by Editor Jacob (Jian) Xu 
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 27^th of February 2026

‘Just hold me.’ by Jealousy

Wildlife photography often captures decisive moments, such as a burst of movement, a chase, a clash or a capture. These images are dramatic, immediate and visually striking. They capture moments that are often perceived as a wonderful 'story'.

‘Fights’ by Fion Wong

‘Bye bye Mr Trout’ by jose pesquero

Action-driven images dominate our collective imagination. Representing mastery of timing and storytelling, they deserve their place.

Yet wildlife is not always in motion. Most of its existence unfolds in stillness. These quieter moments demand patience, and because nothing 'happens', they are easy to overlook. In photography, silence is not the absence of content, but the presence of restraint. Whereas action shouts, silence invites. It encourages the viewer to slow down, stay a little longer and listen with their eyes.

‘A look that pierces the soul’ by YU LIN

‘Outside of the World’ by DonnaHom APA

In wildlife photography, silence often reveals itself through subtle gestures rather than dramatic behaviour.
It relies less on spectacle and more on mood, spacing and lighting. Silence fosters intimacy. Fog softens edges. Snow absorbs sound. Muted tones calm the frame. Even colour contributes to a sense of calm rather than excitement. Silence is not about doing less. It's about seeing things differently.

‘Enduring the snowstorm’ by Dirk Koster

‘Brothers for Life’ by Jeffrey C. Sink

‘Winter in Holland.’ by Annie Keizer

‘Silent Stalker’ by Chunying Yin

‘Sage Grouse’ by Verdon

‘Love Birds’ by Nick Kalathas

‘Fox cub’ by Michaela Firešová

In silent images, the environment can speak as loudly as the subject.
Negative space provides the viewer with breathing room. Soft, diffused light reduces contrast and visual tension. Placing the subject further away from the camera shifts the emphasis away from dominance and towards presence. The environment is not just a backdrop; it becomes an active component of the visual language of quiet.

‘Observing’ by Joan Gil Raga

‘The Loner’ by Susan

‘Realm of the Deer’ by Alex Saberi

‘Colors of Winter’ by Hong Chen

Images of quiet wildlife often suggest vulnerability, intimacy and contemplation.
Rather than admiring power, they invite the viewer to share a moment. Silence invites engagement, revealing stories through pauses and feelings rather than actions and details. In our fast-paced visual world, this kind of connection is rare and deeply human.

‘Siesta’ by Istvan Lichner

‘Reed Parrotbill’ by Xuedong Bai

‘Love is Universal’ by Marketa Zvelebil PhD LRPS CrGP.

‘Lullaby’ by Molly Fu APA

‘You mean the world to me’ by Jealousy

‘Flamingo mom with her chick’ by Xavier Ortega

In photography, silence is not accidental, but a deliberate choice.
To choose stillness is to accept that nothing dramatic may happen, and to recognise that this has value too. Silence is not a missed opportunity; it is an intentional way of seeing. Furthermore, silence often reflects the photographer’s inner state of mind. In order to notice quiet moments, one must first slow down. To capture stillness, you must be still yourself. In wildlife photography, silence reminds us that not every story is told through movement. Some stories are whispered, not shouted. Sometimes, the most powerful images are created when we stop waiting for something to happen.

‘Baby Swan’ by Sean Huang

‘Flamingos in a lake with a tree’ by Bess Hamiti

‘meeting before sunset’ by Anna Cseresnjes

‘Owl’ by Riudavets