Italian photographer Roberto Marchegiani has received high commendation in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for his ethereal image titled "The Calm after the Storm," capturing a group of rare Baringo giraffes emerging from a Kenyan forest after a heavy downpour. The photograph, selected as the 4th image out of 100 in the "Animals in their Environment" category, showcases the perfect timing and atmospheric conditions that create compelling wildlife photography.
Marchegiani's winning shot was taken at Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, where he witnessed the Baringo giraffes emerging from the forest at precisely the right moment. A heavy downpour had just subsided into much lighter rain, creating a fine mist in the background that gives the photograph its distinctive ethereal quality. The image successfully evokes atmosphere and a sense of place, with the habitat serving as a major element to convey how animals are integral parts of their environment.
The Baringo giraffe subspecies featured in the photograph has a remarkable conservation story behind it. This rare subspecies had been completely wiped out in Kenya due to a combination of poaching, farming activities, and habitat destruction. The situation was so severe that the giraffes had disappeared entirely from their native range in the country, representing a significant loss to Kenya's biodiversity.
In 1997, the Kenyan government launched a reintroduction program, bringing Baringo giraffes back to Lake Nakuru. This conservation effort has proven successful, with the population now increasing steadily. The reintroduction represents a triumph of wildlife conservation and demonstrates how dedicated efforts can help restore endangered species to their natural habitats.
Marchegiani, who has been passionate about photography since the age of 14, brings decades of experience to his nature photography. The Italian photographer loves nature in all its forms and strives to convey both its beauty and the emotions it evokes through his images. In recent years, he has dedicated himself specifically to nature photography, always attempting to achieve the most aesthetic results possible while documenting wildlife.
The technical details of the award-winning photograph reveal the skill required to capture such a moment. Marchegiani used a Sony α7R III camera with a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, shooting at 1/400 second shutter speed, f/5.6 aperture, and ISO 1600. These settings allowed him to freeze the action while maintaining image quality in the challenging lighting conditions created by the rain and mist.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition continues to showcase images that celebrate nature's awe-inspiring beauty while urging viewers to protect the natural world. The exhibition featuring Marchegiani's work and other winning photographs encourages visitors to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature. The competition serves not only as an artistic showcase but also as a platform for raising awareness about conservation issues and the importance of protecting endangered species like the Baringo giraffe.
