What makes an image a great one, one that will stay in your mind for a very long time? In one word, my answer to that question is, different.
Wildlife photography is a huge passion of mine but I often get stuck when trying to think of new ways to show off these animals. You see, to me a fantastic wildlife image is different…different being one of my favourite words in all of the work that I do. In my personal capacity as a photographer I try to create different images and am still trying (and will never stop) to not produce the normal thing you would see in every other wildlife magazine. Don’t get me wrong, these ‘normal’ images are still absolutely amazing and I know it’s not at all easy to get them but what I personally strive for is taking that image one step further. And as with all photographers I think I will forever be trying to get that one image that will stay with someone forever.
Passion is something that will definitely give you the option of trying to get a fantastic wildlife image, but I also believe that it is not just a passion for photography that will get you the image, but also a passion for wildlife. If you understand animals and their behaviour you’ll have a much better chance of capturing something out of the norm, although with wildlife you sometimes never know what is going to happen and in that way nature teaches us something as well. Sometimes you need to think differently…
There are a few things that I know of that can help you to think out of the box. Having a creative mind is the first step. Read books that interest you, follow bloggers that inspire you, think that one step further than everyone else is willing to take and follow your thoughts, never stop a thought in the middle and think, “Mmmm where was that going?” It may be the start of an amazing idea. I constantly photograph different things and then try to swop the way that I would say, shoot a lodge or a person with the way that I would photograph an animal. If you think about it, it instantly becomes interesting. I know that can be very difficult or maybe even impossible…you can’t exactly stand on a chair next to a lion and ask it to look up, unless maybe you would like to be attacked… but the point is to play with the ideas until you find an interesting shot.
This image of a baby zebra is cute but not wow. It seems like quite a regular image but I still like it, she’s looking right at me and the interaction as well as the light is good.
But looking at these 3 consecutive images of an elephant feeding from an unusual point of view is interesting and lets the viewer feel as if they are entering their space; you almost feel special (on this same trip I was charged by the bull of this herd so to be entering their space like I was here felt very special to me). Adding the Vintage preset to these images also adds drama and wisdom, and makes them look a lot like art. Personally I love these elephant images; they are some of my favourites.
‘Differentness’ aside I think if your soul is into what you do I think you will produce beautiful images no matter how you do it. But remember to take a step back every once in a while and pretend that the lion you are photographing is actually a person…you might come out with some very interesting shots!
Kerry de Bruyn
Kerry’s Links:
- Website: www.kerrydebruyn.com
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/AfricanPhoto
- Facebook group: Kerry de Bruyn Photography
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Nice post Kerry! My thoughts resound pretty much with yours. When I shoot a scene I typically shoot the ‘basic shot’ and then ask myself “how can I approach this in a different way, a way that is more a signature of my approach than just your ‘stock’ wildlife photo”.
Love your elephant photos – great artistic processing.
Thanks Morkel! Glad you enjoyed it.