Name: Richard Li
Picture title: Graceful turn
Category: Black and White
Nationality: USA
Occupation: I’m not a full-time photographer. I retired from the finance industry over a decade ago.
Technical information
Camera: Nikon Z9
Lens: Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
EXIF: ISO36000, F4, 1/125sec, -3EV, 45mm.
Accessories: 2x Sola lights
HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY BLACK AND WHITE
Richard Li | Graceful turn
Name: Richard Li
Picture title: Graceful turn
Category: Black and White
Nationality: USA
Occupation: I’m not a full-time photographer. I retired from the finance industry over a decade ago.
Technical information
Camera: Nikon Z9
Lens: Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 S
EXIF: ISO36000, F4, 1/125sec, -3EV, 45mm.
Accessories: 2x Sola lights
Richard Li says:
Capturing the Majesty of a Kenyan Night. Lentorre, nestled alongside the Maasai Mara grasslands in Kenya, is a highland region known for its breathtaking natural beauty. However, in recent years, it has been experiencing the harsh impacts of the monsoon and the effects of global climate change, resulting in prolonged periods of scorching, arid weather. Last October, I found myself back in this remarkable place, taking shelter beside a small waterhole, poised to capture the enchanting nocturnal moments of wild animals quenching their thirst. During the first half of the night, the waterhole attracted a diverse array of creatures – antelopes, zebras, giraffes, porcupines, and mongooses. Yet, as the latter half of the night approached, an eerie stillness fell over the water, signaling that something extraordinary was about to unfold. Indeed, it did. Emerging gracefully from the obscurity of the thicket, a colossal adult leopard made its grand entrance. As the apex predator, it displayed none of the timidness seen in herbivorous animals and seemed unfazed by the floodlights we had carefully positioned. Slowly and deliberately, it patrolled the water’s edge, casting a flawless reflection in the tranquil pool. When it reached a sinuous tree at the water’s edge, it executed a graceful pivot. At that moment, I pressed the shutter button, capturing the epitome of elegance in the Kenyan night.
Richard Li
USA
Over a decade ago, I bid farewell to my career in the financial industry and embarked on a new chapter of my life: photography. Seeking to enrich my existence, I began to explore the world through the lens of my camera. I traversed over fifty countries, visiting majestic mountains and meandering rivers, but it was the art of capturing wildlife that ignited an unquenchable passion within me, allowing me to express the depths of my soul.
In recent years, I have made over twenty trips to the African continent, amassing a collection of more than four hundred thousand photographs. Each click of the shutter aimed to freeze those incredible, nearly unbelievable moments of the animal kingdom in its untamed glory.
My dedication and commitment to this art form have not gone unnoticed. I have been honored with numerous accolades and awards, each representing a milestone in my photographic journey:
- In 2019, I clinched the overall championship at the 126th Toronto International Salon of Photography competition.
- My work earned me two gold, three silver, and one bronze medal at the 2020 Prix de la Photographie, Paris (Px3) competition in France.
- In 2020, I secured second place in the series category at the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) competition.
- My achievements extended to the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) in 2020, where I emerged victorious in the Nature series category and received gold in the Aerial category, silver in Landscape and architecture, and was ranked among the top five overall.
- The following year, TIFA recognized me once again with a gold and bronze medal in the Professional Nature category.
- The Moscow International Foto Awards (MIFA) in 2021 honored me with one gold, one silver, and one honorable mention in the Professional category.
- The International Photography Awards (IPA) in 2021 acknowledged my work with the JURY TOP5 selection in the Professional Fine Art series, second place in the Professional Nature Aerial series, and an honorable mention in other Professional Nature categories.
- At the 2021 Monochrome Photography Awards, I achieved first place in the Professional Abstract category, third place in the Professional Nature category, and seven honorable mentions in the Wildlife and Fine Art categories.
- In 2021, I earned the People’s Choice Award in the Nature Photographer of the Year competition.
These awards are not just acknowledgments of my photography skills but also reminders of the incredible beauty of the natural world. Through my lens, I hope to inspire others to appreciate and protect our precious planet and its magnificent creatures. This journey of exploration and expression continues to be an extraordinary adventure, and I eagerly anticipate the countless more moments I have yet to capture.