Greener Photography

I found Greener Photography through a post on Jim Goldtein’s blog. What struck me about it was that its mission statement was very pragmatic and business oriented: consider the environment, learn better business practices, and exchange information. Blissfully missing are the political rhetoric, the doomsday statistics, and mock-environmental advertising. The site is about a simple goal that just makes sense.

Let’s be honest, so much of what we do as photographers is not environmentally friendly, even if our images are aimed at conservation. Modern cameras are made of composite materials which are not very recyclable, we use a lot of batteries containing some of the most hazardous and polluting materials (and if you’re not disposing of yours correctly – please just take them to the nearest recycling place), we often drive large gas-thirsty vehicles, introduce human presence into sensitive habitats (sometimes leading large groups). We use photographic papers, the vast majority of which are not produced from recycled materials. We continuously need more powerful computers, newer printers, larger monitors etc. All of which take significant energy to produce and operate, and most end up unrecycled in landfills once they have served their purpose etc.

And yet, there are many things we can do and practice that will not impact our business and help reduce our environmental footprint; things that take little work, require little or no added cost, and merely need us to be aware of other options. Greener Photography looks like it may be the place to gain such awareness.

Pass it on.

Category: Announcements