From Sunrise to Sunset – local photographer gears up for book launch
By Aideen O’Flaherty
A talented wildlife photographer, who has snapped photos of animals in places as far away as Africa and as near as Dodder Valley Park, is gearing up for the launch of his new book, ‘From Sunrise to Sunset’.
Michael Finn, from Aylesbury in Tallaght, is a skilled wildlife photographer who has won numerous awards for his work, and his new book is composed of images that he took of the wildlife in Kenya’s Maasai Mara during a nine-day safari in late 2015.
Michael finn with the Kenyan ambassador to Ireland at Tallafest 2017
The book launch will be held in the County Library, Tallaght, on Saturday, May 25, from 2pm to 4pm, and Kenya’s Ambassador to Ireland, HE Richard Opembe, will be a special guest at the event.
Michael took some time out to speak to his local paper about ‘From Sunrise to Sunset’, what it will mean for him to have Kenya’s Ambassador to Ireland in attendance at the book launch, and he also gives some tips for aspiring wildlife photographers.
Why did you decide to call your book ‘From Sunrise to Sunset’?
The choice of ‘From Sunrise to Sunset’ was, for me, an obvious one from the beginning. Leaving aside the travelling, I spent nine of my twelve days doing nothing but taking pictures of the beautiful creatures of the Maasai Mara, literally from sunrise to sunset.
What impact do you hope the book will have on the people who purchase it?
The natural world is in crisis and we humans have forgotten that we are a part of this natural world and we are slowly losing sight of this fact and are aiding and abetting its destruction. There is a possibility that the world population of elephants may become extinct in my lifetime – that’s frightening. I hope that some of my photos may open or re-open people’s eyes to the beauty that exists in this world that we are helping to destroy.
One of Michael’s award-winning photographs
Kenya’s Ambassador to Ireland will be the special guest at the book launch – what does it mean to you to have him there?
The ambassador’s presence will undoubtedly help in promoting the book, but it will also be an opportunity for him to promote tourism between our two countries. He hopes to use the book and the photos from it to help in this endeavour.
What can people expect at the book launch?
At the launch the book, which has a recommended retail price of €37.50, will be available for €25 and I will be on hand to sign it for anyone who wishes. MC for the day will be David Kennedy, the editor of The Echo, who is always an entertaining speaker, and the ambassador is a wonderful raconteur. Hopefully, my few words may also be worth people’s attention. There may also be a cuppa or even a glass of wine to take the edge off.
What tips would you give to anyone in the area who may want to become a wildlife photographer?
I always advise people who wish to take up photography to join a local camera club, and here in Tallaght we have one of the best in the country. If they then wish to pursue wildlife photography, start near home. There’s a lot more in your back garden than you realise, so begin there and then move on to the local park or river. The possibilities are endless.
