My passion for wildlife began at a very young age. I was always drawn to animals, curious about their behavior and fascinated by their presence. That natural attraction slowly grew into a constant interest, shaping the way I see and connect with the world around me.
I guess I chose the wrong profession at first, as I dedicated myself to graphic design and art direction in advertising. However, thanks to the great black-and-white fashion and advertising photographers I admired and my constant connection to that world, my interest in photography gradually grew. It became my way of applying all my knowledge of this art while connecting two worlds I have always been passionate about: wildlife and photography.
Black and White as a Language
When I think about my work, I feel that black-and-white is much more than a style: it is my way of speaking, telling stories, and showing what I feel when I am in front of nature. I don’t choose it because it sounds more “artistic” or “classic,” but because it allows me to focus on the essentials, on what I really want to convey.
By removing color, I eliminate distractions and let textures, shapes, and contrasts speak. For me, black-and-white photography is an exercise in honesty: what you see is what remains when everything superfluous disappears.
The Essential Over the Superfluous
I have always felt that the important thing is not to show everything, but to show what truly matters.
“Simplifying reality and taking it to the most essential so that the wild character of nature … takes center stage.”
This means I aim for a gaze, a silhouette, or a gesture to be enough to tell a story. When I work in black-and-white, I want the viewer to connect with the strength of the moment without distractions, as if they could hear the silence of the instant.
Less Is More
I firmly believe in the idea that “less is more.” By simplifying an image, I remove everything that might divert attention and guide the viewer directly to what truly matters. Sometimes a single gesture, a shadow, a look, or a line is enough to give a photograph its power.
I like to think that by reducing visual elements, what remains becomes more compelling. When an image is simple, the viewer doesn’t get lost in unnecessary details; they are naturally drawn to the essence of the scene. This apparent emptiness, this noise-free space, allows each person to complete the photo with their own emotions.
Composition as the Backbone
For me, composition is the backbone of every photograph. It is not only about arranging elements within the frame but about guiding the viewer’s eyes toward the story I want to tell. In black-and-white, where colors no longer serve as guides, composition becomes even more crucial.
Lines, shapes, and spaces take on a new weight. The placement of an animal in its environment, the balance between light and shadow, or the silence of empty space. All of this works together to create harmony and tension at the same time.
I often seek simplicity, avoiding unnecessary elements that could weaken the message. A diagonal line leading to a lion’s gaze, the curve of a tree framing a silhouette, or the negative space surrounding a subject can be enough to create strength and intimacy.
Good composition, for me, is not about following rigid rules but about knowing when to break them to provoke a stronger emotion. It is the invisible structure that allows the image to breathe and, at the same time, gives it power.
Contrast as a Tool
Light and shadow are, for me, two brushes with which I paint each image.
This contrast is not just an aesthetic choice. It is my way of giving voice to what I want to communicate. The blacks hide what I don’t need to show, and the lights reveal what I want the viewer to feel. In black-and-white, shadows carry as much weight as the subjects themselves.
Emotion Behind Every Image
Although my photographs come from observing wildlife, what I seek is emotion. I don’t want a photo to simply show an animal or a landscape; I want it to convey something deeper: power, solitude, majesty, or even fragility.
For me, lions are not just animals. They are kings and queens of a territory that breathes at its own rhythm. I like to think that each image preserves a piece of their story: a calm gaze that hides strength, a serene gesture that conveys dignity.
Black-and-white intensifies this narrative because it forces us to focus on what truly matters.
The Timelessness of Black and White
Another reason I work in black-and-white is that it has something magical: it makes images timeless. A photograph taken today could have been captured forty years ago, and in forty years it will still carry the same impact.
This timelessness allows me to show nature as something eternal, a mirror of who we are and who we were. Furthermore, by removing color, I create space for each viewer to project their own memories and emotions. Black-and-white turns every photo into an intimate dialogue between the image and its observer.
Technique, Yes … but Above All, Sensitivity
It is true that there is technique behind every image. The search for light, composition, and detail. But what truly gives meaning to my work is the sensitivity with which I observe. For me, it is essential to decide what to show and what to leave in the shadows, when to press the shutter and when to remain silent.
Technique without sensitivity tells nothing; when both come together, a photograph is born that can move, inspire, and invite reflection.
In Summary
My images are grounded in four simple principles:
- Show the essential: focus on what truly matters in each image.
- Less is more: simplify to capture attention and amplify emotion.
- Use contrast as a language: let light and shadow speak as much as the subject itself.
- Tell honest, wild stories: don’t just document, but convey the emotion and grandeur of nature.
Black-and-white is not just a filter for me; it is a vital choice. It is my way of asking the world for silence so I can listen to what nature has to say. And in that silence, I find the images that best represent me.
