The Giant panda was quite the mission to Photograph. This image was originally shot for my book More Than Human, but because of the key conservation story that revolves around the Panda I decided to republish it in Endangered.

Knowing that I wanted to capture the Panda’s portrait on a black background, I had the background specially made in London. We used high end dress makers velvet too create a large background that would give the deep blacks that I wanted and that would also give me the flexibility that is required when photographing a wild animal.

With the enclosure clear of the Panda, my team and I set the velvet on the back wall, and the keepers arranged some tasty bamboo shoots. YaYun was let back into his enclosure and to our horror, made a b-line for the background, completely ignoring the bamboo. He sat and tore up the velvet with joy and amusement on his face as he shredded it into small pieces, when he was done he munched on his food and we set to work, making the best of the situation.

By angling the light slightly I managed to keep it mostly off the back wall, leaving a dark background that I was able to work through in post production.

Light Equipment: Satellite Staro and Ringflash C

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