Before continuing with my documentary approach to this project, I first wanted to find out more about the applications of this type of photography. ‘Conservation photography’ is defined as the use of the photographic process, within the parameters of photojournalism, to advocate for conservation outcomes. By combining nature photography with a proactive, issue-oriented, approach to documentary photography it can be used for protecting nature and improving the natural environment. Conservation Photography furthers environmental conservation, wildlife conservation, habitat conservation or cultural conservation by expanding public awareness of issues and stimulating positive action.
Throughout its history photography has developed as a powerful medium to empower conservation. Although it was not as widely acknowledged, photography has served this role since the 1860’s. For example, the powerful images of Carleton Watkins were successfully used to stimulate the establishment of Yosemite National Park in 1864. Since then renewed emphasis on photography for conservation arose at the beginning of the 21st century. This was primarily in response to the human-caused environmental crisis, recognising that the global pattern of abolished ecosystems was not sustainable. The modern field of conservation photography was formalised in October 2005 with the founding of the International League of Conservation Photographers by photographer Cristina Mittermeier. Many people agree, conservation photography falls into two broad categories, both of which are equally as valuable:
- The snapshot: a quickly framed image of a naturally occurring scene, taken by chance with not too much time or effort. Images will not contain any manipulation or staging and are strongly connected to documentary photography and photojournalism.
- The carefully crafted image: a series of skillfully crafted, high-quality images that tell the story in a more powerful way. Images will most likely be at least a little bit staged, as dramatic framing can often increase the photograph’s power and meaning.
Throughout my project, I hope to demonstrate both of these categories of conservation photography and use my images to spread awareness. Below are some stunning images depicting many different types of provocative conservation photography….
Artist Reference – Andrew Mcconnell:
Irish photographer, Andrew McConnell, started his amazing career in 2003 when he decided to concentrate on documentary work, driven by a desire to tell the stories of people and places that remain under-reported in the international media. Among numerous honours, McConnell has won two 1st place prizes at the World Press Photo Awards, 4 National Press Photographers Association awards. His work is widely recognised and has been featured in many publications such as ‘National Geographic‘ and ‘The New York Times‘.
I have chosen to explore him as an artist reference for looking and conservation photography, mainly because of his amazing project, entitled ‘Rubbish Dump 2.0’. Although this project explores many humanitarian issues it also says a lot about modern society and our ever-growing impact on the environment. In this series, Mcconnell uses the second category, mentioned above, to portray a dumping ground for computers and electronic waste from Europe and the US located in Ghana’s capital, Accra. Every month hundreds of tonnes of e-waste end up here as countries in the West attempt to unload their ever-increasing stockpiles of toxic junk. Of the 20 to 50 million tonnes of electronics discarded each year 70% will end up in poor nations, and in the EU alone 6.6 million tonnes of e-waste are unaccounted for every year. The disposal of electronic goods in the West is a costly affair and must be done in an environmentally responsible manner, however in places like Ghana there are no such regulations and as such toxic metals like lead, beryllium, cadmium and mercury are continuously being released causing untold damage to human health and the environment…