Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.
Even as couples hire fewer wedding vendors every year, photographers still remain a requirement for 94% of weddings. If you run your own freelance photography business, it might be time to cash in on some exciting new hardware and see how it can change your practice.
The Super Endurance Foldable Quadcopter is a beginner-friendly drone with two high-resolution cameras and a long flight time, and you can get one for $99.99 (reg. $149).
Take your photography business to new heights.
This foldable drone can sit with the rest of your photography gear until it’s time for some dynamic shots from above. Your purchase comes with two batteries for a total of up to 40 minutes flight time. Connect your phone for a first person view as seen through either front-facing or bottom-facing cameras.
The front-facing camera has a 120-degree wide-angle 1080p HD lens for high-resolution shots from afar. Populate your business’s website with dynamic shots of weddings, or expand to nature photography and use Follow Mode to get your drone to keep a steady distance from the remote. The bottom-facing camera could be an excellent resource for unique shots from straight above. Capture video of a married couple’s first dance or get a lay of the land so you can find somewhere to set up camp and wait for the perfect shot.
This drone has a multitude of control features that could make it an asset to professional photographers. Altitude hold mode commands your drone to keep steady. Capture long exposure shots, or use the multiple channels of control for an exciting roller coaster of a video. The one-key flip means you can send your drone rolling through the sky at a moment’s notice. You can also press a single key when it’s time for your quadcopter to come back to you and land.
Save on a beginner-friendly drone
Expand the services offered by your photography business.
For a limited time, get the Super Endurance Foldable Quadcopter Drone for Beginners on sale for $99.99 (reg. $149).
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Owls dive head-first to attack their prey. Their silent, stealth-like wings allow them to swoosh to the ground undetected.
A group of Wichita State University (WSU) students – made up mostly of aerospace engineering graduate students – is trying to replicate the owl’s uniquely designed wings to create silent drones for NASA’s University Student Research Challenge.
They turned to nature to try to find a possible solution.
Valley Center Schools name new Superintendent
Drones have become a necessary tool in the TV news-gathering business. They’re also used for network sports events, surveillance, surveying, real estate photography, and much more.
One downside to drones is they’re noisy.
“One major problem that we have in aerospace is making drones quieter. So, we figured one way to make drones quieter is to look to nature. Look to the owl, because that’s obviously a well-known quiet animal and find a way to be able to replicate what makes an owl so quiet, and create strong propeller blades that are able to make drones quieter as a result,” said AeroFeathers team leader Will Johnston, a graduate student from Omaha.
The idea of the project was born last semester when the group of students formed the MadLab Innovation Club. One of the competitions they stumbled upon was the NASA University Student Research Challenge.
“And so what we found is that there’s really three main parts of the owl feather that make it quiet, that we tried to replicate. So, basically, the three parts of the owl feather are a soft velvety coat. On the leading edge, we have thick comb-like serrations. And then, on the trailing edge, we have these really thin flexible fibers that kind of feel like human hair bristles, if you will. And so this essentially is in part what makes an owl so quiet when it flies,” explained Johnston.
“It is actually the most fun. I guess this has never been attempted before. This is very new. We get to design 3D print tested, and then, you know, replay the process, again and again, to see if it makes sense, the design makes sense or not. So it’s, it’s pretty exciting,” said team member Amulya Lamte.
“We’re hoping to actually be able to produce 3D printed propeller blades that are able to make drones quieter. So hopefully, that sound pressure level decrease compared to normal blades about five decibels or so,” added Johnston.
If the AeroFeathers project gets off the ground, the idea could be applied to so many other things, big and small.
Valley Center woman has been driving school buses for 45 years and is still rolling
“It could be applied to ceiling fans or wind turbines or hand dryers, you know, or just the table fans if you can. Anything involving a fan, basically,” said Lamte.
“So, restroom hand dryers, vacuum cleaners. Anything to do with spinning blades. Wind turbines, that kind of potential use if we can demonstrate that these propeller blades are effective at what they’re doing,” said Johnston.
NASA funded the AeroFeathers team with a $40,000 initial grant. If the MaDLab crew can raise $2,000 on its own, NASA will come through with an additional $40,000. The funds would be used to buy a large-scale printer for printing the owl-inspired propeller blades.
Copyright 2022 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, May 6, 2023/einpresswire.com / — Kuwaiti photographer omar AlSayed Omar takes rare photos of the pelican, which is classified among the endangered birds, according to the World Conservation Organization. The bird documentary trip began from Boubyan Island in Kuwait, where the pelican was spotted for the first time, and Omar flew to the bird’s hometown in Kerkini Lake, Greece todocument one of the largest living flying bird species. He said,“I have managed to take some shots of Dalmatian pelicans during the breeding season in which their beak skin changed to red for male and orange for the female.” (245 to 351 cm in wingspan and up to 180 cm in length)
wildlife and nature photography have been gaining popularity in recent years, with more people becoming interested in capturing images of the natural world. This can be seen through the boom of social media platforms like Instagram, which have become popular among photographers and nature enthusiasts who share their work online.
Additionally, the rise of ecotourism and the increasing awareness of conservation issues have contributed to the growing trend in wildlife photography. Many are interested in capturing images of rare and endangered species, as well as the beauty of natural landscapes to promote awareness of conservation efforts. However, it takes more than a few pictures for pros to be satisfied with their job. Considered among the best, Omar Al-Sayed Omar has taken wildlife and nature photography to the next level.
Omar Al-Sayed Omar is one of the well-known names from Kuwait when it comes to skilled nature photography. A Telecom engineer by profession, Omar is a member of the board of directors of the Environment Lens team in Kuwait. Some of his works have been published in National Geographic magazine as well as in notable websites.
An artistic content creator, Omar showcases various types of photo content for a range of pursuits – capturing inspired imagery of landscape, wildlife and nature. He is committed to memorializing significant moments to be treasured for a lifetime through a creative lens.
Photographing wildlife often requires long hours of observation to capture the perfect shot. Omar has perseverance to land the shot, with a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Omar Al-Sayed Omar has a creative eye for visually stunning images. He is able to see the wonder of the natural world and translate it into compelling photographs. With a clear understanding of the raw environment, including the behavior of the animals, he anticipates their movements and actions.
Nature is unpredictable, and the perfect shot may not always present itself. Omar is highly adaptable and able to adjust to changing circumstances, whether shifting light conditions, changes in weather, or the movement of animals. He always prioritizes the welfare of the animals and never puts the environment at risk for the sake of a photograph, respecting the natural zones and its inhabitants.
Omar Al-Sayed Omar is also a social media influencer whose incredible collection of work makes him a notable face in the digital domain. As an artistic content creator and a brand strategist, it’s no secret that content in the form of photos has become the most popular choice for consumption today.
For Omar Al-Sayed Omar, the essence of photography lies within the beauty of capturing the lifetime moments. His work ranges from small internet shoots to branding campaigns. Each project is designed and executed to creatively attain his clients’ goals, while engaging with their target audience.
Omar Al-Sayed Omar is among the growing crop of independent photographers who have signaled seismic changes in the entertainment industry. His heart pounding and emotionally driven photographs serve as the icebreaker among his fans and supporters.
His content is tailored to represent a very recognisable and particular aesthetic. All of his hashtags target only people who are drawn to a certain theme.“Those are the ones likely to stick around and click ‘follow’,” says Omar.
Take a look at his Instagram handle where he has more than 118K followers and treat yourself to some daily dose of adventures. On social media, he shares tips on photography skills, funny videos, and shares entertaining reels from his personal life.
Jane Vaughann Dunn Pellier Media +1 305-444-3321 email us here
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) By Ayoub Khaddaj
(Photo feature) BEIRUT, May 6 (KUNA) — Lebanon has a unique geographic aspect and geological formations, especially a chain of caves that attract nature lovers and boost the country’s tourism. Lebanon’s caves are divided into two groups, horizental and vertical. The most famous horizental cave is Jeita Grotto, extending over more than 12 km. Vertical caves are called “sinkholes”, with Fouara Dara being the deepest at over 600 meters. Only experts can enter sinkholes with special equipment, while nature lovers can visit horizental caves with guides and safety equipment. (end) ayb.ag
MENAFN06052023000071011013ID1106190109
Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
TUSCON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / May 5, 2023 / The North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) this week announced that Daniel J. Cox, a nature photographer, photography teacher, and workshop leader, is the recipient of NANPA’s 2023 Environmental Impact Award. The award was established in 2013 and is given every other year to honor a ‘photographic project addressing an important and urgent regional or global environmental problem.’ In addition, the photographer’s work must be ‘of exceedingly high quality’ and includes a ‘component that creates and distributes high-quality educational material to enhance public awareness, including material created to influence decision makers.’ Previous winners of this award have included James Balog, Clay Bolt, Tom Blagden, and Krista Schlyer.
NANPA Awards Committee chair, Dr. Paul Brooke, said Cox ‘has led the charge to understand the crisis, thereby incorporating organizations and scientists/biologists in the field. The committee recognizes his remarkable vision and passion for nature photography, plus he donates many of his images to the organizations he works with to ensure that the photographs are put to great use.’
This award is in recognition of Cox’s photography and storytelling work in the Arctic, both for Polar Bears International and as director of the Arctic Documentary Project (ADP). Cox brings more than forty years of experience to bear on educating and inspiring viewers about the changes taking place in the Arctic. Changes that will have global impacts. The photos and videos collected in the ADP document environmental transformations in the high latitudes and their effects on the Arctic’s wildlife.
Cox has traveled to all seven continents, been published in numerous prestigious journals, and is a regular contributor to magazines like Outdoor Photographer and National Geographic, where he’s published two cover stories. His work has been exhibited in various galleries, including the Natural History Museum in London and the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming. He also leads photo tours through his company, Natural Exposures.
As North America’s premier nature photography organization, NANPA promotes the art and science of nature photography as a medium of communication, nature appreciation, and environmental protection; provides information, education, inspiration, and opportunity for all persons interested in nature photography; and fosters excellence and ethical conduct in all aspect of our endeavors and especially encourages responsible photography in the wild. Learn more at North American Nature Photographers Association.
Contact: Frank Gallagher 202-290-9166 Interim Marketing and Communications [email protected] I www.nanpa.org
SOURCE: North American Nature Photographers Association, Inc.
View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/752622/Daniel-J-Cox-Wins-Environmental-Impact-Award-From-North-American-Nature-Photography-Association
Ansel Adams was one of the most well-known landscape photographers in America, and throughout his career, he traveled to various US landmarks to capture unique photos of one-of-a-kind spaces. Most of his work was focused on showcasing the beauty of untouched wildlands, and his techniques became famous in the photography world.
In addition to being a famous photographer, Adams was also a well-respected environmentalist, and he combined those two passions to carve a unique niche for himself as an artist. Part of what made his work so highly favored was his ability to capture beautiful images and showcase mountains and forested areas in ways that took viewers to the site in their minds. He was able to show people through his photographs that the natural world was worth preserving.
Adams had a lot to say about nature photography as an art form and put a great deal of emphasis on the work of the photographer, the subject, and the viewer. For example, his efforts to showcase the feelings associated with the subjects he photographed were part of what made his work so moving. Additionally, Adams paid close attention to the reactions that viewers would have when looking at a photo he created.
To him, photography was more than just showing a viewer a still image of a place in time. His photographic collections aimed to say something about the subject recorded, to encourage viewers to look into the image rather than at it. This attitude has echoed across the photography industry and encouraged a deeper connection between the photographer, the subject, and the viewer.
Located in the heart of Yosemite Valley, between the Visitor Center and Post Office, with incredible views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Glacier Point, the Ansel Adams Photography Gallery is open 9am – 5pm seven days a week. Originally named Best’s Studio, the gallery has been operated in Yosemite Valley by the same (Ansel Adams) family since 1902.
Adams, Ansel (Feb. 20 1902 — Apr. 22, 1984), photographer and environmentalist, was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Charles Hitchcock Adams, a businessman, and Olive Bray. The grandson of a wealthy timber baron, Adams grew up in a house set amid the sand dunes of the Golden Gate. When Adams was only four, an aftershock of the great earthquake and fire of 1906 threw him to the ground and badly broke his nose, distinctly marking him for life. A year later the family fortune collapsed in the financial panic of 1907, and Adams’s father spent the rest of his life doggedly but fruitlessly attempting to recoup.
If Adams’s love of nature was nurtured in the Golden Gate, his life was, in his words, “colored and modulated by the great earth gesture” of the Yosemite Sierra (Adams, Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, p. xiv). He spent substantial time there every year from 1916 until his death. From his first visit, Adams was transfixed and transformed. He began using the Kodak No. 1 Box Brownie his parents had given him. He hiked, climbed, and explored, gaining self-esteem and self-confidence. In 1919 he joined the Sierra Club and spent the first of four summers in Yosemite Valley, as “keeper” of the club’s LeConte Memorial Lodge. He became friends with many of the club’s leaders, who were founders of America’s nascent conservation movement. He met his wife, Virginia Best, in Yosemite; they were married in 1928. The couple had two children.
Ten Inspiring Ansel Adams Photographs
Adams’s work evolved as the years passed, but his most famous photographs involved snapshots of nature at a given time.
Each of his most famous photos took his talents to new levels and utilized interesting techniques that influenced other photographers of the time.
For example, because Adams used contrast to his advantage, his photos were often more defined, crisp, and showed sharp lines and edges in comparison to other photographs taken around his time.
On top of teaching budding and professional photographers through his examples, he also offered technical guidance through the creation of his book, Making a Photograph. This book was an in-depth instruction manual that covered his techniques and through the creation of this piece, he and his colleague, Fred Archer, were able to develop the Zone System of photography. This photography method enabled photographers to predict tones and the overall quality of images at the exact point the picture was to be taken.
Let’s take a look at ten of Ansel Adams’s most famous photographs taken throughout his career. I have purposely excluded his photographs froths writing and instead have shared some of my personal monochrome work. Instead, I have provided hyperlinks to the Ansel Adams Gallery website in an effort to encourage you to learn more about the works of this iconic master of photography.
1. East Vidette
The photograph titled East Vidette was shot in Kings Canyon National Park in 1925 and it features a rugged landscape of trees and a mountain peak in the distance. It’s a great example of Adams’s natural style.
2. Nevada Fall, Rainbow
Ansel Adams photographed Nevada Fall in 1947 during a visit to Yosemite National Park. While ordinarily, the fall and the Merced River below can be accessed by following the Mist Trail, for Adams, the trail’s heavy mist was a risk to his camera equipment. He took a smaller horse-riding trail to reach the falls.
3. Sand Dune, Sunrise
Ansel Adams shot this photograph of the sun coming up over Death Valley sand dunes in 1948 without the use of any filters. At the time, this was one of the most interesting desert photos captured because, unlike many others, the colors weren’t washed out and the film wasn’t overexposed.
4. El Capitan
This image was captured in about 1952 and feature’s the world’s largest exposed granite face on the planet, El Capitan. Adams has photographed El Capitan several times throughout his career, but this image is one of the most well-known when it comes to this rock formation.
5. Moon and Half Dome
Half Dome, a peak in Yosemite National Park, was captured with the moon hanging above in 1960. By this time, Adams was a well-known photographer, and this image is an excellent example of the way he used contrast to showcase the more delicate features of the mountain.
6. Moonrise Hernandez
This image captures a lot in a single shot, and the famous Moonrise photo taken in Hernandez is the first photo of many that Adams took during that session. The image displays the moon rising over the down and shows a bit of everything in the area, from the moon to the bushes.
7. The Golden Gate Bridge
In 1932, Ansel Adams captured this photograph of the Golden Gate area before the bridge was constructed. This piece serves as both a beautiful piece of art and a way to preserve history, allowing viewers to look back on a time before such a well-known bridge became part of the landscape.
8. Eagle Peak & Middle Brother
Again, Ansel’s method of using contrast makes this 1968 photo a very unique piece. It showcases Eagle Peak in the background but also makes use of dark tree limbs and branches to break up the brightness of the rock face.
9. San Francisco from Twin Peaks
This photo combines elements of the natural world with those of manmade dwellings. From the vantage point of Twin Peaks, Adams photographed the city of San Francisco as well as the mountainous background and heavy clouds looming overhead.
10. Self Portrait | Ansel Adams
Finally, Ansel Adams’s self-portrait is a famous one in that it captures his style of photography, a common subject of his (mountains), and a shadow of himself. In a way, Adams made use of the natural elements around him to create an accurate image of himself as an artist.
As with many artists who make their mark on the world, Ansel Adams contributed to photography as an art form by designing new techniques and leading photographers toward new horizons when it came to not only what was captured, but how the image was shot. Some of his techniques are still used today and new photographers are adapting their own unique styles based on tips and techniques developed by one of America’s greatest photographers.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The political party behind the European Parliament’s biggest lawmaker group on Friday opposed two of the EU’s main policies to protect the environment, threatening to block the laws which the group says would hurt European farmers.
In a resolution adopted on Friday, the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) said it rejected a proposed EU law requiring countries to restore damaged natural ecosystems and another to halve chemical pesticide use by 2030.
“In too many regions or member states the implementation of existing nature legislation has led to a bureaucratic nightmare and planning deadlock, endangering food security, renewable energy production, crucial infrastructure etc,” said the resolution, seen by Reuters.
It urged the European Commission to first help countries address issues caused by existing EU nature laws. The proposed pesticide targets are “simply not feasible” for farmers, it added.
The EPP has the most lawmakers of any group in the European Parliament – 176 out of the assembly’s 705 members. A source from the EPP group said it stood ready to reject the two laws, if its views were not heard.
That could block the policies, if lawmakers from some other groups in the parliament also reject them.
The Commission, which proposed the policies, says restoring soil and habitats’ health is vital to protect farmers’ livelihoods, and cope with increasing climate change impacts like drought.
A Commission spokesperson declined to comment on the EPP resolution, but said it would work with lawmakers and EU countries to address the issues raised.
“The need to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides is scientifically clear. Not acting fast enough now, will have long-term and potentially irreversible effects on our food security in the future,” the spokesperson added.
A third of bee and butterfly species in Europe have declining populations, with intensive farming among the drivers of pollinator loss.
The EU has earmarked some cash from its farm subsidy programme to support greener farming measures.
But other proposals to tackle the 10% of EU greenhouse gas emissions produced by agriculture have faced resistance – including emissions limits for livestock farms, which member states are trying to weaken.
(Reporting by Kate Abnett;Editing by Mark Potter and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
“Magic Morning” by Susan Smart won best in show in the Conservation Foundation’s 2022 Summer Photo Contest. The deadline to enter this year’s contest is May 31.
OSPREY — The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast is holding its fourth annual virtual Summer Photo Contest and invites photographers of all ages and experience levels to share their original work showcasing the natural beauty of the Sunshine State.
The exhibition will be entirely virtual with website and Facebook displays. Works submitted for the juried exhibition must have been taken in Florida within the past year and fall into one of four categories:
· The Big Picture: Landscapes or waterscapes – this category is for those majestic views and sweeping vistas that showcase Mother Nature in all her glory.
· The Art of Nature: A celebration of abstract expressions in nature and science, this category is for closeups, angles, patterns, motion, or other unique perspectives of the natural world.
· Fabulously Florida: What makes Florida Florida? Whether it’s plants, animals, or people, this category highlights the Sunshine State and those who call this special place home.
· Winged Life: Birds, butterflies, and bees, oh my! This category is dedicated to the winged creatures and feathered friends we all love to photograph – in flight, perched, or in action.
“Reflections Of A Royal Tern” by Diane Suner. The deadline to enter the Conservation Foundation’s fourth annual Summer Photo Contest is May 31.
There is also a Youth Perspective category for photographers aged 15 and under. Youth Perspective submissions must still fall into one of the four categories.
Up to three photographs may be submitted per person and must be received via email no later than midnight on May 31. Jurors will review all submissions and select 10 in each category for display in online galleries on the Conservation Foundation website and Conservation Foundation Facebook page.
The jury includes noted photographer Kerri Gagne Deatherage; fine artist Mary Louise O’Connell; and award-winning commercial photographer Robert Nishihira.
The competition will award prizes to category winners as selected by the jury as well as People’s Choice winners determined by popular vote on Facebook. For details, entry rules, and submission forms visit conservationfoundation.com/summerphoto.
Submitted by Sam Valentin
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Fourth annual Summer Photo Contest celebrates Florida’s natural beauty
Images from the 2022 Benjamin Mkapa Wildlife Photography Awards plainly reveal animals’ extraordinary humanity. A gorilla’s wisdom. The gentleness of an elephant. The community of wildebeest.
That’s easy to see.
Beneath the surface of each picture, no less clear when looking close, man’s inhumanity reveals itself.
Wantonness. Cruelty. Exploitation.
All of these animals are in danger from the most reckless predator the planet has ever known: man.
Be it poaching, habitat destruction or a dozen other extractive and exploitative behaviorswhich have caused wildlife populations to collapse around the globe, it increasingly feels like a miracle any of these wonderous creatures remain. Enjoy the miraculous while you can in Africa and through the winning entries of the 2nd Annual Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards which can be seen at The Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach through June 4, 2023.
“When you look into the eyes of this beautiful silverback, you see a lot of yourself looking back,” Africa Wildlife Federation Senior Vice President Craig Sholley told Forbes.com of the grand prize-winning image (pictured below). “It represents an endangered species and a conservation success story. Mountain gorillas are the only great ape in the world whose population is increasing. This success story is a result of a four-decades effort orchestrated by non-governmental organizations like AWF in direct collaboration with the Rwandan government. The product of this work is one that benefits both wildlife and people.”
People and wildlife, connection, our shared fate comes through in another crowd pleaser from the competition, an animal keeper being caressed by an elephant’s trunk in an orphanage.
“This image portrays the importance of the work of Africans who have devoted their lives to the future of threatened wildlife,” Sholley said. “These are individuals who are passionate about conservation and in many cases put their lives on the line–protecting species from poachers and the illegal wildlife trade.”
The picture recalls one of the most famous and heartbreaking wildlife-human photographs ever taken, that of the last male white rhino with his keeper in 2018 moments before the animal died. An image not simply of death, but extinction. Forever death. They both know.
Africa comes to Palm Beach
Mountain Gorilla, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. By Michelle Kranz of Boulder, Colorado.
Credit for bringing the exhibition from Nairobi, Kenya to Palm Beach goes to Wilber James, Trustee Emeritus of AWF and board member of The Society of the Four Arts, along with fellow AWF Trustee Payson Coleman. They approached Director of Programs at Four Arts Sofia Maduro about showing the photographs.
“Payson and I have been involved in African wildlife conservation for over 50 years and knew that a number of our friends in Palm Beach shared our enthusiasm for the preservation of the animals and habitat in Africa as well as the well-being of the people,” James told Forbes.com. “We felt that an exhibition of the Mkapa Awards at the Four Arts would be a powerful way to highlight the majesty of Africa’s animals and also educate the public about the challenges they face. Sofia was in complete agreement about the importance of the exhibition and felt that the Four Arts could also reach out to the schools in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach to invite students to tour the exhibition for a powerful learning experience.”
The competition was co-created by AWF and Nature’s Best Photography to celebrate AWF’s 60-year anniversary as the only African global conservation organization protecting wildlife and its ecosystems as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa.
“Craig Sholley and I are equally passionate about African wildlife and the creative skills our Mkapa Awards entrants have shared since its launch in 2021,” Steve Freligh, President and CEO of Nature’s Best Photography Fund, told Forbes.com. “These talented photographers, of all ages and backgrounds, are as interesting and diverse as the photographs they submit, delivering immediate and long-lasting impact that will motivate change.”
Forty-eight award-winning prints from the competition are on view.
“There are those photographs that immediately stop you in your tracks, but also ones where new perspectives are revealed as you examine their details,” Freligh said. “Each image shares an extraordinary moment in Africa, a single experience that may be enjoyed personally as well as collectively.”
The winning images were selected from over 9,500 entries representing 57 countries, chosen by a panel of judges including accomplished wildlife photographers, leading conservation professionals, highly regarded safari guides, and youth conservation activists.
“Through the art of photography and video, the primary goal was to attract, inspire, and involve photographers from Africa and around the world at all levels of camera experience so that they may share stories from the field and encourage new advocates for conservation change,” Sholley said. “Effectively, AWF wanted to ‘Bring Africa to the World, and the World to Africa.’”
Benjamin Mkapa
H.E. Benjamin Mkapa (1938–2020) was president of Tanzania in east Africa, south of Kenya bordering the Indian Ocean, from 1995 to 2005. The astounding “Great Migration” begins in Tanzania.
More than a million wildebeest along with hundreds of thousands of zebra, topi and other gazelle start their annual journey in the Serengeti National Park creating the largest herd movement of animals on the planet. Over the course of the year, the animals move north and clockwise, up into Kenya and the Masai Mara National Reserve, back down through the Serengeti and then to Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famed for the Ngorongoro Crater.
“Mkapa began his career as a journalist, understanding the importance of educating the public on important conservation topics,” Sholly explains. “Today, Mkapa’s name remains widely respected for his legacy of principled leadership and protecting Africa’s wild heritage.”
As one example, during his time on AWF’s Board of Trustees, Mkapa played a critical role in the establishment of Manyara Ranch Conservancy in northern Tanzania, an important 45,000-acre wildlife corridor connecting several of the country’s national parks.
Throughout much of the 20th century, visitors to Africa went primarily to shoot animals, not pictures. Limited legal hunting on the continent persists, in part due to the United States’ continued allowance of trophy hunters to import animals killed in Africa.
Fortunately, photographic safaris have mostly replaced their bloodthirsty predecessors.
“During the launch of the Four Arts exhibition, attendees posed many questions about ‘organizing their first or next safari’ and how to get involved in helping to secure the future of the wildlife and wilderness areas they saw represented in the photos of the competition,” Sholley said. “My greatest thrill has been watching people’s reactions as they view the exhibition images for the first time. When the subject matter revolves around Africa’s iconic wildlife and remote wilderness areas, the impact is clear and visible.”
Africa: Closer than you Think
Rhino, Springboks, zebra, Elephant and lion in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
getty
Americans, by and large, are daunted by the idea of travel to Africa. Many even frequent, life-long, world travelers from the States have never seen southern Africa with their own eyes. Never spent a morning game drive 10-feet from a feeding pride of lions. Never stared eye-to-eye with a cape buffalo.
Too far. Too expensive.
Once in a lifetime.
That needn’t be the case.
While there are undeniably super-expensive and difficult to reach locales and experiences such as the water safaris around the Okavango Delta in Botswana or gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, visiting Kruger National Park or Greater Kruger in South Africa via flight to Johannesburg and car or bus to the wildlife can accommodate many non-luxe budgets.
Kenya safaris and Tanzania safaris are good middle-ground choices with a non-stop flight from JFK airport in New York direct to Nairobi now an option, shortening travel time to east Africa dramatically.
Africa, particularly when traveling from the eastern half of the U.S., proves no more arduous to reach or expensive to enjoy than Hawai’i, Australia, Asia or India–oftentimes less so. And the rewards are unmatched.
As wonderful as the pictures are, they don’t compare to real thing.
CARLSBAD, CA — Patch reader Tiyal Bell captured this photo of Avery Bell at lifeguard tower 25 at South Carlsbad State Beach.
Thanks for sharing!
If you have an awesome picture of nature, breathtaking scenery, kids caught being kids, a pet doing something funny or something unusual you happen to catch with your camera, we’d love to feature it on Patch.
We’re looking for high-resolution, horizontal images that reflect the beauty that is San Diego County, and that show off your unique talents.
Send your photos to [email protected]. Be sure to include photo credit information, when and where the shot was taken, and any other details about what was going on.
