Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Bob Poole, a leading expert in elephant filming, meticulously chronicles his decade-long endeavor to bring the compelling narrative of bull elephants to the screen. His latest documentary, "Tusker: Brotherhood of Elephants," aims to shed light on these often-misunderstood animals, emphasizing their critical role in the ecosystem and the threats they face. Poole's profound connection with elephants, cultivated since his youth, fuels his dedication to capturing their essence through innovative photographic techniques and specialized equipment, ensuring both safety and authenticity in his storytelling.
Poole's cinematic toolkit relies heavily on Fujifilm's advanced optics, notably the Fujinon Duvo HK 25-1000mm f/2.8-5 zoom lens, paired with an Arri Alexa 35 camera. This sophisticated setup enables him to produce breathtaking visuals of elephants in diverse environments. Beyond the traditional cinema rig, a pivotal instrument in his recent project is the Fujifilm GFX100 II. This medium-format camera, equipped with a GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR wide-angle lens, allows for unprecedented proximity to the animals.
To achieve these intimate perspectives safely, Poole engineered an "elephant-proof" camera cage—a robust, welded-steel enclosure that cradles the GFX100 II. This innovative housing permits placement of the camera directly in the elephants' path, yielding astonishing close-up footage. Poole anticipates that these detailed, wide-angle shots, captured by the camera's large sensor, will offer viewers an unparalleled immersive experience, revealing the intricate textures and scale of these magnificent creatures as they move past the lens.
The filmmaker explains that gaining the trust of the elephant herds was a gradual process. Initially, the animals kept their distance from his vehicle-mounted Arri Alexa 55. However, as they grew accustomed to his presence, their comfort increased, allowing them to approach more closely. This shift necessitated the adoption of more portable camera systems like the GFX100 II, which proved invaluable for capturing nuanced interactions and behaviors that larger, less agile equipment could not.
The Fujifilm GFX100 II's versatility extended beyond direct filming, proving instrumental in producing high-quality time-lapse sequences for the documentary. Its 100-megapixel sensor generates incredibly detailed files, providing significant post-production flexibility. This capability allows Poole's team to extract 4K resolution crops from the original time-lapse footage, facilitating dynamic camera movements and compositions within static shots, further enriching the visual narrative.
Poole emphasizes the importance of sharing the often-untold stories of bull elephants, who are frequently targeted by poaching and hunting despite their vital reproductive contributions to the species. His commitment to this narrative highlights the urgent need for greater understanding and conservation efforts. The documentary aims to challenge conventional perceptions and foster a deeper appreciation for the complex social structures and ecological significance of these iconic African giants.
For Poole, the true gratification of wildlife filmmaking lies in those fleeting moments when all technical and environmental elements align, creating a seamless and magical experience. He describes these instances as times when "time literally just stands still," a perfect confluence of effort and outcome that reaffirms his passion and purpose in documenting the natural world. These deeply rewarding experiences underscore the profound connection he shares with his subjects and his craft.