Animal Portraits

Snow Monkey – Japon

The photos here collected have as subject some particular animals. Different wild types met on many trips over the years in multiple continents. The mode of representation and shooting is the "Portrait".  Portrait: "Figure escaped from the natural"as defined in the "Vocabolario toscano dell’Arte del Disegno" written by Filippo Baldinucci (Firenze 1681).

Snow Monkey – Japon

Used almost exclusively for human subjects, this form of representation does not lose intensity and depth when aimed at animals. The spectator is in this case obliged to an unusual approach and identification. 

Snow Monkey – Japon

Finding sensations, expressions and feelings in characters of the human race is probably easier and spontaneous than recognizing the traits of emotions, instincts, and moods in animal subjects. These, although devoid of reason and conscience, are certainly transparent and instinctive in the reactions that reality provokes them. The expression of the eyes in these Snow Monkeys in Japan is a first testimony.

Linx Cubs – North Europe

Intercept the eyes and the gaze is the most interesting and fascinating experience for the photographer. The gaze is the fundamental component of a portraiture representation. How not to be impressed and marked by the fragile and defenseless looks of cubs or proud and royal of authoritative predators...

Bald Eagle – Alaska
Mentioned Photo (2015) in the italian website

Cormorant – Italy

Grizzly bear cub – Alaska

Snow Monkey – Japon

Although with differences according to the species, for the animals the gaze is fundamental in their way of life, and careful observation of the world around them is fundamental for their survival. For this reason, the visual organ is often highly developed and has morphological characteristics different from the human one. 

Sea Lion – Patagonia

But even in the presence of evident differences, we do not fail the emotions that the expressions of the eyes, and more generally of the whole muzzle, arouse us, interpreting them as normally human expressions with comparisons. Here then arise feelings of tenderness, sympathy, curiosity...

Guanaco – Tierra del Fuego

Steinbock – Italy

Chamois – Italy

In portraits one fundamental element is the subject's pose. Particular that certainly with the wild animals, perhaps even dangerous, it is not possible to agree a priori. This is the wait, the careful search for the ideal moment to be able to grasp the subject's pose which can better reflect its characteristic, its being, transmitting the corresponding sensations to the spectator.

Chamois – Italy

Capercaillie – Italy

Flamingo – Camargue

Steinbock – Italy

Great Grey Owls – North Europe

Chamois – Italy

Guanaco – Tierra del Fuego

The subject's pose , however, in animal portraits has its own characteristics, very often similar to human portraits, as the photos above document, but no less interesting are the active poses in the normal vital functions of the individual species.

Grizzly Bear – Alaska

Grizzly Bear – Alaska

Grizzly Bear – Alaska

Red Dear – Italy

Sea Lion – Patagonia

Moufflon – Germany

Among the most important elements in the portrait technique there is the light. Fundamental to represent the atmosphere, the light shapes and paints the subject, expressing the true essence of the image, transmitting the feelings of the scene to the spectator in an emotional and more direct way.

Flamingo – Camargue

Flamingo – Camargue

Red Dear – Italy

Young Red Dear – Italy

Red Dear – Germany

Roe Dear – Italy

Fallow Dear – Italy

Gli animali difficilmente trasmettono sentimenti tipicamente umani legati alla sfera affettiva, quali amicizia, compassione, solidarietà… con una ultima foto rimandando alla Gallery for all the others...

Donkeys – Ital