Page 79 - Discover Botswana 25th Edition - 2025
P. 79
DISCOVER BOTSWANA 25TH EDITION 79
ART IN NATURE
As a wildlife photographer in Botswana,
I’ve grown to appreciate the subtleties
of capturing the natural world through
my camera. My journey through
photography has taught me to try and
see beyond the ordinary, exploring how
light, texture, and innovative techniques can breathe new
life into well-known wildlife subjects. Photography, much
like art, is about seeing things differently and sharing
that vision.
Botswana, where the landscapes are as diverse as
the wildlife that inhabits them, the challenge often lies
in presenting well-known subjects in new ways. In my
pursuit of artistic wildlife photography, I try to embrace
the serendipity of light, and in equal measure, shadow.
There is very little as visually compelling as light filtering
onto a subject. A routine image can be transformed into
a mysterious, almost mystical scene. These moments
are fleeting, but are exactly what makes every day in
nature exciting.
Creativity for me is about capturing the spirit of the wild
in a way that stirs the imagination and evokes emotion.
A successful image, in my opinion, should be a dialogue
between the viewer and the untamed wilderness.
In photographing animals like African elephants,
who have been portrayed countless times, texture and
shape can be powerful tools. They bring out character
in the subject, from the rough skin of an elephant to the
way its trunk arches in a perfect circle. Focusing on these
details allows me to share these animals in a way that
invites viewers to look closer and see the nuances that
make each creature unique.
Previous pages: Colour and light highlight the importance of seeing life differently.
A common and often over looked subject like this helmeted guineafowl can produce
impactful imagery if you are in the right place at the right time.
Previous pages: A high key image of a Chacma baboon allows for a more artistic
rendering by placing the subject in its environment.
Facing page: There are literally thousands of ways to photograph elephants.
Searching for new angles on a subject and making use of available light can lead to
more emotive imagery.
Below: Zebras, given their striking markings, are excellent subjects for black and
white photography. Strong compositions with a high key flare bring the subject to
the fore with little or no background inference.