Midway Island

These photographs pull at my heart strings. Chris Jordan is an artist that is best known for his work aimed at uncovering human mass consumption problems. He has been called the artist of “the green movement”. He took some amazing photographs of the aftermath of Katrina. He also did a project called Intolerable Beauty: Portraits of American Mass Consumption that was a series of photographs of large quantities of garbage showing the issues arising because of america’s consumption problems. His most recent project was on Midway island. Midway Atoll, is a small cluster of islands in the North Pacific 2,000 miles away from the nearest continent. For the Albatross Midway is a critical habitat that is being destroyed by the enormous amounts of plastics washing up on shore. Below are pictures of the consequences of our use of plastic. Although these pictures are extremely disturbing and saddening I think they are very important to see in order to truly realize the consequences of our actions. They have made me critically overlook my actions. I hope they do the same for you.

Check out the link below to see more pictures and to learn more about Midway Island.

http://www.chrisjordan.com/gallery/midway/#about

Renee

Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife tourism is a huge business and Yellowstone National Park is a local and prime example of that attracting millions of tourists each year. People trying to get a view of some of the wildlife that habitats the park. This generates great revenue for national parks, and protected lands but comes with a price. Animal disturbances because of wildlife tourism have been a major problem effecting breeding patterns, feeding patterns, parent off spring bonds, and increased venerability to predators and competitors. In order to decrease the disturbance that humans have an wildlife we have to be respectful and thoughtful of a few things especially while in Tanzania. A few things to think about are:

1) The well being of the animals comes first before any photograph. Try not to disrupt any natural behavior of the wildlife being photographed. Using a zoom lens (telephoto preferably) in order to stay a safe, and respectful distance to not disturb the wildlife.

2) NO BAITING! This disrupts the natural ecosystem substantially and can cause unnecessary stress on the animal. On the the wikipedia article we read that up until the 1970s the grizzlies in Yellowstone diets consisted of a large amount of food waste left by park tourists. When this was gotten under control the weight of the some of the bears, as well as the reproductive rate, and litter size suffered. Proving that disruptive tourism can have very negative impacts on wildlife.

3) Also an important thing to think about is which animals are most sensitive to human presence.  Some of the most desired animals to photograph and observe are also some of the most sensitive. I think this a matter of being as cautious and observant as possible

4) Another interesting point discussed in the Wildlife Photography Ethics and Philosophy article was not disclosing wildlife locations because this could attract an influx of tourists or people that could disrupt the wildlife. I think this is an interesting idea. You have to be aware of the outcomes that might occur if you over publicize a location.

Renee      

Some things to think about before Africa

African Safari Tips

Tip #1: Be prepared. Nathan Myhrvold in the Digital Safari Equipment Tips article states that camera support is the number one most important piece of equipment to have. Because we will most likely be confined to safari vehicles tripods are not ideal. Beanbags are suggested for east Africa including Tanzania. (picture below)

Tip #2: Next most important piece of equipment is cases to protect your equipment. Myhrvold recommends the Lowepro line of bags (make sure they are rain proof). I read that Serengeti and Ngorongoro are very dusty and equipment to protect from dust including trash bags, and zip-locks would be good to have.  

Tip #3: Also having more then one camera body and lenses just incase something fails or breaks. I think it’s also important to invest in good lenses. Bringing two cameras is highly suggested (I should probably work on buying a charger for the one I have now first). 

Tip #4: A 100-400mm lens is ideal??

Tip #5: Sounds like early in the morning and late evening are the bests times to shoot.

Tip #6: Bring ample memory cards.

So excited!

Renee

Nick Brandt Elephant Photography

 On This Earth is a coffee table book by Nick Brandt of photographs taken in East Africa. Brandt's photographs are mystical looking with blue or sepia tones. Elephants I think are one of the most photogenic animals.

I love the depth of this photograph, and the vastness it shows. I like the clarity of elephants in the front of the photograph and how they fade out to just small little bumps on the horizon. This gives the photograph a feeling of vast endlessness. The way the bottom of the photo to the top fades from light to dark. The way Brandt edits these photographs gives them a very artsy, majestic, alluring feeling.   

This is one of my all time favorite photographs. My eyes directly focus in on the center of the photograph to the baby elephant. I like how the edges are faded and everything is centered around the baby elephant staring at the camera. This photograph to me gives off a feeling of intimacy. They way the baby elephant is peering out from behind it's mothers legs. The black and white tone softens the photograph and the faded edges give a majestic feeling. I really like Nick Brandt's photography and I like that fact that his photographs are all in black and white or sepia I think it's distinguishing but I world really like to see some of his work in a side by side comparison of the color shot. I am usually into more realistic nature photography but for some reason I fell in love with Nick Brandt's photographs in this book. I think the way he edits these photographs gives them a very artistic and simplistic appearance.

Renee

Vermont

Vermont is one of my favorite places. I've been vacationing there ever since I was little. One thing I miss most about the east coast is fall. The colors back home are so rich during the fall time. The mountains (or hills comparable to the west) light up every fall with rich yellows, oranges, reds, purples, greens. 

With all the red barns sitting around Vermont has a lot to photograph. I love the way the colors pop in this photograph. The bright leaves and the bright red barn look great together.

This is Bird Mountain I've hiked a few times. I love when photographs are able to catch sun rays beaming through the clouds.

 This photo gives a good explanation of the Vermont fall colors I miss. I love the way the colors pop in this photograph.

 This photo evokes a very peaceful, crisp feeling. You can almost feel the refreshing cool crisp air. I think the red barn in the background gives the photo great character, and a pop of color.

This photo was taken in Chittenden, Vermont were I visit regularly when I'm home. I know of this barn and I wish this photo was taken in color. I think the red barn and the yellow flowers would look a lot better in color. It's kind of boring in black and white. I do like how the dandelions are in the foreground it gives the photograph great depth.   

When taking the drive from Vermont to New York you see a scene similar to this one probably a good fifty times. The green rolling meadows are gorgeous. 

I love the richness of color in the Vermont landscape. I love the color of the yellow dandelions in this photograph. It's bright and cheery. I think a shot taken closer to the ground looking over the field of dandelions might be cool. 

I don't know if anybody has ever had fresh Vermont maple syrup but you haven't lived until you have. There is this one breakfast place Sugar and Spice in Mendon, Vermont best breakfast ever! Pancakes smothered in fresh Vermont maple syrup made in the sugar house out back are delicious. Anyway, this photo is taken in Mendon, Vermont of some trees being tapped for sap. I think the sepia tone is really appealing. 

This is a charming photograph. The red barns in Vermont are like a photographers paradise, and this cow is just in perfect position.

I love willow trees. When I was a little girl I used to call them "magical trees". I really like this photograph. The contrast in color this the yellow trees, green grass, and the red canoe make it interesting.

This picture is taken from the top Killington of my favorite ski mountain on the east coast (notice I say on the east coast) I learned what real skiing was when I came out west. Anyway, It might not be the best skiing but  it still has one of my favorite views. I love the fog rising off the mountains.

Mount Mansfield

Renee

Aurora Borealis

Seeing the Aurora Borealis is definitely on my bucket list. Supposedly some of northern Montana got a good view about a week ago. Below are some amazing photographs of the northern lights. 

These two where from the other week in northern Montana.

This last one I think is absolutely amazing. The way the bright blues and greens stick out makes this photograph very striking. Check out some more really awesome shots on the national geographic website below:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/01/pictures/120125-solar-storm-auroras-northern-lights-earth-space-pictures/#/january-2012-aurora-borealis-tromso-norway-mountains_47697_600x450.jpg

Renee

Birds of Tanzania

Just reading up on Africa a little and found these great picture of birds in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.

http://www.africanews.com/site/Birds_from_Serengeti_National_Park/list_messages/724


Renee