THE Euroa Library continues to provide a space for local artists, currently displaying the wildlife photographs of Bill Harris at the Artspace.
Mr Harris has travelled across the country with his wife, capturing photos of Australian wildlife, particularly birds.
Self–taught, Mr Harris says the passion for photography was felt early in life, but faded as he entered a corporate lifestyle.
"I had my own developer as a kid but stopped at around 18 years old except for some instamatics," he said.
"I had a corporate job and it was taking over life.
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"I spent a bit of money on a camera and went out not knowing what I wanted to take photos of.
"I started to realise I enjoyed the Australian wildlife and started to invest more in that, both with equipment and developing more skills.
"I never took a course or anything, just have continued working to improve it.
"I've got a lot better at it over time.
"After going away for a few months I can tell the difference, both with the photos themselves and the process.
"It becomes muscle memory; instead of thinking about camera settings it becomes more automatic."
His interest in photography has resulted in an early retirement, settling down in Euroa about 7 years ago.
Since then, Mr Harris has been able to travel across Australia to pursue his passion.
"I've been all across Australia taking photos," he said.
"My wife and I have just returned from three and a half months away and I think our longest trip has been six months when we went to Cape York."
To generate an income to allow more artistic freedom, Mr Harris has started Birds in Focus a website that sells calendars, prints, coasters, bookmarks and more.
"I have commercialised a lot of the photographs, using postcards, calendars, key rings and more," he said.
"But I do that so that I can afford to put more time and effort into larger pieces for galleries."
Mr Harris discussed some of the techniques he uses to capture his photographs, as well as his own personal style.
"I don't go hunting any particular species, I just go to areas that I know have great wildlife," he said.
"I'm a Canon shooter, and use a variety of different lenses.
"I'm currently using a R5 Canon after making the shift to digital recently.
"Close–up and detailed is how I like the photos.
"It's like a profile or portrait, but capturing a moment in time in nature.
"Some go more artistic but I like to have a more natural look to the photos."
The rewards of this passion are enormous according to Mr Harris, who finds joy in both the process and the final product that he creates.
"There are a couple of images that are particularly rewarding," he said.
"I have some of endangered species that I might not ever get the opportunity to see again.
"I don't really have a preference of what birds I photograph, but I enjoy the challenge of little bush birds.
"I get satisfaction from the end product, regardless of what animal it is.
"It's just rewarding."
Mr Harris finished by providing some advice for keen wildlife photographers looking to improve.
"They took about a wildlife bubble, and how you want to be outside of that," he said.
"The larger lenses really help with capturing the animals.
"But it really comes down to field craft and patience.
"The really good guys that capture the action shots have a great understanding of the subject being photographed and could wait for days to get the right shot.
"You need a cooperative species too."
The Artspace at the library is a Friends of the Euroa Library initiative, providing a space for talented local artists to showcase their creations.
