What Makes a Great Black and White Animal Print?
- Johan Siggesson
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 9
Why Choose Black and White?
Black and white photography has a quiet strength. It removes distractions and brings focus to the moment. At the same time it adds that sophisticated look to any space. A great black and white animal print does more than show an animal. It lets you feel something. That is what makes it powerful as wildlife wall art.
Over the years, I’ve watched people connect deeply with certain images. Not because of the species or the size of the print, but because of the feeling it gives them. That is what a great wildlife print should do. It should stay with you.
1. It Speaks to You
The best art says something. A powerful animal print might feel calm, bold, wild, or wise. It could make you pause for a moment or take a deeper breath. Some images carry a quiet energy that works its way into the room.
Collectors often tell me they didn’t choose the loudest image. They chose the one they kept coming back to. That quiet pull is the mark of something real.
2. It Feels Clean and Focused
A strong black and white animal print is often simple. One subject. A clear moment. Nothing extra. This kind of focus gives the image strength and helps it hold its place on the wall without needing to compete for attention.
Simple doesn’t mean empty. It means clear. It allows the subject to breathe and the viewer to connect.
3. The Light Brings It to Life
In black and white photography, light carries the story. It shapes the face of a lion, highlights the dust on an elephant’s skin, or adds softness to the curve of a zebra’s back.
The right light can make a moment feel timeless. Whether it’s a bold zebra print, a soft-focus elephant, or a striking lion portrait, light is what brings these images to life.
4. A black and white animal print is Made with Care
A beautiful photo is only the beginning. For a print to feel like fine art, it needs to be made with quality. I print every piece on museum-grade paper using archival inks that last for generations.
When you hold a fine art print, you can feel the texture. You can see the depth. That level of care matters, especially when it’s something you’ll look at every day.
5. It Suits Your Space
Black and white is incredibly versatile. It works well in both modern and classic interiors. Whether you're decorating a quiet reading corner, a bold living room wall, or an office, a black and white animal print can add warmth, calm, and character.
Because these images are stripped down to light, texture, and expression, they feel timeless and don’t follow trends. They fit because they are honest.
6. There’s a Story Behind It
Each image has a real story. These are not staged photos or quick snapshots. They come from hours, days, weeks and months spent in the wild, waiting for the right moment.
Some of the animals in my work are known individuals with names and histories. Others are fleeting strangers whose moments stay with me. When you bring one of these images into your home, you bring in a piece of the natural world as it truly is.
7. It Brings Nature Closer
We all need more stillness and connection. A black and white wildlife print brings a sense of wild space into your daily life. It’s not just a decoration. It’s a reminder of beauty, strength, and simplicity.
Whether you live in the city or the countryside, these prints create a link to the natural world that can ground and inspire you.
See the Collection
If you’d like to explore more, I’ve created a full collection of black and white wildlife prints.Each piece is printed to order, signed, and available in limited editions.
Final Thoughts
“In the stillness of the wild, we remember how to be alive.”
A great black and white animal print captures that stillness. It does not need to shout. It simply invites you to pause, feel, and connect.
Whether you are starting your collection or looking for one meaningful piece, let your instinct guide you. Choose the image that speaks softly but stays with you. That is the one worth living with.
