Brutus Östling: Ambassador profile
The fact that Brutus Östling has become one of the world’s leading wildlife photographers in just a handful of years is an amazing tale. He suffered nerve damage in his right hand from birth and only decided to swap a successful career as a book publisher to become a wildlife photographer as recently as 2005, when aged 47!
As a teenager in his native Sweden Brutus’ ambition was actually to become a different type of photographer. "When I was 14 or 15 I wanted to be a sports photographer but I sometimes had a few problems with focusing with large lenses because of my hand," he explains. This handicap is principally what kept Brutus away from a career in photography for over 20 years.
When Brutus decided not to take up photography as a career he then harboured ambitions to be a writer. He laughs: "I started a publishing house when I was 22 years old. I wrote a couple of books which were published before that, but when you’re a writer and you realise that you are not a good writer, then you can become a publisher."
His publishing business – Östlings Bokförlag Symposion AB – has been running since January 1981 and in over 28 years it has published in excess of 1,000 books. Brutus recalls: "Having a small publishing house is very difficult – you really have to think about what you are doing."
His publishing projects for 2009 include 10 books and he has published some notable tomes in the past, as he recalls: “We published Vaclav Havel in 1989 - we made a selection of his essays and interviews - when he was in prison, and three months later he was president (of the old Czechoslovakia).”
After forging a successful career in publishing Brutus’ route back to his ‘first love’ - photography - began around 13 years ago. He reveals: “I didn't have a camera for more than 20 years and then I started to dive. The idea of taking up photography again came up when I got a publishing prize from the Swedish Academy and used it to buy photographic gear.”
Brutus combined his new-found love of scuba diving with photography, and after a year of intensive diving practice he began to shoot pictures underwater. The era of autofocus helped him because cameras in the mid-1990s were much easier to handle than some of the manual models of two decades before.
He explains: “For me autofocus was a fantastic invention, which had come about when I took up photography 12 years ago. Today, I nearly always expose manually, and more often than not I also focus manually, but that is easier with the long lenses on a tripod. And you can use AF to set the focus, and then go to manual and let it stay there.”
Brutus adds: “I was really pleased to go back to photography. After about a year I started to make a lot of features for diving magazines in Sweden, Denmark and Germany and for the travel section of the largest morning newspaper in Sweden – Dagens Nyheter. I made about 15 features in 18 months.”
He recalls: “When we were shooting slide films you only had 36 photos in a dive. The digital revolution has meant the most for underwater photography – now you can shoot 400 pictures in a dive.”
Up until the year 2000 all of his photography was underwater and he kept running his publishing business as his progress and reputation as a photographer grew. It was about this time that Brutus switched his existing photographic gear to become a dedicated Canon shooter and took to dry land to concentrate on photographing birds.
Brutus Östling: Ambassador profile
He reveals: “In January 2000 I had just started shooting birds and I found a web page from a Canon photographer called Arthur Morris, who explained the benefits of the new long Image Stabilization lenses from Canon. I thought ‘this must be fantastic’, so I bought the 600mm IS lens and an EOS-3. When you are shooting birds no lens can be too long!”
The 600mm lens remains his favourite piece of Canon gear but he explains: “I don't have it anymore, but my EF600mm f/4L IS USM has always been my favourite lens. It's sharp; you can use a 2x converter and get 1200mm with widest aperture of f/8, and a still functioning AF. The Image Stabilization works great with the lens on a tripod with a 600mm plus a converter.”
Brutus adds: “I even had a full-page photo in my latest book, taken from a small boat with the 600mm f/4 and a 2x converter handheld - that's 1200mm handheld at 1/500sec. Now I have the EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM and I guess this will be my new favourite lens. The lens is super sharp, I have used it with a double converter (1600mm) and the Image Stabilization is so good on this one so I could handhold the lens. I believe it's also not as heavy as the 600mm. It’s not a big difference, but it’s a little more lightweight.”
Having now used the Canon EOS system for over nine years Brutus admits: “I bought the first EOS-1Ds body, but I didn't trust it at first. Now, when I check the old photographs they are still better than slides.”
After combining shooting on slide film and digital for some time, when the EOS-1D Mark II was launched Brutus went fully digital. He explains: “I changed totally when the EOS-1D Mark II came – it was obvious it was so much better. One of the better things is that you can shoot at ISO 800 and still get a good photo. With the 5D Mark II you can shoot at ISO 6400 and get great print quality.”
With his growing specialisation in shooting birds and a long history in publishing the next logical step was to produce books of his photography. He admits that his most successful career decision has been: “…deciding not to publish my first photo book (in 2005) at my own publishing house, but with one of the two largest publishers in Sweden.”
That first book – ‘Mellan vingspetsarna’ - sold 30,000 copies in Sweden, and the rights were sold to among others HarperCollins in US (where it was published as ‘Between the Wingtips’) and to the UK, where it appeared as ‘Life on the Wing’. The book was also translated into some other languages and Brutus describes it as: “an unexpected success.”
Brutus explains: “Today, I can sell new books at my own publishing house, but as a new relatively unknown photographer it was good not to be your own publisher. Also, for the critics, it's better getting published than to publish yourself. When you have already had a success or two, you can publish your own books and even increase the sales. But you need to know the book market or whatever market you go into.”
In 2006 with the success of the Oscar-winning film ‘The March of the Penguins’ Brutus was approached by HarperCollins to produce a penguin book. He reveals: “’The March of the Penguins’ film was such a success that they (HarperCollins) wanted the book in three months – all of the writing, pictures, design and translating.”
He responded to the publishing house's request immediately, but he hit a few snags along the way. “The only place I could do the work at such short notice was the Falklands. After two and a half weeks I called my wife to say I had to stay for another two weeks. The last days I got many photographs – it had rained for two weeks. On the last morning it was sunny, so in four hours I got 20 photos for the book thanks to good light, a lot of things happening, and I was very desperate,” laughs Brutus.
The penguin book project, shot mainly on the EOS-1Ds Mark II, also involved a photographic trip to South Africa and Brutus explains: “I was there for six days. The African penguins are on the beach and you can actually swim with them. It’s a place called Simon’s Town – at night they may walk on the streets and cars sometimes hit them. There are actually warning signs along the road.”
The penguin book was first published in Sweden, in 2006, and it was then published in the US and UK during 2007. By this time Brutus’ books were already getting high praise, and honours, with ‘Mellan vingsspetsarna’ winning the WWF Panda Prize 2006 as the best nature book in Sweden.
Brutus Östling: Ambassador profile
The following year Brutus’ book about white-tailed and golden eagles - ‘Örnarnas rike’ (published in English as ‘The Kingdom of Eagles’) - was also honoured with the WWF Panda Prize. Brutus reveals: “I was actually working on the book about the white-tailed eagles and golden eagles for three years. You have to go into hides to shoot them, so I think I spent at least three months in 15 different hides. The book was published in October 2007.”
He adds: “One month after the book’s publication I got my best eagle shots ever - the pictures of the three young golden eagles fighting. I used a long shutter speed, around 1/125sec, to get the snow like lines as it’s really horizontal – but at the same time 1/125sec is short enough to get at least one beak or one claw sharp.”
Brutus’ prolific book output continued in 2008 with the publication of ‘Kaxiga fâglar’ (‘Birds with an attitude’), which has already sold out four print editions in Sweden. He admits: “To be honest I do this mainly because I think it's a great deal of fun. Of course, today I want to contribute to getting people to see things in nature which they haven't seen before; to be aware of what we have got or open the eyes of at least some readers. I have made the bird books with the best experts and writers in the field, and they are not made for the ‘birders’ only, but for a much wider audience.”
Brutus reveals: “I am working on three books. The first one is ‘Surviving the Day’ which is based on a poem we have that describes how ‘the small bird has a very big project’ (to survive the day). It has been shot all over the world, in Costa Rica amongst others.” He is working on the project with the renowned ornothologist Susanne Akesson, who also provided the text for his book on penguins. ‘Surviving the Day’ or ‘Att överleva dagen – om fâglars sanslösa sinnen’, to give it its Swedish title, is due out in Sweden in October 2009.
He has also begun experimenting with shooting Full HD video using the EOS 5D Mark II. “I like to make small films and show them at my lectures. What I like is that I can use the same lens for video as for stills – you get a small depth-of-field with the 800mm. I have a microphone outside of the hide and I can shoot when it’s dark - I can use it at around ISO 3200. It’s a fantastic camera for its size. I have filmed the goose hawk and the golden eagle, and I have shown one or two films.”
So, after a mere handful of years making a huge impact on the world of wildlife photography what are Brutus’ feelings about the power of photography. “I usually say that we shouldn’t have too many illusions about what our photography can contribute. But at the same time I know that some photos, and some photographical books - I mention that as books are what I am working with - have been sources and inspiration for changes in the world. Photography and single important photos can really make a difference. We have fun while we are photographing. I believe most of us can make other people happier with at least some of our photos.”
He adds: “I would like to think that my books have contributed, just a little bit, to a larger interest in the situation of birds and in nature in general in Sweden. If the photographs also can inspire a few other people to get into bird photography... well, that would be a lot of fun.”
With a cheery disposition and a hugely impressive body of photographic work behind him in just a few short years Brutus Östling is a fascinating character. He is inspiring to listen to and conveys the sheer joy of photography when you talk to him. It is just one of many gifts that this talented Swedish photographer has and the next few years seem certain to see his ‘star’ rise even further.
- Technical
-
Brutus Östling’s equipment:
Cameras:
EOS-1Ds Mark III
EOS-1D Mark III
EOS 5D Mark IILenses:
EF15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
EF16-35mm f/2.8L USM
TS-E17mm f/4L
EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM
EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
EF50mm f/1.2L USM
EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
EF180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
EF200mm f/2.0L IS USM
EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF400mm f/2.8L IS USM
EF500mm f/4L IS USM
EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM
Accessories:
Canon Speedlite 580EX
Canon Speedlite 550EX
Macro Twin Lite MT-24EX
Canon Speedlite transmitter ST-E2
WFT-E2 Wireless File Transmitter
3x Manfrotto tripods
2x Wimperley tripod heads
Manfrotto 501 video head
Apple Mac Pro
Apple G5 Power Mac
Photoshop CS4 software
Photoshop CS3 software
InDesign CS4 software
Keynote for slide presentations
- Click through to page 4 of this article to read Brutus Östling’s opinions on the Ambassadors Programme.
Brutus Östling - shooting from the lip
What do you think about the Ambassadors Programme?
“There is a saying, ‘you can't keep what you have received/gotten, if you don't give it away (to other people)’. I think it's a very good idea to let photographers share their skills and ways of working with other photographers, both amateurs and professionals.”
Why do you think the Ambassadors Programme is important?
“Because this is a good way of letting people see how professionals are working. To connect Canon cameras and equipment with the daily work practice. I also think it can create goodwill for both the photographers and for Canon.
The best way to explain why I think it's a good programme is by telling you how I became a Canon photographer. When I did underwater photography I was shooting with a Nikon F5 in a housing system from Aquatica. I shot my first bird pictures with the Nikon F5 and a cheap zoom lens; a 70-300mm. Then I stumbled upon an American Canon-contracted photographer - like me he has a newsletter and a website.
I read his newsletter where he wrote about the new long IS lenses from Canon; this was in December 1999 or January 2000. Through his stories and comments I immediately understood the advantages with IS on a 600mm - even when you worked with a tripod. In the beginning some people said the IS wasn't working well on a tripod, and maybe it was so with the shorter and cheaper lenses. But he explained that the super long lenses worked very well with a tripod. At the same time Canon released the EOS-3, which could autofocus with an aperture of f/8 on the lens. And these two advantages, which I learnt from this Canon-contracted guy - we have met several times since then, first I went to a workshop with him for two to three days, my only education in photography - made me change to Canon.
I still have to get an underwater housing for a Canon camera. I am planning to begin again with some underwater photography, but mainly while snorkelling, not diving. Birds underwater could be one idea to work with.”
What got you started in photography?
“I wanted to be a photographer at the age of 14 to 15. Not a nature photographer, but a sports photographer. Then I didn't have a camera for more than 20 years. Twelve years ago I started to do scuba diving, and when I do things I usually do it a lot. So after 100 hours in cold Swedish waters the first diving year, I was excited to start again with my early hobby. After less than a year I was suddenly making features for the largest daily newspaper in Sweden, Dagens Nyheter (the travelling pages) and for the diving magazines in Sweden and Denmark, plus a few features for a German and Dutch magazines too.
I was diving with Christina (we are not married but we have been together for nearly 20 years), and besides being a dive buddy she acted as an ‘underwater model’ for the features. When you produce articles/features for diving magazines you need a diver in at least some of the photos, so that the reader can identify with the diver in that water. But then we got children, now we have four small ones, and it became impossible to dive together.
I had another buddy for a couple of months - he was great and excellent for photos because he always investigated things on wrecks etcetera. He was a natural ‘model’, but then he got problems with his ears. After that I didn't have anyone to dive with or to work with as an underwater model.
Fortunately, I had just started taking some bird photos. Knowing nothing at all about birds, to be honest, it was photography that first got me into the world of birds. Later the deeper interest and knowledge came. I am still not one of those bird experts, but I know enough to make presentations even among hardened ‘birders’. But I am still more interested in behaviour and scientific research, rather than in identification.
Between 2001 and 2004 I was just photographing as a hobby. I didn't publish anything; I didn't try to. In 2003 I was beginning to think of making a book. The idea resulted in my first book, which was published in 2005.”
What does photography mean to you?
“The challenging and exciting thing with photography, compared to making films, is that one photo should tell the whole story. That photo must also contain good light, etcetera. While an action scene made in film doesn't require that much, it will be interesting just to observe the action happening.”
What kind of photographer do you consider yourself to be?
“A nature or rather bird photographer - at least for the moment. I have published five books about birds in three years. Maybe I should say six - a publishing house last year also bought my photos to illustrate a new edition of a minor classic and bestseller; Bach's story about the Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.
I have at least three new books in the pipeline. One of the upcoming books will include mammals and at least some underwater photos.”
What would you advise someone who is just coming into the business?
“Work with your thing; look at other photographers to get inspiration. But do your own thing. Most importantly - have fun. For me it's simple; if I don't have fun anymore I will do something else instead. One more thing - try to concentrate on one project or just a few projects. Don't mess around trying to shoot everything and nothing. Work consciously with some sort of plan in your head. Don't give up if your first editor says ‘no’. Don't say to yourself that he must be wrong. Instead work to make it better.”
