New Image Release: “Precipice”
I’m delighted to release a new image, 'Precipice’, for the first time in support of Ol Pejeta’s fundraiser at Royal Geographical Society (RGS) on October 23rd, an event I am proud to be an ambassador for.
The Image
The fate of the rhino has long been, and remains today, in the balance. Once widespread they are declining in numbers frighteningly quickly and as a result stand on the precipice of extinction.
When shooting white rhino images on Ol Pejeta, I was aiming to create something that depicted the rhinos struggle but also exemplified their unrivalled nature - gentle, curious and ultimately calm.
Accompanied by one of the conservancies fantastic rangers, Simon Nakito, we found a pair of white rhino as a storm brewed over Mt. Kenya. Needing to photograph one on its own to make the composition work, we waited for them to venture far enough apart from each other and with Simon’s expert supervision I was able to lie flat on the ground and silhouette the beautiful rhino against the gathering storm clouds.
“Precipice”, the first rhino image I have released in print, with edition 2/10 on auction on October 23rd at RGS
Creating this would not have been possible without the incredible co-operation of the team at Ol Pejeta and it’s my sincere hope that we are able to use it to raise much needed funds for the invaluable work they do safeguarding the future of one of the planets oldest and most iconic species.
This print, edition 2 from a run of 10, is the first time I have made a rhino image available and bidding is currently open online here, finishing at their RGS evening on October 23rd - an event I am delighted to have been asked to be an ambassador for.
“This is a chance to own an original piece of work by one of the photography world’s real rising stars”
Photographing white rhino on Ol Pejeta Conservancy under the watchful eye of one of their expert rangers
Why Ol Pejeta?
When choosing where to work on new rhino images Ol Pejeta was a natural choice. Widely regarded as the most successful rhino conservancy in East Africa and perhaps most famous for being home to the last two northern white rhinos in the world, its potential for strong rhino imagery is almost unrivalled.
I had allocated eight days for getting “the shot”, an ambiguous term as I find it implies you created something unsurpassable while I am a firm believer there is always room for improvement - if there is not you may as well give up.
Sometimes on shoots you need every day in the budget and even then can leave empty handed, others though it all falls in to place almost immediately. This, fortunately, was one of those rare times as we got “Precipice” on day two.
Over the subsequent six days I was able to visit a number of other aspects of Ol Pejeta’s critical conservation work, photographing Najin and Fatu the last two northern white rhino, meeting some of the ranger teams that monitor Ol Pejeta’s crucial rhino population, learning the vital role cattle play on the conservancy and documenting the many, many wildlife species that call the conservancy home.
Photographing Najin, 50% of the northern white rhino population
Paying respects to Sudan, the last male northern white rhino
Global Gala Ambassador
On October 23rd Ol Pejeta have once again teamed up with Helping Rhinos to host their global gala and raise vital funding for Ol Pejeta’s groundbreaking conservation work. The event can be attended live at The Royal Geographical Society or online with tickets available here.
On the night you will hear from Richard Vigne, Ol Pejeta’s managing director and Simon Jones, CEO of Helping Rhinos (the event’s hosts), on the efforts involved in front line rhino conservation, with live a performance from award winning musicians Qadasi and Maqhinga and the finale of their Global Gala auction.
As well as my piece, there is also work available from Nick Brandt’s stunning new collection, Karen Laurence-Rowe, Tom Middleton, Matthew Bell, Ami Vitale and Sam Turley.
I would be delighted if you could join us on the night and please do consider supporting such a meaningful course.
