INSIDE THE IMAGE

Giraffes are elegant creatures with a beautifully refined gait, yet are rarely photographed in interesting and unconventional ways. I wanted to offer a fresh perspective.

I had been on assignment in the Masai Mara for a month when I got this shot. The area in which I was working has a good population of giraffes, and I’d been keeping my eye on a particular group. Everything came together one cloudy day, when I decided to take a gamble and stay with the herd from dawn to dusk. I’d become familiar with their walking routes, so I set myself up to capture them as they passed a predetermined point.

SLOW BUT SURE

The animals took their time, feeding, standing to digest their food, sitting and drinking. This was very pleasant, allowing us to enjoy each other’s company, but didn’t result in any photos. Finally, as evening fell, the animals wandered off in exactly the direction I was hoping for – away from the harsh shadows cast by the evening light. Perhaps they took pity on me.

This image effectively captures the size, power and elegance of the giraffe. It’s a layered portrait, showing both the animal in its entirety and in close-up. The monochrome finish reveals details and textures that can be overlooked when in colour – velvety fur fringing a hoof; delicate folds of skin; the sheer slenderness of the legs.