Warwick Sloss is an award-winning camera operator and Director of Photography on films and television programmes. He works mainly in science and natural history documentaries with his work appearing in programmes such as Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and Africa.

What are your best memories of BGS? 

I have so many great memories of BGS but most of them involve disappointing teachers by messing around with my friends. I fondly remember being stopped in a corridor and upbraided by a member of staff for my scruffy hair and incorrectly-worn tie. ‘You look like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards’ he said, looking me up and down with obvious disgust. This was a man who was not known for his own sartorial elegance. He was wearing a suit that looked like a carpet, with leather elbow patches.

Can you remember any teachers who had an impact on you?

I think all of my teachers left an impact in some way. Some physically, but you know, these were different days when throwing wooden blackboard erasers at unruly kids was very much de rigeur.

I found Chemistry difficult in the early years but then in Lower Removes (Year 8?) we had Ian Rolling, who was also my house master. I think even he might admit he wasn’t the most patient of men on the rugby pitch, but he was kind and somehow made chemistry click for me. I came to really enjoy it and ended up pursuing it at A Level, for which I am forever grateful. I’ve met him many times since then and he’s one of the nicest men you could ever meet.

Derek Burns had a fierce reputation for discipline and handing out detentions, as well as being regularly spotted having a crafty fag at break times, an indulgence not willingly afforded to us, I seem to recall. I thought he was an absolutely brilliant teacher and was probably the first to make me really want to learn. He would unintentionally make me laugh with his dry wit, even as he was bollocking someone. He gave me a lifelong passion and interest in modern languages. 

Mike Ransome, who was head of modern languages for many years, and taught us Russian, was the man behind the Russian exchange trips, and an absolute one-off. A funny, charismatic, intelligent and caring man with infinite patience and a unique style, he could have you rolling in laughter while inspiring you to learn. I have him to thank for my only A grade in A Level Russian, and my appreciation for Russian literature. I wish all kids everywhere could have teachers like him.

In Lower Sixth we were encouraged to organise our own work experience. I tried to avoid signing up but the careers teacher caught up with me and asked me what I would like to do in my wildest dreams. I said that I wanted to work for David Attenborough, making wildlife films. 

I thought that this would be such an outlandish idea that she would give up and leave me alone, but instead she put me in touch with Vicky Nichols, who taught maths and art. I wasn't lucky enough to be in her classes but she hooked me up with people at BBC Natural History Unit which resulted in some work experience in the school holidays. Her kindness led to some more holiday and weekend work, which ultimately led to a traineeship at the BBC and a thirty-year career as a cameraman. 

In that respect, Vicky Nichols and the career lady had the most impact on how my life turned out. Without their dedication and generosity, I expect I would have been a policeman, probably a maverick detective who is great at solving murders but drinks too much and has a problem with authority.

Why wildlife photography?

I had a curiosity for wildlife and nature from a fairly young age but also a fascination with photography and cameras. We didn’t have fancy cameras in the house (my parents had a plastic Kodak Instamatic for holiday photos) but they noticed my interest and encouraged it, helping me buy materials and so on. These were pre-digital days when everything was mechanical and there were film, paper and chemicals involved. The process of making images with these really interested me. I also loved watching films and TV and trying to understand how they were made. 

What have been the highlights of career?

I’ve been ridiculously fortunate and there are so many highlights. One obvious example is having gotten to travel and work with Sir David Attenborough on Life of Mammals going from location to location, filming wildlife sequences. At each location, we would meet up for a few days so we could film his presenting pieces. They were tough shoots, but he was an absolute trooper, patient and funny, and a consummate professional. That was the greatest privilege and one of my career highlights. 

Other highlights include floating in a tiny boat around icebergs beneath a calving glacier in Svalbard, climbing and filming a volcano in the Mediterranean, sitting in a hide in the Serengeti while crocodiles launch at wildebeest just inches away from my face. You know, the usual stuff, really. 

What’s next for you?

I’m keeping an open mind as far as filming work goes. I feel I’m good at it and I would love to be able to do it for a few more years. In the meantime I’m looking at writing, public speaking, tutoring and maybe I can get a few quid doing modelling on OnlyFans or something.

What motivates you?

Revenge? Not really. I think creativity is my primary motivation. I enjoy technical and artistic challenges and I’m driven to produce the best-quality work that I can,  while enjoying the process. I always seem to be drawn to work that is technically difficult. There’s a special satisfaction to be had from making images that I like and which others respond to, especially where the limitations to this initially seem insurmountable.

How do you relax?

It’s a bit of a busman’s holiday but I still like doing wildlife photography in the garden. It takes me back to my teenage years when I was learning how to do it.

I’ve been terrible at playing guitar for 35 years, and I’ve recently started being terrible at playing bass. I enjoy it immensely but my partner doesn’t seem to share my enthusiasm. I also love a bit of cycling, live music, driving my little sports car around the race track, fine dining, pink cocktails and reading. This year, I discovered I can do cryptic crosswords and these currently occupy more of my time than I care to admit.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Concentrate on what you love. Everything else is a complete waste of time.

Find out more about Warwick’s journey:

Warwick Sloss

Director of Photography and Gentleman

sloss.co.uk

slossphoto.co.uk

Instagram @warwicksloss