A lifelong passion

浙江 江 麗

大衛·普盧默是一位頂級的野生動物攝影師，一年中有幾個月的時間他都在世界各地拍攝野生動物。

1For David Plummer, wildlife and photography remained his passions.When he was 26, David took the leap to work towards becoming a professional wildlife photographer.“I moved to Sussex and did various odd jobs—which included cleaning and care work—in order to survive while I built my contacts and work experience,”he says.“Being a volun?teer photographer for the Sussex Wildlife Trust was a turning point.”

2These days, David is a respected wildlife photographer, teacher and conservationist.The 47?year?old leads photography holidays to various locations such as Kenya,Brazil and the Galápagos,as well as wildlife?watching and photography events in the UK.

3Aged 40, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.“There were some dark months, but all my life I've chosen to be positive.I know I'll lose function,but the disease has encouraged me to be alive.I've decided to grab life by the horns!”

4When he's taking images,his only solution to his condition is to use faster shutter (快門)speeds to reduce the bad effects of camera shake.If he's leading a trip on the other side of the world, he flies ahead of the group so he can have a night's rest in a hotel before the tour starts.At home, voice?dictation software on his computer and a newly hired PA (a re?tired man who's equally passionate about wildlife)are helping him stay on top of the admin?istration involved in running a business.“I don't think about the disability while I'm work?ing and I don't care if I'm stiff and aching.I'll do whatever it takes to get the shot,”says David,who happily spends hours in a floating hide covered in leeches(水蛭).

5Next year of 2016 saw the publication of his coffee?table book7 Years of CameraShake, which is filled with stunning images taken since his diagnosis.“I want to tell other people facing health challenges won't limit their ambitions.This book is not about what Par?kinson's disease has done to me.It's about what it has not done to me.I'm seven years down the line and I'm still going strong,”he says.

Reading Check

1.Which of the following matters most in David Plummer's photography career?

A.Moving to Sussex.

B.Being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

C.Working as a care worker.

D.Volunteering to photograph for the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

2.How does David Plummer deal with the effects of his disease while taking photos?

A.By using voice?dictation software.

B.By flying ahead of the group to rest before a tour.

C.By using faster shutter speeds.

D.By hiring assistants to help with his business.

3.What is the publication by David Plummer?

A.A book about his journey with Parkinson's disease.

B.A wildlife photography guide.

C.A book about his photography career.

D.A book full of stunning images taken since his diagnosis.

4.What message does David Plummer try to convey with his book?

A.The limitations of facing health challenges.

B.The effects of Parkinson's disease on his photography.

C.The importance of staying positive in the face of difficulty.

D.The effects of camera shake on photography.

Language Study

Ⅰ.日積月累

professionaladj.專業的

photographern.攝影師

conservationistn.自然環境保護主義者

diagnosev.診斷

grabv.抓住；抓緊

administrationn.行政；管理

stiffadj.僵硬的；酸痛的

turning point 轉折點

camera shake 相機抖動

voice?dictation software 語音識別軟件

Ⅱ.語法填空

China has 1.________(official) announced the first group of national parks—the Three?River?Source National Park, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, and the Wuyishan National Park.The national parks refer 2.________special areas put under pro?tection with the aim of conserving the ecosystem and natural resources.The 3.________(announce) is a practical move related to the drive to continuously promote the building of an ecological civilization.

Home to various key wildlife species in China, the Wuyishan National Park appeals 4.________tourists both at home and abroad.It features rich diversity due to 5.________(it)unique natural environment.Taking a bamboo raft tour is people's favourite.With trees,6.________(bush) and colourful flowers covering every corner of the park, it provides clean water and produces oxygen,7.________(make)it the green lungs of Fujian Province.There are many hiking routes for you to take.What's more, there are several viewing plat?forms 8.________you can stop to admire the breathtaking beauty of mountains,waterfalls,and lakes around.Words fail 9.________(describe) its impressive beauty.Therefore, you 10.________(recommend)to pay a visit by yourself.