Conservation Photography is a new term applied to something that has been practiced by many photographers for years. Basically the term means that you practice photography and utilize your pictures to highlight, protect and try to conserve species. Obviously this is most often done with threatened or endangered species. I do like that there is a term now since it means that more people are catching on. We can never have enough people putting their pictures to good use.
As you can probably tell I feel very strongly about conservation and conservation photography. I try to live a ‘greener’ lifestyle but definitely feel that I can contribute to conservation the most through my photography. This can start before you ever even take a picture. For example, I have been taking pictures of Western Snowy Plovers
Western Snowy Plover on the beach, Point Reyes, California
for an exhibit at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (I will let you guys know more about this in detail soon). One of the main reasons snowy plovers are endangered is disturbance to them and their eggs during their summer nesting season.
Footsteps in Western Snowy Plover nesting area, Santa Cruz, California
This makes sense since people go to the beach when its hot out, aka the summer. So I wanted to make sure I did not add more disturbance than was already happening and photographed them in the winter when the chicks have fledged or with remote cameras and no flash. This is one way you can play your part in ensuring their survival.
The next step that you can take is focusing on what you photograph. This can be subject matter (like endangered species), the way you portray your subjects…
Brown Pelican on contaminated water sign, Santa Cruz, California
and showcasing the problems they face…
California Tiger Salamander killed by car, Santa Cruz, California
I think focusing on what is being done to save the species is also a great way of encouraging people to do something themselves to reduce or eliminate the problem…
California Red-legged Frog researcher swabbing frog for fungus, Moss Landing, California
No doubt that habitat loss is the biggest factor for the loss and endangerment of species today, and there are lots of ways to show this photographically…
Coyote running near buildings, Santa Cruz, California
Just remember Michael Fay’s and Nick Nichols megatransect across tropical Africa; because of it there are now thirteen new national parks in the Congo Basin. This is also an example of what is your final way of contributing to conservation: what you do with your pictures. The megatransect story showcased the Congo Basin and all it has to offer to the whole world through the National Geographic Magazine, but there are also other ways to expose the need for change. I often work with scientists, who graciously offer any help they can, so why not return the favor and help them out. I give them permission for the use of any picture I take while with them, this gives them higher quality images for their presentations and webpages and subsequently helps them spread the same message you are trying to portray. Photographers are finally starting to work together and help each other, so why can’t we do that across professions.
Lastly, remember, no picture is worth hurting or endangering any animal.
Great post, and the great pictures perfectly complement this story.