Place of Belonging
Photographer: Rohail Akbar
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1/1250 • f/6.3 • ISO 400 • Nikon Z8 • 600mm • Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR
I've been wanting to capture this shot for a long time. There have been many opportunities and attempts made where the conditions were almost perfect, but the light didn’t fall quite right, or the gazelle wasn’t in the exact position or pose I had envisioned. Naturally, in all those scenarios I tried repositioning myself, but it never quite resulted in the image I was hoping for. That’s why I’m especially happy and proud to present this photo today, and I really hope you all enjoy the final result as much as I do.
I believe this image truly highlights the beauty of this species (Arabian Sand Gazelle) within its natural environment—something I always strive to showcase in my work. While wildlife itself is undeniably breathtaking, I've learned that its equally integral to shine a light on the rich and diverse biomes that support these animals: the native plants, terrain, and the many other species that together give each other a purpose and the ability to thrive against challenging odds.
Admittedly, when I first started editing this image, I considered removing the bushes scattered throughout the dunes. However, I took a pause and reflected on how essential they are to the story of this scene. Native plants like these provide food, water, and shelter—not just for this Sand Gazelle, but for countless other desert species. It’s a reminder of just how masterfully every element of nature is intertwined with one another. As time passes, that continues to become one of the greatest marvels of the natural world for me.
