Grace on Granite

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Story Behind the Photograph: Grace on Granite

Leopards, beautiful but elusive, are reluctant to venture into the open, and are notoriously difficult to photograph with a completely clean background.

Our expedition to the Northern Serengeti had tried in vain for several days to capture the camera shy leopards in action. Day after day we tried one locale after another, sitting in the Landrover, camera and long lens at the ready, sandwiches growing warm on the sun drenched seat beside us. Amongst the kopje strewn hillocks we searched and waited, and searched and waited some more. Our guide, who had excellent experience in the area, knew of a young female leopard who along with her mother and sibling, was often sighted in this area. Their preference was to spend their time expertly camouflaged in the thick bush along the small river course. A series of magnificent granite kopjes sat just a stone’s throw away, tantalizingly out in the open. Perhaps the relative coolness towards evening would bring them out? Or even the freshness of a new dawn? The following morning would be our last chance …

Despite our challenges seeing these stealthy cats, there was no doubt that leopards call this area home. Leopard populations in Northern Serengeti are stable due to their protected status. Without the conservation efforts of this and cooperating neighbouring areas, seeing these wild creatures and all of their counterpoints, would likely be impossible, not just difficult. We knew they were out there, we just needed to be patient, persistent, and maybe a little lucky. With one last roll of the dice, we headed to the area that was now so familiar to us.

The Landrover rumbled its approach, and movement in the bush made us aware that the three leopards were hidden in the thick riverine bush yet again. We waited, and waited, and waited. The departure time of our bush flight loomed ever closer. How close could we push it? We quite rightly did not want to disturb them, but we were running out of time. Suddenly the young female spotted something on the granite rock just behind us; she was off in a slinky blur.

We cautiously move our vehicle to the other side of the rock, not wanting to spook the magnificent rosette adorned cat, now looking directly at us. As we get there, she moves under some wood in deep shadow and just stares at us. Expletives rain down like an Indian monsoon inside the Landrover; we cannot believe our eyes.

Suddenly she shifts her gaze to the beautiful dome-shaped half-moon of granite five meters away where huge, ornately-coloured orange and blue rock Agamas are scurrying around, engaged in a courtship battle. It’s too much for her to resist, and her youthful exuberance kicks in. In a flash she is after them. The lizards stop dancing and bobbing their heads, quickly taking cover. With nothing to chase, the leopard pauses. Unexpectedly she is draped magnificently atop the sculpted rock, a golden cape of strength and beauty. We are in the perfect position looking directly at her.

After so much anticipation it’s all come together; I fire like crazy and pray my settings are good.

I look at the back of my camera and am relieved and then elated; for this flawless second she almost looks like a tame leopard. But I know there’s nothing tame about her. Wild, young, on the prowl, she freezes like a movie star posing on the red carpet, glorious in her untamed perfection.

About Untamed Photographer

Untamed Photographer is an online art gallery that brings together wildlife photography and stories from a range of international environmental artists, both emerging and established.

Structured as an online marketplace, Untamed Photographer offers a selection of handpicked, limited-edition works of art, alongside the photographers’ compelling stories of what occurred in the wild to get the shot. The exclusive limited-edition pieces are printed in Miami and come with an artist-signed certificate of authenticity from their respective worldwide locations.

The Nature Trust of the Americas (NTOTA) was founded with the mission to give back. While building awareness for NTOTA’s causes, the founders met talented nature photographers who are passionate not only about photography, but also about saving the planet. Their life’s work and stories are inspiring, and their art, passion and stories deserve to be shared on a platform that benefits the environmental causes they are dedicated to.

Just as the photographers preserve the beauty of the planet in their art, Untamed Photographer is dedicated to preserving the planet for the future. All profits from photographs go to Untamed Photographer's two pillars: the artists and causes that protect the environment, ecosystems, and wildlife.

About the Photographer: Chris Fallows

Chris Fallows is a world renowned wildlife photographer and authority on Great white sharks.

South African-born, his work represents authenticity, intimacy and emotion. Chris has loved wildlife since his first breath; his passion for wildlife and the natural world is reflected in his photographs and the unique manner in which he treats each species and brings it to the foreground.

The engaging manner in which he photographs his wild subjects bears testimony to the decades he has spent in some of the world’s most remote regions, uniquely working in all areas: ocean, land and air. He seeks to bring the audience to the subjects at eye level, and in that way create the feeling of being with the subject rather than dominating it.

His composition style is clean and unobstructed with landscapes that empower the subjects, rather than overwhelming them.

Fallows wishes to touch the audience of his work in a way that emotionally connects them to the subject matter, with awe and respect to perhaps guilt and sadness. Most of all, he would like to unearth in his viewers a primal desire to get in touch with the natural world that is our shared origin. Through that most basic urge, he feels we can create a collaborative path toward sharing the planet rather than conquering it.

Fallows’ work has appeared in more than 60 international documentaries with the BBC, NationalGeographic and Discovery Channel.