Wildlife & Nature Photography
Why do we keep on taking pictures of animals?
I mean, you can only have so many images of a zebra. They all look the same anyway. Well, that if you believe a person I heard on a game viewer vehicle a few days ago.
No really. What is it that keeps some of us picking up our cameras and filling up gigabyte after gigabyte with wildlife images. It is obviously not a universal thing as many people go on safari, see some of the most amazing sightings and do not even have a small point and shoot camera with them to capture the moment. Perhaps because they all look the same? 
I suppose the one side of the spectrum would purely be to remember a holiday. Visually. This would be similar to someone visiting NYC and snapping away at images of 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building and the Naked Cowboy in Times Square. Once home, the images will be dumped into a directory on the computer and after boring all your visitors by showing off your ‘holiday pics’ they will ultimately find a place in whatever cyberspace heaven the millions of digital images go to once they have been dumped. Honestly, how many images do you have somewhere on your hard drive that you have not used, or even looked at for years?
On the other side you get serious photographers who head out into the wild in order to fulfill a creative vision. To chase an image they have seen in their mind’s eye. These images will ultimately find there way to a stock website, onto a wall as printed art or into the photographer’s portfolio of images.
Still the question remains. Why do we keep on doing it? Yes, there might be a goal but is there not something deeper that drives us to keep on photographing nature? Again and again.
Is it because somewhere deep down we know that our subjects will not be around forever. In Nick Brandt’s book, A Shadow Falls, he refers through monochrome images to Africa’s wildlife as a disappearing world. This might sound and look quite dramatic but is there not some form of truth to this and the reason we keep on clicking the shutter?
Is it because we are trying to create art? To enter competitions? To have something to do when going out on game drive? To create a picture to put up on the wall? A pc desktop perhaps?
However you get your images, what do you do with them? Even if it is only a hobby, why? What attracts you to it? Why do you do it?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Gerry
Photo-Africa was born out of my combined passion for wildlife, nature and photography. I currently work in the Madikwe Game Reserve which gives me ample opportunity to photograph African wildlife and nature. I also offer various photographic services which include lodge & hospitality shoots and lifestyle portraits. Please contact me for commissions or any other questions.
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I think we keep taking pictures of wildlife (well, I do anyway) because of the sheer beauty and diversity of wildlife and the scope for different angles, lighting, surroundings, expressions etc etc. The beauty is often in the detail, the wonderful intricacy of nature. And then there is the challenge and hope of capturing a moment on camera in a way that hasn’t happened before – a rare occurence perhaps, but the possibility is always there. Perhaps most of all I want to pass my images on to my little granddaughter who, sadly, may grow up to live in a world that no longer includes such images.
Not a short answer to a seemingly easy question asked. I shoot for many reasons, one being I enjoy it. And to me all animals are NOT the same. They are like people in a way, each and every one has their own unique personality and characteristics, and most have their own individual markings. And yes, we don’t know if certain animals will still be around in 10 or twenty years, and want memories that can also be passed down to future generations, as it has been done with us.
Personally, I don’t see how anyone can go out on a safari drive in the bush and NOT have a camera. These are memories that will last a lifetime. Yes, one day I hope to have published photos, but for now I do it mainly for enjoyment and the memories. I’ve loved taking pictures ever since I was a small child, but love nature and animals and there is just something about “shooting” wildlife and nature that brings me peace. Love the zebra shots, and no, you can never have too many shots of them. Thanks so much for sharing the tips and the shots….I always look forward to seeing and reading them. :^)
Gerry
Thanks for asking these questions…
The thought you mentioned that most resonates with me is the fact that deep down inside we somehow know this won’t last forever, and we want to capture a moment of something that might be more fleeting than we realise…
Of course I thoroughly enjoy taking photos, and want them to adorn the walls of discerning buyers, but in the end what I like most about photographing the wild is the fact that you are witnessing a unique moment by a unique creature in a unique place and space in time – and wanting to share that with as many as would look upon the image I create.
I believe wildlife photography is a strong tool in bringing conservation and critical biosphere issues to the fore.
Let’s keep clicking away!!
Morkel Erasmus
One simple word – ‘PASSION’!!
If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn’t need to lug around a camera. ~Lewis Hine
If this is true, then I’m a frustrated writer!