Podcast #02 · Tim Flach · Bridging The Divide Between Animals And Humans Through Imagery

Tim Flach is a world renowned photographer. His body of work, which includes 5 published books (Endangered 2017, Evolution, 2013, More than Human, 2012, Dogs Gods, 2010 and Equus, 2008), focuses on a wide variety of animal species but is united by a distinctive style that is derived from his concerns with anthropomorphism and anthropocentrism. His interests lie in the way humans shape animals, and shape their meaning. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Norwich University of the Arts in 2013. His latest project, Endangered, showcases a selection of species that are on or near the brink of extinction.

In this episode, we had the opportunity to talk with one of the most fascinating animal photographers in the world today.

• Tim’s background and early inspirations (~2.20)
• His first experience with a roll of film at the London Zoo (~4:00)
• His journey and approach to working as a self-sustaining photographer and the power of choice (~7:25)
• Why he identifies himself as an animal photographer and not a wildlife photographer (~10:00)
• Communicating conservation challenges and how connecting on an emotional level can help (~12:20)
• His favourite photography moments over his career (~16:00)
• His experience with the last male Northern White rhino on earth (~17:35)
• Animal and human consciousness and kinship (~20.25)
• Anthropocentrism, anthropomorphism, and how these concepts influence his work (~22:20)
• Shifts in ethical values from dominion to custodianship (~25.20)
• Tim’s inspiration for his latest book, Endangered including his trip to Borneo and the Amazon; attributing value to nature (~26:30)
• What his toughest animal subject have been in that body of work including Djala the Gorilla, repatriated to Gabon (~32:10)
• The stories behind our favorite images, the Elephant Lashes and Pangolin Baby (~35:50; ~41:20)
• His thoughts on valuing (and losing) an animal species that humanity does not directly depend on for survival (e.g. the white rhino) (~38:10)
• Tim’s approach to identifying which animals to include in Endangered (~42:00)
• What his key messages are in his work and what are the most powerful ways to connect people with nature(~46:50)
• What his thoughts are on the role of art in communicating the challenges our generation faces and the best mechanisms to do that (~48:00; ~50:45)
• How our evolutionary wiring is more powerful than our conscious reasoning (~51:00)
• Capitalism, ecosystems and our relationship to nature as the biggest challenges for our generation to solve (~53:15)
• Artists, people and movements that have inspired him (~55:20)
• His approach and process to animal photography and creativity (~58:00)
• His final thoughts on our future (~01:00:45)
• What’s up next for Tim (~1:01:20)