Originally from Germany, Gero Heine’s early experiences roaming the Black Forest and exploring the Alps and Dolomites sparked a lifelong passion for wilderness and wildlife. Likewise, his interest in photography began in childhood as he spent countless hours in bookstores, fascinated by compelling images of exotic and faraway lands. Gero has since been actively involved in conservation efforts and has participated in a lion research project. For the past 13 years his work is exhibited in art shows, festivals and galleries across the Western US.
Artist Statement
My inspiration comes from the natural raw beauty that exists precariously beyond the relentless push of modern development. With each photograph, I allow the natural elements of color, shape, and motion to resonate with an echo of my own feelings. My goal is to present a timeless image that invites an individual emotional response for each viewer.
Work Description & Medium
My work is comprised of approximately 1/3 landscapes and 2/3 wildlife. 15-20% of my overall body of work is black & white or sepia toned. All of my subject matter is photographed on location in the wild. I now edit digitally for contrast and color correction, but to maintain a photographic purity no elements are added or removed. Effects such as motion blur are created "in camera." After years of printing on fine art papers, for the past five years I have been mostly furnishing my work on aluminum prints. Unlike paper prints where ink is used, in metal prints dyes are infused into an acrylic substrate which is then baked onto an aluminum sheet.
Accomplishments
- Winner - Wildlife Category of Nature's Best Magazine's annual (2010) Windland Smith Rice International Awards and will be displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History ("Bison").
- Winner/Finalist - PDN Great Outdoors Contest 2013 and 2009.
- North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Annual Expressions Awards - Top 10, 2011.
- Best of Show Ribbons, Photography - La Jolla Festival of the Arts 2011, Rancho Mirage Art Affaire 2010.
- Highly Honored - Endangered Species Category of Nature's Best Magazine's annual (2010) Windland Smith Rice International Awards ("Male Tiger Scratch-Marking Tree").
- Two Merit Awards - COLOR Magazine 2010 Single Image Contest Award.
- Merit Award - BW Magazine 2009 Single Image Contest Award.
- BBC/Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition 2009 - six images qualified in the Semi Finals.
- Finalist - Photographer’s Forum Magazine 27th Annual Spring Photography Contest, 2007.
- Cover Shot - National Wildlife Federation Winter 2018 Gift Catalog (“Black Bear Mother And Cub I”).
A Word on Wildlife Photography
It is my goal to capture rare moments or thought provoking, unusual compositions of animals in their natural environment. It is critical for me to record special and fleeting moments without interfering with the animals' natural behaviors in any way. I therefore maintain a safe and non-disturbing distance by using very large telephoto lenses and if possible I use my vehicle as a "blind." Sometimes animals will venture close enough to my vehicle where I can use a smaller focal length lens however. Light sources such as flash is used sparingly and only if no disturbance to my subjects is observed.
