Some Thoughts on Conservation Photography

You may never have heard of the term conservation photography before, however, it exists since the 1860s, but was not widely acknowledged immediately.

Conservation photography is the combination of nature photography and social documentary photography; it is capturing what is worth saving, as well as what threatens it. Conservation photography endeavors to showcase the hidden beauty of the natural world and the sacredness of its vanishing spirit.

The modern field of conservation photography was born in October, 2005 with the founding of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP).

Here are some examples of conservation photography

2008 WINNER | FLORIAN SCHULZ

Japan’s “Hot Tub Monkeys” Photograph by Oksana Perkins, courtesy  (ICPA)

2008 WINNER | FLORIAN SCHULZ

Giraffe symphony. Etosha National Park, Namibia. Rafael Rojas (Switzerland)

Seal on a Propeller by Susanne Weissenberger, courtesy ICP

2010 WINNER | CRISTINA MITTERMEIER

2007 WINNER | HOWARD RUBY

Grasses Cling to Life by Philippe Moës, courtesty ICPA

Previous 2010 ICPA first place winner, Rhino in the mist. Kaziranga National Park, India.

Below is a video produced by Neil Ever Osborne explaining what conservation photography is all about. The narrative is also accompanied by stunning photographic contributions from over 40 conservation photographers to illustrate the convergence between the conservation and photography realms.