Manuel Presti
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Overall Winner 2005
Manuel Presti is the winner of the 2005 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. The competition, run by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine, is the most prestigious wildlife photography competition in the world. Manuel’s image ‘Sky Chase’ was judged to be the most striking and memorable of all the competition’s 17,000 entries! His photograph shows a flock of starlings being attacked by a peregrine falcon in his home city, Rome. It is a stunning image which manages to capture the drama and fear of the situation. Manuel talks to PhotoGalaxy about his photography and his winning photograph...
Please could you tell us about how you became a photographer?
Over 20 years ago I began observing nature with just a pair of binoculars. Soon I realized that I wanted to capture the magic moments.
What inspires you and why do you love photography?
It let's you see the world in an analytical way and appreciate the details of nature and its delicacy.
Is photography your full time profession?
No, I'm an engineer.
Have you always been a wildlife photographer?
Yes, wildlife is my primary subject.
Do you work in other subject areas?
I'm beginning now with some reportage.
What draws you to wildlife photography in particular?
Animals: their look and their dynamism.
Close-ups: colours nuances in flowers and details.
Abstracts: graphic impact.
Can you tell us about your winning photo? How did you take it? Did it take a lot of planning?
It didn’t take enormous planning. I observed the phenomenon for a few days capturing on digital the different shapes and movements until I got powerful scenes. I was working with two cameras: one with a 500mm the other (handheld) with a 70-200 zoom.
What do you think makes the photo successful?
Visual design, simplicity, drama of survival; a wildlife story well and simply told.
Winning Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a huge honour – How did you feel when you heard you had won?
I couldn't believe it! Looking at the other category winners I expected some other to be the lucky one. But each day I understand more about the reasons of winning. This picture is something really innovative in photography and especially in wildlife photography.
We had a look at your website. You have some stunning photographs! Is there any project in particular that you have especially enjoyed working on?
The Pantanal, which is far from being completed! Birds of Florida. Details in Nature: they never cease to amaze me.
Do you have a favourite location?
Actually not. Every place I visited is stunning in some special respect.
What is going to be your next photographic project?
Explore the Pantanal and another (so far) secret on-the-doorstep project!
Do you prefer film or digital?
Digital. I switched 2 years ago.
Finally, do you have any advice for PhotoGalaxy’s photographers?
Look at design in every aspect of life, look at pictures, take photos, take photos and again take photos. Don't talk too much about equipment. Open your eyes and imagine everything through the viewfinder.
Manuel Presti - Wildlife Photography
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Simon Bishop Interview
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