![William Fortescue, Fury, 2021](https://artlogic-res.cloudinary.com/w_1600,h_1600,c_limit,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto/artlogicstorage/redeight/images/view/3c92996b2c936f52e8cb46a2678941be/redeightgallery-william-fortescue-fury-2021.jpg)
William Fortescue
Frame included
38 x 48 in
So often to give an elephant presence in an image I try and get close, low and fill the frame with their form. Nine times out of ten this works perfectly, but sometimes this either is not possible, or not needed. In this case, it was both.
We had watched this bull for a while, working his way across the plains of Amboseli with dust devils swirling behind him. Rain hadn’t fallen for month, even though clouds threatened to burst every evening. As a result elephants had to migrate in and out of the national park each day to access the water available in its centre.
Waiting on the dirt road for him to approach, it was clear he was in no mood to pose for the camera or allow us any kind of proximity – such is his prerogative. Instead he stood perhaps 10 meters away, fanned his ears to enhance his stature and presence, and give us a clear message to kindly move out of his way.We obliged, as you do when a six tonne animal asks you to move.
A handful of days after this was taken, it finally rained after an exceptionally long dry season. I sincerely hope it improved his mood!
As with all images in this collection, 10% of the proceeds from this image will be split between David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Saving The Wild, my two partnered charities. It is thanks to the efforts of dedicated individuals and organisations like these that I, and many others, are able to still enjoy the incredible wildlife Africa has to offer. It is imperative to me therefore, that my images are able to help them achieve their missions and amplify their message.