Nick Dale | Wildlife in Black and White

Wildlife in Black and White
By Nick Dale

In Wildlife in Black and White, award-winning photographer Nick Dale brings his fascination with the natural world to life in a striking monochromatic language. Drawn particularly to wildlife in moments of movement, tension, and instinct, Dale moves beyond conventional animal portraiture to capture the energy and character of his subjects. From powerful predators to intimate encounters, his photographs reveal the drama, beauty, humor, and tenderness of the wild, using the simplicity of black and white to emphasize gesture, expression, light, and atmosphere.

Nick Dale’s photography is driven by a passion for wildlife and a desire to celebrate its many facets—from power and beauty to humor, tenderness, and unexpected moments of charm. He is drawn to close encounters with the natural world and seeks to share the excitement, relaxation, wonder, and emotion that these encounters can evoke

Dale initially concentrated on animal portraits, appreciating the beauty of a lion resting on the African savannah or a bird perched quietly in its environment. Over time, however, he became increasingly interested in movement and action. Today, he looks for moments of energy and instinct: a cheetah pursuing a Thomson’s gazelle, a predator in motion, or any fleeting encounter that reveals something about an animal’s character. He still photographs portraits, of course, but his ideal image is more likely to capture wildlife in action than simply at rest.

Predators are among his favorite subjects, including brown bears, tigers, lions, leopards, pumas, and cheetahs. Using long lenses, Dale can observe these powerful animals from a safe distance while creating an intimate sense of proximity. Capturing that excitement is central to his work, and he is open to using whatever photographic technology helps him translate the experience into an image.

Nick Dale

“I’ve been a wildlife photographer since 2013, taking pictures in 26 countries on all seven continents and winning various awards, including the Sunday Times/Audley Travel Big Shot.”

Nick Dale is an award-winning British wildlife photographer, guide, teacher, writer, speaker, and photography judge. His interest in photography began at the age of fifteen, although his early path took him elsewhere. He studied English at Christ Church, Oxford, then worked as a strategy consultant and retired at 29. He then spent seven years traveling around the world, including four ski seasons and a period working for an internet start-up in San Francisco, before returning to London in 2005.

Dale’s professional photography career began in 2013, and since then he has traveled extensively, visiting 37 countries across all seven continents. Much of his work has taken him to Africa, where he has undertaken more than 500 game drives and boat rides. He has also worked as a resident photographer at wildlife lodges in Africa and elsewhere, as well as on an Antarctic expedition and aboard a cruise ship. His photography focuses on wildlife, with a strong interest in predators and the energy of animals in their natural environments.

His work has received extensive international recognition. Among his many distinctions are a National Geographic Photo of the Day award, the Sunday Times/Audley Travel Big Shot competition, the World Nature Photography Awards, the Pollux Awards, Shoot The Frame, the Societies of Photographers Gold Awards, and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year recognition in Innovation in Business’s Media Innovator Awards. His recent honors include the International Prize Caravaggio – Great Master of Art in 2026, following numerous awards and recognitions in 2024 and 2025.

Dale has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in London, Athens, New York, and internationally, and his work has appeared through galleries, art fairs, photography festivals, and online exhibitions. His publications include books on Predators & Prey, India, Antarctica, and his experiences as a resident photographer in Tanzania and Kenya, as well as numerous ebooks and articles on wildlife photography.

Dale’s photographs have also been widely published and collected, with more than 60,000 images sold to publications and organizations including National Geographic, Africa Geographic, BBC Wildlife Magazine, The Guardian, The Times, and Lonely Planet. One of his photographs of a jumping Adélie penguin has been sold more than 4,000 times, and his fine-art prints are held by private collectors worldwide.

Alongside his own photographic practice, Dale teaches, writes, leads workshops, gives talks, and judges photography competitions. Through all these activities, his enthusiasm remains focused on what first drew him to photography: the extraordinary experience of encountering the natural world and finding a way to share it through images.

Email: nick@nickdalephotography.com
Website: nickdalephotography.com

Facebook: /nickdalephotography
Instagram: @nickdalephotography