The grand opening of Michael Huggan's photographic exhibition a great success

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Dr Mike Maloney officially opens 'Wildlife and Wild Places' at The Allen Gallery in Alton, Hants

Alton Town Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor David Willoughby and Mrs Margaret Willoughby, and the former president of the Royal Photographic Society, John Page, were also in attendance

Mike Maloney, Michael Huggan, Alton Town Mayor and Mayoress

Dennis, Neil Thomas and Trish Burrows

Laura

Mike Maloney, John Wood of WorldWidePR.net and John Page

Judy, Ken and Mike

Stephanie and Harriet

Michael and Julia Huggan with the Mayor and Mayoress

Mary Parker having just bought a picture, with Michael Huggan

Lucy Hunter and Peggy Allen

Bob and Jane Mathias

Jeff and Nihan

Marjorie and John Page discussing Michael's brand new
2011 Wildlife and Wild Places Calendar

Martin-Saben Smith, Alton E-zine

Laura, Michael Huggan, Miranda and Emma

Michael Huggan, Neil and Julia Thomas

Miranda Hodges

Simon

Tony and Stephanie

Sarah, Karen and Mark Wilkens

Guests listening to Mike Maloney

Loopy and Brian

Gerry, Peggy and Margaret

Tony Cross, Curator of The Allen Gallery

All images, copyright 2010 Alex Huggan of www.polocommunications.com

Michael Huggan’s Photographic Exhibition in Alton Opened by Dr Mike Maloney OBE

 
Alton Town Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor David Willoughby and Mrs Margaret Willoughby, as well as the former president of the Royal Photographic Society, John Page, attended the grand opening of Michael Huggan’s ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ photographic exhibition

Left to right: Mike Maloney with Michael Huggan

Alton, Hampshire – ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’, the latest photographic exhibition of distinguished and award-winning wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, was officially opened by Dr Mike Maloney OBE on 6th August 2010. The free exhibition is being held at The Allen Gallery in Alton, Hampshire, until 5pm 28th August 2010.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer, was delighted to have been invited to open the exhibition by Michael Huggan ARPS (Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction) whom he said in his opening speech, was the best wildlife photographer he knows.

Alton Town Mayor and Mayoress with Michael Huggan

The exhibition is called ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ because Michael’s photography has grown from purely wildlife to everything that surrounds it. It includes stunning photographs taken in Africa, India, America and the Camargue in France, of not only the wildlife but also the locations, people and their environment.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, in his opening address, said:

“When you commission Michael Huggan, you know you will receive a higher standard of image than most photographers can achieve. Michael really understands how to capture that perfect shot.”

Also on display was Michael Huggan’s 2011 calendar, considered by Dr Mike Maloney to be the best wildlife calendar he had ever seen.

‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ is now on at The Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2BW Tel 0845 603 5635, until 5:00pm Saturday 28 Aug 2010. Admission is free.


About Michael Huggan
Long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), Michael Huggan lives in Four Marks, Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards including a gold medal from the Royal Photographic Society and a bronze medal from the Photographic Society of America. His limited edition and exhibition-range framed pictures, note cards and his 2011 calendar can be viewed and purchased from http://www.michaelhuggan.com.

For more information, please contact:
Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5AJ

+44(0)7860 280097
michael@michaelhuggan.com
http://www.michaelhuggan.com

Photography Monthly: Wild at Heart

 
Current edition of Photography Monthly
(Photo by Michael Huggan)

Throughout the month of August 2010, Michael will be exhibiting a collection of his photographs at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire. Entry to the exhibition is free.

The free exhibition is entitled, “Wildlife and Wild Places’.
 

Distinguished Photographer Michael Huggan Puts On ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ Exhibition throughout August 2010

Cheetah on a termite mound in Africa

Official opening of the exhibition at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire, will be by Britain’s most decorated press photographer,
Dr Mike Maloney OBE, on 6th August 2010

Hampshire – Throughout the month of August 2010, award-winning Hampshire-based wildlife photographer, Michael Huggan, Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), will be exhibiting a collection of his photographs at The Allen Gallery, Alton, Hampshire. The free exhibition is entitled, “Wildlife and Wild Places’.

Dr Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer, will be officially opening the exhibition at 7:00pm on Friday 6th August 2010 (by invitation only).

Kathawari stallion, Rajasthan

“The Allen Gallery serves the local community and promotes different skills locally. As a local photographer, I was extremely happy to be asked to display my pictures for the month of August. I decided to call the exhibition ‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ because my photography has grown from purely wildlife to everything that surrounds it. Of the places I have visited (Africa, India, the Camargue in France and parts of the American dessert), one must take into account the locations, people and their environment. All these elements, together, make the final picture,” explains Michael.

On display will be images, canvas prints and cards of locations, wildlife and customs of Africa, India and the US. The exhibition will also include images of ‘Marwari’ horses in India and of the American Mustang horses of New Mexico.

‘Wildlife and Wild Places’ is on at The Allen Gallery, Church Street, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2BW Tel 0845 603 5635, from 10:00am Tuesday 03 Aug 2010 to 5:00pm Saturday 28 Aug 2010. Admission is free.

Michael Huggan

About Michael Huggan
Long-time Nikon user and Royal Photographic Society Associate with Distinction (ARPS), Michael Huggan lives in Four Marks, Hampshire. His photographic experience covers a wide range of subjects but he is most well known for his wildlife work, for which he has won many awards, most notably a Royal Photographic Society gold medal in 2007. His photography, available as limited edition pictures, calendars, note cards and exhibition-range framed pictures can be viewed at http://www.michaelhuggan.com/assignments.php. Michael also recently launched a new instructional website for budding wildlife photographers: http://www.wildlifephotographyinfo.com. Michael is a supporter of the Born Free Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Huggan, ARPS
Michael Huggan Photography
Cranford House
Alton Lane, Four Marks
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 5AJ

01962 773697
michael@michaelhuggan.com
http://www.michaelhuggan.com

Submitted by:
John Wood
+44 777 152 0001
jw@worldwidepr.net
http://www.worldwidepr.net
http://twitter.com/worldwidepr

Tigers and Ranthambore

 

Tiger emerging from the bush

Rajasthan, episode 6

On arrival at our lodgings at Tiger Den, adjacent to Ranthambore National Park, we were rushed into the Jeep and sped off into the bush. Tigers had been sighted and we were late!

Tigers are one of the species I was yet to see in the wild, so my level of expectancy was high. However, I am also a realist. Ranthambore is vast and, with only forty tigers reported to live in this section of the reserve, I was under no illusions about seeing one. I have spoken to many fellow travelers who had not seen a tiger when visiting Ranthambore.

We booked four separate trips to the reserve traveling by private jeep. It is essential to book months in advance and payment is also required at the same time to guarantee entry to the reserve. The reserve is split up into four zones and each vehicle is allocated a zone when they enter the park. Your zone is selected by random with a computer, so, if you get a zone where tigers have not been seen, and may not be there, you just have to hope something else will come along.

On our first trip into the reserve we headed off to a spot where two tigers had made a kill and were still feeding off the carcass. We traveled through the reserve on dusty tracks only to be confronted by a traffic jam of Jeeps, Canters (16 to 20-seat safari buses) and other vehicles all trying to see a tiger.

This image should give you an indication of what happens when everybody heads for the same spot!


I managed to get a glimpse of a tiger in the bush and get a couple of pictures, not to my liking, but I saw the tiger.

Over the following two days, we had success in seeing two more tigers together and managed to get a few shots feeding on a carcass. The last morning, we were directed into a zone where tigers had not been seen. So, with an open mind, we spent our time visiting various locations of the reserve. WOW what a place. We travelled through the reserve past lakes, wetlands, scrub, seeing the most wonderful scenes populated by Samba deer, Chittal deer, amazing bird life and Black-face monkeys, running around the ramparts of the fort.

The following images should give you an indication of the diversity of wildlife that inhabits the reserve, as well as the tigers.

I did not get my ‘perfect’ tiger picture, but I have never achieved my perfect picture in Africa and elsewhere. One day I will return to India and see if I can get my ‘Perfect’ picture. Until then, enjoy the pictures.

Tiger feeding on the buffalo carcass

View over the lake

Black-faced Langur monkeys

Chittal deer

Samba male deer tangling horns

Ranthambore Fort

Mongoose

Snake eagle

Our Jeep with Devendra, our guide

Rajasthan, episode 5: Ranthambore Bharatpur to Ranthambore (Sawi Madhopur Junction) by Rail

 

Majestic - Magnificant the Taj Mahal

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The impact of this picture is amazing

Rajasthan, episode 4

Leaving Delhi for Agra, we were on our way to see the Taj Mahal. Whilst I have seen many pictures of the Taj Mahal in books and magazines, none of them can do justice to seeing this monument for the first time. It is stunning.

We visited late in the afternoon to get that soft warm glow that works so well on any number of subjects. Wherever you stood, there seemed to be a glow radiating from the structure. This is the most amazing building I have ever seen. There is something very special about this place that it is difficult to describe. I list a few facts if only to remind me when it was built and how long it took:

• The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum. It was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife, Empress Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. So great was the Shah Jahan’s love for his wife Mumtaz, that he ordered the building of the most beautiful mausoleum on Earth for her, The Taj Mahal.

• Construction of the tomb started in 1632, and was completed in 1648. It took 22 years to complete, and an extra 5 years for the garden, with the help of 20,000 workers.

• The Taj Mahal is built from precious white marble with delicate mosiac, with inlaid precious stones. Almost every surface of the entire building has been decorated, and every detail is symmetrical. The mosaic designs are based on three decorative elements - calligraphy, abstract geometric and vegetative motifs. The exterior decorations of the Taj Mahal are among the finest to be found in Mughal architecture of any period.

I took a number of pictures at different locations and angles. On reviewing them, I was surprised with the quality and impact of the images. I consider these pictures as ‘snapshots’, hand-held and often jockeying for position due to the vast number of people at the tomb. However, I put this down to the majesty and mystique of the Taj Mahal, where whoever takes a picture is sure to get a cracking shot – in spite of the photographer!

I trust you will enjoy the pictures:

The first view of the Taj Mahal as you walk through the gate to the gardens

One of the traditional shots of the fountain in front of the Taj Mahal

From whatever angle, the impact is fantastic

A view of the main structure taken with a Nikkor 20-35 mm lens at 22mm showing the impact of diverging verticals from ground level. Sometimes images with diverging vertical work – as in this shot.

A rear view of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River on a misty foggy morning

Rajasthan, episode 3: Soup Kitchen Extravaganza

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Endurance GB: Competing in Rajasthan, India

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Photos by Michael Huggan are used on the front cover of Endurance GB Magazine as well as in the article entitled, "Competing in Rajasthan, India" by Lesley-Ann Parker

Volume 7, Issue 1, January/February 2010

Endurance GB Magazine

The Team

"A French camera crew and photographers filmed the Championship, as did other distinguished reporters and photographers, including our own photographer, Michael Huggan (www.michaelhuggan.com) so hopefully there will be a lot of publicity for the event which will promote the beautiful and tough Marwari breed."

Crossing the finishing line together!

Presentation of medals and prizes
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