Rodolphe Guignard’s aim is to take close-up photographs of animals that are reputed to be dangerous, to overcome the fear they inspire in us and reveal their true nature. This year, this wildlife photography enthusiast has set himself a new challenge: to take portraits of three large predators that fascinate us as much as they frighten us: the bear, the jaguar and the anaconda. By reducing the distance between us and these animals to a minimum, he hopes that his photographs will help to change the way we look at them. Because it is by getting to know them that we will be able to live together.
And we urgently need to learn to live together. Everywhere on the planet, conflicts with wildlife are multiplying and worsening. Natural areas are shrinking in favour of resource-hungry human activities. Humans and predators come into contact with each other and have to come to terms with sharing the same territory on a daily basis. The resulting difficulties often result in the eradication of those we consider problematic or dangerous, without even taking into account their essential role in the planet’s ecosystem.
In this three-part documentary series, Rodolphe will set off to meet these emblematic animals in the heart of extraordinary territories, where humans and wildlife live side by side, sometimes in close proximity. Guided by committed men and women, using photography as a medium, Rodolphe will get to know and understand these animals that frighten us. He will immerse himself in their environment and try to get closer to them, little by little. He will seek to enter their intimate circle without being intrusive, until a relationship of mutual trust is established. Each observation, each contact, each photograph will give rise to powerful and striking animal experiences, with elusive animals that are often misunderstood.
In his quest, the photographer will meet local residents, scientists, activists and conservationists, who will help him to understand how they manage to share their territory with wildlife that is considered dangerous. Using the knowledge he has gained from his encounters and experiences, he will try to reduce the space between himself and these powerful predators as much as possible – because when it comes to cohabitation, as with photography, it’s always a question of finding the right distance.
