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Speakers' Corner - Ron Thomas

by Ron Thomas

Brief personal background and years as a pro.
I had a long career in telecoms engineering during which time I developed my skills shooting weddings in my spare time. This enabled me to finance my natural history photography. For the last two years, I have been able to call myself a full-time professional photographer. I am living the dream as I indulge my passion for the natural world and teach others how to interpret and photograph.

First camera.
An Imperial box camera. I still have it.

Why photography?
Photography demands that you have a level of skill in both art and science. Couple that with analytical skills; if you can learn how to deconstruct images, then you are obliged to do a good job of constructing your own. I hope that in years to come, my pictures will be a record of what I have done with my life..

Film/digital (both?) Is there still any place for silver halide?
There is always a place for film. Any creative person should have any usable medium at their disposal. Digital is the way it is done just now. Twenty years ago, it was a development in the future. Who knows what will be the image recording method of choice in twenty years time? Creativity is the constant

Capture and output devices used
Canon DSLR cameras and lenses. I currently use an EOS-1D MkIII and a 5D MkII with several older cameras as standby/special usage. I bought into Canon digital because at the time I had several (mainly Pentax screw thread) lenses that could be adapted to work with the Canon EOS 10D.

I do the odd A3 print at home but for quality prints for clients, I use a lab. For my talks and lectures I use an Epson projector. I spend my time taking pictures, researching specific wildlife situations or on the PC processing images so I have not got involved in producing prints

Bit of detail about your own studio set-up/staffing
I work alone as the nature of what I do can require secrecy, camouflage, early morning/late evening expeditions, long term "wait and see" projects, bad weather and remote locations. When it comes to providing tuition (in the form of one-day courses), I try to replicate as far as possible in the lecture situation, wildlife photographic opportunities. For example, I set up garden type scenarios that can be used to photograph birds in a predictable and pleasing way. Attendees can take these ideas home and replicate what they have done on the course.

From the feedback I have received, I am told that course attendees like the way I explain both technique and practical ways to deal with photographing the natural world.

The problem with professional photographers today is...
I do believe that many photographers talk a good job when they should let their images speak for them. The images should always have the loudest voice.

The worst commercial errors you have made to date
Working for a long time in a situation that did not bring out the best in me.

How did you rectify them.
I started to work for myself

The lessons learnt
They are far too numerous to list here. I should have had the confidence to make the change earlier than I did

Are you excited by the evolution of imaging?
I am very excited about the way things are evolving. On the downside, many people think that because they can set their camera to Auto and get a printable result, they can call themselves "photographers". Plumbers and plasterers do not have the same difficulty with arrogant amateurism.

Is it getting harder or easier to make a decent living?
It has always been difficult, the graph goes up and down but I think the same can be said in most spheres

How do you stay ahead of the game?
I read about the latest equipment/techniques and trends in various magazines and talk to those in the business whose opinion I respect.

How do organisations like The Societies helps?
The Societies help by being a source of accurate information; it brings together the best in experience and expertise.

Why is The Convention such a big deal for photographers?
My experience of the Convention has been extremely positive. Improvements are difficult to suggest as it is talked about the world over, if people travel from other continents to attend then it must be good.

If you could pick just FIVE seminars to attend at the The Convention: whose workshops would you attend?
I lack the business head that I need to really make my business do as well as it could do. I would attend as many seminars that helped with this.

What do you think will be the next big thing in the industry?
The integration of stills and video. In wedding photography there could be a demand from brides for stills for the album to be taken from the wedding video. I have already started to use video (produced on still cameras such as the Canon EOS 5D MkII and the PowerShot G10) as an aid to illustrating wildlife photography techniques

Would you want your own children to take up the reins of your empire (or have they)?
My son is an ecologist and a fine photographer in his own right so the matter is in hand!

Your plans for the next five years?
To get used to this idea of running my own business and to expand what I do and to do it better. Above all, to make a contribution and help others to enjoy making images.



Updated 27/04/2026 16:44:22 Last Modified: Monday, 27 April 2026