I have chosen to present the work of Frans Lanting. Lanting is a renowned nature photographer for National Geographic. In his lengthy career, he has photographed in Africa, Antarctica, the Amazon Basin, Madagascar, and beyond. In 2018, he received the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award for his copious contributions to the world of nature photography. Lanting’s latest exhibit was titled “Into Africa” and was on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Lanting’s photography works to illuminate concerns related to climate change and wildlife conservation. It also personifies nature, making animals seem like they express human emotion and value human social constructs, such as family and friendship. Lanting’s work includes extensive shoots of endangered species, beautiful landscapes from across the globe, human-like apes, exotic birds, and positive and negative human interaction with the environment. Overall, Lanting strives to make the world feel closer to nature through his photography.
Young Orphaned Orangutans Embracing, Frans Lanting