I'm Ross McGibbon, an Australian reptile photographer based in Perth, Western Australia. My work takes me across Australia and overseas, where I photograph reptiles and amphibians in their natural environments.
My fascination with reptiles 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. These days, I'm no longer limited to the bushland around my school. When I'm not travelling or out in the field searching for reptiles to photograph, I'm researching species I haven't encountered yet and planning my next adventure.
I photograph animals in their natural environments, not in captivity or after they've been relocated. I don't use Photoshop or AI to alter or generate my images, and my post-processing is limited to basic adjustments in Adobe Lightroom.
I'm based in Perth, Western Australia, and have travelled to more than 40 countries. Despite all that travelling, some of my favourite places remain the red sandy deserts, lush tropical rainforests, vast mountain ranges and spectacular coastlines of Australia. My photography spans a wide range of habitats and species, from iconic Australian reptiles to fascinating animals encountered on international expeditions.
Over the years, I've realised that birds, mammals and marine life often attract far more attention than reptiles. Being passionate about reptiles can feel a bit like supporting the losing footy team year after year. Much of that comes down to fear and misunderstanding, particularly when it comes to snakes. Through my photography, I hope to help people look beyond that fear, learn about reptiles and appreciate these remarkable animals.
If my photography helps even a few people better understand and appreciate these extraordinary animals, I'll consider the effort worthwhile.
"As Baba Dioum said in 1968, 'In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand."
EQUIPMENT
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Canon R6 full-frame mirrorless camera
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Canon EF 16–35mm f/4L IS lens
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Canon EF 8–15mm f/4L USM fisheye lens
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Canon EF 70–200mm f/4L IS USM lens
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Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 VC USD R2 lens
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Sigma 150–600mm f/5–6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens
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Hahnel Modus 600RT wireless speedlight flashes
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Cygnustech diffuser and Triopo 55cm octagonal umbrella softbox
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And a trusty VW Amarok that gets me around the outback
Above: Photographing my first green python (Morelia viridis) in Iron Range National Park, Cape York, Queensland, in 2016, using my very basic first camera setup.
Below: Photographing a beautiful black tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) on the Overland Track in Tasmania, Australia, in 2019.
Above: Photographing a coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus) in North Queensland, Australia, in 2018.
Below: Me at seven years old, inspecting the teeth of a taxidermy saltwater crocodile at a reptile park in Queensland.
Me with my former 'Rig' while searching for the Western Desert Taipan in the Great Victoria Desert, Western Australia, in 2017.