This amazing picture is one of the most creative wildlife shots I’ve ever seen – but how did the photographer do it?
Andy Rouse tells the story behind his stunning image of a black leopard, photographed at night in Kenya. The post This amazing picture is one of the most creative wildlife shots I’ve ever seen – but how did the photographer do it? appeared first on Amateur Photographer .
A striking wildlife photograph of a black leopard photographed at night in Kenya has captured the attention of many. Wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, who has been named the overall winner of the MontPhoto International Nature Photography Competition 2026 for this image, explained his unique approach to capturing the elusive predator.
Rouse, based in Cardiff but shooting worldwide, wanted to create a captivating image that conveyed the mystery and atmosphere surrounding a black leopard after dark. To achieve this, he used his Sony Alpha A1 II camera with a 70-200mm f2.8 lens, opting for non-affecting red torchlight to illuminate the scene without disturbing the leopard.
With the ISO pushed up to 51,200, Rouse shot the image at 1/15th of a second, handheld. This remarkable picture marks Rouse's third major international award in 2026 and his 38th of his professional career.
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