Philosopher turned photographer up for awards
Retired philosophy professor Keith Horton from the University of Wollongong has found a new passion in photography during his retirement. Remarkably, two of his photographs have been nominated for the prestigious 2023 Australian Geographic Nature...
In retirement, University of Wollongong philosophy professor Keith Horton has abandoned words in favour of pictures. Now his photography speaks volumes about his love of nature and the need to protect it.
Two of Keith’s shots – one of a pair of Satin Bowerbirds surrounded by blue plastic, another of goose barnacles on driftwood – were recently nominated for the 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award.
“It really was a great surprise because there are so many other great photos that have been put in and get put in every year,” Keith said.
“It’s a nice organisation to work with, I have actually been going in for competitions for a couple of years and been a finalist in some others.
“I hope to use this opportunity to spread the message a bit about how wonderful nature is in Australia and how important it is to try and look after it.”
After moving from England to Australia in 2000, Keith was consistently amazed by the country’s unique wildlife.
“I’m from England and I was just blown away by everything, I’d never seen anything like it,” Keith said.
“There’s kangaroos jumping around, parrots and all types of beautiful birds flying through trees and the trees themselves, which are absolutely amazing.”
This inspired Keith to pick up the camera and capture Australian nature, starting with photographs of our iconic gumtrees. When he moved to Wollongong in 2009, Keith bought his first professional camera.
“Bit by bit I’ve kind of got into it more and more over time,” Keith said.
“I spend probably most of my time in one way or another, photographing nature.
“I usually will go out into nature and sometimes I’ll just enjoy the scenery around me and other times I’ll look for pictures.”
After his career as a philosophy professor, Keith has embraced photography as a medium for communication.
“I took to photography partly because it uses a different part of the brain, largely free of words, concepts and arguments, unlike in philosophy,” Keith said.
“I found that – and continue to find that – refreshing.”
Keith has thought about exploring other parts of Australia, such as Barrington Tops and rainforests further north, but he has decided to focus on his own backyard.
“It’s tempting to go off to other regions of the country, there’s a lot of stuff I want to see,” Keith said.
“I’m not sure if I’ll ever do that though, because what appeals to me most is kind of going back to places that are about within an hour’s drive.
“I like to get to know these places a little better, photographing them in different lights and just trying to improve my craft.”
Keith’s photography is also driven by a desire to spark local environmental activism, by drawing attention to significant features like the escarpment.
“The escarpment is a very special place and there are various threats to it,” Keith said.
“I think the people of the Illawarra should work harder to protect it and its beauty.
“I’d like to encourage people to go visit it and appreciate it, even if that’s through my photography.”
Read more about the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year award.
To see more of Keith Horton's photography, follow him on Flickr or Facebook.
For more information about the escarpment, check out the Illawarra Escarpment Alliance.
