Even for an area I know well, I prepare a shooting list of subjects I need.

Currently I am working on another three books, doing a lot of magazine work, am shooting for fifteen stock agencies, plus my own photo library - all this keeps me quite busy!

I also had a tremendous passion for art and read a lot.

The Kalahari is brilliant - and easy to visit.

I carry a notebook full of sketches of pictures I want to take - they are really scruffy sketches, but at least I am going out there with a clear objective.

Photography started as a means of getting reference material for my paintings of nature subjects.

Big game photography in Africa is mainly done from a vehicle, so then I feel I might as well take the lot.