#007 - Self Reflection

Uganda - 2021
 
At the center of the earth, in the middle of the rainforest and surrounded by a family of mountain gorillas whose behaviour and physical appearance is very similar to our own. Looking into those eyes is almost like looking into a mirror.
 
There I am, with the camera in full swing. 60 minutes is the time you are allowed with the gorillas once you have located them. The search for a good picture is frantic. The I quickly forget that I am in the middle of something that I have dreamed of for many years and something that is an impossible experience for various reasons.
 
Once I realised, I tear my eye away from the viewfinder and instead of frantically chasing the image, I just sit there and absorb all the sounds, smells and sights for a few minutes. 3-4 gorillas sit calmly eating around me. The feeling of acceptance is overwhelming.
 
The eye contact is brief but very intense, the photographer in me quickly takes over again and I resume the chase for a great picture.
 
I got my picture, I experienced the experience, but above all I took an indescribable feeling home with me. At that time I instantly knew that this would be one of those life-changing moments that I would go back to throughout my life.

This encounter deepened my connection to fine art wildlife photography and strengthened my desire to create black and white animal prints that capture emotion and presence in their purest form. It was one of those rare experiences that remind me why I continue to seek the wild and share its quiet power through my work.
 
This is an award-winning image
🏆2022 - reFocus Awards - Honorable Mention