My first introduction to the bush took the form of camping trips to the Kruger National Park with my parents and siblings in the 1960’s. Thereafter these camping trips to various wilderness areas became regular fare for the family culminating in visits to the Moremi and Chobe Game Reserves in the early and late 1970’s. Campfire meals under an African night sky and early morning game drives followed by sunset fishing trips on the Okavango proved to be an intoxicating brew and I turned to photography to try and capture some of these experiences.
I have always been drawn to the big cats and my photographic interests have centred around trying to portray something of the essence of these animals. My approach has been to find one of these animals and then to spend as much time with it as possible, perhaps even sharing a day in the life of that particular subject. Whilst patience is considered a virtue in wildlife photography I find that spending a day with one of these great predators is not a demonstration of discipline but rather a privilege. These great predators all have an aura about them which I find endlessly fascinating. Photographing these animals is merely a superficial expression or by-product of a much deeper sensual experience of spending time in their presence.
I spend around three weeks a year away from my home near Durban pursuing this passion and connecting with the rhythm of these last remaining wild places and its inhabitants.
Keep in touch with Alan via his Facebook.
