Why are islands so compelling, these small lands, half actual worlds, half ghostly, half part of our life, half from another realm? For centuries, islands have been stopping places for ships. Because of isolation, many islands have also been home to some of the world’s most unusual and fascinating wildlife, remote shamanic cultures, or rare species surviving on mud or lava, sand, rock or reeds. We are talking about islands, islets and eyots tonight.

From the ‘Galapagos’ of the Pacific Northwest, we walk amongst Moai, search for the Aye-Aye, pay penance on the mighty Skellig, listen out for the ghost of John Franklin, or wonder at the great murals of Siguria. On the way we see puffins and penguins, chameleons or corncrakes, on tropical, desert, flat, cold, high and volcanic, sometimes crowded, and often barren… islands.

John’s photographs have an intense quality drawing his audience into a closer connection to the wild places of the earth. His obvious respect and feelings for the nature, its creatures, its plant kingdoms, indigenous peoples and remnants of extraordinary civilizations of the world, are reflected in his conversation and enthusiasm to communicate.

“ To engage with the situation fully, to be absorbed by the variety in unfamiliar cultures, to wonder at the historical reference in the land, to be fearless, minimalist and sufficient according to the resources around you, this is real travel.” - John Beatty

Find out more about John on his website.

Chameleon, Madagascar

Sigiriya Cave frescoes, Sri Lanka

Moai, Easter Island

King Penguins, South Georgia