants Spring Fair in Leyburn, alongside a host of other arty and crafty types. It's a good half-day out in Wensleydale so why not pop May 3rd in your diary. #craftfairs
April 5, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I'll be appearing at Tennants Spring Fair in Leyburn, alongside a host of other arty and crafty types. It's a good half-day out in Wensleydale so why not pop May 3rd in your diary. #craftfairs
I led a 1-2-1 bird photography workshop yesterday at the excellent WWTWashington. Unfortunately, my client's camera malfunctioned within minutes of arriving, leaving them to cope with my unfamiliar NIkon Z8 all day. I've processed a bunch of their images and I think they did a great job. @nikon
April 4, 2025 at 2:53 PM
I led a 1-2-1 bird photography workshop yesterday at the excellent WWTWashington. Unfortunately, my client's camera malfunctioned within minutes of arriving, leaving them to cope with my unfamiliar NIkon Z8 all day. I've processed a bunch of their images and I think they did a great job. @nikon
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of going to the Bardsey Beer Festival. It was strictly a couple of beers for me, though, as I was there to photograph a mate's band. An unusual commission for me, but technically challenging and a lot of fun. Anyway, here are the exceptional Reggie & the Screamers!
March 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of going to the Bardsey Beer Festival. It was strictly a couple of beers for me, though, as I was there to photograph a mate's band. An unusual commission for me, but technically challenging and a lot of fun. Anyway, here are the exceptional Reggie & the Screamers!
On Monday night, I'll be speaking at the small, but talented, Wensleydale Camera Club. Their chosen talk is my Summit to Sea odyssey that winds down from the Dolomites to Venice by way of Garda, Verona and a few other places. Happily, they meet in a pub function room! #cameraclubs
March 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
On Monday night, I'll be speaking at the small, but talented, Wensleydale Camera Club. Their chosen talk is my Summit to Sea odyssey that winds down from the Dolomites to Venice by way of Garda, Verona and a few other places. Happily, they meet in a pub function room! #cameraclubs
A shout-out to anyone interested in learning bird photography or creative outdoor photography that I've a small number of places left on 2 April workshops. Just head to andrew-atkins.com where you'll find links to the workshops on CraftCourses. #photoworkshops
March 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A shout-out to anyone interested in learning bird photography or creative outdoor photography that I've a small number of places left on 2 April workshops. Just head to andrew-atkins.com where you'll find links to the workshops on CraftCourses. #photoworkshops
When it comes to highlighting their successes, some creatives are really on the ball. Sometimes, I forget the ball even exists. This ICM image, called Journey's End, was selected by Aire Place Studios for the 5th annual Print It! gallery show and book. It's on now at Mill Gallery, Leeds. #whoop
March 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
When it comes to highlighting their successes, some creatives are really on the ball. Sometimes, I forget the ball even exists. This ICM image, called Journey's End, was selected by Aire Place Studios for the 5th annual Print It! gallery show and book. It's on now at Mill Gallery, Leeds. #whoop
I can't remember if I've posted this Little Egret fishing since it was taken a few months ago, but it's a nice image for a Monday (or any day), so here it is. @nikoneurope.bsky.social #rspb #birds #monochrome
March 10, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I can't remember if I've posted this Little Egret fishing since it was taken a few months ago, but it's a nice image for a Monday (or any day), so here it is. @nikoneurope.bsky.social #rspb #birds #monochrome
I'm not normally prone to kneejerk reactions but, in these abnormal times, bye-bye AirBnB account.
February 18, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I'm not normally prone to kneejerk reactions but, in these abnormal times, bye-bye AirBnB account.
Spent a fab afternoon at Salts Mill viewing the new Hockney exhibition. Worth seeing. Now off to Mill Gallery opening to see my artwork and meet some guests!
February 7, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Spent a fab afternoon at Salts Mill viewing the new Hockney exhibition. Worth seeing. Now off to Mill Gallery opening to see my artwork and meet some guests!
I spent last Thursday delivering a 1-2-1 workshop in Wensleydale for an accomplished photographer who'd sadly lost any inspiration. It was a success, mainly thanks to a client who didn't mind a few cm's of water or mud! I don't use the camera much while I'm tutoring, but here's a 'quickie'.
February 4, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I spent last Thursday delivering a 1-2-1 workshop in Wensleydale for an accomplished photographer who'd sadly lost any inspiration. It was a success, mainly thanks to a client who didn't mind a few cm's of water or mud! I don't use the camera much while I'm tutoring, but here's a 'quickie'.
Running a 1-2-1 workshop today in glorious #Wensleydale which is a great place for a client seeking inspiration in their photography. Its currently sub-zero but that brings its own magic. Phone image taken near Askrigg a couple of weeks ago.
January 30, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Running a 1-2-1 workshop today in glorious #Wensleydale which is a great place for a client seeking inspiration in their photography. Its currently sub-zero but that brings its own magic. Phone image taken near Askrigg a couple of weeks ago.
Another of my 'Beyond the Camera' efforts, using textures, layers, masks, and brushes to achieve an antique art sensibility for one of my images. Female Kingfisher not far from Leeds, UK. #birds #creativephotography #artgalleries
January 29, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Another of my 'Beyond the Camera' efforts, using textures, layers, masks, and brushes to achieve an antique art sensibility for one of my images. Female Kingfisher not far from Leeds, UK. #birds #creativephotography #artgalleries
I'm just wrapping-up this lovely 16" x 16" limited edition print of a Jay, based on a photograph I took in the wild, as it was chosen for a still life exhibition at Mill Gallery in Leeds. #creativephotography #artgalleries #birds
January 28, 2025 at 9:15 AM
I'm just wrapping-up this lovely 16" x 16" limited edition print of a Jay, based on a photograph I took in the wild, as it was chosen for a still life exhibition at Mill Gallery in Leeds. #creativephotography #artgalleries #birds
One from last weekend to brighten up Monday. Close-up, the most common birds are beautiful, engaging, and have unnoticed details. This one from North Cave Wetlands in east Yorkshire #birds #birdphotography #robin #nikonphotography
January 27, 2025 at 9:29 AM
One from last weekend to brighten up Monday. Close-up, the most common birds are beautiful, engaging, and have unnoticed details. This one from North Cave Wetlands in east Yorkshire #birds #birdphotography #robin #nikonphotography
I'm sensing that now might be a good time to re-read the excellent Travellers in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd (subtitle 'The rise of fascism through the eyes of everyday people'). I remember it being a good primer on how ordinary non-fascists got/get carried along and end up justifying it.
January 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I'm sensing that now might be a good time to re-read the excellent Travellers in the Third Reich by Julia Boyd (subtitle 'The rise of fascism through the eyes of everyday people'). I remember it being a good primer on how ordinary non-fascists got/get carried along and end up justifying it.
Just discovered that some of my recent artwork has been accepted for February's 'Still and Me 2025' still-life exhibition being held this year at the new Mill Gallery in Leeds. Lovely news! #creativephotography
January 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Just discovered that some of my recent artwork has been accepted for February's 'Still and Me 2025' still-life exhibition being held this year at the new Mill Gallery in Leeds. Lovely news! #creativephotography
Hot off the press, here's the latest addition to my 'Beyond the Camera' prints. Icy Teasel was taken last Saturday in frost, when I naturally thought 'vintage Spanish portrait potential'😂. I did, and after lots of enjoyable texturing, masking and brushing, here's the result. #flowerphotography
January 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Hot off the press, here's the latest addition to my 'Beyond the Camera' prints. Icy Teasel was taken last Saturday in frost, when I naturally thought 'vintage Spanish portrait potential'😂. I did, and after lots of enjoyable texturing, masking and brushing, here's the result. #flowerphotography
From a glorious walk near home on Saturday. Cold, deep blue skies, and amazing clarity. Not sure this position is the most efficient for feeding, but looks impressive! #birds #northyorkshire #nikonz8 #goldfinch
January 13, 2025 at 12:45 PM
From a glorious walk near home on Saturday. Cold, deep blue skies, and amazing clarity. Not sure this position is the most efficient for feeding, but looks impressive! #birds #northyorkshire #nikonz8 #goldfinch
Yesterday, I did a bit of retro compositing work on this long-forgotten Kingfisher image. Anyway, it got a bit out of hand, finishing with lots of texture layers, masks and brushwork. Not available as a print yet, as I like it and have used it for a gallery open call this morning! #photoart #birds
January 7, 2025 at 11:32 AM
New Year, Old Piccie. but it is a colourful one that I hope brings you some joy. Violet Ear Hummingbird, Monteverde, Costa Rica. #birds #costarica #birdphotography
January 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
New Year, Old Piccie. but it is a colourful one that I hope brings you some joy. Violet Ear Hummingbird, Monteverde, Costa Rica. #birds #costarica #birdphotography
Weak aurora just emerging in Catterick North Yorks
January 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Weak aurora just emerging in Catterick North Yorks