The One Thing Photographers Get Wrong About Capturing Animals—And How Brunelli Got It Right
Welcome to this edition of [book spotlight]. Today, we uncover the layers of 'Animals,' by Giacomo Brunelli. We'd love to read your comments below about these insights and ideas behind the artist's work.
What if the secret to extraordinary animal photography isn’t in the latest gear or a fast shutter speed, but in the way you connect with your subjects? The Animals redefines how we see and photograph creatures, urging us to slow down, embrace imperfection, and find stories in the unexpected.
This piece is for photographers who want more than technically perfect wildlife shots. If you crave images that evoke raw emotion, challenge conventional perspectives, and tell deeply layered stories, you’re in the right place.
In this interview, the creator of The Animals series takes us behind the lens, sharing hard-won insights and practical tips—from mastering vintage cameras to provoking genuine reactions from animals. By the end, you’ll understand how The Animals achieved its evocative imagery to transform your own approach to photographing the natural world.
Ready to rethink everything you know about animal photography? Let’s dive in.
Origins and Inspiration: What initially inspired you to start the “Animals” project, and how did your background influence your approach to photographing animals?
The inspiration for "The Animals" project started from my childhood experiences growing up in the countryside, surrounded by animals.
This early exposure to the natural world sparked a deep connection and fascination with animals, which I then translated into my photography.
Techniques and Interaction: You’ve mentioned provoking reactions from animals to capture their most intense moments. Can you describe some specific techniques you used to achieve these powerful images?
Spending time observing animals in their natural environment or in familiar surroundings has helped me a lot in predicting their behaviour and capture spontaneous moments. Sometimes, I make sounds or gestures to attract animals attention and provoke reactions, such as curiosity or alertness.
Challenges and Rewards: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while working on the “Animals” series, and what moments or images made these challenges worthwhile?
Working with animals in their natural environment, means that I had to be patient and wait for the perfect moment to capture their reactions and this can be time-consuming and sometimes frustrating. Also, working with film and old cameras from the 60s in those challenging conditions, can present technical difficulties.
Equipment and Process: You chose to shoot “Animals” with a 1960s Japanese camera. How did this choice of equipment influence the aesthetic and outcome of the project?
Using a Miranda from the 60s, significantly influenced my aesthetic from the film grain and texture to imperfections such as light leaks or focus inconsistencies. Film cameras in general require a slower and more deliberate approach to photography and this forced me to be more mindful and selective about my shots. Having limited control over the whole process has been both a challenge and opportunity to experiment and embrace unexpected results. Most of the time, I remove the viewfinder and look through it to get a waist-level perspective, managing to photograph the animals from their level.
Lighting and Atmosphere: Your preference for shooting in morning twilight or under diffused light conditions adds a unique atmosphere to your images. Can you elaborate on how these lighting choices affect the mood and impact of your photographs?
My preference for shooting is in the morning or under diffused light conditions so to soften shadows and reduce that contrast that I can then "use" while printing in the darkroom.
Compositional Choices: Your images often focus on suggestive fragments and counterintuitive angles. What drives these compositional choices, and how do they contribute to the overall narrative of the “Animals” series?
By isolating specific elements of the scene, focusing on specific details or placing disparate elements together (such as an animals eye or a domestic animal in an urban settings), I try and develop the overall narrative of the "Animals" series by creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. They invite the viewer to question the relationship between humans and animals, and to consider the impact of our actions on the natural world.
Emotional Connection: The “Animals” project evokes strong emotional responses. How do you approach capturing and conveying the emotions of your animal subjects, and what do you hope viewers feel when they see your work?
I think my use of black and white can enhance the emotional impact of the images by stripping away distractions and focusing on the essential elements.
Human-Animal Interaction: Many of your photographs depict animals in settings where natural and man-made environments intersect. How do these settings influence your storytelling, and what message do you aim to convey about the relationship between humans and animals?
My decision to place animals in settings where natural and man-made environments intersect is a deliberate choice that significantly influences the storytelling of my work, highlighting the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.
The animals, often depicted in stark black and white, stand out against the backdrop of human civilisation, symbolise the fragility of the natural world and the potential consequences of human actions, encouraging viewers to appreciate the beauty and importance of the natural world.
By capturing the often overlooked moments of interaction between humans and animals, I invite us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and to strive for a more harmonious coexistence.
Reflection and Evolution: Looking back at the “Animals” project now, how has your perspective on the work evolved, especially after completing subsequent projects like “Venice”? Are there any new insights or reflections you would like to share about the “Animals” series?
"Venice" is more focused on the city itself with probably a more pronounced "street photography" way of approaching the scenes, while on "The Animals", the focus is the beauty of the natural world in all its forms.
At the heart of animal photography isn’t just technique or timing—it’s the connection you create with your subject.
This project isn’t just a series of stunning images; it’s a call to action for all of us who pick up a camera. Slow down, embrace the imperfections, and let the moment unfold.
Because in the end, the best photographs aren’t just seen—they’re felt. Now it’s your turn: how will you rethink your approach to capturing animals? - Martin
Lessons From The Animals
Spend Time Observing:
Understand your subjects by observing them in their natural or familiar environments. Anticipating behavior is key to capturing spontaneous and authentic moments.
Provoke Reactions Gently:
Use subtle sounds or gestures to draw the animal’s attention, sparking curiosity or alertness without disturbing them.
Embrace Imperfection:
Experiment with vintage cameras or film photography to add texture and character to your images. Imperfections like light leaks or focus inconsistencies can enhance storytelling.
Shoot from Their Perspective:
Get at eye level with your subjects. Removing the viewfinder and shooting from the waist can create intimate, relatable compositions.
Use Soft, Diffused Light:
Early morning twilight or overcast days provide natural diffused light that softens shadows and reduces contrast, creating a dreamy atmosphere.
Focus on Details:
Isolate fragments of the scene or choose unexpected angles to create a sense of ambiguity and invite deeper storytelling.
Strip Down Distractions:
Consider black-and-white photography to emphasize emotion and essential elements in the frame.
Show Interaction:
Highlight the intersection of natural and human-made environments to tell deeper stories about coexistence and impact.
To discover more about this intriguing body of work and how you can acquire your own copy, you can find and purchase the book here.
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