Psyche

Street photography allows photographer to capture everyday moments of anonymous passers-by. Is such an approach possible in the animal world? An approach in which, as a photographer, I can actually be an ordinary observer whose presence does not arouse fear? In my opinion, the savannah is such a place. A place where true "street photography" among animals is possible. My passers-by are animals who, like the people I pass on the street, are not afraid of me and often do not care about my presence. The best example is a portrait of Kudus that stood and looked at me. They would certainly be shy in European conditions, just like deers. This emphasizes that the savannah is their "street" and I am only a guest there. I believe that animals are persons, similarly to humans. That way, I portrayed them in the same way as humans - trying to capture their emotions and personalities. It's amazing how much “humanity” we can find in the animal world. They can care about each other, show love, form trustful relationships, and coexist with different species. For example, among selected artworks is a portrait of a giraffe which is also a portrait of safety, trust and a sense of closeness. Peace can only be found in the frame presented as outside the frame is tension and vigilance - other giraffes there are watching for predators. Another example are jackals and hyenas - animals with quite negative associations and false stereotypes. However, jackals are small in size and are not the strongest animals on the savannah. I often noticed their fear for their lives, uncertain steps and sometimes retreating on the way to the watering hole. So I presented a different side of the jackal - delicate and uncertain. Moreover, hyenas are very intelligent and useful animals. As scavengers, they provide a clean animals' living environment without the spreading of diseases. Even elephant skin which is too hard to be eaten straight away is not wasted. Hyenas soak it in water for a few days and then eat it which shows their intelligence.