In our series about wildlife photographers (part 1 you find here), I am honored to present you Marlon du Toit of Singita, South Africa. If you really want to know what makes his photography so full of live and love to nature, check out his Facebook page, and you will find out. Users there just love the dynamics of Marlons images, his closeness to the animals, and the way he is able to capture this with his camera. I mailed him my set of questions, and Marlon took the time for safari-photographer.com to answer all questions very thorougly. That is the reason why I decided to publish Marlons answers in the form of  an interview. Thanks again Marlon for the effort and the great insights you are giving us!

Marlon du Toits camera gear is like this:

Canon 1D Mk3
Canon 400 2.8 IS L
Canon 70-200 IS L II
Canon 16-35 2.8 L II
Clik Elite and Redged gear (endorsed)

What is your favorite lense, and why?
Currently the 400 2.8. It creates lovely sharp and rich images with great tone and a beautiful bouquet. I have taken some sweet images with it. I don’t mind the extra weight for the quality of images I am getting!

What is your favorite place for wildlife photography in Africa/the rest of the world, and why?
I recently visited Mana Pools National Park and it will take a whole lot to beat it!! I have been to northern Tanzania too, stunning up there! Have not photographed abroad but would love to photograph grizzly’s and wolves, tigers and a snow leopard
I would also love to spend time in Peru and other parts of South America.

What is your current project you are working on?
I am a full time guide with Singita. I have also taken on the role of photographic guide and ambassador for Wild Eye, a south african based photo safari company, some very exciting developments there. I will also host workshops for Africa Geographic middle September, as well as lead 2 five day photo safaris for them in November.

What are your concerns for the future regarding protecting the African wildlife and national parks?
Being an African you obviously want to protect your country and continent not only for yourself but for your children and so forth too. I want my kids to see what I saw, and how sad it would be if animals like rhinos vanish within twenty years. There are too many concern with Africa at the moment, from the road through the Serengeti to the mining of Mana pools. We just have to try and fight this till the end. Every signature and effort helps in the end and if everybody helps in their own capacity and stand up for mother Africa, perhaps she will be around in her natural state for many generations to come.

What do you try to achieve with your photography?
I try and capture a unique and special moment in time, a moment that will make people sit up and take notice. I wish for all to see how amazing and beautiful Africa is. There are constantly issues threatening African wildlife and any awareness I can create through my talent is a step forward for me.

Do you consider yourself being an artist?
Yes, I think that photography on a professional level requires a huge amount of time and patience. Spending countless hours out there trying to capture the shot and then painstakingly finishing your image up in your digital darkroom is an art without doubt. After all the word photography refers to “painting with light” …

In unserer Reihe “Wildlife Photographers” habe ich nun die Ehre, einen wirklich fabelhaften, extrem authentischen afrikanischen Fotografen vorstellen zu dürfen: Marlon du Toit. Marlon arbeitet hautberuflich für Singita Game Reserves, welche einige sehr schöne, Upmarket Lodges in Südafrika, Tansania und Zimbabwe betreiben. Marlons Fotografie besticht durch seine authentische Direktheit, und seiner Nähe zu den Tieren. Ein ungekünstelter, inspririerender Moment von Nähe zu Tier und Natur zeichnet seine Tieraufnahmen aus, und das wird besonders deutlich in Marlons Facebookprofil. Aus Sabi Sands gibt es einige wirklich tolle Leopardenaufnahmen!

Marlon ist ein Canon Benutzer, und arbeitet hauptsächlich lediglich mit drei Objektiven (siehe oben): Ein 400er Festbrennweite, das lichtstarke Canon L 70-200 2.8., und ein schönes Weitwinkel für Landschaften, das Canon L 16-35. Mehr braucht man nicht unbedingt, schein mir!

Da Marlon meine Fragen sehr ausführlich und toll beantwortet hat, erscheinen Sie in Form eines Interviews. Den ersten Teil der Reihe von safari-photographer.com über Naturfotografen findet ihr hier

Seine letzte Antwort hebe ich mir für den deutschen Part des Artikels auf, es ist schön, dass man auch Fernweh bekommen kann, wenn man täglich in einem tollen Gebiet wie Sabi Sands in Südafrika arbeiten darf:

What is a dream project for you in the future?
To be a full time and successful photographic guide and adventure traveller, photographing the places of my dreams across the world. I am allowed to dream a little hey

• Singita Game Reserves
• Marlon du Toit Photography
• Marlon du Toit on Facebook