A cheetah pounces on an Impala, Massai Mara, Kenya. David Plummer / mediadrumworld.com

By Tom Dare

A SERIES OF INCREDIBLE wildlife photos taken by a professional photographer in the seven years since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease have been compiled in a fascinating new book.

Images from “7 Years of Camera Shake: One Man’s Passion for Photographing Wildlife,” by David Plummer show a lioness carrying her cub across the plains, while another captures the moment a cheetah pounces on an impala after a chase.

A mountain gorilla seemingly giving his thoughts on human efforts at conservation and climate change. David Plummer / mediadrumworld.com

Further shots show a baby lion playing in the carcass of a dead eland, while a gorilla is captured in what seems like deep contemplation in another.

Photographer David Plummer has been photographing wildlife for the past 25-years, the last seven of these with Parkinson’s disease, yet he has never let this dampen his enthusiasm for the job.

And he says that, while his diagnosis in 2009 was certainly testing, he never allows himself to think negatively about his disease.

Youn Galapagos sea lions play-fighting, Galapagos Island. David Plummer / mediadrumworld.com

“Despite my naturally pragmatic and almost nihilistic view of life on earth, I came to an intense realisation: as organisms like any other, we have absolutely no control over what happens to us or around us – it just happens,” he said.

“However, we do have absolute control over our reactions to these events. We have choice. I chose positivity.

“For me there was no middle ground; I could not afford the luxury of a negative thought about my condition.

A male bee-eater passes food to a female, Kiskunsag National Park, Hungary. David Plummer / mediadrumworld.com

“I feel that negativity is potentially accumulative and can lead to a downward spiral. I eliminated any negative thought that entered my head.”

David admits he has often struggled with the symptoms of his disease, particularly in the last few years, and that the shaking that comes with his diagnosis has been particularly difficult as a photographer; some days, he says, just functioning can be a struggle.

However, he says, he’s glad that his job gives him a reason to get up every morning.

A lion cub plays in the carcass of an eland killed by the pride the previous evening. David Plummer / mediadrumworld.com

“I am fortunate enough to have a passion that forces me out of bed every day, and I pinch myself to remind me of what I do – I am lucky enough to have an incredible life.

“I travel all over the world, see and experience things many people can only dream of. Life is good. Better than good; it’s more than I ever could have hoped for.”

‘7 Years of Camera Shake: One Man’s Passion for Photographing Wildlife,’ by David Plummer is published by Unbound, and is available for purchase here: https://unbound.com/books/7-years-of-camera-shake

David Plummer / mediadrumworld.com