human impact

Our city was alight last night as was the countryside
the first, an exhibition the latter ecocide.

Infernos rage devouring branches, trees and leaves,
baking soil, cooking worms, singeing feathered wings ,
fragile membranes of flying foxes, gliders,
or burning them to oblivion. These creatures cannot outrun
the raging flames gathering force, uniting over ridges.
Wind assisted, the fires grow and gather speed.
These fires can turn a house, a car, a firetruck
into a skeleton or a mere suggestion of what was there before,
an imprint on the ground around what was yesterday a fireplace and chimney.

Smoke envelops once carefree seaside towns. The skies are dark at midday
and penetrating that thick blackness,
the sun appears faintly like a distant headlight through a London fog.

Cancelled camping trips leave city children disappointed.
Now trapped and urbanised, they take refuge in their phones
while those living on the coast are bailed up on beaches, homeless and afraid.
Others lost their lives, eaten up by flames.
The greatest toll was wildlife 500 million dead I'm told.
The rescued ones bear scars on ears and legs and toes
and there's nowhere to return to if by chance they are restored.

Australia's cities were alight last night in magnificent displays,
As the remnants of our forests were consumed in such a blaze!

The contest is international. This year it will focus on the human-ocean connection. The Marine Photobank is seeking images depicting human impacts on the ocean, its inhabitants and its resources, both restorative and destructive. First prize is a voyage for two aboard the National Geographic Endeavor to the Galapagos Islands with Lindblad Expeditions. There is also a second and third prize.

This awfully unsettling photograph by Terri Goss of a shark with a permanent hook in situ was the winner of last year's competition.

Conservation Photo contest launched to inspire Ocean Protection

SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank Partners with Lindblad Expeditions for Fifth Anniversary Contest to Shine Spotlight on Ocean Conservation through Photography

October 1, 2012 marked the launch of the fifth annual Ocean in Focus Conservation Photography Contest by SeaWeb’s Marine Photobank program. The goal of the contest is to inspire photographers, from hobby photographers to professional photographers, to care about the ocean and focus their lens on the true positive and negative human impacts on the marine environment.

The contest this year will focus on the human-ocean connection. The Marine Photobank is seeking images depicting human impacts on the ocean, its inhabitants and its resources, both restorative and destructive. The Ocean In Focus photo contest launches October 1, 2012 and will accept photos at www.marinephotobank.com through January 31, 2013 11:59pm U.S. Eastern Time. Finalists will be chosen based on the photo submissions and will be eligible to compete in the first grand prize photo essay competition for a chance to win an expedition to the Galapagos Islands courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions.

“This inspiring photo contest has generated remarkably compelling images from photographers all around the world,” said Dawn M. Martin, President of SeaWeb. “To celebrate the fifth year of the contest, we want to turn the lens back on to the photographers and the rich, motivating stories they tell with their photographs. The newly incorporated photo essay component will capture these stories and more-fully tell the tale of their encounters with the ocean.”

Following a review from a panel of judges representing the photography, ocean conservation and responsible travel communities, finalists will be announced in February 2013. Finalists will then be invited to submit 3-4 images for a photo essay of 400-600 words. The same panel of judges will judge the photo essays and the winner will receive recognition as SeaWeb’s Photographer Of The Year.

Finalists will take home a copy of renowned marine scientist, Callum Robert’s, recently released book, The Ocean of Life. One finalist, selected for the best overall image, will also receive a Solio Q-Cells solar charger for charging your devices in the field with the power of the sun. The grand prize package, awarded to the Photographer Of The Year, is a voyage for two aboard the National Geographic Endeavor to the Galapagos Islands courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions.

“We want to hear the stories behind these incredible images and give our contributing photographers a voice and an opportunity to tell others about the truths they have witnessed in the ocean,” said Devin Harvey, Manager of the Marine Photobank.

The photo contest launch coincides with the 2011 Ocean in Focus contest winner, Terry Goss’, voyage to the Galapagos Islands aboard the National Geographic Endeavor with Lindblad Expeditions. Goss received the grand prize in 2011 for his stunning underwater photograph of a blue shark with a rusted hook protruding from its lower jaw. The shark may not have been the intended target of the longline, demonstrating the sometimes-unavoidable impact of humans on ocean wildlife. Goss’ photo was shot with a Nikon D300, with a Nikkor 10.5mm fisheye lens inside an Aquatica housing, using two Sea & Sea YS90 strobes. Follow Goss’ travels through the Galapagos Islands through SeaWeb’s twitter account: www.twitter.com/SeaWeb_Org.

“It’s a true honor and an amazing opportunity to yet again be partnering with the Lindblad Expeditions team on this effort. Their expertise and passion to share stories from around the world is what, in the end, will save our ocean” said Martin.

The Marine Photobank inspires photographers to actively engage in ocean issues by capturing photographs of our ocean ecosystem. By turning their lenses in a different direction—one that informs and inspires positive action, photographers can help conserve marine species and their environments. Beautiful ocean photography has the power to inspire awe and raise awareness, but truly impactful photography will shine a light on the dark truths of human impact to the ocean and has the power to affect change. Many challenges lie ahead for the ocean and it will take even more dedication to turn the tide on our changing seas. This is the role photographers can play.

For dates and details on submitting photos, and other rules and regulations, visit www.marinephotobank.com. Find more information about the contest on Facebook: www.facebook.com/marinephotobank and through SeaWeb’s twitter account: www.twitter.com/SeaWeb_org. Use the official hash tag of the contest: #MPBphotocontest.

Lindblad Expeditions, specialists in expedition travel, voyages the world in alliance with National Geographic to inspire travelers to explore and care about the planet. Their renowned expedition team includes a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor on every voyage to help guests bring their skills to the next level. Join them on hikes, Zodiac rides, or on deck during a thrilling wildlife encounter. Swim and snorkel with sea lions, penguins and sea turtles. Discover nature in its purest form on one of the most significant travel experiences of your life. www.expeditions.com

The Marine Photobank, a project of SeaWeb, encourages ocean conservation by collecting and providing compelling, high quality marine photos, images and graphics at no cost for noncommercial use as well as for media use under special terms. The Marine Photobank aims to illuminate pressing marine issues and human impacts on the ocean through imagery. www.marinephotobank.org. Follow us at facebook.com/MarinePhotobank.

SeaWeb is the only international, nonprofit organization exclusively using the science of communications to fundamentally shift the way people interact with the ocean. To accomplish this important goal, SeaWeb convenes forums where economic, policy, social and environmental interests converge to improve ocean health. We transform knowledge into action by shining a spotlight on workable, science-based solutions to the most serious threats facing the ocean, such as climate change, pollution and depletion of marine life. We work collaboratively with targeted sectors to encourage market solutions, policies and behaviors that result in a healthy, thriving ocean. By informing and empowering diverse ocean voices and conservation champions, SeaWeb is creating a culture of ocean conservation. For more information, visit: www.seaweb.org, or follow us on Twitter: email and Facebook: SeaWeb_org.