Wildlife Photography | Andy Biggs | Talks at Google

TL;DR

An African wildlife photographer shares his journey from Silicon Valley to the Serengeti and offers insights on creative photography and storytelling.

Transcript

MALE SPEAKER: Hi, everybody. Welcome. It's my great pleasure to introduce Andy Biggs. Andy's actually going to do a lot of the introduction himself. He's going to talk a little bit about his work and how he got here. But there's a couple of highlights that I do want to point out. So Andy was the winner of the 2008 BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Y... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 Transitioning from a career in Silicon Valley to wildlife photography requires a passion for the craft and a willingness to adapt to a new lifestyle.
• 🛄 Visual storytelling is a central aspect of wildlife photography, with the photographer aiming to convey emotions and narratives through their images.
• ❓ Wildlife photography often requires patience and an ability to observe and anticipate animal behavior to capture unique moments.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Andy Biggs transition from working in Silicon Valley to becoming an African wildlife photographer?

Andy Biggs left behind his accounting and consulting careers and began his journey in wildlife photography by joining a friend on a photography trip. This led him to purchase his first camera and start exploring the field, eventually leading to his full-time career in wildlife photography.

Q: What are some key insights from Andy Biggs' presentation?

• Biggs believes that the creative side should drive the craft of photography, rather than being solely focused on technical aspects.
• He advises photographers to focus on storytelling and capturing images that convey a specific emotion or narrative.
• Biggs emphasizes the importance of patience in wildlife photography, as capturing the perfect shot often requires waiting for the right moment.

Q: What techniques does Andy Biggs use in his wildlife photography?

Biggs employs various techniques, including shooting in aperture priority mode, using continuous autofocus, and experimenting with different shutter speeds and lighting conditions to create unique and impactful images.

Q: What types of photography does Biggs specialize in?

Andy Biggs primarily specializes in African wildlife photography, capturing images of animals in their natural habitats. However, he also enjoys photographing cultures and landscapes throughout Africa.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Andy Biggs, a former Silicon Valley worker, left his accounting and consulting jobs to pursue a passion for photography, particularly African wildlife photography.

• He transitioned to a career in wildlife photography by starting a safari business and leading photographic safaris, where he teaches and captures wildlife moments in various African countries.

• Biggs emphasizes the importance of storytelling in photography, suggesting that photographers start with a list of adjectives to guide their creative approach and capture images that convey a specific emotion or narrative.