Africa

I loved Nick Brandt's topic for these photos. Going out to Africa and seeing wild animals up close just seems so surreal. He says he finds himself moved when he sees these animals, and I can relate to that. I love animals, and African animals, especially in their natural state, just have a sense of power and majesty to them.

This picture by Nick Brandt really caught my eye. It's very simple; the only interesting thing in the picture is the leopard. The intensity in the cat's eyes, however, is just so intimidating and beautiful. This is also a wonderful example of simplicity.






Brandt uses a Pentax 6711 with two fixed lenses. When asked why he doesn't use a telephoto lens, he says that, "You wouldn't take a portrait of a human being from a hundred feet away and expect to capture their spirit; you'd move in close." The main purpose to this shoot is to encourage people to help conserve this wildlife and make sure it continues to thrive for years to come. 
"There is something profoundly iconic, mythological even, about the animals of East and southern Africa. There is also something deeply, emotionally stirring and affecting about the plains of Africa—those vast, green rolling plains punctuated by graphically perfect acacia trees under the huge skies."