Portrait photographer turns to chickens

Saturday, February 4, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we learn the tricks of photographing chickens, cover a diamond-laden shipwreck and Viking treasure, explore the factors that limit fertility … and investigate kidnappings at a zoo.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALEX TEN NAPEL

For decades, Alex ten Napel specialized in human portraiture. Now he’s building mini runways in barns and backyards to capture the essence of chickens.

You read that right.

“What I hope you see in the photos is that chickens can be proud beings or funny beings,” he tells us. “They can be like gymnasts or ballerinas.”

Laugh if you will, then look at this Polish rooster (above) and other fowl focal points. But why? And what’s he learned?

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She’s so shy: This Polish hen prefers not to stare in the camera.

Bred for show: Ten Napel learned flashy breeds like this Polish chicken were raised for competition, not consumption.

Walking the runway: Ten Napel coaxes a model to strut his stuff for the camera. Compared with people, chickens are quite patient models, ten Napel says. Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

PHOTOGRAPH BY WILLIAM DANIELS

The sacred baobabs are running out of room (The world’s rarest baobab species, above)

Does a woman’s fertility actually drop after age 35? Can you extend child-bearing age?

How old are you really? Doctors now can see the answer—by looking at your face.

Can science help personalize your diet?

She disguised herself as a white man. That’s how she escaped slavery.

This Viking ship was found intact miles from water

Her quilts held a secret language

Why Harlem was the epicenter of 20th century Black cultural expression

Shipwreck found along coast laden with diamonds

What is a polar vortex? (Attention New England)

WHAT IS THIS ANIMAL?

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLIE HAMILTON JAMES, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

A whodunit: This South American monkey has long white whiskers that resemble a dashing ‘stache. The wise bristles helped inspire its name (one pictured above in Peru by Nat Geo Explorer Charlie Hamilton James). Do you know what animal it is? The species has made headlines recently as two were mysteriously stolen from the Dallas Zoo. Click here for the answer.

DO YOU KNOW?

PHOTO OF THE DAY

PHOTOGRAPH BY CRAIG CUTLER

Behind the cover: Photographer Craig Cutler had only three chances to capture the origami behind NASA’s new starshade prototype, which could help us search for habitable worlds. So he drew diagrams, transformed a warehouse into a studio, and diligently earned the trust of the project’s engineers. His thoughts on the final result? “It’s art first, then science, which to me is the best thing that could happen,” he tells Nat Geo.

PAID CONTENT FOR TRAVEL ALASKA

PHOTOGRAPH FROM ALAMY

Extraordinary Experiences Await in Alaska

In Alaska, awe-inspiring moments are an everyday occurrence. From learning about the history of dog sledding to meeting local artisans and attending Alaska Native festivals, there are countless ways to experience Alaska’s many living cultures year-round.

LAST GLIMPSE

PHOTOGRAPH BY GEORGE SHIRAS

A pioneer: In the canoe above sits George Shiras with his camera. More than a century ago, the Nat Geo photographer was pioneering flash photography and camera traps to get better images of wildlife at night. Nat Geo is digitizing over 3,000 of his black and white plate negatives.

Then and now: Modern camera trap photography

WAIT FOR THE FLASH

Today’s soundtrack: River, Ibeyi

This newsletter has been curated and edited by David Beard, Jen Tse, and Sydney Combs. Amanda Williams-Bryant, Alec Egamov, Rita Spinks, and Jeremy Brandt-Vorel also contributed this week. Have an idea? We’d love to hear from you at david.beard@natgeo.com. Thanks for reading!

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RJ Hamster

Portrait photographer turns to chickens

Portrait photographer turns to chickens

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