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being touched by a wild gorilla
being separated from growling leopard by a canvas tent
running out of memory cards
About
Stuart Hancock Photography
Although Stuart studied as a chartered accountant to pursue a career in commerce, he held a profound and unwavering passion for wildlife. He obtained various qualification in the wildlife industry including becoming a qualified game ranger and wildlife rehabilitator. In his spare time, he worked as a wildlife rehabilitator and served as chairman of the board on a wildlife NPO. He had a specific passion for birds of prey, taking up falconry in order to get birds fit and healthy for release.
Stuart also studied art at school with a focus on wildlife. Discovering photography as a young child in the bush, these two passions of wildlife and art collided. Combining an artistic eye with technical photography skills and a deep understanding and passion for wildlife, Stuart is able to capture rare moments in a unique and emotive way.
Stuart’s passion and talent shine through, invoking our emotions and creating a personal connection to his images.
Artist statement
“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time” ~ Baltimore Grotto
Growing up and living in Africa is a great privilege. For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated and enchanted by wild Africa. Africa has a way of inspiring emotion in the most visceral way, from the deep guttural roar of a lion reverberating through your chest, to the musical calls of the fiery- necked nightjar celebrating the night, to the beauty of her people, her sunrises and her untamed Edens, nobody can experience Africa and remain untouched.
I’m constantly in awe, humbled and inspired by the immense African skies, the vast and varied wild expanses, the scale and grandeur. I am also reminded of the ever-increasing fragility of the remaining wildlife strongholds. I hope that by sharing nature’s beauty it will inspire us to protect it.
My other passion is art. Since I was a tiny kid, I have been sketching, painting or sculpting and always something Africa inspired. I remember my dad lending me his camera at a young age on a trip to the bush and these two worlds of art and Africa colliding. Nothing excites me more than Africa revealing herself through a camera lens, to capture intimate secrets and raw untamed moments. The challenge of trying to
capture the essence of these moments in a slice of time with a click of a frame is pure joy.
To me, as a wildlife photographer, one needs to understand one’s subjects intimately. To anticipate their next move, to know when you can get closer and when to provide space for events to unfold. One also needs to know when to put the camera down and simply steal the majesty of the moment for oneself.
All of my subjects are wild animals in their natural environments. I endeavour to be a mere witness, to capture all shots without influence or impact in order to create authentic reproductions of wild Africa. I do not believe in staging shots and passing them off as wild moments. I also do not believe in digitally creating scenes that never existed.
I am a proud son of Mother Africa and it gives me great pride to share some of her splendor.
I hope you enjoy.
