While in Madagascar, testing out a new camera for Olympus, photographer Ben Simon Rehn was able to capture some incredible photos of the country’s wildlife. This beautiful island in the Indian Ocean is teeming with endemic animals, many of which are endangered. Madagascar is home to a wealth of wildlife, from chameleons and geckos to a wide variety of lemurs.
Rehn documents and pays homage to a host of unique animals that call the island home. Through his photography, he hones in on the tones and textures of each animal, particularly the reptiles. He captures the vivid green hues of their rough skin and, taken at close range, the portraits give a dynamic look at the personality of each creature—some are solemn, others are curious. The curiosity of the animals is matched only by that of Rehn, who seized the opportunity to soak in the local culture and get ideas for future projects.
Prior to turning his attention to photography, Rehn was a high-performance athlete. The German photographer, who now lives in Iceland, brings the same dedication and tenacity he used in sports to his creative work. Always ready to push himself to the limit, he's built a specialization in landscape and wildlife photography in remote and hostile environments.
Hoping to spread awareness about environmental issues and how humans are impacting the planet, Rehn’s in continual search of experiences that will assist him in this goal. His rich, cinematic photos of Madagascar’s wildlife are certainly a step in the right direction. Rehn's collection of portraits helps reveal the beauty of these diverse creatures to the public in a respectful manner, as non-invasive pieces of art.
Ben Simon Rehn's portraits of animals in Madagascar brings to life the island's rich wildlife population.
