Mariana Cano is a Spanish wildlife photographer who’s images have captivated many photo.net viewers. Her images are dramatic and touching all at once. But what is even more amazing is when you realize that her images come mainly from wildlife preserves/zoos in Europe, rather than the plains and savannas of Africa. This is an important lesson for many aspiring wildlife photographers to learn. You don’t have to fly across the world to make strong nature images (though many of us would like to). When the end result is what is important, and the end result is as strong as Marina’s images are, the method doesn’t matter at all.
How did you first get interested in wildlife photography and where did you first get started making images? Has the direction of your wildlife photography changed over the years?
Marina Cano
MARINA: Since I can remember, I have been in love with nature, and wildlife. At home when I was a little girl, we saw documentaries about wildlife on TV. My father had a photography darkroom at home, so both passions came together. Later, I was lucky enough to watch something amazing come to be, the largest natural park in Europe. Located in Cabarceno, it covers an area of more than 750 hectares. It is the largest park of its kind in Europe and animals from all over the world live in semi-liberty. Since then, over the past 20 years, I have learned and improved a great deal as a photographer. Every day my expectation about taking better pictures is higher. Every day I demand much more of myself. This is the direction of my wildlife photography: to improve.
Your images have a very particular look and style. Was this a specific decision or just the end result of the artistic process? What, if any, post processing do you do to achieve your images?
MARINA: My images have a particular style, not because I’ve tried to have one, but because of the circumstances. None of my elephants, zebras, or giraffes, are running or grazing through the grasslands of the Masai Mara or hunting in Kenya, because I have never been to Africa. My wildlife images are made in Cantabria, Spain. Actually, my dark backgrounds are because I try to minimize distracting background elements. So many times I’ve searched for shadow backgrounds, dark waters or dark trees. Then I can easily get darker in Photoshop, and I can isolate my portraits from anything that might be distracting. Also, I try to improve light in Photoshop, working in different areas of the picture, highlighting what interests me the most.
What equipment do you use most often? What does a typical camera bag look like for a day of shooting?
Marina Cano
MARINA: I usually take my Canon 1D Mark III, and the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM for landscape, and Canon EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM for wildlife. I love birds and the 10 fps of my camera are perfect for their movement. I have more lenses, but I could work just with those two. I would like to have a 500mm to get closer. Perhaps when I go to Africa I will get one.
Most people think that you have to go to far-off lands and have a lot of money in order to get close to exotic animals and therefore think that they can’t make those images. Do you agree? I know that you spend a lot of time shooting in nature preserves. Please talk about that and how or if you think it is different from taking a safari to Africa.
MARINA: I would like to travel to far-off lands and have a lot of money, not just for photographing but for living better. However, I do not feel that it is necessary to have lots of money to take good pictures. There are many examples that demonstrate this. Just take a look at the galleries of many great photographers without great equipment. I invite everybody to visit Cantabria. It’s a fantastic place and easily accesible for Europeans. My wildlife shoots are made in Spain (Cabarceno and Zoo de Santillana del Mar), where there are a lot of opportunities to get close to animals. Of course I can imagine an incredible wild world in Africa. A sunset light drawing the outlines of the elephants, wildebeest crossing the Mara River, a group of lionesses hunting… Just are two different worlds, but both beautiful.
Marina Cano
What advice would you give someone who wants to start taking wildlife photos? Where are some good resources for learning?
MARINA: First at all, you must love animals, because you will spend a lot of time near them. Understand their behavior, and be patient. Then when you are shooting you must wait for the best light, wait for get the best opportunity, wait and wait. Keep your eyes wide open and creativity open as well. It’s important to have a zoom, at least 300mm. It will help to get some close portraits or something like the skin texture. They is so much beauty wherever you look if you take the time. Also, don’t forget wide angle shots, with which you can get powerful wildlife results.
And finally, the question we ask everyone: While wildlife photography is obviously very important to you, there are many types of images in your portfolio. What would be your ‘dream project’ if you could work on anything in the world?
MARINA: I love landscapes and seascapes as well. I’m in love with the winter sea, the sunset light at the beach, the solitude lands. But my “dream project” is not anything new. First I would like travel to Africa and take pictures for a long time. After that, I would like travel all over the world to take pictures of wildlife, landscape and people. I also want to publish it. Moreover I would like my work be useful to help preserve wildlife and the environment. To help people people to respect and love animals, and preserve the nature.
Some Examples of Marina’s Work
Marina Cano
This picture was taken with a Canon 30D and the Canon 100-400 lenses. I was hoping for the May light, for a sunny and windy day, and waiting for the zebras to play games. I wanted this all at the same moment. I had been waiting months for this shot. But now it’s the cover of my wildlife first book. I love how the zebras look with the backlight and the dusty background.
Marina Cano
I was lucky with this picture. It was a rainy day, and the Watusis were sheltered from the rain in the stable. Taken with the Canon 1D Mark III and Canon 100-400, they were so beautifully placed for a few seconds. It was a very funny shot. Background was naturally dark
Marina Cano
Canon 30D, and 100-400 lens. I remember a slow shutter speed, because there wasn’t much light. It was just at the limit of what was possible. It was another rainy day and I like that cloudy light. Cantabria is a rainy and beautiful land. The baboons were embracing each other to ward off the cold and rain. Here I like the natural compositions of their bodies. Scattered light does the rest, I was just there to shoot.
Marina Cano
Canon 1D Mark III. Canon 100-400 lens. Sunset light and a lucky moment. This baboon mother was going to join the rest of the group, and crossed in front of me on a little hill with the sun behind her. I like the red line of her body very much.
Marina Cano
Canon 30D, and 100-400 Canon lens. Slightly cropped. Life goes on. This pretty baby hippo is a newborn. When I arrived, he still had the umbilical cord hanging. Mummy looks so big and sweet at the same time. Nature is wild and tender. It’s great.
Marina Cano
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 100-400mm. No much light, 1250 speed. Cattle egrets, mother and son. They look like they are fighting, but it’s actually feeding time. There are many more young egrets waiting for the meal. It’s an awesome moment. A cloudy day, and because of that, beautiful and soft light.
Congratulations with a fantastic portfolio, and your nomination to "featured member". Your images are an inspiration to me, and give us all a good example that good animal shots do not need to come from a distant location.
First let me congratulate you on your feature - and primarily on your sensitive and artful animal photography. You have a good eye for the essence of what makes an animal special. Your well composed and exposed immagery is a tribute to the natural world.
Having had the opportunity to roam the wild places myself to photograph wildlife, I very much appreciate the art you bring to this field. Many of your captured scenes would be difficult if not impossible to take in the wild. You give us the opportunity to enjoy those moments as well.
Thanks Peter, I'm trying to improve every day. Thanks for notice it.
George, the darkness is the leiv motiv in many of my pictures. Thanks.
GungaJim Downs, I continue gratefull your interest.
Per-Christian, it's fantastic to hear that my pictures are an inspiration for you, and for someone more. Thanks so much.
Jingyu, I know what to say: thanks!
Mark Vicent, your words are so breathtaking as your pictures. You are a great wildlife photographer, so you know pretty well what we are talking about. Thanks so much for enjoy with my different images, and for understand my work.
Stamoulis, thank you for your interest and for your kind words.
It is a realy pleasure to read this article and find some ideas about what you think and feel when you took a shot,I like your simple and clear way to think about what is arround us and in your way you show how important is to keep this nature ballance and not to destroy it.Light,shadows,shapes,colors all fit so well in your work is and will be a moment of delight to come and see what news.Best thoughts from me and make your dreams come true,Radu.
Marina....I've been a big fan since seeing your work in Popular Photography. Is your book going to be available in Canada? Keep up the great work...you inspire many.
Marina, you work is an inspiration for wildlife photographers like myself. I too do most of my photography at wildlife parks, but I have never been able to catch the moments like you have. All the best!
Enhorabuena Marina por este merecido reconocimiento de PN! Realmente tienes una forma distinta de fotografiar la naturaleza y en particular los animales. Captas de ellos momentos singulares y "expresiones" nada comunes...son realmente retratos, los "humanizas" (en el mejor sentido) consiguiendo unas imágenes espectaculares. Me alegro doblemente de esta distinción porque el primer comentario que me "atreví" a hacer cuando me incorporé a PN fue precisamente de una fotografia tuya de Cantabria en marzo del pasado año. Gracias por compartir tu trabajo y conocimientos. Felicidades de nuevo y disfrútalo. Un abrazo, Luis
Juan, muchas gracias por los buenos deseos para el futuro, yo te deseo lo mismo para ti.
Radu, I've try to explain as better I can in English, and now I know that I did it well. Thanks for understand my way of feel the Nature.
Robert, thanks for read the Pop Photo article. My book is not available in Canada, actually it's selling just in Spain, in Cantabria.
Alvin, thanks for your words. I'm very lucky because my home is 20 Km. from the largest natural park in Europe.
Robert, thanks so much to you.
Luis, eres muy amable por tu extenso comentario. Estoy realmente feliz por este reconocimiento de Photonet a mi trabajo. Gracias por tus palabras y por dedicarme tu tiempo.
I had the pleasure to meet Marina 2 years ago. She is a wonderful person who cares about the animals she photographs. I was visiting Cantabria with my girlfriend and Marina met us und showed us around and also introduced us to other great photographers and locals. She even let me take a picture of her Lynxes. She and her hospitable family have a special place in my heart. Muchas gracias Marina.
Stephan, you are fantastic. The pleasure was mine. Your words are beautiful. My land and my lynxes are waiting for you. I would love to see you again. Thanks.
Felicidades Marina me gustan tus imagenes, pero eso son imagenes no fotos asi que de Wildlife photographer nada de nada ademas la mayoria son de Cabarceno, no estoy contra ti ya te digo son muy bellas imagenes, pero odio las mentriras de esta web.
f.
Doble felicitación por el reconocimeinto que te hace Photonet y por ese don especial de añadir esa creatividad tuya a las espléndidas imágenes que te ofrece la naturaleza. Doble agradecimiento también, al hacernos disfrutar de las imágenes tan bellas y por servirnos de referente a muchos aficionados. Cuando me dispongo a hacer una foto y siempre pensando en mejorarme a mi mismo, me suelo decir, ¿Qué se le ocurriría a Marina en este caso? ...y eso ayuda, aunque al ver los resultados, siempre pienso: "La próxima será mejor".
Mucha felicidad te deseo Marina
