The Flacks Photography

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The Flacks Photography

Wildlife photography by Richard Flack. For personal mentorship, fine art prints and helpful information and tips: www.theflacks.co.za
Romans 1:20

01/06/2026

My personal, one-on-one, online mentorship intake for August/September 2026 is now open. Please get in touch if you would like to book your spot (and see more details at the link in the comments section).

I have absolutely loved being a small part of photographer’s journeys from all over the world. It is a real privilege to help each person discover who they are as an artist, build their confidence in what they love and teach them all I know about the art and creative side of photography (which is a never-ending journey of discovery for me).

"This past year I had the privilege of participating in Rich's mentorship program. Of all the mentorship's I have come across, I was intrigued by the in-depth nature and focus on creativity. This was what I was looking for. Rich helped me dig back to my artistic roots and start to look at photography and my relationship to it in a different way. Unfailingly supportive, Rich gently but firmly pushed me to grow in new ways, and grow beyond some of my insecurities around my work. He gave me an objective artistic framework to critique art, while at the same time reminding me that the "rules" could be broken. He also worked around my bananas schedule, which was also a big bonus. :). I cannot recommend his mentorship enough." (Kristin O (California, USA))

30/05/2026

WEEKLY WALKS - Week 4 (23rd to 30th May 2026)

I thought I would try do a weekly post where I show a selection of images taken on my weekly walks i.e. over a 7 day period. I normally get out for a walk (normally 1.5 to 2 hours) at least 4 times a week. The main purpose is to spend some quiet time outdoors connecting with God. That said, I always have my camera wrapped around my shoulder and take photographs as the moments and opportunities present themselves.

Very seldom do I get new images that I will add to my portfolio/print collection/body of work, as achieving images that for me are “north of good” is a very infrequent affair. I do, however, get lots of images that I like for the interesting moments, light, colours and/or memories they capture. I thought it would be fun to share some of these photographs with you and time allowing, tell you why I enjoy some of them from an art or other perspective.

29/05/2026

For those who are knew to my page, the following post gives you an insight into the images I love and what drives my passion for birds and photography.
I have loved Africa’s wildlife and its wild places since I was in single digits. While my family had afternoon naps at Ingwelala Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger I would sit outside and watch the comings and goings of the natural world. I still vividly remember my first sightings of Blue Waxbills and Red-billed Firefinches during these special times. It was only in my early 30s however that the photography bug bit (thanks to my wife; Eileen) and that my passion for birds got re-ignited. I have not looked back since!
When I started photography it was all about the bird. I wanted to take close ups of all birds, but especially rare ones, and I soon hoped to get brilliantly sharp images with flawless backgrounds and uncluttered compositions. I was aiming for the perfect “field guide” shot. My dream at that stage was to get a perfect, close up image of an African Pitta or the first ever portrait of a Shelley’s Crimsonwing in the wild. It was a fun and worthy pursuit, as these images show the beauty of birds and often ignite interest and awareness in those that view them.
I still love trying to find new or rare birds and I still love portraits, but I now find far more joy in creating images that portray what I felt when I was there and how the African landscape moved me. I want to take images that tell a story, that evoke emotion and that capture the essence and splendour of my subjects. I hope to express myself through my work and create images that are unique and interesting. I trust by doing this that my images and passion for birds will encourage people to stop and wonder; wonder about how birds are so perfectly made, wonder about their stunning habitats and wonder about what we can do to protect them for future generations. Most of all, however, I hope that my images will bring glory to my awesome saviour; Jesus Christ, and reveal the beauty of His magnificent creation.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities; his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” (Romans 1:20).
With these goals in mind, I am now more intrigued by different perspectives, interesting uses of light, unique compositions and magical landscapes and moments. My foray into “habitat shots” or “birds in their environment” images more than a decade ago was completely accidental, but it is an area that continues to excite my heart and holds so much room for creativity and future developments.

23/05/2026

WEEKLY WALKS - Week 3 (17th to 23rd May 2026)

I thought I would try do a weekly post where I show a selection of images taken on my weekly walks i.e. over a 7 day period. I normally get out for a walk (normally 1.5 to 2 hours) at least 4 times a week. The main purpose is to spend some quiet time outdoors connecting with God. That said, I always have my camera wrapped around my shoulder and take photographs as the moments and opportunities present themselves.

Very seldom do I get new images that I will add to my portfolio/print collection/body of work, as achieving images that for me are “north of good” is a very infrequent affair. I do, however, get lots of images that I like for the interesting moments, light, colours and/or memories they capture. I thought it would be fun to share some of these photographs with you and time allowing, tell you why I enjoy some of them from an art or other perspective.

20/05/2026

A Purple Heron with a backdrop of autumn colours (that match his colouration and his name)

18/05/2026

I just loved some quality time with this stunning Malachite Kingfisher very early this morning...

15/05/2026

WEEKLY WALKS - Week 2 (10th to 16th May 2026)

Here is the second edition of my weekly walks.... some of my favourite images from the last 7 days (6 in this case as tomorrow I am going to be watching my son play rugby and cricket all day :)).

12/05/2026

As autumn turns to winter, some of our birds begin to prepare their nests and get ready for their new arrivals. Our resident Hamerkops are busy building one of their characteristically massive nests. It has been awesome to observe them these past few mornings.

09/05/2026

WEEKLY WALKS - Week 1 (3rd to 9th May 2026)

I thought I would try do a weekly post where I show a selection of images taken on my weekly walks i.e. over a 7 day period. I normally get out for a walk (normally 1.5 to 2 hours) at least 4 times a week. The main purpose is to spend some quiet time outdoors connecting with God. That said, I always have my camera wrapped around my shoulder and take photographs as the moments and opportunities present themselves.

Very seldom do I get new images that I will add to my portfoilo/print collection/body of work, as achieving images that for me are “north of good” is a very infrequent affair. I do, however, get lots of images that I like for the interesting moments, light, colours and/or memories they capture. For example, this week I captured a Spotted-necked Otter swimming up to a half-collared kingfisher. It isn’t a good photograph but it is a very cool moment. I thought it would be fun to share some of these photographs with you and time allowing, tell you why I enjoy some of them from an art or other perspective.

I always encourage my photography mentorship participants to practice as often as they can, not to wait for the “north of good” shots or get discouraged when they take ages to come (as they don’t happen often) and to find locations close to home where they can experiment, learn bird behaviour and go back and improve on their shots the next day. This weekly post will give you some insight into how I walk my own talk in this regard.
As an added bonus, you will get to experience much more of my home patch in the Natal Midlands as a result. I hope you enjoy the posts and I look forward to your feedback.

(Part of the challenge I have set myself here is getting the images in camera with only small crops and limited post processing)

07/05/2026

One of my favourite action images of a female Drakensberg Rockjumper demonstrating how she flicks herself off a boulder in order to "jump" from one rock to the next

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http://www.theflacks.co.za/

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