DOWNLOAD PDF

Award-winning South African photographer Richard Flack ponders the purpose of bird photography and argues that aspiring photographers should never underestimate the power of their contribution.

This is a question I often get asked: why do we photograph birds? What is the point? And what are we going to do with all the photographs? Interestingly, these questions are usually asked by fellow photographers. Since I started teaching photography a few years ago, the search for meaning and purpose has been a key thread through my mentorship programs. As humans, we have an innate desire to understand the reason behind the things we do. Time is not infinite and understanding our purpose helps us to focus our time on what matters most.

Photography may be a hobby for most, but the better we understand why we do it and how our images can make a positive difference in the world, the more we will value the time we spend on it and persevere towards mastery. Each of us will have our own way of understanding our purpose, but it is this understanding that drives our increased passion and dedication and with this the positive difference we hope to achieve.

FINDING PURPOSE

If you had told me when I began 15 years ago that my images would make even a tiny difference in the world, I would have laughed in disbelief. Like many, I started photography as a tool to identify birds. I was a birder. I loved birds and the outdoors. Birding was the tonic for my soul and I wanted to ensure I had seen some of our tougher-to-identify species. Just as Australia has a variety of difficult-to-identify grasswrens and warblers, we have our fair share of cryptic pipits and larks here in South Africa. Photography was a means to this end!

Fast forward to today and I have seen how valuable photographs can be to drive awareness of threatened birds, provide funds for conservation, encourage ecotourism, inspire children and fellow photographers to pursue their dreams and allow others to feel and experience adventures that may be out of reach.

I never thought of myself as creative. In fact, I spent the first few years of my photography journey hiding from the public. It was my wife Eileen who started my social media pages—I was too insecure! When I look back, I just wish I had asked myself that pivotal question of “why?” earlier in my journey. It is this question that stops you caring so much about what people think and allows you to pursue what you love instead. The rest seems to unfold as you move slowly forward.

I think most of us underestimate the value our photographs can bring. We doubt our ability, or that our images can rise above the mass of online content. We might dream of what may be possible, but let doubt and fear quell our inspiration. Don’t let that happen to you! Dream, dream big, let your imagination wander and go after the deep reasons behind your photography. We all have them. Having taught photographers from a diversity of cultures and backgrounds from all round the world, what always excites me is diving into their unique purpose. Each photographer has a why and it is always inspiring to see them articulate it and then start taking small steps to bring it to life.

CREATING IMPACT

From these conversations and witnessing the incredible work of others, I have seen how powerful bird photography can be as a tool for positive change and want to share some of my own experiences in this regard. I am no National Geographic explorer or groundbreaking photographer—I am a husband and dad from South Africa who decided to follow his passion and love for birds. I am just a small brushstroke in an incredibly magnificent canvas that we all get to create.

One of my most memorable moments was finding myself in a school chapel in front of 300 children. I had been asked to talk about birds, specifically ‘The wonder of birds and the God of wonder’. Three hundred impressionable youngsters sat staring at my bird pictures as I explained how wonderfully made birds were and how diverse and special they are. I could see eyes light up and hearts open as I shared about turacos, swallows and flufftails and wove in the value of each child and the purposeful lives ahead of them. It was surreal! My photographs were being used to encourage and inspire the next generation. Who would have dreamed that was possible? Not me!

Two years ago, I had the privilege of tangibly experiencing how photographs can drive action when I was asked to photograph a pair of Critically Endangered (to South Africa) Blue Swallows at a small reserve in the Natal Midlands of South Africa. My now good friend Nathan runs a company that offers adventure and outdoor tours for school children. Two years ago, his business was in serious trouble, as Covid had brought school tours to a halt. He hoped that my photographs of the swallows would not only drive awareness of their dwindling numbers but also encourage other photographers to visit Roselands Nature Reserve. He received around 35 photographers within a few weeks and the resultant funds helped the business get through the toughest of times. Nathan’s business, which also helps educate children about the importance of conservation, is now booming and he still runs regular bird photography trips to the reserve. These trips continue to provide income for the protection of the mistbelt grasslands where these vulnerable swallows live.

As in Australia, habitat loss is a major factor threatening many of our local species in South Africa, and it is critical that sustainable ways are found to protect these threatened biomes. Nathan, Roselands and the Blue Swallows will soon be part of a short documentary detailing the story of these incredible birds and the need for further research and conservation to ensure their future. Our stories as photographers matter! What may start out as a small project to help a friend can have far greater impact than we expect.

ONLY CONNECT

Part of my purpose as a photographer is to build confidence and encourage others. It was the reason I got involved in business some twenty years ago, and it is what makes my heart come alive when it comes to photography too. We have all been given certain gifts, talents and opportunities and there is little doubt that these can be used to help others grow and develop.

In my case, I love sharing all I know about photography and seeing how this knowledge can support others. Confidence is one of the biggest gifts we can give one another and it can be the difference between a photographer keeping their work to themselves, and having an impact on the world. I find incredible fulfilment in this and it is part of what inspires me to carry on.

I’m also passionate about training local guides in Africa how to meet the needs of avid photographers. Ecotourism and nature-based photographic tourism are sustainable economic opportunities for many local communities that support the protection and conservation of our landscapes. Later in the year, I will be conducting a training workshop in Malawi as part of this project, and hope to encourage local guides to take over hosting tours and leading photographers to the areas they want to visit. Sharing my knowledge with the talented local guides supports community development and helps to protect those areas. It is clear from an African perspective that to conserve our precious habitats we need to transform the local communities that surround them. Whether it is Africa or Australia, there is little doubt that our small contributions can help even if it is just encouraging one person at a time.

Purpose is unique to the individual. Maybe you want to increase awareness of a cause, share your images with others so they can feel and experience what you do, or use your knowledge to teach the younger or older generations. Whatever it is, the world needs your contribution! I hope I have inspired and encouraged you to paint your brushstroke as well as possible so that in one way or another you will bring positive change to your part of the painting. In the words of Winston Churchill: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in” but always follow your dreams.