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Do You Know Nick Brandt?

07/31/14 | photography

On one of my many Pinterest afternoons I came across an absolutely stunning sepia photograph of elephants.  Usually I would pin the shot to my photography board and continue on, but the image was so arresting that stopped and did some research on the photographer. That is when I learned about Nick Brandt.   The British photographer has been capturing the, “disappearing natural world of Africa” since 2000 and I am in awe.  

In the digital age I think it is refreshing that he takes all of his photos on medium format film, not digital “captures.  Having taken formal “old school” photography courses with a wind up camera and 35mm film and having gone through the painstaking process of developing my own shots in a dark room, which used to take days with acid baths and red light exposure, it makes me appreciate this method even more.  In Nick’s own words, ” The photos are my elegy to these beautiful creatures, to this wrenchingly beautiful world that is steadily, tragically vanishing before our eyes.” 

Looking through the hundreds of photos he has taken over the past 14 years I was reminded of my trip to Africa (here) and the photos I took, but they are no where near as breathtaking!   I tried to pick only ten but could not eliminate one from my eleven favorites so these are my top picks from his website, all images copyright of Nick Brandt:  

Elephant Train, Amboseli,  2008Nick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - RhinosNick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - elephants-walking-through-grass

 “To me, every creature, human or nonhuman, has an equal right to live, and this feeling,
this belief that every animal and I are equal, affects me every time I frame an animal in my camera.” – NB

Nick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - lionesses-readying-to-hunt-masai-mara-2008-photo-by-nick-brandtNick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - Elephants and RockNick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - Lioness with Cub

“I want to get a real sense of intimate connection with each of the animals – with that particular lion or elephant in front of me. I believe that being that close to the animal makes a huge difference in the photographers ability to reveal its personality. You wouldn’t take a portrait of a human being from a hundred feet away and expect to capture their spirit; you’d move in close.” – NB

Nick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - Zebra with GrassNick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - LionsNick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - ElephantsNick Brandt - Wildlife Photographer - Male and Female LionjpgNick-Brandt-Wildlife-Photographer-zebras-turning-heads He had an exhibit of his work in New York City in September 2013, seen here, and I am so sad I did not know of Nick sooner or I would have absolutely gone.  I really hope he and his beautiful photographs come back again soon as I would love to see them in person!

Now my big decision, which of his four books should be
the latest acquisition for my coffee table? 

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Comments

  1. Detroit Duchess says

    August 21, 2014 at 12:01 am

    This are stunning photos. My husband and I love elephants and I will have to keep these in mind when we get our house someday.

    Thank you for sharing these!

    • Detroit Duchess says

      August 21, 2014 at 12:02 am

      *These

  2. Michael says

    August 8, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    I’ve never heard of him but those photos are beautiful! Now I’m going to have to go do some homework! Elephants are my favorite.

  3. Chiara says

    August 4, 2014 at 12:52 am

    Those are incredible photos! Everything is amazing!

    http://iamchiara.blogspot.com/

  4. Janna says

    August 1, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    Wow…he is incredibly talented! I love when photogs use real film. That’s REAL talent.

  5. Clever Girl Reviews says

    August 1, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    Wow, I absolutely love these. The one that really speaks to be is the zebra face!

  6. ISABEL - EL SECRETO DE MISTER CLOSET says

    August 1, 2014 at 6:03 am

    Lovely photos!
    http://elsecretodemistercloset.com

  7. Momista Beginnings says

    July 31, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    wow that’s an extreme form of impressive. such works of art. thanks so much for sharing these, i love coming across extraordinary people like him -Misty

  8. P&F says

    July 31, 2014 at 7:44 pm

    Love the first pictures!
    Cheers!
    preppyandfunny.wordpress.Com

  9. Sherry Lou says

    July 31, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    Beautiful. I especially love the elephant photos and the one with the lioness and her cub! So precious.

    Love,
    Sherry
    http://www.sherryloustudioblog.com

  10. Ash @ The Nashvillian says

    July 31, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    I’m so glad you posted this! My husband has one of Nick Brandt’s original photographs hanging in his office and is saving up for a couple more (we also have one of the coffee table books at home). He’s even had the pleasure of having a conference call with Nick…I was jealous. Haha. Nick’s work is so powerful and meaningful. He also helped start the most effective organization against poaching, called The Big Life Foundation. If you watch their video on YouTube, you will be amazed at the work they do. All around great person and great photographer. I could go on and on…this topic always strikes a chord with me.

    -Ash
    http://www.thenashvillianblog.com

    • Ash @ The Nashvillian says

      July 31, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      Whoops! I lied. My husband doesn’t have an original…those are like $80,000. I WISH we could afford to spend that kind of money on artwork! Haha! He has one of his limited edition prints. 🙂

      • Kelly says

        July 31, 2014 at 9:39 pm

        I was going to say … DANG girl. Still, a limited edition print must be absolutely spectacular!

        • Ash @ The Nashvillian says

          July 31, 2014 at 11:56 pm

          HAHA! I feel like such an idiot! I was showing my husband your lovely post when he pointed out that the originals are $80,000. Yeah, there’s a juuuuuuuust a little bit of a difference in price there! I mean, the prints are pricey enough…he bought the absolute cheapest one, and I remember being so angry with him for spending that kind of money. But it is absolutely gorgeous! If only we could keep it at our house instead of his office! 🙂

  11. Helene says

    July 31, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    wow these are incredible! and a coffee table book is an excellent idea!

  12. Amy Ann says

    July 31, 2014 at 11:48 am

    Those are beautiful photos! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! 🙂

    xo, Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

  13. Chelsea says

    July 31, 2014 at 11:31 am

    What, what a gorgeous post. The pictures are incredibly stunning, I cannot even imagine taking those with film, I’m having enough trouble getting ok shots with my digital. New to the blog and I love it, well done!
    http://www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

  14. Fabulous 30s says

    July 31, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Wow!!! Amazing photos. Those are incredible beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

    Fabulous 30s

  15. Belen says

    July 31, 2014 at 10:22 am

    wow! the pictures are amazing. I feel like animals sometimes have a lot to say and its so sad that they are unable to speak.
    Xo, Belen
    A Hint of Life

  16. alice young says

    July 31, 2014 at 9:32 am

    I’m literally blown away by his photography. The fact that he uses a film camera makes them even more beautiful and unique. I think the Lioness holding the Lion cub in her mouth is my favourite!

    The Velvet Black // UK Style, Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

  17. Heidi D. says

    July 31, 2014 at 9:23 am

    Wow, these photos are stunning! Thank you for sharing!

    Heidi D.
    http://www.wishesandreality.com

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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