Neal brings his camera back out for the summer
Nature photographer Neal McIntosh has brought his trusty second-hand camera out for the summer and here are some of his first magical shots.
The 52 year old father of one, from Stafford, has seen his work gain national interest over the last three years, as well as regularly appearing in the Express & Star and on the BBC.
His work was one of six to get a 'highly commended' accolade by the Daily Mail for a nature photography competition they launched which received more than 100,000 entries.
He has also had his own exhibition in the Museum of Cannock Chase, with another lined up later this year, as well as making great connections within the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, who often use his work on social media.
Neal's love of photography came 'out of the blue' when he decided to buy a second hand Fujifilm Bridge camera in 2015 and since then he hasn't looked back.
His latest snaps, taken over Radford Bank, focus on insects and the little things people often miss but are right in front of their eyes.
Mr McIntosh said: "I took a little bit of time away from the camera but now I am back behind it and I am delighted with some of my early shots from this summer.
"Capturing pictures of insects fascinates me because there is so much detail that people miss.
"My work has gathered quite a lot of attention over the last couple of years, which I am grateful for, but that isn't why I do it.
"If my photographs can make somebody stop and appreciate the world around them just that little bit more then my job is done."
Mr McIntosh, who shares his work through the Facebook group Argazki Mac, is in the process of putting together his own professional website and will get to show people in Staffordshire his work when he launches an exhibition on October 23 at the Museum of Cannock Chase.
However, none of this would have happened if he hadn't stumbled upon his beloved camera after returning from working in Spain back in 2015.
He said: "It came out of the blue for me really, I brought a camera from Tesco that I couldn't get friendly with.
"I took it to Cash Converters and got back pretty much what I paid for it, when I saw the Fujifilm Bridge on my way out.
"I thought why not and haven't looked back since.
"The camera is great and I don't really have to do much in the way of editing."
Mr Mcintosh has also published calendars of his own work, which sold out last year.
To contact Mr McIntosh and view his work, www.facebook.com/argazkimac
