Part One – Artistic Approaches in Wildlife Photography on the Ground
As with so much in life, photography is, at its core, a matter of perspective. It’s about what we see – and just as much about what we want to see.
Sometimes, it’s even about what we can’t see – or perhaps what we choose not to see.
Lion bromance – A magic bond
And then there is the subject itself: the living, breathing centerpiece of any wildlife image. It, too, plays a role in shaping the final photograph – offering only what it chooses to reveal, and often in ways we can’t predict. In wildlife and nature photography, these challenges are constant companions: shifting light, unpredictable weather, and animals with their own agendas. Moments are fleeting, unrepeatable. Every image is a singular opportunity – or a missed one.
But if there’s one thing that remains firmly in the hands of the photographer, it’s the choice of perspective. And for me, that choice is not merely a technical decision. It is a creative commitment – one that influences not just the visual composition, but the emotional connection between viewer and subject.
The Classic Approach: Familiar and Balanced
The traditional wildlife perspective – typically taken from a slightly elevated angle or at eye level – offers clarity, accessibility, and a sense of balance. These images feel natural, documentary in style. They allow us to observe animals in their element, highlighting behaviour, habitat, and detail without intrusion. When executed with care – through thoughtful framing, light, and moments of interaction – such photographs can be rich, informative, even emotionally engaging.
Moment of Stillness (left) – Cheetah enjoying a moment of peace and silence before moving on into the uncertainty of night. Home of the Vulnerable (right) -The fever tree forest of Solio, a safe place for one of the most endangered, poached and illegally traded species
And yet, therein lies the paradox: what feels familiar can easily become forgettable. If the spark of the moment is missing, these images risk blending into the sea of the already- seen. They may document rare species or precious seconds in time – preserved in light, suspended in stillness – and yet still fade from memory. They inform, yes. But do they linger? Do they move us? Not always.
The Art of Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
Though it might seem rather plain at first glance, the classic eye-level perspective is arguably the most straightforward, the most frequently used, and simultaneously the most challenging viewpoint in wildlife photography. On one hand, it’s often the only safe and discreet way to approach certain animals — whether from a vehicle, a hide, or a camouflaged tent — and it requires the least preparation. On the other hand, it often lacks that certain something, that spark created by an unusual angle. The challenge lies in finding other ways to make the photograph compelling.
Letting Nature Lead the Way
As unfocused and unstructured as it may sound, I enjoy heading out at dawn simply to see what nature has in store. With no fixed goal or detailed plan — just following instinct. Sometimes, I return with nothing immediately striking; other times, I stumble upon something ordinary that suddenly transforms into something truly special.
More and more, I find myself stepping away from tight close-ups, as I feel they often strip the subject of its context. As striking as a well-executed animal portrait may be, it could have been taken anywhere. When the subject is placed within its natural surroundings, it tells a story — or at the very least, the viewer can better understand the photographic situation.
Danger out of Dawn – The early morning light illuminated the wildebeest beautifully, while the lioness on the prowl slowly appeared in the background
I enjoy playing with light — the glowing orange of the morning sun across the savannah, reflections on water, or strong contrasts in portraits that highlight specific features and make them stand out. Fog and mist also create a distinctive atmosphere. The morning haze in the fever tree forest of Kenya’s Solio Game Reserve, for example, casts a romantic mood, turning the resident rhinos into creatures of myth. Dust clouds can have a similar effect, catching the light in a way that adds both drama and softness. Even heavy rain, water droplets, and glimpses into the harsh reality of life during the rainy season can make an image truly memorable.
To me, the essence of photography lies in distilling something meaningful and visually interesting from the ordinary — even if the chosen perspective doesn’t deliver an immediate wow effect.
Leopard – Contempling in the midday shade
Eye to Eye with the Wild: The Intimacy of the Low Angle
To photograph an animal at eye level, or even from below, is to enter its world. There are moments of encounter. It is a gesture of respect. A silent acknowledgment: Iseeyou.Iam with you.
This perspective does more than change the angle. It shifts the dynamic. The viewer is no longer looking at the animal – but with it. We become participants in a moment of quiet connection, guests in a world that doesn’t belong to us.
(Clockwise from top left) Thoughful – lion lost in thoughts or just thinking about the next meal; Proud – One of three cheetah cubs made it up the tree; Grace meets Power – rhino surrounded by his feathered friends
A low-angle shot can be transformative. A lion looking straight into the lens, its gaze unwavering, doesn’t just communicate power – it commands presence. A rhino, captured from ground level, appears not just imposing, but deeply sentient. Even a small, fragile cub, seen at its own height, carries a voice: See me. Understand me.
These are not just images – they are encounters. They reveal vulnerability. They evoke empathy. And they invite us to question the artificial distance we so often place between ourselves and the wild.
In these images, the line between species begins to blur. What remains is a moment of recognition – unspoken, but undeniable. We are no longer separate from the animal. We are side by side. Equal. Present. Together.
Low level Check the Intruder (left) – too curios to simply walk away; In the Realm of the Queen – an unexpected sight into a lioness’s territory (top right); Curiosity – at least take a quick look (bottom right)
Up Close and Ground Level– The Pull of Proximity
There’s something deeply compelling about lying flat on your stomach in a hollow in the ground, waiting for a curious — yet highly skittish — white rhino to come closer. Or following a herd of elephants from a specially designed photographer’s vehicle. Or locking eyes with a leopardess at eye level, just metres away. These moments have a unique kind of magic that continues to fascinate me.
You begin to imagine what they might be thinking: the slightly aloof, calculating stare of the leopardess; or the cautious curiosity of the enormous rhino, slowly approaching but always ready to bolt — or worse, charge. In those moments, a strange sense of childhood nostalgia surfaces — like the thrill of doing something you knew you probably shouldn’t. Sneaking into a crumbling ruin. Playing with matches in the woods. Testing whether the frozen pond could already hold your weight. That same mix of excitement, recklessness and awe comes rushing back.
A Touch of Arrogance (left) – slighty annoyed by the attention; Dust Whirler (right) – Every centimetre of the dusty earth is a searched for nutritious vegetation
Why the animals choose to approach will remain their secret. But when they do, it’s an intense, powerful, and yes, slightly nerve-wracking experience. This kind of photography is not something to casually imitate — it can be dangerous without experience, and always requires formal permission from the park authorities before stepping out of the vehicle.
Technology at a Safe Distance
Rhino – Double trouble – even though there are two of you, curious but careful
A safer — and simpler — way to capture low-angle shots is to place the camera on a beanbag and trigger it remotely from a safe distance. But anyone who thinks these images are easy to get is mistaken. While rhinos may not have the sharpest eyesight, they still quickly notice an unfamiliar object in their space. If they’re not in the mood for pictures, they’ll either give it a wide berth or give it a nudge with their horn — often knocking the camera right over.
Photographing elephants from a low angle offers several options: some use shockproof camera boxes or even remote-controlled “beetle cams,” while others shoot while lying down in purpose-built vehicles. But one element is non-negotiable — an experienced guide and driver. Someone who reads the animals’ body language, who knows exactly when it’s time to back away.
Garbatulla (left) – Tender moments between mom and calf; Craig(top right) – A gentle soul; Eye-to-Eye (bottom right) – Not sure about these awkward creatures on the ground
Reactions vary greatly. Craig, the famous super tusker, is remarkably relaxed around photographers and completely unbothered by camera gear. Other bulls, however, can be significantly less tolerant. And when a matriarch is leading a herd full of calves, she’s quick to make her displeasure known — by kicking up dust and letting out a low, guttural rumble. A clear warning: don’t come any closer, and stop blocking the way. Her message is so unmistakable, you can see the irritation on her face in the final image.
Elephant family – Protect what you love – Showing her displeasure
Photographing the Soul
I don’t (yet) own a beetle cam or reinforced camera box, though I suspect it’s only a matter of time — the promise of truly intimate imagery is just too irresistible to ignore. Of course, there are stories of elephants casually trampling the gear, ending the shoot with a crunch.
Low level – lioness on the Prowl
What I love most about this style of photography is the glimpse it offers into the soul of an animal. You begin to sense what they’re thinking, to hear what they’re not saying. And when you manage to capture even a trace of that in a photograph — that’s when it becomes truly special.
Part Two coming soon… Silke takes to the air and talks about a very different perspective on the wild world.
To see more of Silke Hullmann’s photography visit her website
Or follow her on instagram @silkehullmann
Read other features on Eye for the Light about our planet and photographic techniques
