Now that the results of the 2010 Census are in and there has been time to reflect on what they mean, I see a gloomy prospect for the environment. The national population is 308.7 million, up from 284.1 million just 10 years ago. The population of Texas grew over 20% to just over 25 million.
My concerns stem directly from the increased need for water and power. The EPA has recently taken over the issuing of carbon emission permits from the state of Texas because we have been handing them out like beads at a Mardi Gras party.
Texas already has the dirtiest lignite power plants in the country. One of these is unfortunately located just a few miles from my house, the Martin Lake Plant, and it is THE worst mercury emitter in the country. Our area lakes all contain elevated levels of mercury, and I personally wouldn't eat fish out of any of them. This includes my most loved local place to photograph - Caddo Lake.
Texas is already short of fresh water. The large metropolitan areas are trying to build reservoirs anywhere there is a trickle of running water. The city of Marshall has attempted, so far without success, to take water from Caddo Lake which averages only about 3 feet in depth. Any sustained water removal would be devastating to this ecological treasure.
So, my point in all this is that our environmental problems are not going to be solved until we solve the over population problem, both locally and world-wide. The Earth just can not support 7 Billion people.
Just my thoughts...
Monday, January 3, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
Nature's Best Photography: Windland Smith Rice International Awards
I am always excited when the latest issue of Nature's Best Photography magazine arrives in the mailbox. When the Fall/Winter 2010 issue covering the Windland Smith Rice International Awards arrived yesterday, with all the activity of getting ready for Christmas, I just laid it on my chair side table and went on with other activities. When I finally opened it this morning and began my inspection of each of the photographs I was in awe. This is without a doubt, at least in my opinion, the best issue published to date. The images were stunning!
My congratulations to all the winners of the contest. I also want especially congratulate Cristina Mittermeier for being the Conservation Photographer of the Year. Cristina is not only a NANPA member but is also the President of the International League of Conservation Photographers (www.ilcp.com). There are other winners who are NANPA members that I know and I am sure there are other members I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I can hopefully remedy that soon. The NANPA members I do know in addition to Cristina include Wil Hershberger and Jeremy Woodhouse.
I am also appreciative of Nature's Best for their continuing recognition of the "Art" of nature photography along with their excellent support of conservation and environmental photography. There unfortunately seems to be some occasional tension between those who think "Nature Photography" means environmental and conservation photography and those who see nature as the perfect subject to express their art in the form of photography. My approach to supporting environmental issues with my photography is to show the beauty of the location or the animal with the hope that it will inspire people to help protect the ecosystem. There are many ways to work for the protection of the environment.
Sandra Windland "Wendy" Smith Rice (1970 - 2005) was an accomplished nature photographer and, after winning an award in one of the 1999 Nature's Best photography contests, began her association with the Natures Best Photography contest with her support in both time and financial contributions. She was an tireless supporter of emerging nature photographers around the world.
My congratulations to all the winners of the contest. I also want especially congratulate Cristina Mittermeier for being the Conservation Photographer of the Year. Cristina is not only a NANPA member but is also the President of the International League of Conservation Photographers (www.ilcp.com). There are other winners who are NANPA members that I know and I am sure there are other members I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting. I can hopefully remedy that soon. The NANPA members I do know in addition to Cristina include Wil Hershberger and Jeremy Woodhouse.
I am also appreciative of Nature's Best for their continuing recognition of the "Art" of nature photography along with their excellent support of conservation and environmental photography. There unfortunately seems to be some occasional tension between those who think "Nature Photography" means environmental and conservation photography and those who see nature as the perfect subject to express their art in the form of photography. My approach to supporting environmental issues with my photography is to show the beauty of the location or the animal with the hope that it will inspire people to help protect the ecosystem. There are many ways to work for the protection of the environment.
Sandra Windland "Wendy" Smith Rice (1970 - 2005) was an accomplished nature photographer and, after winning an award in one of the 1999 Nature's Best photography contests, began her association with the Natures Best Photography contest with her support in both time and financial contributions. She was an tireless supporter of emerging nature photographers around the world.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Respect
Respect, it seems to be a rare commodity these days. In the words of Aretha Franklin, "All I'm askin' is a little respect..." I not asking for respect for myself, but for not only nature, but for the people and facilities that try their best to provide us with natural places. The venues provide photographers a place to photograph nature and for others a place to enjoy the tranquility and peace of a natural setting.
This was driven home to me yesterday while I was photographing at Mrs. Lee's Garden (www.daffodilgarden.com) near Gladewater, Texas. This is an amazing place - an 816 acre farm that has 28 or so acres planted in daffodils. Mrs. Helen Lee provided in her will that this garden be open to the public for everyone to enjoy the natural beauty of God's world. And volunteers keep the grounds in good shape and open to the public during the daffodil blooming season. All they ask is a donation at the gate and that everyone follow a few simple rules - don't walk on or sit on and especially DON"T PICK the flowers.
As I sat on the ground with my macro lens, I couldn't help overhearing a couple of volunteers talking. One was telling the other how he had just witnessed a woman picking the flowers and then trying to hide them behind her back as she walked away. His reaction was much gentler than mine would have been. He simply told her to get in her car and drive out the gate without stopping.
This woman showed disrespect to not only the volunteer, the garden itself, and the memory of Mrs. Lee, but also to nature itself. We've all heard the explanation, "if everyone picked just one flower..." but to me it goes much deeper than that - it represents a lack of civility that is rampant in our world today.
An egregious example of disrespecting private property and those who provide natural areas for us to enjoy is in the April 1997 issue number 46 of the Photograph America Newsletter. Robert Hitchman has published this newsletter for over 20 years and many photographers, including myself, use it to "pre-scout" areas to photograph before we arrive there. I do believe that Mr. Hitchman means no malice by his article but it still shows an incredible amount of disrespect. Issue 46 is devoted to the Texas Hill Country in springtime with the Bluebonnet and Paintbrush bloom. There is a well known road called the "Willow City Loop" which is private and crosses mostly unfenced property. The residents allow traffic to use the road but ask that you don't stop either on the road or on the mostly non-existent shoulder - which obviously makes photography all but impossible. But it is their private property and they allow us at least to drive through and enjoy the beauty.
Mr. Hitchman reported how another photographer told him that he had been there the day before and the Sheriff had moved all the photographers out of the road sides and made them drive on. This clearly indicates that the request isn't just from the residents but is in fact, the law. Mr. Hitchman then describes how he went to the road, stopped and got out and set up his tripod and camera. After he stopped, several other cars stopped and did the same. He seemed amused that it was just a case of no one wanted to be the first to stop and that the Sheriff must of had other things to do that day. Then he made matters worse by encouraging others to do the same because you probably won't have any trouble from the Sheriff during the middle of the week.
Shame Mr. Hitchman. To be a photographer and set such a poor example. I have found after photographing for many years in Texas, that almost all private property is posted with no trespassing allowed. But the wonderful thing about private property owners of areas with natural beauty, is that they love sharing it with others. In most instances, all you need to do is just ask the owner if may take photographs on his property. In the years I have been doing this I have only been turned down a couple times. They are usually happy to share. Or maybe they are just so surprised that someone asked that they didn't know how to say no.
I am still a subscriber to the Photograph America Newsletter and plan on being as long as it is published. Mr. Hitchman made an error in this case but he still provides a quality product that I highly recommend. Visit his website at www.photographamerica.com.
In any case, always respect not only nature but the land owners who protect it.
Bill Plunkett
This was driven home to me yesterday while I was photographing at Mrs. Lee's Garden (www.daffodilgarden.com) near Gladewater, Texas. This is an amazing place - an 816 acre farm that has 28 or so acres planted in daffodils. Mrs. Helen Lee provided in her will that this garden be open to the public for everyone to enjoy the natural beauty of God's world. And volunteers keep the grounds in good shape and open to the public during the daffodil blooming season. All they ask is a donation at the gate and that everyone follow a few simple rules - don't walk on or sit on and especially DON"T PICK the flowers.
As I sat on the ground with my macro lens, I couldn't help overhearing a couple of volunteers talking. One was telling the other how he had just witnessed a woman picking the flowers and then trying to hide them behind her back as she walked away. His reaction was much gentler than mine would have been. He simply told her to get in her car and drive out the gate without stopping.
This woman showed disrespect to not only the volunteer, the garden itself, and the memory of Mrs. Lee, but also to nature itself. We've all heard the explanation, "if everyone picked just one flower..." but to me it goes much deeper than that - it represents a lack of civility that is rampant in our world today.
An egregious example of disrespecting private property and those who provide natural areas for us to enjoy is in the April 1997 issue number 46 of the Photograph America Newsletter. Robert Hitchman has published this newsletter for over 20 years and many photographers, including myself, use it to "pre-scout" areas to photograph before we arrive there. I do believe that Mr. Hitchman means no malice by his article but it still shows an incredible amount of disrespect. Issue 46 is devoted to the Texas Hill Country in springtime with the Bluebonnet and Paintbrush bloom. There is a well known road called the "Willow City Loop" which is private and crosses mostly unfenced property. The residents allow traffic to use the road but ask that you don't stop either on the road or on the mostly non-existent shoulder - which obviously makes photography all but impossible. But it is their private property and they allow us at least to drive through and enjoy the beauty.
Mr. Hitchman reported how another photographer told him that he had been there the day before and the Sheriff had moved all the photographers out of the road sides and made them drive on. This clearly indicates that the request isn't just from the residents but is in fact, the law. Mr. Hitchman then describes how he went to the road, stopped and got out and set up his tripod and camera. After he stopped, several other cars stopped and did the same. He seemed amused that it was just a case of no one wanted to be the first to stop and that the Sheriff must of had other things to do that day. Then he made matters worse by encouraging others to do the same because you probably won't have any trouble from the Sheriff during the middle of the week.
Shame Mr. Hitchman. To be a photographer and set such a poor example. I have found after photographing for many years in Texas, that almost all private property is posted with no trespassing allowed. But the wonderful thing about private property owners of areas with natural beauty, is that they love sharing it with others. In most instances, all you need to do is just ask the owner if may take photographs on his property. In the years I have been doing this I have only been turned down a couple times. They are usually happy to share. Or maybe they are just so surprised that someone asked that they didn't know how to say no.
I am still a subscriber to the Photograph America Newsletter and plan on being as long as it is published. Mr. Hitchman made an error in this case but he still provides a quality product that I highly recommend. Visit his website at www.photographamerica.com.
In any case, always respect not only nature but the land owners who protect it.
Bill Plunkett
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Class Action Lawsuit against Google
If you are a professional photographer, our an amateur who has been published in books, then please take note. There is a settlement in the class action lawsuit against Google by ASMP, the Graphic Artists Guild, the Picture Archive Council of America, and the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA). This settlement completely ignores any and all rights of the photographer - it compensates only the authors - unless the photographer owns the copyright to the entire book. The groups listed above will be filing an appeal on the settlement. For more information, including what you should do, go the the ASMP website at http://asmp.org/articles/google-settlement.html.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Annual Nature Photography Summit
The start of the 16th annual Nature Photography Summit presented by NANPA is almost here. But there is still time to register on-line at the NANPA web site. It will be in Reno NV from February 16 - 19. Registration details are at NANPA.ORG, click the large center summit image or in the upper right corner under EVENTS for details on the 2010 Nature Photography Summit.
The annual summit has always been one of the highlights of my year and I have only missed 3 of them. This year promises to be just as exciting and inspiring as ever with a slightly different format this year.
The Sierra Nevada are also close by as well as Lake Tahoe, so you can combine the Summit with a photo trip. There are several workshops being offered at the end of the conference as well.
The Summit is a no-miss event for serious nature photographers. Please go to the NANPA web site and see what is going to be available. I truly regret having to miss the times that I did.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Introduction to Digital Photography workshop
I have just posted detailed information about my upcoming workshop entitled "Introduction to Digital Photography with Adobe Lightroom." This 2 day seminar type workshop will be held March 27 & 28, 2010 at the Judson Community Center in Longview, TX. Please go to the web site page at http://www.plunkettphoto.com/ws-IDP.html for more information, or feel free to call me at 903.660.3269.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Bill Jay 1940 - 2009
Bill Jay 1940 - 2009
Although the photography magazine LensWork, a fine art B&W publication, is by no means a nature photography periodical , I have been a regular reader for ten or eleven years. It is probably the most beautifully published photography magazines in the world and I enjoy many of the articles. At the end of each issue was “EndNotes”, a selection of quotes (quips may be a better word) by photo historian, author and photographer Bill Jay. I was so intrigued by his writing that I purchased his books “On Being a Photographer” and “Occam’s Razor”. Mr. Jay had a way to cut to the meat of any issue. He argued for clear language when critiquing or reviewing photography and often assailed art critiques for their obtuse language. I will miss his wit and sense of humor.
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