Ariel Fields (2002) is a nature and wildlife photographer based in Israel. Ariel was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and in 2008 emigrated with his family to Israel. At age thirteen, his parents gifted him with his first camera. At the beginning he explored various genres of photography while getting to grips with camera basics. It didn’t take Ariel long to spark interest and passion in exploring outdoors and photographing the natural world. In 2018, Ariel encountered Israel’s most famous predator, a Striped Hyena locally known as “Ruthy”, she entered the city every night to forage for scraps in rubbish bins. Not everyone was keen on her nightly habits. Ariel was committed to give Ruthy and this remarkable species a voice by capturing skill-fully crafted, artistic, high-quality images.
In 2021, Ariel joined the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and served 2.8 years as a combat photographer. Filling the dual role of an infantryman and cameraman meant swapping between the firearm and camera at a moment’s notice. Ariel documented the operations conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces during his military service throughout the years 2021-2024. His work was crucial in showcasing, in real-time from the frontlines, what is happening on the ground, and the footage served as visual evidence, aiding in countering propaganda, misinformation, and fake news.
Ariel has courage to continue exploring; inspire the appreciation and protection of earth’s precious living creatures and their habitats. His work has received numerous recognition and been fortunate enough to be successful in multiple international prestigious photography competitions. Furthermore, Ariel’s work has been displayed in some of the world’s largest museums, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Smithsonian in Washington DC.
· 2021 Siena International Photo Awards. Under 20 category. Honourable mention.
· 2019 Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Youth category. Highly Commended.
· 2019 Adobe’s Rising Star of Photography.
· 2019 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards. Youth category. Highly honored.
· 2019 Bird Photographer of the Year. Youth category. Bronze award + Honourable mention.
· 2018 Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year. Youth category. Runner-up.