Bored Panda reached out to the photographer to ask about the most heartwarming or surprising interaction they’ve witnessed between animals. Here’s what he shared: "The most surprising and touching animal interaction I’ve had the chance to observe, even indirectly through my work with nature, is without a doubt the relationship between a mother bear and her cubs.
It's a bond of an almost inexplicable strength and intensity that goes beyond simple protection. It really forces you to reflect on how universal and absolute the maternal instinct is. The mother bear can display infinite gentleness and patience with her young, but that very instant transforms into a fierce defense as soon as she perceives the slightest danger.
This relationship teaches us a fundamental lesson about respecting boundaries. When a human interferes, even unintentionally and without proper caution, the bear reacts aggressively because her sole focus is that her offspring are in peril. It isn't malice; it's the purest and most powerful expression of maternal love and survival."
Ferron also told us more about the locations and species that are still on his photography bucket list for the future: “The place at the very top of my photographic wish list is undoubtedly Finland. It would be an incredible opportunity to experience the most immersive kind of wildlife photography: the one conducted directly from wildlife viewing hides. This would give me the unique chance to capture subjects in their natural environment without disturbing them.
The species I dream of photographing there are wolves. They are majestic animals, but their existence is always at risk due to human impact. Being able to document their lives, perhaps even managing to capture the interaction between wolves and brown bears – such a rare and fascinating encounter in Northern Europe – would represent the pinnacle of wildlife photography for me. It would also be a way to raise awareness about the need to protect these wild creatures."
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring wildlife photographers, Flavio kindly shared: "The main piece of advice I would give to those aspiring to make a significant impact through wildlife photography is twofold: absolute patience and strict methodology.
Wildlife photography isn't just about shooting; it’s the art of waiting and camouflage. To achieve results that truly make a difference, you need to:
- Patience and Positioning: Patience is the most fundamental trait. You must be willing to wait for hours and hours for just one quality shot, and accept that you'll often come home empty-handed.
- Camouflage and Blending In: It's crucial not to disturb the environment or scare the subject. Use camouflage (such as ghillie suits, hides, or blinds) to remain unnoticed.
- The Wind Advantage: Position yourself upwind. Animals have an incredible sense of smell, and catching your scent is the quickest way to make them disappear.
- Sidelight is Best: Actively seek sidelight (or grazing light). It is the most suitable type of illumination because it emphasizes the subject's texture, detail, and three-dimensionality, making the image more dramatic and engaging.
You must never lose heart. This journey is made up of many failures and a few precious victories. Every outing, even the one you return from empty-handed, is a lesson about light, animal behavior, and your environment. Insisting and never stopping the learning process is vital.
To quote the great master Henri Cartier-Bresson, it is often said: 'Your first ten thousand photographs are your worst.' This concept is especially true in wildlife – only through an enormous volume of attempts do you develop the eye, the speed, and the intuition needed to capture that unique moment which can lead to a significant impact."
Finally, when asked what particular skill or sense he would borrow from an animal to improve his photography, Flavio told us: “That is a fascinating question. Rather than limiting the improvement to a single ability, I would prefer to borrow a 'kit of senses and skills' from several animals, as nature photography requires a specific set of physical and perceptive capabilities.
If I could choose, I would combine three:
- The Agility and Tenacity of the Chamois: For a landscape or wildlife photographer, access is everything. I would want their ability to move across difficult terrain, scrambling up rock faces and ridges with extreme ease and security. This would allow me to reach unique and inaccessible viewpoints, elevating the composition of my photos.
- The Sight of the Peregrine Falcon (or similar raptors): Having such acute vision and the capacity to focus on minute details from great distances would be revolutionary. It would allow me to spot interesting subjects, wildlife, or the perfect landscape composition long before I arrive, optimizing my time and securing the shot even in unpredictable situations.
- The Polarized Eyes of the Kingfisher: This is the game-changing ability for aquatic photography. Its eyes are naturally able to filter the glare and reflection on the water's surface, allowing it to clearly see its prey underwater. For a photographer, this would be equivalent to a 'super-natural polarizing filter' that eliminates all surface disturbance, allowing me to capture the life happening below the surface with incredible sharpness and clarity.
In summary, I would want the Sight to find the subject, the Agility to reach it, and the Anti-Glare Eye to capture it in optimal light conditions, wherever it may be."
