Nature and wildlife photography is one of the many genres of photography and one of the most exciting as well. Not only do you get up and close with some of the rarest animal species on the planet, but you also get to capture stunning pictures of them and simultaneously raise awareness about environmental issues and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
Whilst the rewards are there to be had, it is an extremely testing sub genre of photography. It takes technical knowledge, in many cases very expensive gear and an amount of patience that would test a monk. However, if you can embrace the wildlife that’s all around you, there’s no reason why you can’t create stunning images without breaking the bank.
The best wildlife photographers in the world are those who have constantly taken breath-taking shots that change photography and bring change to society. But to do this requires a diverse array of fieldcraft skills and an understanding of animal behaviours.
I always found it amusing how common birds appear exotic to non natives, a Robin would appear exotic to anyone from North or South America, in the same way that a blue Jay appears exotic to a UK native. It’s easy to take what’s on your doorstep for granted, in the UK we have a staggering variety of wildlife, and even with the diverse wildlife and birdlife in the world, the blackbird remains one of my favourites.
Wildlife photographers may go hours, days (and in the case of some of the BBC programmes, weeks) concealing themselves in a spot to take the perfect photograph or capture a particular behaviour on film.
In most cases insider knowledge is key. Trackers from local villages are often used and are made a part of the documentaries as the locals tend to have intimate knowledge of the rare wildlife around them and often provide invaluable insight into their habitat, behaviour and favourite feeding spots.
In some cases, camera traps are necessary too. Is that cheating? I don’t think so, you still have to employ all of the same techniques associated with wildlife photography. The shot has to be composed, lit correctly, exposed correctly and a specialist knowledge of the animal and it’s habitat also has to be utilised. The fact that the camera is triggered by the animal rather than the human is a minor detail as far as I’m concerned, and hasn’t affected my choice of who to include in this list.
Nature photography doesn’t simply have to be about the animals either, landscapes play an important role in telling the story of a habitat or about the state of the environment as a whole. Your project may focus on raising awareness by showing before and afters, or a cross section where nature meets modern developments. Landscape and nature photography often go hand in hand, so be prepared to capture the wide angle scenery as well as the close up images of animals or maybe even the flowers in bloom. The skill in telling a story relies on many elements, the habitat, the surroundings, the people. You may be telling a conservation story and need to focus on the people maintaining the land, it may be about an endangered plant species and the animals that are eating them. Who knows, but plan ahead and think of how you might weave an entire narrative rather than going out to get one hero shot and then go home.
Nature and wildlife photography inspiration and ideas
Hopefully you’ll be inspired by this list to go out and explore your local parks and nature reserves and tell a story of your own.
The ten photographers in this article are renowned for being the best in business throughout the history of wildlife photography and are in no particular order. I hope you find their images inspiring.
#1. Frans Lanting
Frans Lanting was born in the Netherlands and later moved to the USA. He is widely considered one of the best wildlife photographers alive and possesses an enviable portfolio. Frans makes this list as a true proponent of conservation, having dedicated his entire career to his craft and to raising awareness of environmental issues.
Having won the BG Wildlife Photographer of the year in 1991 for his work Portfolio of 10 images. In 2018 he was awarded the Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Lifetime Achievement for his contributions to wildlife photography.
Frans is a resident photographer for National Geographic and has been known to spend most of his work time in the Amazon and far Antarctica. He is a published author as well with one of his books named in the 50 most influential non-fiction books of the 20th century. Frans has a very clear mission with his work, to raise awareness of the state of the environment and to promote conservation.
Awards and Achievements
- BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year
- World Press Photo
- Sierra Clubs Ansel Adams Award
- The Netherlands Knight In The Royal Order Of The Golden Ark
“Some years ago, it was my good fortune to meet a tribal elder on an island not far from Vancouver. His name is Jimmy Smith, and he shared a story with me that is told among his people, who call themselves the Kwikwasut’inuxw. ‘Once upon a time,’ he told me, ‘all animals on earth were one. Even though they looked different on the outside, inside, they’re all the same. From time to time, they would gather at a sacred cave deep inside a forest to celebrate their unity. When they arrived, they would all take off their skins. Raven shed his feathers, bear his fur, and salmon her scales, and then, they would dance. But one day, a human made it to the cave and laughed at what he saw because he did not understand. Embarrassed, the animals fled, and that was the last time they revealed themselves this way.’ – Frans Lanting
#2. Michael “Nick” Nichols
American wildlife photographer Nick Nichols, popularly called The Indiana Jones of Photography, has worked for a long time with National Geographic, to date having photographed 27 stories for the iconic magazine. He is renowned for his skilful use of technology in capturing some of the best images from the wild, which enables him to capture animal behaviour from never before seen angles. Nichols is a legend in the field and committed to his craft, having spent 20 years documenting Elephants. He has written an article on how to photograph them for National Geographic.
His works have been featured in popular magazines such as American photographer, Life, and Rolling Stone. He has spent most of his career photographing wildlife in national parks in Gabon and the Central Africa Republic. In 2012 he took a trip to Tanzania to capture the lions of the Serengeti.
Awards and Achievements
- BBC Photographer of the year
- Wildlife Photographer of the year, 2014
- Nature and Wildlife award at the Sony World Photography award
I love this image as it is reminiscent of how i love to shoot people, it’s up close and personal and incredibly intense. The two subjects on different planes of focus give depth to the composition and it gives us a perspective of being a Lion. This image, printed life size, would be something to behold.
#3. Thomas D Mangelsen
American photographer, Thomas Mangelsen is one of the legendary veterans of the wildlife photography industry. He has dedicated his art to both wildlife creativity and wildlife conservation.
The author of three books has also had his images featured on National Geographic, Life, and BBC Wildlife amongst others. Thomas has 40 years of experience in wildlife photography with a lot of recognition and awards.
Most of his career has been spent observing wildlife in America’s wilderness.
Awards and Achievements
- BBC Wildlife Photographer of the year award
- One of Dr. Jane Goodall’s Heroes of the Animal Planet
- Nature’s Best Photography’s Conservation Photographer of the year, 2011
- Nikon’s Legend Behind the Lens 100 Most Important People in Photography recognition
#4. Neil Aldridge
Neil Aldridge is yet another photographer on our list dedicated to conservation. He is famed for the rhino conservation campaign and anti-poaching works.
Proceeds from the sales of his wildlife photography have helped raise money for conservation. His photographs have won him accolades and awards around the world as well as working with National Geographic.
Awards and Achievements
- Wildlife Photographer of the year award
- BBC Wildlife Photography award
- Nature’s Best award, 2014
- Nature Images Award
- Grand Title Winner, European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 2014
#5. Tim Laman
Growing up in Japan gave renowned field biologist and wildlife photojournalist Tim Laman the motivation to pursue a wildlife photography career. His work and collaborations with National Geographic began with his research work in the rainforest canopy of Borneo.
The majority of his works focus on the conservation of endangered wildlife species like Hornbills and Orangutans. Many of his images have been recognized by wildlife awards around the world.
Awards and Achievements
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year, 2016
- Outstanding Nature Photographer by North American Nature Photography Association, 2009
#6. Anna Henly
Anna Henly is a Scottish award-winning wildlife photographer whose 9-year birthday gift of a camera led her into photography. When it comes to brilliant photographs, Anna has got it right, with over 30 awards from the Master Photographer’s Association.
In addition, she is a qualified drone pilot and conducts workshops for drone flying and photography. Her image “Ice Matters” won her the World In Our Hands award in 2012.
Awards and Achievements
- Master Photographers Association, 2006
- BBC Wildlife Photographer of the year, 2007, 2012
#7. Marsel Van Oosten
Another multiple-award-winning photographer on the list is the renowned Marsel Van Oosten.
Marsel is known for his use of color, perspective, and lighting to make very attractive wildlife images. His images have been used all around the world for adverts and magazines.
Awards and Achievements
- International Photography Award, 2005, 2006, 2008
- European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Winners Gallery
- National Geographic Awards, 2008
#8. Joel Sartore
A contributor to National Geographic, American wildlife photographer Joel Sartore is a dedicated conservationist. Recognized as one of the best humorous wildlife photographers, Joel Sartore is the head of the 25-year-old Photo Ark Project.
The Photo Ark project was set up to photograph all species in wildlife sanctuaries and zoos around the world. There are currently more than 9,000 species in the Photo Ark project.
#9. Paul Nicklen
Canadian marine biologist, filmmaker, and award-winning wildlife photographer is another name on our list. With more than 30 awards to his name, he is one of the most recognized wildlife photographers alive.
His images are said to have the ability to engender emotional connection with subjects living in extreme conditions. Besides being a speaker at TED Talks, Paul is also a climate change activist and co-founder of a non-profit called SeaLegacy.
Awards and Achievements
- Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012
#10. Klaus Nigge
Klaus Nigge began his career at the age of 17 in Germany with a Super 8 camera and a tripod he made. Since then, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best after studying for a biology degree.
Nigge has had his work published in many European and American publications, notably National Geographic. Before becoming a professional photographer in 1995 he served as president of the Society of German Nature Photographers in1992.
Awards and Achievements
- Culture Prize of the City of Lünen, 2006
- The Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife, 2009
- the Fritz Steiniger Prize of the Society of German Animal Photographers, 2010
- Veolia Wildlife Photographer award, 2012
Conclusion
Picking from an endless list of brilliant wildlife photographers is always tough. It takes a lot of skill and patience to be counted amongst the best wildlife photographers ever.
From award-winning images to campaigns for protecting endangered species, these nature and wildlife photographers are amongst the most influential. If you have any additional names I’ve missed out on, feel free to suggest in the comments!