Wildlife Photography of the Year at NHM

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insomniac

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I had the day off yesterday so thought I'd wander down to the NHM and have a look at this year's exhibition. It certainly didn't disappoint, but the section that really struck a chord was the 'World In Our Hands' collection, and the photo that really stayed with me is this one.

I know we Brits have a (well-deserved?) reputation for talking in euphemisms. But what exactly is the 'complex relationship between man and animal, hunter and hunted’ in this photo?

All I see is a smug tub of lard sitting in a hideously ugly living room that displays the very orgiastic sort of excess that is sending this planet on a one-way ticket to oblivion.

Why am I wrong?
 
Everybody has different interests, just because you like photography doesn't mean the next person will, just like hunting.
 
I went to see these in January and on the whole they are amazing. I totally agree with you about this image though, how this can be compared with the outstanding wildlife photos on display I don't know.

I mean it with no disrespect to the photographer, I just don't see how it fitted with the rest of the photos there.
 
Is it this exhibition?

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year

It's on at our local Museum until 02/06.
 
insomniac said:
All I see is a smug tub of lard sitting in a hideously ugly living room that displays the very orgiastic sort of excess that is sending this planet on a one-way ticket to oblivion.

Why am I wrong?
Click to expand...

No, you're exactly right I think. And the reason this image - which should be offensive to anyone with an appreciation for wildlife and conservation - is included in the exhibition is specifically to garner the reaction to it that you had. Didn't you feel perhaps even a smidge fit to punch that tub of lard in the face? If so, mission accomplished.

I was appalled last year to learn that the president of the Spanish branch of the WWF had been in Botswana, shooting elephants! http://digitaljournal.com/article/323136

WWF weren't bothered, initially - elephants in Botswana are "vulnerable", but not "endangered". WWF only concerns itself with protecting species at risk of extinction, it turns out. They fired him in the end, though, after pressure from outside.
 
insomniac said:
I know we Brits have a (well-deserved?) reputation for talking in euphemisms. But what exactly is the 'complex relationship between man and animal, hunter and hunted’ in this photo?



Why am I wrong?
Click to expand...


The full sentence:
"The picture is one of a series of thought-provoking images that David has taken to ‘illustrate the complex relationship between man and animal, hunter and hunted’."

The image most likely needs to be seen in context of the other images in the series to have the full effect.
It has inspired you to create this thread so it has accomplished it's aim I guess.

IMHO this image doesn't really work as per the accompanying text, the focal point for me is the lamp on the desk in the middle not the man on the far left.
 
These pictures are also on display at the NHM in Tring and the exhibiton is free!

D
 
Looks like the exhibition in the RAMM Exeter is the same one and I'm assuming it's the hunter in his trophy room that's sparked some debate.

How many of his trophies are endangered or at risk? I spotted a Rhino in the print but not sure which species or the status of it. Not that that makes it OK, although I (again) assume he paid a small fortune for the license to shoot the animals so has contributed to conservation in some way.

As for the rest of the photos in the exhibition, WOW! I would be incredibly proud to have taken any of them, including the entries in the junior categories. If the show comes to a town/city near you, go and take it in in the flesh - the images are viewable HERE but look so much better in print form. Not all the images are comfortable but all are stunning.
 
I think the image is incredibly powerful. So it's ok say to take an image of wilder breast crossing rivers with crocs waiting for them, or of the croc and it's prey? What's so different about man with his prey.
Isn't this just another powerful image taken about an animals life. As such I think it fits the series perfectly.
 
You're not seriously comparing crocs stalking their wildebeest with this guy? My point is simply that I don't under what's complex about this relationship. All I see is excess, nothing complex at all.

This who's no doubt used a small arsenal of weapons to hunt and kill all that game on display.

I'm sure it takes a lot of courage to blow a gazelle's brains out with a high-speed rifle at distance of a few hundred metres.

PS - I agree the image is very powerful. It almost made me burst a blood vessel, and hence this thread.
 
This image of the dolphin tank really got me all emotional! Sad that so many animals are still treated in this way.

If I remember rightly this section of images was near the end, think that's what added to it having such an impact especially after seeing so many 'nice' wildlife photos.
 
IMO you won't be disappointed Briony.
 
insomniac said:
You're not seriously comparing crocs stalking their wildebeest with this guy? My point is simply that I don't under what's complex about this relationship. All I see is excess, nothing complex at all.

This who's no doubt used a small arsenal of weapons to hunt and kill all that game on display.

I'm sure it takes a lot of courage to blow a gazelle's brains out with a high-speed rifle at distance of a few hundred metres.

PS - I agree the image is very powerful. It almost made me burst a blood vessel, and hence this thread.
Click to expand...

You asked for an opinion. I said its part of the life cycle of animals, one animal killing another. Is a clean kill better or worse than say a big cat biting the throat and suffocating an animal? I've no issue with showing mans interaction with animals, especially highlighting an extreme like this. I'm looking forward to seeing the exhibition.
 
Thank you to the OP for this thread and bringing David Chancellor back to my attention.

I ordered a copy of Chancellor's book, Hunters, from Amazon after looking through his site and received it today. If you aren't squeamish I can recommend it.
 
I am going to this on Friday, looking forward to seeing the type of images I know it would be a miracle for me to take.
 
insomniac said:
Another very powerful image.
Click to expand...

this one set me off crying, the pain and fear in that poor animals eyes just did it for me :(

it's an amazing exhibition, the images are brilliantly presented and it's so worth a trip
x
 
insomniac said:
I had the day off yesterday so thought I'd wander down to the NHM and have a look at this year's exhibition. It certainly didn't disappoint, but the section that really struck a chord was the 'World In Our Hands' collection, and the photo that really stayed with me is this one.

I know we Brits have a (well-deserved?) reputation for talking in euphemisms. But what exactly is the 'complex relationship between man and animal, hunter and hunted’ in this photo?

All I see is a smug tub of lard sitting in a hideously ugly living room that displays the very orgiastic sort of excess that is sending this planet on a one-way ticket to oblivion.

Why am I wrong?
Click to expand...

Man is a hunter, plain and simply. Everything in that room has been hunted by man through out history, for food etc. The complex relationship is how, rather than treat those animals as food like nature would, they have been treated as over indulgent trophies. Which goes against the common thought of hunting when viewed from a purely natural point of view.

I found it very thought provoking as, to me, it shows clearly mans disrespect for nature and their habitats. And how we will always affect every other animal in the world. We are at the top of the food chain after all.
 
Amazing pictures, and powerful subjects/stories.
 
That man is an absolute disgrace. Anybody who hunts animals for fun so they can stuff them and put them in their house is the lowest of the low imo, the animal has posed no threat to him, it cannot defend itself, its disgusting.

The picture does clearly provoke a reaction so its done its job, which I guess is the point after all.

There's some good pics on there!
 
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Bumping an old thread but went to see this exhibition today in Blackpool. Some awesome photographs in there.
 
Does anyone know when this is next going to be in London? I missed this but would love to see it!
 
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