Gregory Colbert: Compositional Elements

 

 





Gregory Colbert is a Canadian photographer whose work is a celebration of the collaboration between humans and animals. Colbert describes his work as "storytelling", and likens life to a musical orchestra. He views himself as just "one musician in the orchestra", and through his work, he aims to open up the orchestra to all species. Colbert calls animals "nature's living masterpieces" and focuses on both wild animals and animals that are used to human contact. Colbert's artwork is made up of images that he discovers through the lens. Surprisingly, the stunning images are not a result of collage. Colbert's pictures are authentic interactions between humans and animals.

 

 

 

 

 

In Colbert's above photo, we see an example of a peaceful human and animal interaction. The child seems to be protected by the Cheetah. The child shows no fear, and is allowed to let his guard down as the cheetah attentively watches for danger. The sky itself is almost grainy, only adding to the dusty aesthetic. The figures seem alone in a vast, uncaring wilderness. They are at home in nature, yet as lost as any other living thing; ignorant to how they came into being, and powerless against life’s inevitability. For a brief moment in existence they are content, which is all anything in this world can ask for.

To achieve this image, Gregory Colbert makes great use of texture. The skin of the child and the fur of the cheetah are soft, contrasted by the rough, dead environment. The subjects are presented in the center of the picture, surrounded by the contrasting environment. This contrast adds to the feeling of vulnerability. What awaits in the grass that is away from the life raft that is the rock? Lions? Tigers? Hyenas? It is here where Colbert the storyteller blends with Colbert the artist. The result is a dramatic, visually striking image that draws in the viewer based on placement, lighting, texture, contrast, and the human element. Anyone can relate to this image because we have all been children, and in a sense still are. No matter what age, we need sanctuary and protection from a world where danger is ever present, in infinite forms. We don't have the daily fear of being consumed by an animal or starvation, but we still have our fears. Old age is our pack of hyenas, ever nipping at our heels. Cancer is our tiger, an inevitability if nothing else takes us first.

With his technical skill, and uncanny talent for storytelling, Gregory Colbert’s artwork creates and captures an authentic moment before it is lost to time. Colbert's images offer a sincere, harmonious look into human and animal interaction. All species are related, with the actions of one impacting the other. Humans are animals, and animals can be very human. Gregory Colbert's photography not only suggests this, but proves it.