When former journalist Marc Springer first came into contact with a camera a few weeks after starting a lengthy career as reporter for a German daily newspaper, photography was still hard work. Before cell phones and digital cameras transformed the way people capture memories, some effort and patience was required framing slides or waiting for a photo studio to develop and print paper pictures from a roll of film.

Looking back at those beginnings Springer recalls hours spent in a cramped darkroom, where a single ray of light, an improper mixture of chemicals or a miscalculation of development time could ruin a roll of black and white film and result in a severe reprimand by the editor. “With one exception we were all amateurs in those days”, he remembers and continues: “The only colleague with some experience had his work cut out trying to get a usable print from negatives that were more often than not either out of focus, overexposed or required a magnifying glass to identify the subject captured.”

From those humble beginnings relying on editorial camera equipment Springer gradually managed to acquire his own gear, including more sophisticated lenses, partly financed through proceeds gained from the sale of landscape calendars he published over the years. Photographically his favorite areas are the inhospitable Kunene Region with its rugged mountains, the arid south of the country characterised by endless plains and seas of sand, as well as the lush Caprivi area with its abundance of water and wildlife.

“It’s a privilege being able to visit the many unspoilt areas Namibia has to offer and witnessing animals interacting in their natural environment”, he says and concludes: “Where else in the world can you observe elephants in the desert or see lions negotiating a dune in pursuit of prey? It is a gift we should all treasure and preserve for future generations.” 

For prints or more information on his work, contact Springer at  springermarc2@gmail.com.