“Taking a great picture is a pleasure but also a challenge”

This week, John Chorley shares some of his favourite photographs.

John, who lives in Laffak, took up photography in 2009 and has always been fascinated with macro images.

Here, in our latest Behind The Lens showcase, John tells us why he loves taking pictures and why he enjoys the challenge of photographing nature.

If you would like to appear in our Behind The Lens feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Click here to join St Helens Star Camera Club.

St Helens Star Camera Club member John Chorley

When and why did you take up photography?

I’ve always had hobbies and decided I’d like to try photography in 2009. I was really fascinated by macro photography in particular and decided that I’d like to specialise in this field. I bought a macro lens and my first DSLR and then became a member of St Helens Camera Club at Bishop Road Police Club. I attended their club nights on a Monday evening and it is here where I entered my macro images into club competitions. I was soon placed in the advanced members section of the club.

READ MORE:

I love capturing the moments and making images come to life

Beauty and the beast - a fly on a wild geranium flower

What do you love about taking pictures?

To me, taking an image which is technically in focus and of a subject matter that I am interested in is a pleasure and also a challenge, especially as birds and insects don’t hang around for very long! To get that perfect shot gives me a great sense of achievement.

Birth of a caterpillar

Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

Our garden is my favourite place to capture insects and birds. We have created a wildlife garden, providing a habitat for hedgehogs and we have built a wildlife pond, which attracts all sorts of insects and birds as well as frogs.

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

I really enjoy nature and taking photographs of the birds and insects in our garden. Carr Mill Dam, Sankey Valley and Pennington Flash are places I visit frequently but I particularly enjoy capturing insects to showcase just how fascinating these creatures are. You can’t usually see the details of insects with the naked eye.

Mating icheumon wasps

READ MORE:

“Taking photos allows me to show people how I see the world”

What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook?

I like looking at other photographers’ work and being part of a social media platform where like-minded people can admire each other’s photos.

Wolf spider with egg sack

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

Out of all the many insects I’ve photographed, I have never come across a male stag beetle so I would love to take a photograph of one.

Snail on a pebble near a garden pond