African WildlifeArt Features The Work Of Jovian
Watching the wild world that I cherish slip away has left me heartbroken. Yet, when I explore nature through my camera lens, in that moment my entire focus becomes all about finding beauty and inspiration. For me, in those moments, there is nothing better. Beauty and wonder are all around us, even in the most unexpected places if we let go of preconceptions and see the world with open minds.
Often, I see or feel a spark that is the catalyst to visualize an entire scene. In my mind, I add other elements—animals, a layer of mist, a certain mood. This leads me on a journey, sometimes a journey that lasts for years, to create the scene that captures the vision and the mood that first inspired me. My goal is to create an image that mirrors my initial vision. Sometimes it all comes together and works. But other times, over time, the scene evolves to become a new and even more powerful creation than what I first witnessed.
Even the most striking and powerful images that are captured in the field can’t convey the full experience of actually being there. I want to help others experience the scent of wildflowers in the air, the cool mist on the face, the intensity of a setting sun, the symphony of crickets, and the touch of icy rain on the skin. To evoke this in my work, I play with emphasis, highlighting or softening certain elements to convey a specific mood or sensory memory. Through these visual cues, viewers can feel the rain, smell the flowers, or hear the crashing of an elephant charging through the underbrush, bringing them as close as possible to the actual scene itself.
Long after I am gone, I hope my portfolio will carry on and give others a chance to enjoy these moments and appreciate that these animals, many on the brink of disappearing, lived wild and free the way nature intended. Maybe in some way, my work will help others feel connected to the lives that unfolded here and will appreciate what a miraculous world this is.
In short, I am driven to do this work. I see the animal's stark beauty and want all of us to remember this juncture in time and space. I want others to have the same powerful experience I had when I captured these images. I want my work to create a legacy that reminds people of the way nature used to be, and can be again.