In the Press: Interview About What Makes an Award-Winning Wildlife Photograph?

An Interview on The F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast

I'm pleased to have been a recent guest on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen photography podcast, joining host Matt Payne for a wide-ranging conversation about wildlife photography.

F-Stop Collaborate and Listen is a weekly photography podcast exploring the ideas and experiences behind photographers' work.

During our conversation, we covered many of the subjects I've become increasingly interested in over the years, both as a wildlife photographer and through leading photographic safaris – everything from developing your own photographic style, authenticity in wildlife photography and what makes an award-winning wildlife photograph.

Developing Your Own Style as a Wildlife Photographer

We began by talking about my own route into wildlife photography, from photographing deer close to home in London's Richmond Park to spending much of my time photographing wildlife in Kenya, Uganda and India.

We also discussed the influence my background in design has had on the way I compose photographs and why I've increasingly been drawn towards simplicity and minimalism in my work.

I don't believe developing your own photographic style is necessarily about natural talent. Much of it comes from experience, persistence and repeatedly returning to the places and subjects you enjoy photographing.

Authenticity, Editing and AI in Wildlife Photography

Another significant part of our conversation focused on authenticity.

I've always preferred to create as much of the finished photograph as possible in camera rather than substantially manipulating an image afterwards. Matt and I discussed where the line might be drawn between reasonable post-processing and manipulation, and why transparency is particularly important in wildlife photography.

We also talked about the growing influence of AI-generated and digitally manipulated imagery and the questions this raises around trust and authenticity in photography.

What Makes an Award-Winning Wildlife Photograph?

Having been fortunate enough to receive recognition in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards on six occasions, we also discussed photography competitions and what can make one photograph stand out from thousands of technically excellent images.

As I said to Matt, I believe that technical perfection alone doesn't necessarily make a photograph memorable.

Originality, timing, composition, behaviour and simply showing something familiar in an unfamiliar way can all make the difference. Sometimes there is an element of luck too, although being in the right place often comes from returning to locations, understanding animal behaviour and being prepared to wait.

The Changing Experience of Wildlife Photography Safaris

Towards the end of the episode, our conversation turned to photographic safaris.

We discussed the increasing number of vehicles and photographers in some popular wildlife destinations, the potential impact on animal behaviour, and the responsibility photographers and safari operators have to put the welfare of wildlife first.

We also talked about expectations. Wildlife photography is unpredictable by nature, and no safari can guarantee a particular photograph or encounter.

For me, that's part of its appeal.

You can return to the same location year after year and still see something you've never witnessed before. Occasionally, everything comes together and you're rewarded with one of those photographs you may only encounter once in a decade.

Listen to the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen Podcast

Thank you to Matt Payne for inviting me onto the podcast and for such an enjoyable and wide-ranging conversation.

You can listen to the episode, number 493, in the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen archive. It’s available wherever you usually listen to podcasts.

You can also watch the interview as it happened on the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen YouTube channel here.

There's also a separate bonus conversation in which I share some of my more extraordinary wildlife encounters from over the years, which you can access if you support Matt’s show via Patreon.

I hope you enjoy it.

David