Danny Beath

David Daniel Nicholas Beath[1] (6 September 1960 – 14 January 2013) was a British landscape and wildlife photographer and botanist.[2] He was renowned for his images of Scottish, Welsh and Shropshire flora and fauna, in particular butterflies[3] and fungi.

Danny Beath
Danny Beath in 2002
Born
David Daniel Nicholas Beath

(1960-09-06)6 September 1960
Berlin, West Germany
Died14 January 2013(2013-01-14) (aged 52)
NationalityBritish
Alma materUniversity of Reading
University of Aberdeen
OccupationPhotographer
Websitewww.flickr.com/photos/flickering_velvet/
smilingleafimages.co.uk
(smilingleafimages is no longer available)

Early life

Beath was born in Berlin in 1960 to a military father (Capt DTL Beath SCLI).[4] The family had numerous postings to military camps around the world including Singapore in 1966 and Malaya in 1967 and it is here where he became acquainted with tropical fauna and flora for the first time.[5] A consistent education was difficult owing to numerous family moves and after some unhappy boarding school placements he became a pupil at Shotton Hall in Shropshire in 1973 where he began to flourish intellectually.[6] His appreciation of the natural world at that time is demonstrated in a plant map of the grounds of Shotton Hall (1975).[7] He left Shotton Hall in 1978 and gained entrance to Bridgwater College (then known as Cannington Horticultural College) in Somerset.

Research

After graduating from the University of Reading in 1987 with a BSc in Botany, Beath went on to study for a PhD in Tropical ecology at the University of Aberdeen between 1989 and 1993. During his post-graduate and post-doctoral period, he travelled extensively through the rainforests of the Old and New World, including several years' experience in West Africa and Central America. It was here that he did much of the research for his papers and articles on the pollination of Amorphophallus johnsonii by Silphidae,[8] the biology and pollination ecology[9] of Araceae in Ghana[10] and spadix heating in African arcaeae.[11]

Aspergers

Beath was diagnosed with autism at the age of four in 1964, thanks to the persistence of his mother who knew he wasn't simply "retarded" (as it was expressed in the language of the day).[5] She took him to see Dr Kenneth Soddy and followed his programme for autistic children which emphasised inclusive and stimulating activities with trusted family members such as singing, talking, reading aloud and imaginative play and a reduction in the time he was allowed to spend in solitary activities.[12] Within eighteen months he was speaking and enjoying play with children he knew but remained shy and confused when confronted with children unknown to him or in a setting outside his home. As an adult, he became an advocate for those living with autism and frequently gave talks about his life and living with the syndrome.[2][6] He was an active participant, supporter and speaker of Autonomy Shropshire (a self-help group based in Shropshire for young people and adults with high ability autism)[13] and Autism Cymru.[14] For several years, he was an advisor to the board on autism spectrum disorders for Autistica.[15]

Photography

Like his great uncle Ivo Peters, Beath's main passion in life was photography. His photographic subjects included a wide range of insects (especially beetles, butterflies and moths), amphibians and birds as well as the flora of tropical rainforests, which were the subject of his thesis. He was completely self-taught, and it was when studying for his PhD at The University of Aberdeen that his passion really took off.[16] He joined the university's camera club and started to refine his photographic technique and also developed an interest in photographing Scottish landscapes. In the last decade he had focused photographing the natural landscapes in and around his hometown of Shrewsbury. He was a keen member of the Shropshire Photographic Society and was the club's competition secretary for several years.[17] During 2010 he was commissioned to write a monthly feature about Shropshire photography through the seasons in Shropshire Life magazine.[18][19]

Death

Beath died of a heart attack on 14 January 2013 at the age of 52. On the day of his funeral he was announced as the winner of the Travel Photo of the Year competition.[2]

Competitions
YearCompetitionResultPhoto
2013International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Third place (Breathing Spaces)A Walk along the River (River Severn, Shrewsbury)[20]
2012Wanderlust Travel Photo of the YearWinner of Landscape CategoryStorm over Blackstone[5]
2012Take a ViewThe Sunday Times Magazine's Choice AwardMist on the Welsh Marches[21][22]
2012National Insect WeekSecond Prize (Riverfly Competition)Clump of caddis fly spawn on the tip of a leaf[23]
2012Wild Shropshire Photography CompetitionOverall Winner & Landscape Category WinnerDawn at Blakemere Reach[24]
2012International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Finalist (Fragile landscapes)Silver Studded Blue habitat[25]
2012International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Highly commended (Fragile landscapes)Scrubs Wildflower Meadow[26]
2012Wild Shropshire Photography CompetitionOverall winnerMorning Mist in Ellesmere
2012Wild Shropshire Photography CompetitionFirst prize (Landscape category)Morning Mist in Ellesmere
2012Wild Shropshire Photography CompetitionHighly commended (Bird category)Skein of geese
2012Keele 3 Counties Print CompetitionFirst PrizeMist over the Welsh Marches
2012Shrewsbury Open Photography ExhibitionSilver Selector's MedalMist over the Welsh Marches
2011International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Highly Commended (Wildflowers)Bee Visiting Catkins on the First Warm Day of Spring[27]
2011Harper Adams Photography ExhibitionCompetition WinnerMitchell's Fold[28]
2011International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Finalist (Four seasons category)Mayfly at sunset[29]
2011International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Highly commended (Trees category)Trees in the mist[30]
2011Wanderlust Travel Photo of the YearFinalist (Icon category)Guggenheim museum, Bilbao[31]
2011Wanderlust Travel Photo of the YearFinalist (Landscape category)View down to Curral Das Freiras[32]
2010National Insect WeekFirst Prize (18+ Category)Emerging Crane Fly[33]
2010National Insect WeekFirst Prize (Riverfly Competition)Silhouette of a Mayfly at Sunset[34]
2010National Insect WeekCommendation (18+ Category)Silhouette of a Mayfly at Sunset[34]
2010Plant LifeCompetition WinnerRed poppy field, Pim Hill[35]
2010British Wildlife Photography AwardsHighly CommendedEmerging Crane Fly[36]
2010International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Commended (Garden Views)Jardin Botanico Wilson, Costa Rica[37]
2009International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)Commendation (World botanic gardens)The Climatron[38]
2009Wanderlust Travel Photo of the YearFinalist (Landscape category)Mountain aloes, Madeira[39]
2008National Insect WeekCommendationLow-level view of a Fritillary butterfly in Spain[40]
2006Wanderlust Travel Photo of the YearRunner-up (People category)Children in the Mist[41]

Exhibitions
DateExhibitionLocation
1 August – 9 September 2013Danny Beath's Views of ShropshireThe Hive Gallery, Shrewsbury[42]
10–23 March 2013Shropshire Photographic SocietyBear Steps Gallery, Shrewsbury[43]
29–22 March April 2000A Shropshire LadMusic Hall, Shrewsbury[44]
gollark: Immutability is a saner default, and `const` does not, as far as I know, work on, say, any data structure.
gollark: I also don't like that basically everything is mutable by default.
gollark: As much as I dislike Go, at least it appears to get this right.
gollark: It should be `int[10]* v` or something, so that the type information is ACTUALLY WITH THE TYPE.
gollark: That is total bees?

References
  1. "Danny Beath – photographer with a natural gift". BBC.co.uk. BBC. 9 April 2005. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  2. "In pictures: Award-winning photographer Danny Beath remembered". Shropshire. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  3. "Danny Beath: Shropshire Photography". GreatBritishLife.co.uk. Great British Life. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  4. "BEATH, Dr". MyFamilyAnnouncements.co.uk. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  5. "Travel Photo of the Year: Danny Beath tribute". Wanderlust.co.uk. Wanderlust Publications Ltd. 1 February 2013. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  6. "Hear Two of the World's Leading Speakers on Autism at Reduced Prices!". SchoolsMailServer.co.uk. Autism Awareness Centre Inc. 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  7. "'This is my Shotton' by Dr. Danny Beath". PETTrust.org.uk. Planned Environment Therapy Trust. January 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  8. Beath, Daniel D.N. (May 1996). "Pollination of Amorphophallus johnsonii (Araceae) by carrion beetles (Phaeochrous amplus) in a Ghanaian rain forest". Journal of Tropical Ecology. 12 (3): 409–418. doi:10.1017/S0266467400009603. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  9. Beath, Dr. Danny (13 May 2011). "Pollination Ecology of the Araceae". Aroid.org. International Aroid Society. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
  10. Beath, Danny (1993). "Biology of the Araceae in Ghana". EThOS.bl.uk. The British Library Board. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  11. Beath, Danny (1991). "Spadix heating in an African aroid". Tropical Biology Newsletter. 61.
  12. Heatley, Mercy; Burnand, Marie (15 March 2000). "Doris Holden-Ortiz: Bringing help to emotionally disturbed children". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  13. "Autonomy". ShropshireAutonomy.co.uk. Shropshire Autistic Supporters. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  14. "Autism Cymru education conference in Wrexham". Politics.co.uk. Politics.co.uk. 25 April 2007. Archived from the original on 1 June 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  15. "Annual Review 2009" (PDF). Autistica.org.uk. Autistica. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  16. "Shrewsbury photographer Danny Beath dies". ShropshireLive.com. Shropshire Live LLP. 16 January 2013.
  17. "Danny Beath 1960–2013". Shropshire-Photographic.org.uk. Shropshire Photographic Society. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  18. "Danny Beath's Award-winning Photography". GreatBritishLife.co.uk. Great British Life. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  19. "Danny Beath's Shropshire Seasons". GreatBritishLife.co.uk. Shropshire Life Magazine. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  20. "Competition 6 – Breathing Spaces – Winners". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  21. "2012 Award Winners". Take-a-view.co.uk. Take-a-view. 2012. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  22. "5-minutes-with-Take-a-View-winner-Danny-Beath". PhotographyMonthly.com. Photography Monthly. 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  23. "Tribute to a fine wildlife and landscape photographer". NationalInsectWeek.co.uk. Royal Entomological Society. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  24. "Shropshire wildlife photography winner announced". ShropshireStar.com. Midland News Association. 31 October 2012.
  25. "Competition 5 – Fragile Landscapes – Finalists". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year. Archived from the original on 19 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  26. "Competition 5 – Fragile Landscapes". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  27. "Highly Commended 4 – Wildflowers". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  28. "Exhibition winners announced". Harper-Adams.ac.uk. Harper Adams University. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  29. "4 Seasons: Insect Beauties finalists". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year.
  30. "Highly Commended 4 – Trees". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  31. "Danny Beath: Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao". Flickr.com. Yahoo Inc. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  32. "Travel Photo of the Year 2011 – Landscape". Wanderlust.co.uk. Wanderlust. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  33. Davies, Ella (25 June 2012). "Snapping bugs: What can we learn from insect images?". BBC.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  34. "Tips for insect photography". NationalInsectWeek.co.uk. Royal Entomological Society. 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  35. "2010 Photo competition winners". Plantlife.org.uk. Plantlife International – The Wild Plant Conservation Charity. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  36. "'Striking' gull image wins wildlife photography award". The Independent. London. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  37. "Commended 3 – Garden Views". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  38. "Commended 2 – World Botanic Gardens". IGPOTY.com. International Garden Photographer of the Year. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  39. "Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year 2009 – Landscape". Wanderlust.co.uk. Wanderlust. 2009. Archived from the original on 20 December 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  40. "Winning Photographs 2008". NationalInsectWeek.co.uk. Royal Entomological Society. 2008. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  41. "Wanderlust Photo of the Year 2006 - People section". Wanderlust.co.uk. Wanderlust. 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  42. "Danny Beath views of Shropshire". Shrewsbury Summer. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  43. "Shropshire Photographic Society Exhibition". Virtual-Shropshire.co.uk. Virtual Shropshire. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  44. "Archive listings for A Shropshire Lad". UKTW.co.uk. UK Theatre Web. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
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