1st of July 2010 Photographer Eric Doggett opens his solo exhibition at Slane Art & Print Gallery.
"I jumped at the chance to exhibit in my home town Slane, it is one of my favourite places to do photography along the river Boyne and the streams that run into it. Slane is a very picturesque village which has encouraged me to become a photographer. Slane has inspired and still to this day inspires me and keeps me motivated.
“When I was 12 years old I started watching and studying wildlife in Slane, I studied badgers in the woods and the hill behind my house. I also encountered Otters and Mink along the Boyne.
I used to watch them with binoculars and I had great sightings and storeys to tell people. I then decided why not buy a good camera and bring the images to the people as well.
I used film so you can imagine how expensive it was to get films developed for a 12 year old. I lasted for 3 years and then stopped, but got back into it again 5 years ago. I used film for 1 more year and then turned to digital. I used a Canon film camera which I was very pleased with so I decided to stay with Canon and bought a Canon 30D digital camera.”
Some of my favourite birds to photograph are the grey heron and the cormorants.
I find them interesting to watch, their flight, and their great fishing skills. I love to fish, so I can appreciate their speed and patience.
There are stories in history of gentry using cormorants to fish. They would have had a string tied around the birds neck. When it would dive under the water to catch a fish and resurface, the string would prevent it from swallowing. The cormorant would then deliver the fish to its master, who would of course take it and cook it.
Swans, I love their whiteness in contrast to its environment.
One of my best photos in my opinion is the photo of a swan flying just over the boyne, where you can see its reflection in the calm river in the early dawn. Its title is “Reflecting on the Boyne” which gives it a lovely second layer of meaning.
Eric is also a member of Birdwatch Ireland and has had a photograph published which features on the front cover of their international publication; Wings Magazine Spring 2008 edition.
I love walking around the land in slane, because its peaceful, and gets me away from the busyness of Dublin. I do see myself moving back here someday. |
