Tom Svensson – Illuminating injustices against nature and animals

Tom Svensson is a conservation photographer specialised in working against illegal trade. He wants to fight against the injustices and the horrors carries out against animals around the world. As his weapon are striking images of the majestic animals shot in their natural environment, protected and respected.

For Tom, the passion towards photography doesn’t come from the equipment, and the amazing technology inside the little magic boxes. It is rather embedded in what he can achieve with the camera. He didn’t fall in love with pretty pictures, but with the realisation that he could use photographs as a way to influence people and the world around him. He sees photography as a powerful means of getting his message out there, to speak on behalf of endangered animals and get people to react and governments to see what is going on.

With a serious subject matter at hand Tom’s aim is to take powerful images that captivate the audience. He creates drama and tension by intentionally underexposing images: “I love dark, underexposed photos with light on the subject. I make sure that the light hits the subject’s face and illuminates the eyes, then I underexpose the image, but mindfully in terms of how dark the background actually is.”

Tom’s ultimate photographic goal is to get a photo that will finally make people in charge and politicians to wake up and do something about the situation.