Frans
Lanting
By: Hannah Frank
Younger Childhood Years
• Date of Birth: July 13, 1951
• Place of Birth: Rotterdam, in the
Netherlands
• Hobbies as a Young Child: reading
books and exploring outside
• Education: Erasmus University in
Rotterdam
His Work
• Frans Lantings is considered one of the
greatest nature photographers during our time.
• His influential work appears in books,
magazines, and exhibitions around the world.
• Frans Lanting has been granted the
opportunity to appear in the National
Geographic magazines, where he serves as a
Photographer-In-Residence.
His Style
• Frans Lanting style mainly focuses on
Nature.
• He has won numerous awards for his
nature Photographs and is considered one
of the most greatest wildlife photographers
Influences
His love for nature started at a very
young age. He witnessed many new
building being built on land which use to
be forest. He felt that he needed to
become a photographer to capture
beautiful images of this wildlife before it
was all gone. He also took up photography
as a way of expression- his photographs
not only draw attention to wildlife animals,
but also to their environment as well.
Interesting Facts
• Something that makes Frans Lanting unique to
other wildlife photographers is that he does not
just march up to the animal subject, he takes
time to gain trust from the animal.
• Frans Lanting takes photographs in many
different parts of the world, mainly Antarctica,
Africa and the Amazon.
• His photographs regularly appear in the
National Geographic Magazines.
Title: Chameleon on Salt Flats
Place Taken: Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana Africa
Date: 2009
• The lighting in this picture is natural. The lighting is coming from
everywhere and there is no particular direction of light flowing in.
• The main subject in this photograph is the bright green
chameleon located in the center kind of more off to the right. You
can tell that this is the main subject of interest because the
chameleon is located in the middle of the photo and it’s the only
object in full focus.
• This photo appears highly striking to my eye. I love how the
colors work together, the blues and the greens just blend really
nicely together. I also like how Frans Lanting did not only take a
photo of the chameleon itself but also added in other subjects
such as the clouds and the trees off to the side, this adds more
depth to the photo.
• I think the message in this photograph might have something to
do with take one step at a time. As you can see the chameleon is
slowly taking his steps.
• I selected this photograph compared to others because it really
stood out to me. I absolutely love the colors that appear in it and I
have also never seen a chameleon in real life.
Title: Baobabs at Sunset
Place Taken: Southern Madagascar
Date: 2009
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The lighting in this picture is natural. The sun setting in the background
is the source of lighting in this particular image.
The main subject in this photograph is the sun and how its setting. Also
the trees are another major object of interest. You can tell that these
two subjects are the most important because they are the only major
subjects in the photo. Also because the sun is so bright your eyes are
just automatically attracted to it.
The reason that this photo is so striking is because of the vibrant colors
that the sunset gives off. The orange fire burning colors make the trees
appear different and statue like. They look more bold and you can
clearly see the outlining of every line in the tree.
I think the message in this photograph might have something to do with
enjoying the peaceful time right before the sunsets. Take a break from
work for a while and just enjoy the beauty of nature.
I selected this photograph compared to others because it reminds me of
the few times I’ve watched the sun set on the beach. It’s not very often
you see the sun looking like that and it is just truly remarkable to look
at.
Title: African Elephant at Dawn
Place Taken: Chobe National Park, Botswana, Africa
Date: 2009
• The lighting in this picture is natural. Most of the lighting comes
from the sun setting in the background.
• The main subject in this photograph is the elephant drinking
water, but also the other animals surrounding the elephant as
well. The reason that this photo is so striking is because of the
vibrant colors that the sunset gives off. Also I love how the
elephants reflection appears in the drinking pond as well.
• I think the message in this photograph might have something to
do with enjoying the peaceful time right before the sunsets. Take
a break from work for a while and just enjoy the beauty of nature.
• I selected this photograph compared to others because it
reminds me of the few times I’ve watched the sun set on the
beach. It’s not very often you see the sun looking like that and it
is just truly remarkable to look at.
Title: Leatherback Sea Turtle
Place Taken: Galibi National Reserve, Surinam, South
America
Date: 2009
• The lighting in this picture is natural. The lighting is
mainly coming off from the sun in the distance, which
is located in the right hand side, behind the turtle.
• The main subject in this photograph is the sea turtle
that has been washed upon shore. I like where the
turtle is placed in the photo graph. The turtle is not
placed too close up or too far off in the distance. This
makes room for background space, such as the sand
and the clouds. I also like the lighting, you can tell
where the main stream of light is coming from.
• I selected this photograph compared to others
because turtles are my favorite animal and I also like
the composition of this photo and how everything is
planned out.
Title: Steelhead Trout
Place Taken: Scoot Creek, Monterey Bay, California
Date: 2009
• The lighting in this picture is natural. Most of the lighting comes
from above the bay water and it appears to be shinning down
from everywhere above.
• The main subject in this photograph is the steelhead trout, which
is peeking its head around on the left hand side of the
photograph. I like where the fish is placed in this photograph
because it leaves behind a mysterious sense. It makes you
wonder how big the fish really is. I also like how the fish is the
only subject in main focus. Everything under water is kind of
grainy and everything about water appears blurry. I also like how
Frans captured the image right before the fish is coming up to
take a breath of fresh air.
• I don’t think this photograph really has a meaning or a message
to it, it is just a photo of a really big fish.
• I selected this photograph compared to others because I like how
the fish is coming out from the side, and it’s a different angle.
Title: Emperor Penguin with Chick on his Feet
Place Taken: Weddell Sea, Antarctica
Date: 2009
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The lighting in this picture is natural. The lighting is coming from above,
but also from below. All the white snow adds lighting from the bottom as
well.
The main subject in this photograph is the papa penguin with his little
baby penguin on his feet. This photo appears highly striking to my eye. I
like how everything in the picture is either gray or white besides the
neck, wings, and face of the penguin. This allows the penguins body to
really stand out. I also like how Frans did not perfectly center the
penguin, instead he aligned the penguins more to the side. This adds
more of a uniqueness to the photo. I also like how there is visible
texture to this picture. You can clearly see how smooth and furry the
penguins coat is.
I think the message in this photograph might have something to do with
love the people that are around you, just like how the penguins have
love.
I selected this photograph compared to others because it really stood
out to me. I like how the penguins are aligned in the picture, as well as
the colors, but I also like the message that goes along with this
photograph.
Sources
• http://www.lanting.com/
• http://www.franslanting.com/
• http://www.ordovergallery.com/artists/Fran
sLanting/index.html
• http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/
Frans_Lanting