Stephen Dalton (photographer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephen Dalton
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Dalton in 2012
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| Born | 1937 (age 88–89) |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Liz |
| Awards | Silver Progress Medal, Royal Photographic Society; Fritz Steiniger Prize, GDT |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Nature Photography |
Stephen Dalton (born in 1937) is a famous English wildlife photographer and author. He is known for his amazing work in high-speed nature photography. He was one of the first people to take super clear pictures of insects flying. His photos show many different animals, like frogs, birds, mammals, and insects.
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Stephen Dalton's Life and Photography Journey
Stephen Dalton was born in Surrey, England, in 1937. From a young age, he loved nature and taking pictures. His dad was a Royal Air Force officer who enjoyed photographing birds. Stephen also had a godfather who collected butterflies, moths, and beetles.
In the early 1960s, Stephen studied photography at London's Regent Street Polytechnic. He later said these were some of the happiest days of his life. He was truly fascinated by what he was learning.
Starting His Photography Career
Dalton's first article was published in Geographical magazine. He then started providing photos to the Natural History Picture Agency (NHPA). He met the entomologist (insect expert) L. Hugh Newman while out taking wildlife pictures.
Later, when Newman retired, Dalton bought the NHPA business. It became the top nature photography library in the UK. Dalton sold the agency in 2006.
Pioneering High-Speed Insect Photography
In the early 1970s, Dalton began his groundbreaking work on insect photography. Back then, there were no infrared beams or lasers to help. He created his own special setup using lenses and mirrors. He also designed a unique high-speed camera shutter.
Working with an electronics expert, he developed a special flash system. This system gave a very powerful flash for an extremely short time. After two years of trying different things, he finally got sharp photos of insects in mid-flight for the first time ever.
His first full-color book, Borne on the Wind (1975), showed these amazing photos. They were the first to capture insects flying freely.
Stephen Dalton still lives with his wife in the same farmhouse in Sussex. This is where he has done most of his photography work. His latest book, My Wood (2017), is a study of a wood he has owned since 1998.
Awards and Recognition
Stephen Dalton has received several important awards for his photography:
- Hood Medal, Royal Photographic Society, 1971
- Progress Medal and Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society, 1977
- Fritz Steiniger Prize, Gesellschaft Deutscher Tierfotografen (Society of German Wildlife Photographers), 2015
Exhibitions of His Work
Dalton's photographs have been shown in several exhibitions:
- The Photographers' Gallery, London, 1973
- How We Are: Photographing Britain, Tate Britain, London, 2007
- Montier-en-Der festival, France, 2009
