My take on wildlife a square project was initiated by my frustration over instagrams square format, that I found so limiting. So I wanted to challenge my self by forcing me to present my wildlife photos in an square format. My main tool in this project is naturally the crop tool. I do not shoot my images in square format, my standard shooting format is 3:2. Starting to crop my photos I realized that the format made me discover new stories in my images, I had to dig deeper into my purpose with the image and I had to accept that I had to tell my story with less objekts and a hole new take on the image. In this blog I present some of the images from the project.
I choose to start the project with a photo that was the very first wildlife photo of my career. And by my very first i do not mean the first I chooses to share, no it is actually the very first time i put my finger on the button and shot a wildlife image. And I must admit that I am really pleased with the result. It is stil one of my favorite photos.
Working with the square format I still follow many of the basic rules. Like having a strong object of interest. And for a photo like this, with the nearest antilope standing out as she is the only animal that is sunlit, makes it easy. But I have discovered how the square monochrome format let me challenge the rules in a way I did not expect.
This shot of the Bee Eater in the dead tree is the perfect example on how the rules of photography can be challenged. There is so many things about this photo that is “wrong”, and still, in my opinion the photo works perfectly. Lets have a look; The object of interest, the Bee Eater is placed much to high in the image, it does not apply to rule of thirds or any other composition rules. The amount of negative space is close to 70% of the image, that is definitely not good, and the frame is broken, or penetrated by the trees branches. Despite all these wrongdoings, the photo is a strong storyteller, the naked tree, big sky and lonely but forward leaning bird makes for å stronger story than a pretty and “correct” composition.
When shooting wildlife I always look for the moments when the animal is busy being an animal. When the animal isn’t disturbed by me and my camera. Like this lioness. A photo like this is so much stronger than the typical in your face shot. Like the one underneath. Yes, the image below is a better selling image, naturally, because we get to stare the lion straight in his eyes. But I much prefer the image of the lioness where she is busy washing her face after the meal, and not the lion that have to keep an eye on me, and as a result, is disturbed by me as an object that does not belong on the savanna.
I love when the animals create their own stories like this herd of elephants that by their formation tels a story of family, rank, generations and harmony. That always makes for great photography.
Even this big bull, tells a strong story of the bulls solitary life. I love the way this is underlined by the fact that this huge bull looks small in the great vegetation of the savanna.
The pack of wild dogs was captured early in the morning, just before sunrise they gathered around this waterhole. The first photo is what I see as the typical wildlife shot. It is a great capture as one can se the water running down their faces, washing away the blood after the nights kill. The fact that one of the dogs keep an eye on me creates communication between the one watching the image and the dogs. But even so, I prefer the next image.
This image tells a stronger story, here the wild dogs are busy being wild dogs and do not mind me. The alfa dog marks one of the younger males, by peeing on him. By doing this he shares with us the story of the life in a pack.
The next image does not really tell a story, but the wild dogs ignores me and fokus on the other dogs, which I like. But what really makes this image work is the eye catching ears. Lined up in a way that you have to look twice to get a grip of what you are looking at.
Yes, I admit that the second of the images below is the most decorative. But the first engages me more. My eyes search the scene on the look for new details every time. In many ways these two images work better in different media. The second one is great for social media like Instagram and Facebook. while the first is more interesting printet in a large format.
Challenging my self with this monochrome square format has made me more aware of my compositions, and that is something I wild keep in the back of my head as I make my next journey to Africa. I realize that there is so much learning in doing a project like this, I really need to challenge my self more. Next time I shoot wildlife I will focus on camera angle, I need to get closer to the ground, and I have a plan that I will share after the next trip. Until then I leave you with yet a couple of more examples from the monochrome square project.
And if you want to see even more go to my monochrome square project on instagram: @bnw.wildlife.by.baard
For more go to my monochrome square project on instagram: @bnw.wildlife.by.baard