Featured Artist of the Week: Chad Wright

We caught up with Chad Wright, Digital Gallery's Artist of the Week, here's what he had to say...

1) Why did you become a photographer?
I have a complete and utter love for the bush and all things wild. Getting to take my wildlife images back home to Johannesburg makes living in the city bearable.

2) What is your preferred kind of photography?
I am a wildlife and landscape photographer by profession but love sports photography as well.

3) Whose work has influenced you the most?
I would have to say Chad Cocking (since we share the same first name!), Morkel Erasmus and Marlon du Toit. All these guys are home grown and are the best in the business, in my opinion.
 
4) Your favourite image you have taken?
I love these three images- they speak volumes to me. All my images that I sell have a unique story behind them (that I pass on to clients who purchase my work) - that's why I choose to put the time and effort into editing some, and not others.

Seconds After The Chase by Chad Wright

- This cheetah was sitting next to a springbok which he had just taken down, still panting from the chase. We spent a good two hours with him before a storm rolled in and he disappeared into the nearby shrubs with his prize. Taken near Twee Rivieren rest camp, Kgalagadi Transfonteir Park.

Playful Hippos by Chad Wright

- We watched these hippos playing in a small dam whilst the sun set one winter's afternoon. The older of the two wouldn't give the little guy a break, chasing him around the dam continually biting his neck. I love the movement and detail in this image. Taken near Manyane rest camp, Pilanesberg National Park.

Aardwolf by Chad Wright

- This was the first time I had ever been able to snap an aardwolf in the wild. We followed him along a dusty road whilst he marked his territory over and over again, occasionally stopping to give us a look. Taken near the main gate at Mountain Zebra National Park.

5) What type of cameras do you shoot with?
My main body is a Canon 1Ds Mk II and my other body is a Canon 1D Mk II (more for bird and sport photography).

6) Favourite equipment to take along on a shoot?
I never leave home without my 300mm f2.8L lens. Since it isn't stabilized and weighs a ton when strapped to a 1D body, I recently purchased a Badger Gear "Ground Pod" and a sturdy ball head which sits on a beanbag on my car door.

7) What is the best time of the day to take shot?
Mornings, with out a doubt. Just remember your flask filled with strong coffee!

8) How do you educate yourself to take better photos?
I am currently in the process of getting my FGASA level 1 field guiding certificate to help me along with tracking wildlife and understanding the bush around me.

9) How do you feel about being in front of the camera?
I don't enjoy others taking pics of me, Claire and I normally wonder around a given location with a tri-pod and do it ourselves.

Chad and his girlfriend

10) What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?
Don't pop into your favourite camera store "just to have a look around"! You don't need any more equipment!

11) What makes the good picture stand out from the average?
As much as composition, lighting, DOF, etc help make a good shot, if there is a good story behind the image and you can capture it you've got a winner in my opinion.

12) Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph
The elephants and wild dogs of Mana Pools in Zimbabwe.

13) Complete the sentence: If you could be invisible for one day with your camera…
I'd wonder around the deepest part of Kruger to see what I could find.

If you'd like to see what Digital Gallery has been saying about Chad Wright all week, check out their Facebook page and join the conversation.

Here's how Chad Wright's "Impala Crossing" looks on our Premium Stretch Canvas:

 Browse through the rest of his photography here. Enjoy!