Welcome to the fascinating world of herpetological (Reptile & Amphibian) photography by Ross McGibbon
I'd like to introduce myself by explaining the motivation behind my work. Simply put, I am fascinated by reptiles and the natural world they inhabit. There is no activity more fulfilling to me than learning about these animals, traveling to their habitats, and photographing them in the wild. This is why all of my images feature wild animals in their natural environment. I do not photograph captive or relocated animals, nor do I Photoshop my images; only basic adjustments in Adobe Lightroom are made during post-processing.
My passion for reptiles and the outdoors began when I was a young boy, much to the detriment of my early education. I preferred sneaking out of class to find reptiles and frogs rather than being confined to the classroom. Now, as an adult, I’m no longer restricted to the bushland around my school. When I’m not traveling or in the field finding and photographing reptiles, I’m researching species I’ve yet to encounter and planning my next adventure.
I’m now based in Perth, Western Australia, but after traveling to more than 35 countries, my favorite places are still the red sandy deserts, lush tropical rainforests, vast mountain ranges, and spectacular coastlines of Australia. My frequent travels have resulted in an expansive portfolio of images that showcase some of Australia’s most iconic species in their natural habitat.
Over the years, I’ve realised that the popularity of birds, mammals, and marine life far outweighs that of reptiles. Being passionate about reptiles is like supporting the losing footy team year after year. This is because most people fear and misunderstand reptiles, particularly snakes. Therefore, I use my images as a medium to educate and raise awareness about reptiles. If I can help the public appreciate and understand these extraordinary animals even a fraction of what I do, then I will consider my efforts well rewarded.
"As Baba Dioum said in 1968, 'In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand.'"
EQUIPMENT:
- Canon R6 full-frame mirrorless camera
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS lens
- Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L fisheye UMS lens
- Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di macro 1:1 VC USD R2
- Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 wide-angle macro
- Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS contemporary lens
- Hahnel Modus 600Rt wireless speedlight flashes
- And a trusty VW Amarok that gets me around the outback
Photographing a spectacular Green Python (Morelia viridis) in Iron Range NP, Cape York, Queensland (2016).
Photographing a Tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) in Tasmania, Australia (2019)
Photographing a Coastal Taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) in North Queensland, Australia (2018)
Me at age seven inspecting the large teeth of a taxidermy saltwater crocodile at a reptile park in Queensland
Me with the 'rig' while looking for the Western Desert Taipan in the Great Victoria Desert, Western Australia (2017)