Photography not only immortalizes and enlivens beautiful sights, it also plays a significant role in conserving nature and wildlife. Nature photos make exotic wildlife and scenery accessible to people around the world, particularly to those who are yet to see an actual great white shark or elephant in their lifetime.
Photographers, themselves the experts and sources of magnificent nature depictions, emphasize the indispensable role of wildlife photography. Renowned photographer Paul Friesen shares: “With certain species facing extinction, conservation and awareness are more important than ever, and some of our talented wildlife photographers are contributing to those efforts by documenting animals in their natural environments.”
Image source: Pixabay.com
In a post-truth era when so-called “alternative facts” have come to the fore, wildlife photography also takes on a different meaning. “We go back to the pictures. So as long as we’re in this cycle of lies, the pictures can actually stand up again and do some more work,” veteran wildlife photographer Nick Nichols tells TIME.
In a general sense, photography matters because of numerous reasons. Photographs show what is important to us – recorded memories that preserve the desire to keep precious moments in image form. They are part of our collective legacy, acting as small pieces of a jigsaw completing the larger picture of our lives.
Image source: Pixabay.com
Photographs also allow sharing and communication, speaking to the human desire to share what’s beautiful and interesting. In addition, they bring out the artists in us, as well as our propensity to create something and derive fulfillment from it. Finally, the complex language of photography makes up for our poor vocabulary for pain, beauty, happiness, and difficulties.
Allen R. Hartman is a retired professional photographer who specializes in wildlife and landscape photography. Learn more about photography on this page.
