Fortitude By Composing The Wild, India, 2021 (75 X 104)

With unwavering resilience, a lioness in Kenya’s Masai Mara braves the rain, choosing not to seek shelter, echoing a timeless fortitude (with a respectful nod to Shakespeare). Preeti and Prashant Chacko are photo artists based in Dubai, specializing in black-and-white photography that captures the essence of animals in the wild. They believe that wild animals embody beauty, intelligence, grace, and strength—qualities they strive to convey through their work. While often at the same locations and sightings, their artistic perspectives diverge: Preeti focuses on tenderness and beauty in wildlife, such as mother-child bonds, often capturing moments that require patient waiting. Prashant, on the other hand, is drawn to dramatic lighting and expansive landscapes, creating more atmospheric images. Together, they prioritize unique scenes and interactions over specific species. Their achievements include winning the 2022 Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year, the 2023 Better Photography Magazine Photographer of the Year, a Gold award at the Tokyo International Foto Awards in 2022, and second place in the Wildlife Category at the 2023 Black and White Spider Awards, along with multiple honorable mentions in global competitions. Their work has been exhibited in Dubai, Bengaluru, Miami, Venice, and Rome, and is currently on display at a gallery in Ohio as well as an exhibition in Dubai.