Here, web designer, film-maker and photographer Charles Paxton invites you to share and celebrate some of the animals, people and places he has encountered in the course of his life – come on in and take a look through the unique perspective of Wild Open Eye!
Welcome to Andy Luck’s Wild Open Eye weblog.
This was initially Andy Luck’s project. Andy was a very talented wildlife photo-journalist and award-winning film-maker who worked for the BBC. Though Andy passed from this world on Good Friday, 2017 he has left a legacy of fine images and inspired countless wildlife and nature photographers. This is a hobby site and it is managed by Charles Paxton from Louisiana in the United States of America now.
Andy was “passionate about imaging” since he was given his first camera in Singapore at age seven.
“It was entirely plastic, the body, lens, viewfinder, strap, everything! The prints were not much bigger than postage stamps, but it was a way I could share what I was seeing in a fascinating and extraordinarily beautiful world and I loved it!”
Andy’s still sharing his worldview, but now it’s through archived award-winning short film production for the BBC and his extraordinarily fine images captured on digital SLRs that so regularly appeared in leading, quality UK magazines such as Outdoor Photography, Black and White Photography, BBC Wildlife, and international publications such as ANA’s Wingspan and presentations by the United Nations Development Programme.
If a picture can speak a thousand words – then it’s fair to say that Andy’s work is making a considerable contribution to communicating his understanding of, and passion for the natural world and its preservation. Andy also assisted environmental organizations around the world.
Andy on assignment in Namibia
Alongside his television production work, Andy was a photojournalist “specialising in nature, environmental, cultural and travel location issues.” His forte was “working up the whole package of research, photography and completed story.”
He had the essential knack of getting to the nub of complex issues and represented them with brevity, honesty and compassion.
How he loved Hampton Court and it’s park-land. He produced outstanding images of stags, herons, owls and raptors.
Andy’s Light table
Andy acquired a great deal of knowledge about cameras, lenses, imaging techniques, field-craft and story telling over his four decades in film making and photography and he regularly wrote articles communicating his wildlife and location related photographic know-how.
Andy shared what he learned in the field, and the streams, seas, woodlands and deserts of the world with fellow photographic enthusiasts. In addition to writing technical articles, he tested and reviewed a broad range of photographic equipment on his adventures!
Andy cage diving with Great White Sharks (Mark Cawradine Photo)
Images, articles and other features on this site also provide a useful interface between Andy and prospective publishers, fellow photographers, writers, environmentalists, friends and family, while away on assignments.
Welcome to Wild Open Eye, we hope it inspires you to support and enjoy your own wild world!
“Andy Luck’s trophy shots are the kind that you see in prestigious wildlife, photographic and in-flight magazines – and not the sort that diminish the ecology or that require any taxidermy … He’s modest enough to talk about excellent equipment and luck playing a part, but to catch a Sparrowhawk in mid-kill you need more than good luck on your side, you need Andy Luck!” Better Cumbria
If you enjoy wildlife film and photography please see the related website WildOpenEye.com
Thank you
Charles Paxton Sept. 2010 – Apr 2019
Wild Open Eye - Natural Vision, News from Wild Open Eye 