A few months back, I mentioned how I was collaborating with documentary filmmaker Paul Novy from Iceberg Films – icebergfilms.com about a documentary film to showcase the relationships between nature and photography. We got started on that but there’s been a change of plans. For now, we’ve decided to shelve that effort. We will re visit it, in the future maybe. Due to the excitement and immediate feedback surrounding “Lord of the Forest” we have decided to wholeheartedly concentrate all of our efforts on this instead, so as not to be detracted from this in any manner whatsoever. A project of this magnitude requires a dedicated level of focus and imagination. Filming and photographing Vancouver Island Mountain Lion in a documentary or storytelling sense has never been done before. We’re not sure exactly what’s in store for us but we’re going to let the experience tell the story. We’re going to follow the tracks to wherever they may lead…
My friend and documentary filmmaker Paul Novy – icebergfilms.com and I are very excited to officially announce our upcoming documentary film showcasing Vancouver Island’s Mountain Lion. Nothing like this has ever been done before! As a part of our film, we would like to feature those who have had experiences or that have photographs and amateur video. Contact me directly at martin@mryer.com for more information.
This is absurd! It would be hard to believe that there’s much in the way of objective thought during any decision making process.
“After repeatedly denying the existence of such documents, the B.C. government has finally complied with a freedom-of-information request revealing a strong hunting culture within the conservation officer service.”
Read more here: vancouversun.com/…/b-c-releases-documents-revealing-hunting-culture-among-conservation-officers
It’s one thing to recognize and accept our own problems. It’s another thing altogether to address them head on, instead of just trying to run away from them, as many of us tend to do. Even more profound is after all of that, being able to share with others all of the learning and growth that’s experienced by being brave. My friend and adventurer Susan Conrad demonstrates her own sense of fortitude in the following podcast. It’s a must listen, you’ll definitely be a bigger and better person after hearing what she has to say: outtherepodcast.com/…/with-my-toes-in-the-sand
One of the more difficult things to do when photographing wildlife is to convey a sense of emotion both from the subject and the viewer at the same time. It’s all in the eyes! What are your thoughts, when you see this image? How does it make you feel?
Wolf Awareness Inc. Executive Director, Sadie Parr was interviewed today by The Comox Valley Record. One of my Wolf images was selected as the feature image for the article:
How about a winter circumnavigation by sea kayak of Vancouver Island? That’s what Calvin Croll is up to. Check out his website and follow his journey:
Thank you to Tofino Sea Kayaking Co. for letting me use a picture of Calvin, stopping by in Tofino for supplies. Stay safe out there Calvin!
My friend and Biologist Sadie Parr from Wolf Awareness Inc. will be offering a presentation discussing the science, ethics, and ecology regarding B.C.’s Wolf kill program. Admission is free, seating is limited, so RSVP at info@oceanadventures.bc.ca
Time: January 27th, 2018 – 1:00 pm
Location: The Fallen Alders Community Halls – 3595 Royston Road, Courtenay, British Columbia
(One of my Wolf images will be available at auction with 100% of proceeds going towards Wolf Awareness Inc. an organization I have worked with and supported in the past and will continue to do so in the future.)
An Editor from Explore Magazine – Canada’s source for outdoor adventure, hiking, camping, gear, travel and skills was recently referred to me: explore-mag.com One of my images from The Salish Sea Marine Trail Grand Opening in September may be used for an upcoming feature article, celebrating the trail. To find out more about The Salish Sea Marine Trail, go here: bcmarinetrails.org/…/salish-sea-marine-trail
So you think you’ve created a great image and you can’t wait to share it on social media, only to be disappointed by the feedback you receive after the post. Feedback is in the form of likes, hearts and comments. Has this ever happened to you? Next, you post what you think is an “alright image” on social media and you get inundated with comments, likes and hearts. Has this ever happened to you? It’s in our nature to compare ourselves. So while you’re looking at images from others, you can’t help but notice that images which are over saturated, poorly composed and with crooked horizons are featured on mainstream blogs and other far reaching forms of social media. They’re insanely popular with viewers. You’ve noticed this too right? Confused?!
Don’t let this discourage you. There’s a difference between popularity and the truth, just as much as there is a difference in creative expression, even if it means poorly composed images with other worldly colours. Just be thankful that you know the difference and can maintain a sense of integrity. This is a little harder to do than it might seem though.
What’s happening, is photographers are being caught in a dopamine feedback loop caused by the digital media and social media frenzy that is now a part of our lives. This may also hold true for society at large and in other realms. Former Facebook Executive and Billionaire, Chamath Palihapitiya was quoted just this year and said “the short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works: no civil discourse, no cooperation, misinformation, mistruth.” Many other esteemed individuals and scientists are starting to take this phenomenon seriously. A quick google search will bring up lots of interesting points of view, backed by science.
What I’m noticing is that photographers are sacrificing really great images and showcasing poor images or grossly exaggerated ones simply to get noticed and to be popular. The more likes, hearts and comments we get, the more dopamine that gets released and the more we want it to happen again and again. Sometimes at any cost. Don’t forget, that over time we become desensitized. It’s hard to break this habit as an individual but imagine what happens to society as a whole and the damage it does? All you’re doing is sacrificing your integrity as a photographer and simply contributing to this vicious and contagious cycle.
If you’ve created an image and you think it’s great, if it’s true and if it’s realistic, that’s all that matters. I’ve often said that the greatest risk that I face as a photographer is for someone to be inspired by one of my images only to be disappointed when they visit the same scene because it’s not anything like what I created.
My advice, start liking, sharing and commenting on images that have class and integrity and ones that are technically correct. Also, put the phone down and start looking at what’s around you and “be here now.”
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