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Stunning wildlife photographs show animals silhouetted in the African sun

Australian wildlife photographer, Marc Mol, 57, snapped the impressive pictures in various areas of Africa

A PHOTOGRAPHER has travelled around Africa for six years, capturing striking silhouettes of its animals along the way.

Australian wildlife photographer, Marc Mol, 57, snapped the impressive pictures in various areas of Africa - including Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Australian wildlife photographer, Marc Mol, 57, snapped the impressive pictures in various areas of Africa
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Australian wildlife photographer, Marc Mol, 57, snapped the impressive pictures in various areas of AfricaCredit: Barcroft Media

Marc says that the hardest part about his photography project was finding the perfect timing, especially as wildlife is constantly on the move.

He said: “Capturing the silhouette images is the easy part of my job.

“It’s getting the wildlife to cooperate and position themselves at the right time and place that can see you spend many fruitless hours, yet when it all comes together the right situation makes it all the more rewarding.”

Marc says that the hardest part about his photography project was finding the perfect timing, especially as wildlife is constantly on the move
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Marc says that the hardest part about his photography project was finding the perfect timing, especially as wildlife is constantly on the moveCredit: Barcroft Media

In order to achieve the beautiful black silhouettes, Marc meters (when the camera determines what the correct shutter speed and aperture should be) the background of the sky.

Whether it be their daily grazing, hunting or resting, the animals' movement are then transformed into something majestic, cast against golden evenings and pink dawns.

In order to achieve the beautiful black silhouettes, Marc meters the background of the sky
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In order to achieve the beautiful black silhouettes, Marc meters the background of the skyCredit: Barcroft Media
The animals' movement are then transformed into something majestic, cast against golden evenings and pink dawns
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The animals' movement are then transformed into something majestic, cast against golden evenings and pink dawnsCredit: Barcroft Media
The clever silhouette snaps show the wildlife in a whole new light
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The clever silhouette snaps show the wildlife in a whole new lightCredit: Barcroft Media
Marc spent six years travelling Africa and taking the amazing photographs
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Marc spent six years travelling Africa and taking the amazing photographsCredit: Barcroft Media
Without the patterns on their fur, the wildlife becomes transformed on their brightly coloured backdrops
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Without the patterns on their fur, the wildlife becomes transformed on their brightly coloured backdropsCredit: Barcroft Media

The Swiss-based photographer said: “My main aim is to first find the appropriate flat landscape around either sunrise or sunset that will lend itself to capturing the silhouette and hope the wildlife play their part.”

Some of Africa’s most best-known animals can be seen grazing in a savannah completely unaware that Marc was taking their photograph.

Talented Marc even managed to capture the full spectrum of animals that the African game reserves have to offer.

He said: “Places like the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya with its endless plains beautifully lends itself to some wonderful sunset and silhouette images."

Tiny birds are seen perching on a branch, monkeys are caught leaping from tree to tree whilst other images show giraffes and a pride of lions ambling through the savannah’s grass.

Marc says that the hard part of his job is getting the wildlife to cooperate and position themselves at the right time and place
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Marc says that the hard part of his job is getting the wildlife to cooperate and position themselves at the right time and placeCredit: Barcroft Media
Marc adds that once the animals are in place, capturing the silhouette images is the easy part of his job
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Marc adds that once the animals are in place, capturing the silhouette images is the easy part of his jobCredit: Barcroft Media
Marc says that his first aim is to find the appropriate flat landscape around either sunrise or sunset that will lend itself to capturing the silhouette
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Marc says that his first aim is to find the appropriate flat landscape around either sunrise or sunset that will lend itself to capturing the silhouetteCredit: Barcroft Media
Marc adds that places like the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya with its endless plains beautifully lends itself to some wonderful sunset and silhouette images
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Marc adds that places like the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya with its endless plains beautifully lends itself to some wonderful sunset and silhouette imagesCredit: Barcroft Media
Monkeys are caught leaping from tree to tree whilst other images show giraffes and a pride of lions ambling through the savannah’s grass
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Monkeys are caught leaping from tree to tree whilst other images show giraffes and a pride of lions ambling through the savannah’s grassCredit: Barcroft Media
Talented Marc managed to capture the full spectrum of animals that the African game reserves have to offer
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Talented Marc managed to capture the full spectrum of animals that the African game reserves have to offerCredit: Barcroft Media
Marc hopes that his stunning images will also play an important message in animal conservation
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Marc hopes that his stunning images will also play an important message in animal conservationCredit: Barcroft Media
Marc says it's up to all of us to make sure we leave areas such as our National Parks and Reserves the sole domain of animals and not humans
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Marc says it's up to all of us to make sure we leave areas such as our National Parks and Reserves the sole domain of animals and not humansCredit: Barcroft Media
Some of Africa’s most best-known animals can be seen grazing in a savannah completely unaware that Marc was taking their photograph
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Some of Africa’s most best-known animals can be seen grazing in a savannah completely unaware that Marc was taking their photographCredit: Barcroft Media

Stripped of the colour and decoration of their feathers and furs, the simplicity of the photographs allows the animals to be shown in a whole new light.

But for Marc, he hopes that his stunning images will also play an important message in animal conservation.

He said: “I want viewers to never forget that so many of our wildlife remain endangered and it's up to all of us to make sure we leave areas such as our National Parks and Reserves the sole domain of animals and not humans.”

To take a look at more of Marc’s photography, visit his website:  www.marcmol.com/Silhouettes-and-sunsets/i-HzzcQLJ

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