Issue 2025.02

The Wild Life

Sahara Desert, Morocco The setting sun over the desert makes an enchanting shadow of a caravan of camels winding its way toward the next stop on its journey. Canon EOS-1DS, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. Exposure: 1/1250 sec., f/2.8, ISO 400.

↑ Sahara Desert, Morocco The setting sun over the desert makes an enchanting shadow of a caravan of camels winding its way toward the next stop on its journey. Canon EOS-1DS, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens. Exposure: 1/1250 sec., f/2.8, ISO 400.

How Art Wolfe Connects With His Photography Subjects

Images by Art Wolfe, Interview by Rob Sheppard

Like most people, I first knew Art Wolfe from his outstanding wildlife photos. But I really got to know him when I became editor of the old Outdoor Photographer magazine. On one of my first encounters with Art in person, I was in Florida for a nature photography convention. What happened there was simple but told me so much about him.

Outside looking for a place to sit for lunch, I heard Art call me. I went to his table and we started talking about the event. Suddenly, Art stopped, looked up, pointed and said, “Wood storks soaring.” That interruption and redirection of our attention was important.

I knew then that Art saw nature through the eyes of a naturalist as well as an artist and that immediately connected me with him. I always enjoy talking with him and in this interview, we got to talk a bit about something that can really affect anyone’s photography, how capturing a subject’s “presence” makes for a more emotionally impactful image. 

Photo of a lion looking through leaves

Mara Naboisho Conservancy, Kenya A lion takes cover on a rainy day in the savannah. Changeable weather presents all sorts of challenges, but it does allow for gorgeous, rich color and even light. Canon EOS R5, RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens. Exposure: 1/80 sec., f/11, ISO 1000.
Photo of salt pyramids in Bolivia
Altiplano, Bolivia Pyramids of salt reflect the pink hues of predawn light rising above the Salar de Uyuni in the Altiplano of central Bolivia. Canon EOS-1V, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM lens. Exposure: 1 sec., f/22, Fujichrome Velvia 50 film.

Rob Sheppard: Art, a lot of people think they know you because of your wildlife photography. I know you have done much more than that.

Art Wolfe: I love photographing wildlife, of course. But that doesn’t fully express who I am and what I do. I got started not as a photographer but as a kid naturalist. There was a ravine near our house that I used to disappear into and get lost in the nature there. I got to know all of the birds, mammals and plants that lived in that small undeveloped place. 

Photo of an American crocodile with its mouth open
Quintana Roo, Mexico American crocodiles can get up to about 20 feet long, but these were in the nine-foot range. We snorkeled in shallow water while biologists with poles watched out for our safety. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lens. Exposure: 1/640 sec., f/22, ISO 2000.
Photo of antelope running with motion blur
Etosha National Park, Namibia Panning the camera along with the subject blurs both the subject and the background. This style of image is an homage to the great Impressionistic painters. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens. Exposure: 1/15 sec., f/36, ISO 100.

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Issue 2025.02 Cover featuring Art Wolfe's Wild Life, Jon McCormack Chasing Details, Xuan-Hui Ng on Remembrance and Cherry Blossoms, and Adriana Basque Tracks Southern White Whales

2025.02

Contents

  1. The Story Behind This Touching Photo of Penguins
  2. What’s in Cynthia Bandurek’s Camera Bag
  3. Documenting Sharks in Danger
  4. Take Photos to Help Wildlife
  5. Why Tradition, Innovation & Art Go Hand in Hand
  6. How I Photographed Manul Cats in Mongolia
  7. How Art Wolfe Connects With His Photography Subjects
  8. 4 Ways to Capture the Subtle Patterns of Nature
  9. Photographing the Life Cycle of Cherry Blossoms
  10. A Whale of a Comeback Story: In Photos
  11. Photo Tips for Torres del Paine National Park
  12. Monkey Business: How This Photo Was Made