I have owned an SLR camera since my early teens, progressing from a basic, robust Praktica through several manual Canons to my current pair of Canon DSLRs. When not busy as TheSkinVet I can be found as my alter ego, ThePhotoVet, photographing wildlife (2 images have been judged ‘semi-finalist in selection’ for The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition), landscapes, portraits, sports & social events ranging from international Veterinary Dermatology Congress events to over 40 Weddings in Great Britain, continental Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Australia & New Zealand.
One of my Canon DSLR EOS 6Ds, with the trusty 100mm Macro lens & Macro Ring Lite MR-14EX II flashgun, accompanies me throughout TheSkinVet consultations helping to further document the initial appearance, & then monitor the progession, of my dermatology cases. These high resolution, macroscopic images are often added into my referral reports, alongside cytology, trichography & ectoparasite photomicrographs too. This valuable addition to my comprehensive textual reports also helps the referring vets with visual monitoring of their cases in the short & long term. Serial pictorial documentation is now increasingly beneficial with the lack of primary veterinarian continuity due to the increasing staff turnover especially in the corporate-owned clinics.
For over 25 years, I have built an extensive & ever-growing library of common to very rare canine & feline skin conditions. These images are often shared with colleagues across the world for undergraduate veterinary teaching, plus local, professional & online presentations to colleagues, breeders & pet parents alike, as well as textbook & now e-book illustrations. For many years, I have been contributing images, & copy, to CD-ROM & now online educational providers. My veterinary dermatology images are now used by multiple, multinational, pharmaceutical companies for their new product leaflets, ‘before & after’ collages, ‘lunch & learn’ presentations & their online CPD academies. I also offer a editing service to my dermatology colleagues worldwide to polish their images in preparation for CPD presentations & publications too.
In March 2024, I was asked to become part of a small working party, headed by Professor Stefan Hobi (City University of Hong Kong), to set up the World College of Veterinary Dermatology image library.
Please email me at charliewalker@thephotovet.net if you are interested in any of the services I have mentioned above.