Let us introduce you to our latest Photographer in Focus: Patrick Coughlin.
Since his multiple bird image contributions to Bird Rescue’s 2024 calendar, we’ve been impressed by his bird photography work. Patrick is a video editor and wildlife photographer, originally from Boston, now living in the San Francisco Bay Area. His work has been honored as the winner of the Audubon Photography Awards Fisher Prize in the 2021 and Highly Commended as as the Bird Photographer of the Year in 2023.
Question: What’s your background and how did you get into photography?
Answer: I’ve been interested in photography since I was a kid. That said, it was always just a hobby, something to do on vacations and never something I got any formal training in. Similarly I’ve always cherished being out in nature. These loves slowly collided, and eventually narrowed into a focus on wildlife photography. From there it’s been a long process of trial and error, and more error, and slow, steady growth.
Q: You have so many fine photos, what are some of your favorite bird species to capture photographically?
A: I’m really drawn to birds of prey, especially active hunters like Northern Harriers or Barn Owls.
Q: We notice that you mention on your Instagram that you don’t bait wildlife when you are capturing their images. Can you expand on this credo?
A: I believe very strongly in ethical wildlife photography, which, to me, means having as little impact as possible on the animals I’m taking photos of. This give me the opportunity to watch and document wildlife in as natural a state as possible. Baiting can fundamentally change the behavior of an animal, acclimating them to humans and making it more likely for conflict to occur.
Q: What’s are some of the challenges you face in your bird and nature photography in general?
A: One of the reasons I love wildlife photography is for the quiet moments when it’s just me and my subject. It is deeply peaceful, almost meditative, but as someone who lives and shoots in a largely urban environment, finding those quiet moments can be extremely challenging.
Q: We know great photography is more than big name brand equipment. But that being said, what lens could you not live without and why?
A: As much as I love big prime lenses, if I could just keep one it would be the 200-600mm. It’s lightweight and versatile, but still gives me the reach to photograph from a distance where I’m not a disturbance.
Q: If you could give beginning nature photographers just one (or two) bit of advice, what would it be?
A: Be patient and embrace failure. Finding subjects takes time, waiting for the brief moment of action takes time, developing the skill to take advantage of those brief moments takes even more time. Even on a very good day, less than 5% of the photos I take are ones I’m truly happy with, and that’s fine; the reward is being out in nature spending time with these animals. Coming away with photos is just icing on the cake.
Q: What bird photo projects are you working on in the future?
A: Nothing specific in the works, but I’m keeping my eye on some local Peregrine Falcon nests.
Q: Who are some of your favorite photographers? (full names and URLs please)
A: Max Waugh – maxwaugh.com
Suzi Eszterhas – www.suzieszterhas.com
Jean-Simon Begin – www.jeansimonbegin.com
Q: How has working around and sharing your love of wildlife enhanced your life?
A: Being out in nature brings a real peace to my life that I don’t get anywhere else. My hope is that my photos can convey a tiny bit of that to others.
See more of Patrick’s photos on his Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/pc_wildlife
