Monochrome Wildlife Challenge 2024

We’re excited to reveal the highly commended, runner-up, and winning images from the Monochrome Wildlife category in the 2024 Pangolin Photo Challenge, along with the camera settings that brought these great shots to life!

This round focused on capturing wildlife in shades of grey. Photographers were challenged to portray the majesty of an elephant, the grace of a gazelle, or the intensity of a falcon using only light and shadow. We sought compositions that evoked nature’s raw beauty, struggles, and triumphs through the contrast of black and white, without the distraction of colour.

Creativity and originality were key. Photographers experimented with different black-and-white techniques and showed fresh perspectives or new ways to portray familiar animals.

The winner of this category will receive a 6-night stay for one person at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel or a $2,000 voucher to put towards any other Pangolin Photo Safari on our website!

View the video here, then share your thoughts on who you think should win. Afterwards, check out our amazing images below to see if your predictions were right.

Nikon D810 with a Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens

f/5.6 | 1/1250 | 500 mm | ISO 1600

“Babies Escape!” by Anand Damle beautifully captures a poignant moment in nature as Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean. The monochrome image depicts several small, determined turtles scrambling over one another, emerging from their eggs on a sandy beach. The rich texture and contrast of the black-and-white tones emphasise the vulnerability and urgency of their journey.

ILCE-7M3 with an E 10-18mm F4 OSS lens

f/8 | 1/20 | 14 mm | ISO 1000

“11 Zebra” by Joanne Mahy depicts a group of eleven zebras at a waterhole under the cover of night. Their silhouettes are gently illuminated, casting dramatic contrasts, while their reflections in the calm water add a layer of depth to the scene. The black-and-white composition amplifies the serene yet striking atmosphere of this tranquil moment.

Canon EOS 5DS R with a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens

f/6.3 | 1/8192 | 170 mm | ISO 1250

This high-key image beautifully captures a baby sea turtle making its way to the sea in Bonaire. The soft, bright tones highlight the fragile moment, with the turtle’s tracks still visible in the sand, marking its determined journey toward the ocean.

Canon EOS R5m2 with an RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens

f/5.6 | 1/2000 | 106 mm | ISO 250

A captivating portrait shot featuring two hippos at the bottom of the frame. One hippo vents as water sprays up, dominating the image. The illuminated spray takes centre stage, filling most of the frame and becoming the main focus, with the dark backdrop enhancing the contrast and drama of the moment.

Canon EOS R5 with an RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens

f/5 | 1/200 | 176 mm | ISO 1000

This captivating image captures a chimpanzee in a moment of deep thought, its eyes glistening with emotion as it looks upwards. The photograph, taken during a trip in Uganda, beautifully conveys the intensity of the chimp’s expression, offering a rare glimpse into its emotional world.

NIKON Z 9 with an AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens

f/5.6 | 1/3200 | 500 mm | ISO 2000

This image of a Black-tipped Cotinga captures the challenge of shooting against backlit conditions. The simplicity of the scene, dominated by the bird’s white plumage and the bright sky, highlights its anatomy. The almost translucent feathers reveal subtle skeletal details, creating a minimalist composition broken only by the bird’s eye.

Canon EOS R5 with an RF400mm F2.8 L IS USM lens

f/2.8 | 1/800 | 400 mm | ISO 1250

A black-and-white portrait of a yawning male lion, captured head-on for a symmetrical view. Lions use yawns to signal to others that it’s time to move, and this moment highlights the intensity of the lion’s expression. The contrast of its massive, dagger-like canines and velvety mane is enhanced by the monochrome treatment, giving the image an intimidating, “point of no return” feel.

ILCE-1 with an FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS lens

f/8 | 1/1600 | 600 mm | ISO 10000

While in Alaska in August 2023, Amy encountered over 100 bears during her Katmai adventure. Among them, this bear stood out with its short hair and rugged appearance, reminding her of her beloved childhood teddy bear, Ted. Though much more active and fierce than a stuffed animal, the bear’s unique look and personality captured Amy’s heart. The image captures the essence of this bear’s strength and character, highlighting its powerful, rugged nature.

Canon EOS R5 with an RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM lens

f/4 | 1/200 | 58 mm | ISO 20000

This black-and-white image captures the unique moment of a giraffe kneeling to drink under the cover of darkness. Giraffes are known for their towering height, but when they lower their long necks to drink, they must awkwardly bend their front legs and kneel. This photograph beautifully highlights the giraffe’s graceful yet vulnerable posture as it carefully lowers itself to the ground, offering a rare and intimate glimpse of the animal’s behaviour in the wild.

NIKON D4S with a 50.0 mm f/1.4 lens

f/1.4 | 1/8000 | 50 mm | ISO 140

Captured in Amboseli National Park, Kenya, this powerful image features Craig, one of the last remaining “big tuskers”—elephants with tusks that almost touch the ground. As Craig strides through the dry brush with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, the shallow depth of field keeps him in sharp focus while softening the background, enhancing the sense of grandeur. His massive tusks gleam and the high shutter speed freezes his movement, highlighting his strength and grace.

The black-and-white composition adds a timeless quality, while the distant clouds around Kilimanjaro remind us of the vastness of the landscape he roams.

Congratulations, Licinia, on this well-deserved win!

You have won a 6-night stay for one person at The Pangolin Chobe Hotel or a $2,000 voucher to put toward any Pangolin Photo Safari! Please contact challenge@pangolinphoto.com to claim your prize.

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