FORCE of nature

During the past five or so years, Cape-based photographer Peter Chadwick has focused his conservation work on supporting counter-poaching efforts, developing conservation and re-introduction strategies for high-risk and endangered species and cultivating marine and terrestrial conservation teams. While doing this work throughout the African continent and the Western Indian Ocean, Peter has used his conservation photojournalism to raise awareness and garner support for the various causes he works on. A multiaward-winning cameraman, he is a Senior Fellow and Executive Member of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

- Peter Chadwick

What motivated you to become a wildlife photographer and to then move away from taking more standard images to concentrate on documenting some of the most hard-core conservation issues?

I was privileged to be introduced at an early age to the wilds of the Zimbabwean bushveld by my parents, in particular by my father who was also an avid black-and-white photographer. (Never underestimate the value of positive encouragement from a parent or a role model!) We would spend days following rhinos or herds of buffalo or sable and it was these experiences that sparked a lifelong passion for conservation and introduced me to the art of photography. My love of the outdoors eventually determined my career and a camera has always been at hand to capture opportunities that present themselves.

It was, however, while working in the Kalahari that I began to realise that rather than simply taking easy-to-achieve record shots of species or places in nice lighting, I needed to create images that were more artistic and evocative. I wanted images to tell a story that grabbed people’s attention, not only showing the beauty and diversity of life, but also highlighting the real challenges and complexities being faced.