Hey everyone – a short one from me today. A great many wildlife photographers online keep talking about doing something unique and thinking out of the box, and while there’s nothing wrong with aiming for that (I often do too), it almost starts coming across as if shooting a classic shot according to sound photographic principles, with great technical settings and great use of light isn’t a good thing anymore.
Yes, some photos have been done by many others before. Yes, it’s good to be unique. But realistically, with SO many people these days having access to digital photography equipment and posting their work online for everyone to see…how much truly unique work is really being done?
That’s not to say you should be discouraged from aiming for that, I’m just saying that sometimes you need to do whatever feels right in the moment (photographically speaking). Sometimes, shooting a classic shot that countless others have taken should be okay and should be satisfying to you.
I know it is for me – heck, very little of what I do seems unique to me anyway, so I try not to get hung up on whether I’m really shooting groundbreaking shots all the time.
This lioness was photographed at a remote research waterhole in Etosha, Namibia. It was first light, and I was actually able to crouch on the ground next to our supply trailer and sleeping structure to photograph her as she strode past into the rising sun to my left. A thrilling experience (I had an exit route though – always be safe)!
Good light, good subject, good angle. Nothing groundbreaking, but a pleasing image to me as a wildlife photographer. What do you think?
Until next time – keep the shutter whirring!
Morkel Erasmus
I used to relish writing these kinds of “bio” pieces and would flaunt the odd impressive word and use dashing grammar to make it sound like I am a boundary-shifting photographer. These days I prefer stating it in much simpler ways, much more relatable ways, much more believable ways… The fact of the matter is this: I love Africa. I love its people, its wild places and its wildlife. I love being immersed in these places, observing and photographing the fall of light on the land and the daily lives of the creatures that call it home, and presenting the results to whoever will take a look. To me, nature photography is all about being in the moment, and capturing that moment in a way that can relate to someone who didn’t have the privilege of being there with me. Sometimes I am able to capture a unique vision of the scene before me, and sometimes I just capture it the way most folks would according to classical photographic guidelines. Yet I always enjoy sharing the images and experiences and imparting the knowledge I have, both in-the-field and later online or in presentations, workshops and courses. I also just simply enjoy capturing and sharing the beauty of God's creation! The greatest thing I’ve found about wildlife and nature photography in Southern Africa is the unity and familiarity of the community of people that share this passion. We come from all walks of life and all cultures and backgrounds, yet our passion for our natural heritage and our dream to see it preserved for future generations binds strangers together and fuels conversations around campfires long after other people have run out of conversation and energy. Join me on a WildEye adventure to experience this sharing community spirit and learn to anticipate that fleeting moment and be ready for it, learn to immerse yourself in the experience without losing focus of your photographic goals…and above all, learn to see Africa anew… because there are none as blind as those who look but do not see!
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