‘Skye’ is the limit for young photographer

CONSERVATION has always been something at the forefront of Durban North resident and award-winning photographer, Skye Meaker’s mind. This year the 16-year-old has been selected as a finalist in the MontPhoto nature photo contest. Skye’s work will be exhibited in Spain, which involves both amateur and professionals photographers from all over the world. The contest rewards the excellence in the photographs.

His photo that won a spot in this year’s Montphoto exhibition is called Disturbing the Butterflies. This was the first time Meaker entered this competition. Incredibly only six images from around the world were chosen for Skye’s age category and the Clifton College learner is the only photographer from Africa that made it through.

“In all honesty I didn’t expect them to feature my photo as they don’t often focus on African animals. Having said that it’s an absolute honour to be recognised and to be featured. I entered quite a few images I had taken but the judges really loved the elephant disturbing the butterflies which I took in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Skye spent 12 hours beneath a wooden deck at the Mana Pools National Park to get the perfect image.

“My goal for this picture was to create a unique perspective to living in the land of giants both literally and metaphorically. To take this picture I lay beneath the main area of the camp gazebo, a wooden deck where people normally sit and enjoy the view, at Kanga Camp Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. For the entire day I lay and sat waiting at the water’s edge for the elephant to walk past on their way to drink from the water. I was lucky that a herd of elephant eventually walked towards me at the perfect time of day, just as the sun was setting and the butterflies also came to drink,” he explained.

Skye added photography was not only a great platform for conservation but also a great tool that can be used to unite a family.

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