“The giraffe is my favourite animal to photograph. When I take people who haven’t been to Africa before on a photographic safari, they invariably fall in love with giraffes.

These gentle, inquisitive giants fascinate us for many reasons. Their unique shape and height make them powerful compositional elements in photographs, including those encompassing broader views of the landscape. Their movement is also intriguing; even in elegant ‘slow motion’, a giraffe could comfortably out-run Usain Bolt, whereas, on the downside, they do have to perform some rather ungainly contortions to lower their heads to drink.

Their patterning, which varies quite markedly between the various sub-species, can also provide for some interesting photographic studies, particularly if an attendant oxpecker has read the script and positions itself nicely in the frame.

Sadly, giraffes have suffered an estimated 50 percent population decline in the past 10 years. Today, only 80,000 may remain across Africa.”

richardgarveywilliams.com
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My Big 5

Giraffe
Leopard
Elephant
Orangutan
Grizzly Bear