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Sunny
12-24-2008, 09:34 PM
Thomas Marent had bedazzled me with his book 'Rainforest'. It has some stunning imagery, especially macro shots taken over a decade of shooting rainforests across the world. I would recommend it to anyone even remotely thinking of macro/insect photography. It has shots in extremely difficult conditions showcasing immense patience, technical expertise and oneness with nature.

http://www.thomasmarent.com/cms/uploads/pics/thomas.jpeg

Thomas Marent was born in 1966 in Baden, Switzerland. During his childhood he developed a strong fascination for nature and wildlife. While exploring nature around his home he was watching the birds and observing frogs, insects and flowers. A lifelong passion arised and at the age of 16 he bought his first camera. And from that moment on he became as passionate about photography as about nature.

Marent first set foot in a rainforest in 1990, in Australia, at the age of 23.

“It was the rainy season and the forest was bursting with life. It was hot, humid, noisy and completely exhilarating, but most exciting of all was the wildlife. I was immediately hooked. There and then, I made up my mind to explore rainforests throughout the world”. And so he did. Since that first expedition to Australia he explored rainforests all over the world as in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Madagascar, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and French Guyana.

For many years it remained a hobby that he practised intensively while working on a temporary base as a draftsman and in various other jobs in Switzerland to fund his expeditions. Sometimes he dreamt of publishing his work in a book, but in truth he had no business plan or strategy. It was a passionate interest in nature that kept Marent going. And besides his specialisation in rainforests he also photographs wildlife in every other kind of natural environment.

Around 1996 Marent started to publish his photographs in numerous magazines, books and calendars. His intensive hobby gradually developed into a thriving career as a wildlife photographer. Besides his work as a photographer he is also occupied as a biologist in Switzerland during the summers; monitoring butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies, amphibians and birds. His first book “Rainforest” was published in September 2006. “Rainforest” soon became a success and by now it already has been translated in 13 languages and published in 25 countries.

“Rainforest” made Marents dream about a book come true. But a very important wish of him is a future for his beloved subject. “To me, rainforests are the greatest treasures on earth, and I think it is tragic that we are losing them just as we are beginning to appreciate their true value. We not only have the power to destroy these beautiful and important habitats, we also have the power and the responsibility to protect and preserve them”.

Source: http://www.thomasmarent.com/cms/index.php?id=46

See some of his images, but get the book, which actually presents everything in vivid details and color: http://www.thomasmarent.com/cms/index.php?id=50

http://cn.dk.com/static/covers/all/4/0/9780756619404H.jpg

Aryan
01-16-2009, 11:18 AM
Thanks for the information Sunny! I am sure it would be a very very good read, and people looking to get seriously into macro-photography would gain from it. :) Thanks!

P.S: My goodness, what awesome pictures!!

KrishnenduKes
01-16-2009, 09:57 PM
Thanks Sunny for the info. I have not seen much of his work. But this particular portrait of his is quite famous though. Will now check more of him.

Thanks again for posting this article.

Edit: His work blows your mind!

pradeep30
01-17-2009, 04:02 PM
That's a macro man there . Thank you sunny for the insight .

It really amazing to know the efforts that has been put behind each picture . :)