Shutterbug recognised in international competition

‘PHOTOGRAPHY…is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures’ (Don McCullin). This quote encapsulates what being a photographer is all about. Their acute insights into the world around us have guided and inspired millions around the world.

This is especially true for Durban North resident, Skye Meaker, who was recently selected as a finalist in the 11 to 14 years category in this year’s ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ competition.

His image ‘Vanishing Lion’ was selected out of 42 000 entrants from 96 countries to make the top 100 in the world. Incredibly the Northlands Primary School Grade 6 pupil was the only South African under the age of 18 to be selected. He was among 15 youngsters from all around the world that made the top 100.

“It was fantastic to be chosen and I was really excited and thrilled with making the top 100. This has inspired me to take more pictures and strive even harder,” he said.

The young shutterbug has travelled to various parts of Africa, and was inspired by the sites and sounds of different places. But he was most attracted to nature and animals.

“My mom and dad love the outdoors and we often travel to parks and reserves around Africa. My dad, who is also a budding photographer, would often complain his photos weren’t good enough so I decided to try my hand at it. I can’t say what it was about using the camera, but the moment I snapped my first picture I was hooked. I love animals, especially the beauty of them, so nature was my forte,” Skye explained.

The 12-year-old started out with a small digital camera, but when he began showing true talent, his parents indulged and bought him professional equipment.

Speaking of his photo that garnered him international recognition, Skye said at the time, he didn’t think his photo would win any awards.

“We were in the Maasai Mara Nature Reserve in Kenya and I’d already spent the entire day in the rain trying to get a perfect shot of this pride of lions. The day was quite gloomy and overcast and my dad wanted to give up. The pride of lions also began to move away, but two brothers stayed behind and I snapped the picture at exactly the right moment.

“I initially thought it was a bad picture. It was blurry, but it was to prove a little known fact. I decided to enter it the competition and sent the picture as part of my portfolio even though I felt stronger about other photos I’d taken. I titled the picture ‘Vanishing Lion’, because while people are trying to save the rhino, the lion population is also dropping dramatically, because of illegal poaching,” he said.

Skye added there were fewer lions than rhinos left in the wild today.

His picture has been published in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year book and he was interviewed by German and French TV.

To view more of Skye’s inspirational photos visit www.skyemeaker.com