EXPOSING THE WORLD THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

EXPOSING THE WORLD THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

I have a dirty little secret. Don’t we all?

I’m one of those annoying people on the street that asks if you care about the environment and want to save the animals!

From an outsiders view it looks like a terrible job, but I actually love it! I’m doing it for a company that I’ve volunteered for all my life so either I’m brainwashed or they’re on the right track.

A trick I’ve found in signing up members is to show them the most emotive pictures.

For some people it’s about protecting the animals.

So I show them photos of desperately cute koalas

and tiny leadbeater possums that have virtually no homes left

or the photos of humpback whales off the Kimberly coast where a massive gas plant is proposed to be built.

For others it’s about humans.

These people become emotionally involved when seeing photos of children who might not have a future

or elderly aboriginal Australian’s being dragged off their sacred land

or people from countries that don’t have the resources to deal with climate change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For me it’s about the innate beauty of nature.

My heart strings are pulled when I see photos of ocean reefs that are dying

or pristine rivers that industries want to pollute

or Australia’s old growth forests which are some of the largest and most carbon dense in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without these photographs I doubt I’d be able to convince as may people to join my cause.

People mostly become interested because they learn about the awful and unnecessary things that are happening in our country but they go that step further and commit to being an advocate for change when they see photos of the places and creatures we are trying to protect.

Photos are the best tool I have for getting people to relate to the issues. They spark emotion in people and inspire individuals to listen to those feelings and seek change.

You may understand this better in relation to holidays. you know when you see a pamphlet or a friends holiday snaps and you’re whole body fills with excitement and a desire to run away to an unknown place!

I think we should all follow those emotions more. We should jump off the wheel and out of the net (maybe just for a short period of time) and do what our hearts tells us to. Whether that be have a relaxing holiday or sailing off into the horizon with Sea Shepherd.

Whatever your journey may be,

bon voyage,

for now.