Wildlife Photography

Wildlife and bird photography takes a special kind of discipline, the dogged willingness to pursue, the temperance and stony patience to just wait.

Nick Brandt 's work stands out for his unique storytelling and vision. He has crafted scintillating portraits of these regal creatures and tells haunting, evocative tales of how their lives are changing immeasurably, the impact our humanity is having on their habitats and homes.

The stories are exquisite, especially his later work that explores the fragile balance we're destroying. In terms of sheer photography though, it is his earlier work that draws me, they are mesmerising works of art, celebrating wildlife and nature. I urge you to take a look at these.

Elephant Exodus - Nick Brandt | ON THIS EARTH (2001-2004)
The grandeur of that landscape, the sheer magnificence of these majestic creatures trekking across the vast African landscape.

Chimpanzee Posing - Nick Brandt | ON THIS EARTH (2001-2004)
Portraiture at its finest, look into this animal's eyes, there is a story there, depth, emotion.

Lion before Storm - Nick Brandt | A SHADOW FALLS (2005-2008)
Weariness, strength, the grace, power and might of an animal rendered into fine art.

I own a few of his books, and have been lucky enough to see a print in person. If you've been touched by this work, do buy one of his books - they're supporting a mighty artist who's battling for a worthy cause. His more recent work explores much more of our impact on their lives, the ravages of climate change, turning his portraiture into a mirror back onto us. Inherit the Dust and The Day May Break are especially moving. The latter is filled with deeply meditative, self-reflective, sad and yet hopeful stories, of survivors, of the struggle to survive, told with care, patience and and masterful skill.

My own experiments with wildlife photography are much more meagre, less weighty affairs. In a quiet moment, my eye has often turned to our feathered friends, trying to capture something of their character. I keep to my style and vision, simple, minimal, toying with reality and time. It was never my deliberate intent to craft a collection of bird photos, and yet here we are.