The acclaimed wildlife photographer
talks to Graeme Green about creativity,
conservation and connection
Björn Persson
Pro
in
focus
Björn Persson
Wildlife photographerBased in Stockholm, Björn Persson
is a renowned photographer who has
spent years travelling the world in
search of adventure and remarkable
images. He’s also involved with
conservation projects, including Smart
Savannahs in Kenya, and has helped
raise money for African Parks, Star
For Life and other organisations.
http://www.bjornpersson.nuor wildlife photographer
Björn Persson, the
message is what matters.
“I’m not interested in that
pure documentary style
of wildlife photography,”
he says. “I want to touch people on an
emotional level. I want to move people.”
We’re talking via Zoom, Björn at home
in Stockholm. Behind him, the shelves are
filled with African masks, statues and other
souvenirs from his years of travelling and
photographing the natural world. He
describes his photography, as seen in his
new book Beauty Will Save the World, as
art, distinguishing his approach from
photojournalism or natural history.
“A few years ago, I thought to myself that
a lot of wildlife photography looks the same,”
he says. “There are so many great images
and it’s so hard these days, especially with
the internet and social media, to penetrate
that, so I needed to find my own voice. That’s
how I started working artistically with images,
retouching them, to take them to another
dimension. I want to take my viewers to
another state of mind; a dreamy world,
almost like you’re in the picture. That’s
why I allow myself that creative freedom.”Post-production is a crucial part of Björn’s
process. “When I’m done retouching, it’s
a gut feeling,” he explains. “Like painting
a painting, the trick is to stop in time.
Some photos, I don’t need to do anything.
Sometimes I push it a lot further, removing
or adding things to make the picture more
interesting. I work with filters and warm light.
I like light that’s vibrant, mythical, magical.
That’s my palette of colours in taking the
photo and in post-production.”
Most of all, he aims to capture the souls
of the animals he photographs – an elusive
quality to put your finger on. “If you can
capture the soul of the animal, you will
capture the viewer,” Björn suggests. “I have
a very spiritual relationship with animals.
My great passion and love for animals makes
me see when to take the photo. I capture
animals in moments of thoughtfulness or
reflection, often when they’re quite still.
Eye contact is also important.”Natural world
Beauty Will Save the World is the second
book in a planned trilogy, with the final
instalment set for 2022. The theme for all
three books is humanity’s relationshipF
10 DIGITAL CAMERA^ MARCH 2021 http://www.digitalcameraworld.comOpposite: ‘Craig’,
2020.BisseBengtsson