My childhood was immersed in the natural beauty of the mountains where I lived with my grandparents. Frequent hikes with my grandpa to explore orchids instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature's rhythms. He used to say that orchids thrive best in their natural habitat, while excessive care can prevent orchids from blooming better. These movements of natural life aroused my curiosity, so I took a photo with a camera to record nature at that time. As I grew up, I gradually realized that I’m like the orchid that has “bloomed in spring” in nature. The childhood environment and the philosophy taught by my grandpa resonated with me and led me to become a wildlife photographer.

Though I photograph landscapes too, capturing wildlife offers a more dynamic emotional engagement. Mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas are relatively still, with their changes deriving from lighting and seasonal differences. However, animals are different. Animals are mobile subjects, and their myriad behaviors and movements never cease to fascinate me. That’s why I never get tired of wildlife photography, even if there’s only one species.

In wildlife photography, no animals will stand still and wait, so wildlife photographers need to search for objects while hiding themselves to avoid disturbing the animals’ natural behavior. Photographers should quickly lock onto their target and complete the shot. I feel like it’s an ongoing hunt, but one that contributes positively to our understanding and preservation of natural ecosystems.

First of all, we estimate the climate in advance, just like in landscape photography. In the meantime, we involve deeper research into animal behaviors and environmental conditions. For example, if I want to photograph the spoon-billed sandpiper, which primarily inhabits marshes during winter, we need to observe the tide levels and shoot during low tide. Similarly, when photographing owls, their activity levels are influenced by the phases of the moon, so we also need to observe astronomical conditions. Additionally, if we want to capture birds performing their courtship dances, we need to be well-versed in their habits and breeding seasons. Only by understanding your model can you ensure the production of good work.

Indeed, wildlife photography is physically taxing. My experiences range from navigating wildfires in South Africa to managing equipment in icy conditions. Each venture into the wild tests endurance and resilience, yet it's the love for nature and the desire to convey its beauty that fuels my commitment.

Wildlife photography is indeed similar to documentaries, but it’s not simply about pressing the shutter button at animals. I think wildlife photography isn’t difficult in terms of photographic skills. Although sometimes it’s challenging to capture your subjects, the benefit is that your subject matter is very specific. The real challenge lies in how to evoke emotions from the audience without imposing human emotions and concepts.

In fact, there are many ways to instill your works with emotion. Despite the era of color photography, many exceptional wildlife photographs still employ low saturation and the interplay of light and shadow to nurture emotional paths.

In addition, those active subjects create many specific moments filled with emotional value. Many works that have won international prizes are not traditionally beautiful photos but rather capture a special moment.

Lastly, color is definitely a tool for wildlife photographers. For example, when photographing a bee-eater, its wings can exhibit iridescent colors under specific angles of light. However, they fly very fast, so it’s extremely difficult to capture that moment with the naked eye. Photography, on the other hand, can perfectly present perspectives that are otherwise unseen by most people. You'll discover that nature is even more beautiful than what your eyes perceive. I believe this is where wildlife photography differs from ordinary documentary photography.

In the era of digital photography, the concept of "straight-out-of-camera" itself should be questioned. The human eye is an excellent optical instrument, and no camera can directly reproduce what the human eye sees. In wildlife photography, on the one hand, post-processing is often used to enhance the beauty of animals as we perceive them. On the other hand, good post-processing not only adds emotion to your work as mentioned earlier but also can better highlight the condition of the species and emphasize the subject within its environment.

Because the shooting conditions for wildlife photography are more demanding compared to studio or static photography, we cannot anticipate or design the scene in advance. In such cases, post-processing can compensate for these minor imperfections. So, when many friends ask about the extent of post-processing in my work, the truth is that every single photo undergoes post-processing. To be honest, the time I spend on post-processing is probably longer than the time spent on shooting itself.

I have been a loyal user of BenQ SW series monitors for years, and my workstation is currently equipped with two SW270C monitors. They have served me faithfully, maintaining accurate colors, especially for delicate colors like the feathers of a bee-eater. The monitor's excellent color control capabilities allow for precise adjustments, ensuring that subtle color tweaks are quickly and accurately reflected on the screen. This capability is crucial for achieving natural and accurate color reproduction in post-processing.

Despite the challenges and occasional skepticism faced, the results speak for themselves. My work has gained international recognition, proving that talent transcends gender. I encourage women in photography to focus on their craft, embrace challenges, and use their voices and skills boldly. We have significant contributions to make, and by standing strong, we inspire and empower more women to express themselves creatively and professionally.

In the vast world of photography, the contributions of female photographers in the field of photography are comprehensive. Fashion, scenery, documentary, portrait. With their unique perspectives and delicate emotions, they show their own style in their creations.