TRUE WILDLIFE
TOM D. JONES
DUST EXPLOSION >>
I’ve seen a lot of elephants ‘dusting,’ but the kind of explosion captured in the photo isn’t often witnessed in real life. They suck up the dust with their trunks and then blow it out vigorously while gently swaying their trunks. These dust baths keep them cool and prevent insects from biting their skin. When I reviewed my footage, I realised that this explosion was truly unprecedented. It was over in the blink of an eye, leaving behind a massive cloud of dust so dense that you could hardly see the elephant. It was vital to find the ideal position as soon as I could. To fully capture the drama of the dust explosion, I chose to focus on profile shots.
STATE PORTRAIT
State portraits were designed to portray kings and queens as the embodiment of royal power. In the past, only the greatest court painters were commissioned to create official portraits. Today, this honour often falls to renowned photographers. I was lucky enough to be presented with the opportunity to capture this great king’s likeness. I’ve never seen a lion on a reserve exude such charisma. They have never had to wield power like the lion in my portrait. Only ‘true’ monarchs, such as this one, require no badges of honour or regalia to establish their legitimacy.
SEVEN BEAUTIES
For such large animals, giraffes move with extraordinary grace. They usually gather in groups but due to their height and excellent vision they are often too far apart to be captured in one shot. I waited patiently at a forest edge where I knew they would cross the adjoining grassland. When one started walking, the others followed slowly and cautiously. Then came the most difficult part: getting them all together. Communication between me and my driver was crucial. We drove carefully around the group, herding them together like a sheepdog. We knew full well: if one got spooked, they’d scatter and our efforts would be futile. Fortunately, they all gathered together on the savannah. The ultimate moment. I had just a few seconds to take this shot. After which the giraffes dispersed.
SCOUT
Lions sleep almost the entire day. They are only active between sunset and sunrise. The day was drawing to a close when I came across this pride of lions. Lighting conditions were challenging and the last of the light was fading fast. Luckily, the first shots were by far the best. It was remarkable to see how this young lion took the initiative while the others looked on expectantly. The creature’s threatening posture and piercing gaze immediately evoke its hunting instinct. Because of the shot’s low angle, I was able to convey what it might feel like to look through the eyes of its prey. Lions may look cuddly, but don’t be fooled. They’re incredibly fast and unpredictable. The moment a lion fixes its gaze on you, you must be on high alert.
MOTHERHOOD
In a picture, I strive to capture three key components: emotion, intimacy, and interaction. Here, I managed to get the shot just right. Each of the three elements comes into play. The protective mother watching over her little one, as it clumsily attempts to scratch an itch. I’m fascinated by amazing poses like this, which we rarely see in animals. The mother’s trunk, protectively curving over her calf, completes the composition. The soft light emanating from Amboseli’s overcast sky is heavenly in such a scene; it is a godsend that I treasure.
DEFENCE
This white rhino had an exceptionally long horn. I’d never been so close to an animal that looks like the only survivor of the Jurassic era. She was less than two metres away, and the threat of danger was very real, particularly because her calf was at her side. Each time her curious baby ventured towards me, the mother rhino approached, swinging her horn threateningly. My nerves were on edge but I fought to keep my cool because one false move could startle her. And that would have been fatal. The sense of vulnerability that I felt instilled in me a tremendous sense of humility.