Nature, first prize
stories - Brent Stirton
Despite the fact that this year’s WPPh award-winning shots feature some truly harrowing images, few are as affecting as Nature Stories category winner and National Geographic photographer Brent Stirton’s moving pictures of the murder of the black rhinos at the hands of poachers.
“I started shooting the rhino crisis for National Geographic in 2011 when it was really emerging,” recalls Brent. “And this latest series of images, which appeared in an article called Rhino Wars, was all about looking at the rapidly accelerating state of it.”
The lead image in this story was of a dead black rhino. It’s both dramatic and profound, and is all the more impressive given the lack of time Brent had to capture the shot. “I probably visited 30 different carcass sites before I got an image that, in my opinion, had the right combination of elements to make it something people would respond to emotionally,” says Brent.
“I only had five minutes to shoot it before the police turned up to begin investigating the crime and I knew I couldn’t contaminate the scene. There were two guys holding the lights – there was no time for stands – and I just banged it out. We lit it with two flashguns because it was in shadow and I needed to avoid overexposing the beautiful background.”
Brent used an EOS-1D X twined with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM zoom to take this disconcerting image, and remained completely focused on the job at hand, despite being deeply moved by what he witnessed. “My own mental well-being was of less importance than this story getting told properly,” says Brent.
“I remember I only had seven weeks on it; seven weeks in five countries to make a set of pictures that were worthy of the subject.” And given the response, both from the public and members of the WPPh jury, it’s fair to say that’s exactly what he’s done.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
A black rhino bull is seen dead, poached for its horns less than eight hours earlier at Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, South Africa. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
Two rhino poachers, one 19, the other 28 years old, apprehended by an anti-poaching team in Mozambique close to Kruger National Park border. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
A groundbreaking procedure using human abdominal surgery technology is utilized to close a gaping hole created by horn poachers who removed most of the face of a rhino called “Hope.” Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
A combined force of Sabie Game Park Rangers, Garda Frontier soldiers and Fauna Bravia soldiers arrest, detain and question Moses Chauque, a level 2 rhino poacher who arranges weapons and transport for rhino poachers. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
Sabie Game Park Village Police member Nomsa Nduvane, 38, seen in her modest home inside the community of Macacasar, Mozambique/South Africa border. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
Four pairs of cow and calf rhinos are captured and moved into transport for relocation to a more secure facility. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
A two-man security team deploys by helicopter at sunset for anti-poaching duties on the world’s largest rhino breeding ranch at Buffalo Dream Ranch, Klerksdorp, South Africa. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
Dawie Groenewalt, South Africa’s alleged rhino horn kingpin and the subject of a six-year-old court case involving multiple charges related to illegal rhino horn theft and money laundering. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF35mm f/1.4L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
“Care For Wild Africa” is a donor-run organisation that specialises in caring for wounded animals. They have put a special focus on rhino and have taken in many orphans from the poaching wars across South Africa. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
© Brent Stirton/National Geographic
A group of rhino at a supplementary feeding site at the ranch of the world’s largest rhino breeder. Taken on a Canon EOS-1D X with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
