Vivid Sydney @ Taronga Zoo

Wildlife photography with a twist. Be entertained and captivated by seeing and appreciating these images captured by your truly (also earning a great income from freelance photography) at a festival called Vivid Sydney at Sydney's Taronga Zoo.

You have to go to great lengths to come to a ticketed event like this one, where 100% of the proceeds went towards conservation projects, and wildlife health and welfare. For safety reasons, ticket numbers are capped; and despite this, people from all over the world visit Sydney, Australia just to come to the zoo and appreciate the wildlife at night, and in winter mind you. Thereby it is hard work being a photographer at this one off event on a Saturday night. No physical wildlife are in sight, as they are asleep and protected by the zookeepers from the crowds, bright lights, and little ones running around to name. Taking these photos from the right angles, while avoiding other people as much as a possible is a mammoth task. As us photographers know and appreciate; taking photos (just like driving) at night is always more challenging. Even (trying) to keep in mind the rule of thirds when it comes to getting the focal points right. Easier said that done.

Not only are these animals portrayed in light and appreciation are so beautiful; yet they also raise awareness of the different types of species that live in zoos, as well as in the wild out there.

The zoo is a common past time when it comes to school excursions, as well as enjoying an abundance of visits to such places as a child. If you were lucky enough to enjoy the wildlife by daylight at the zoo; you would be familiar with dolphin shows, as well as getting as close as you can to the wildest cat on the land.

In order to raise more funds towards protecting endangered wildlife, to rescuing wildlife like koalas during Australia's intense bushfires; not for profit wildlife organisations like Taronga Zoo need to get creative, and come up with additional ways to entertain the public. Vivid Sydney is one feat. Sadly, the COVID-19 Pandemic cancelled this Vivid Sydney event at Taronga Zoo in 2020. The good news is that Vivid Sydney is back on in August 2021 (as at the time of writing), yet Taronga Zoo has confirmed that it will not be a Vivid Sydney location in 2021. Hopefully the wildlife will be lights on back at night in 2022. (Then again, physical/social distancing is hard to maintain, and more so when you are a wildlife photographer like yours truly at this event.)

In that case, if you happen to live in Australia, you could check out Taronga Zoo's Wildlife Retreat, where us human beings and the wildlife can co-exist with one another. Bring your camera, relax, and put your wildlife photography skills to the test, both during daylight, and at night. You will then appreciate how challenging night time wildlife photography really is, with no bright lights of these beautiful animals.

Despite the challenges involved, it felt like yours truly was a contestant on shows like The Amazing Race, to capture as many night time photos of wildlife in bright light displays, among crowds of people on a Saturday night. It was a wise move engaging in some yoga prior to attending. When you capture photos of wildlife (even in the surreal sense, in order to appreciate the real), it is helpful to be relaxed, and be in a zen like place.

Needless to say, I appreciated this opportunity back in 2019, and I am sure you appreciated these photos, where you are an armchair traveller and wildlife explorer. If I did not take this photography challenge back in 2019, I would be waiting until 2022 the earliest. The motto of this piece is to appreciate our wildlife, and take each opportunity as it arises. You may not ever get another chance, and if you do, you will be waiting for a while.

In appreciation of the wild, I will be donating 50% of any prize money won in the Vocal+ Capture The Wild contest to Taronga Zoo, so they can keep up their great work. More information on how Taronga Zoo is caring for the wildlife can be found here. As an aside, if you are keen to read up more on Vivid Sydney, further details can be found by clicking here.

If you heart wildlife, then please heart my article. Cheers.