Cheetahs in the Snow – Silent Pursuit
“Cheetahs in the Snow: Silent Pursuit – Sutherland, South Africa” – Amid the frostbitten silence of the Hantam Karoo, a story of contrast unfolded—a predator of sun-drenched plains traced in white silence, its form emerging like myth through a veil of drifting snow. This image, part of the rare and highly coveted “Cheetahs in the Snow” series, was captured during one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters ever witnessed in Southern Africa.
The setting: a remote stretch of mountainous Karoo near Sutherland, where temperatures drop well below freezing and time slows to the rhythm of wind and frost. Guided by Sam of Rogge Cloof Nature Reserve and accompanied by my friend Kirsten, we ventured into a snowstorm, tracking radio-collared cheetahs through a blizzard that tested every fibre of our resolve. Frost clung to camera bodies, viewfinders iced over, and autofocus blurred into abstraction. Every frame demanded stillness, trust, and the quiet power of waiting.
And yet—there they were.
Cheetahs, icons of speed and sun, now phantoms of frost, moving with silent confidence across a monochrome landscape. It was a moment beyond science and survival—a visual hymn to endurance, grace, and the beauty of the unexpected.
This image forms part of the first professional digital series of its kind. The only earlier documentation of cheetahs in snow in South Africa—captured on mobile by Vincent van der Merwe (EWT) in 2014—preceded this landmark moment. Our work was later featured in Weg!/Go! Magazine issue №192, October/November 2020, South Africa, and Kirsten’s contributions were recognised by National Geographic.
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
The verse that carried us through the storm—Isaiah 40:28–31—whispers its eternal truth across this scene:“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This image, born of stillness and snow, reflects that very promise.
“Cheetahs in the Snow: Silent Pursuit” is not simply a photograph—it is a rare narrative of adaptation, spirit, and sacred wilderness. Captured without AI, rendered in full authenticity through light, timing, and presence, it stands as part of a once-off, signed and embossed Limited Edition print (1/25) with 25 editions remaining in the series.
For the collector who seeks more than a moment—who seeks a wilderness witness to resilience and revelation—this piece awaits.
This is a signed and embossed Limited Edition print. (1/25)
$1 500.00 – $2 000.00
Cheetahs in the Snow – Silent Pursuit
Cheetahs in the Snow – Silent Pursuit
“Cheetahs in the Snow: Silent Pursuit – Sutherland, South Africa” – Amid the frostbitten silence of the Hantam Karoo, a story of contrast unfolded—a predator of sun-drenched plains traced in white silence, its form emerging like myth through a veil of drifting snow. This image, part of the rare and highly coveted “Cheetahs in the Snow” series, was captured during one of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters ever witnessed in Southern Africa.
The setting: a remote stretch of mountainous Karoo near Sutherland, where temperatures drop well below freezing and time slows to the rhythm of wind and frost. Guided by Sam of Rogge Cloof Nature Reserve and accompanied by my friend Kirsten, we ventured into a snowstorm, tracking radio-collared cheetahs through a blizzard that tested every fibre of our resolve. Frost clung to camera bodies, viewfinders iced over, and autofocus blurred into abstraction. Every frame demanded stillness, trust, and the quiet power of waiting.
And yet—there they were.
Cheetahs, icons of speed and sun, now phantoms of frost, moving with silent confidence across a monochrome landscape. It was a moment beyond science and survival—a visual hymn to endurance, grace, and the beauty of the unexpected.
This image forms part of the first professional digital series of its kind. The only earlier documentation of cheetahs in snow in South Africa—captured on mobile by Vincent van der Merwe (EWT) in 2014—preceded this landmark moment. Our work was later featured in Weg!/Go! Magazine issue №192, October/November 2020, South Africa, and Kirsten’s contributions were recognised by National Geographic.
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
The verse that carried us through the storm—Isaiah 40:28–31—whispers its eternal truth across this scene:“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This image, born of stillness and snow, reflects that very promise.
“Cheetahs in the Snow: Silent Pursuit” is not simply a photograph—it is a rare narrative of adaptation, spirit, and sacred wilderness. Captured without AI, rendered in full authenticity through light, timing, and presence, it stands as part of a once-off, signed and embossed Limited Edition print (1/25) with 25 editions remaining in the series.
For the collector who seeks more than a moment—who seeks a wilderness witness to resilience and revelation—this piece awaits.
This is a signed and embossed Limited Edition print. (1/25)
$1 500.00 – $2 000.00
Print Information
The Cameras
The camera type used in the shot
The collection was photographed on one of the following cameras using either digital or photographic film, which I then hand-developed in chemistry to attain the ideal contrast and colour. The negatives/slides were then scanned and prepared for print with reference to the original photo without any digital alteration.
Digitals are shot in RAW and processed in Photoshop.
Large Format
Shen-Hao 4×5, 4×10, 5×7, 8×10, Pinhole
Medium Format
Yashica 44, Baby Rolleiflex, Pentax 645n, Mamiya 645 1000S, Yashica Mat 6×6 TLR, Pentax 6×7 MLU, 6×7, 6×8, 6×9, 6×12 Roll Film Backs, Fuji GX617 Professional
Small Format
Nikon F5, Nikon F6
Digital
Nikon D800e, Nikon D4, Nikon D5 and Fuji GFX 100
The Collections
About our collections
Photographed over a period of more than ten years, these superb fine art prints are a joy to behold.
The collection was photographed on either digital camera or photographic film. When using photographic film, I then hand-develop in chemistry to obtain either a negative (C41 process or black and white chemistry) or (E6 process) to obtain a positive/slide. The film is then scanned, edited and prepared for print with reference to the original photo without any digital alteration. The negatives/slides and digital RAW files are edited in Photoshop to attain the ideal contrast and colour, and minor blemishes are removed.
Collections are either Open or Limited Collections; which are limited to twenty-five (25) or less if stipulated, regardless of size or medium selected.
The Editions
The edition process and signing
Limited Editions:
CFP Prints limits their limited editions to a maximum of twenty-five prints, regardless of size purchased, this ensures exclusivity and your print remains a sure investment.
Signing:
All our prints are individually signed and embossed, ensuring authenticity and collector value. Each limited edition print is hand-numbered—for example, 10/25 indicates the 10th print in a series of 25, with 15 remaining. A notation of 25/25 means you are viewing the final print in the edition, and only 25 prints will ever be produced.
The Framing
Our framed options
At CFP Prints, we offer a signature-styled framing option upon request. This bespoke option is carefully designed to complement our fine art prints understated elegance, using archival materials to preserve both beauty and integrity. While framing is not standard due to the unique preferences of each collector, we’re happy to discuss bespoke solutions that suit your space and vision.
Should you opt to frame independently, we strongly recommend professional framing. Unframed prints are delicate and should be handled minimally and stored flat, not in tubes. Every piece deserves a presentation that matches its significance.
Please get in touch if you’d like to explore framing options with us.
The Photographic Process
How film images are processed
The collection was photographed on photographic film, which I then hand-developed in chemistry to attain the ideal contrast and colour. The negatives/slides were then scanned and prepared for print with reference to the original photo without any digital alteration. It is a once off shot, no AI.
The Printed Medium
The types of canvas and papers we use
Mediums:
CFP Prints offers prints on premium Hahnemühle Cézanne Canvas 430 gsm pure cotton canvas and Hahnemühle Fine Art Papers, particularly the Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta 315 gsm, 100% cotton, white, high-gloss finish paper.
Canvas: Hahnemühle Cézanne Canvas. This natural white canvas is made from 100% cotton, is acid-free and ideal for photographic and fine art reproduction. The finely woven surface is matt and provides extraordinary elasticity, making it ideal for stretching over a wooden stretcher bar.
Paper: Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta is a pure cotton paper with an inkjet coating that has been perfectly optimised for the needs of FineArt applications. The natural white paper comes in a pleasant, warm shade of white and contains no optical brighteners. The exquisite surface texture gives the paper a lovely, delicate feel while at the same time lending it an artistic note. In combination with the high-gloss premium inkjet coating, it produces stunning print results with outstanding reproduction of colour and detail, deep blacks and perfect contrasts. The barium sulphate in the coating makes Photo Rag® Baryta a popular alternative to analogue baryta paper. The combination of the cotton artist paper and the high-gloss inkjet coating lends FineArt prints a striking character with a beautiful, elegant sheen, without glare. Photo Rag® Baryta is acid- and lignin-free and meets the most exacting requirements in terms of age resistance.