I recently sat down once again with Parimal Deshpande for an episode of Earth Is Our Witness – in which I was the subject rather than the Artist-In-Residence. We’ll be releasing the episode in its entirety this holiday season. Until then, enjoy this segment on photographing wildlife in Africa as I discuss a variety of subjects ranging from conservation to technique – and stay tuned for more as we approach the release of Wild Lives!
Don’t forget to follow Earth Is Our Witness on Youtube, Instagram and Facebook for more amazing photographs and the stories behind them.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year now since Parimal started Earth Is Our Witness – an opportunity to speak and connect with photographers from all around the world, whom all have a passion for the way that photography connects humanity and our planet. We’ve seen some beyond-belief photos only to heart he very real stories behind them; some tragic, many epic – but all with the overlying theme that we are connected and in the end, not so different in our dreams and aspirations.
Given the complexity of locations, schedules, and time zones it’s been no small feat for Parimal to get many of the EIOW alum together for a couple of zoom reunion parties, and you’re welcome to join!
SESSION 1 – Friday, June 25, 6 pm PST / 9 pm EST
SESSION 2 – Sunday, June 27, 10 am PST / 1 pm EST
Join the live stream at these times, or if you’re not able to make it they will be there to view later. Of course, joining live means you wont miss a thing and can also participate in the live Q&A!
If you can make it and support EIOW and all of the hard work that Parimal has put into it, we would love to see you there live – tell your friends, tell your family, check out amazing photos and hear the stories behind them.
As promised during Tequila Time last night, here are the images from last night’s talk in case you wanted a closer look. As always we can print almost any image you see here, on my website, or anywhere else! Contact my staff and let them know what you’re looking for – they would be happy to help walk you through the process. If you happen to like an image from this series, just use the “i” button to see the photo info and note the last 3 digits of the file name when you inquire about the image.
In case you missed it, after TT Parimal and myself also had a great talk with Bandeep Singh and his never before seen body of work, “Gaia’s Song”. Check it out, and be sure to follow Earth is our witness on YouTube for more great interviews with photographers about their important work documenting culture, conservation, climate, and more!
Busy week both here in Art Wolfe land and the world! Sports are returning in limited fashion, political fallout, and conflicts of ideology that are having harmful results (wear a mask! Please – I have many more book projects to complete!). I absolutely enjoyed chatting with Michelle Valberg last night on Earth Is Our Witness. If you enjoyed Michelle’s work, don’t forget to pop over to the Earth Is Our Witness Instagram page and give a photo you like a comment – a lucky winner will receive a free print!
Last night on Tequila Time, I had a bit of fun with a look at some of the antics of my youth, but I also ended on a poignant note. As many of you are aware, the flora, fauna, and livelihood of local fishermen is under immense threat by the proposed Pebble Mine project in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska If the Pebble Mine goes through, the bears will lose, the fish will lose, Alaskans will lose, and Earth will lose. It’s short term gain for the few and long-term destruction for the many.
A little over a year ago now I sent out a call to action to contact your congresspersons and let them know your thoughts on this project, that only serves to propagate wealth for the few while ravaging this beautiful and globally unique environment that we and future generations will lose out on.
With the recent Army Corps of Engineer’s Environmental Impact Study being labelled as inherently flawed and wholly inadequate by respected organizations such as the NRDC and the obvious interests of the Save Bristol Bay campaign, it’s time to make voices heard. No project ever goes flawlessly. We know this as humans. I do my best to see both sides of a conflict, but when it comes to matters of the environment versus the personal gain of a few individuals whom already possess the means to undertake such an environmentally devastating project, my decision is very simple.
We will continue to fight the good fight! Have a fantastic weekend!
First and foremost is the live broadcast in which Parimal and myself spoke with Jasmine Carey about her work as an ocean and underwater photographer. I won’t spoil too much – watch the video! You won’t be disappointed by this interview and her gorgeous photos. Jasmine was the Grand Prize winner of this year’s prestigious HIPA Award for their theme of “Water”. You’ll understand why!
If you missed any previous installments of Earth Is Our Witness and don’t want to miss a future episode in which we might be chatting with one of your personal favorite photographers, give Earth is Our Witness a follow on Facebook!
Check out Jasmine’s website as well. Her online store includes a gift box of miniature prints, with a large portion of the proceeds benefiting Rainforest Rescue. Add two to your cart and use the code WITNESS and get one of them for free!
Preceding our chat with Jasmine it was Tequila Time! This week I took a break from showing photos to bring my long-time friend and travel companion Gavriel Jecan on with me. He’s missing his family back in Thailand, as he’s been stuck here in the states. Time to grill the man who makes the margaritas behind the scenes!
In case you missed it, Parimal Deshpande and myself had another fantastic couple of live streams last night – check them out:
If you haven’t followed Earth is Our Witness yet on Facebook and Instagram, we’ve got a fantastic lineup of photographers from a wide range of backgrounds to talk to. Last evening we spoke with Mark Edward Harris, travel photographer with riveting stories from North Korea and Japan. He has a unique perspective from his time spent in these locations, don’t miss it!
Early in the evening I discussed my upcoming book project, Act of Faith with the Tequila Time audience. You can find that video on both Instagram and Facebook. Enjoy, and I’ll see you next week!
It’s Thursday – That means it’s Tequila Time as well as a new episode of Earth Is Our Witness! If you haven’t joined the fun, things kick off here in a half an hour or so, and because I know folks would love to see higher resolution of the photos I’ll be discussing, here is a slide show in advance of the Tequila flowing!
Tonight on Tequila Time (5:30 PST On Facebook Live & Instagram) I’ll be answering your questions as usually and then presenting a selection of photos from a current book-in-progress called “Act of Faith” – a look at religions and spirituality world wide! If you have any suggestions of obscure faiths that could be interesting to add to my list, drop a commend below!
Earth is Our Witness will feature travel photographer Mark Edward Harris, with stories of North Korea and the Way of the Japanese Bath. It will kick off on the Earth is Our Witness Facebook Live at 7 PM – Give EIOW a follow on both Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date. See you shortly!
Friends – follow @EarthIsOurWitness on Instagram! Be a part of an exciting new channel dedicated to embracing the awesome power that photography can have in connecting cultures and inspiring positive change. With a diverse complement of photographers participating in EIOW, you won’t want so miss an update or live stream!
What is EARTH IS OUR WITNESS?
Simply put, EIOW is a collaborative showcase project featuring several reputable photographers, yours truly included! Our goal in creating this showcase is to embrace the influential power that a photograph can have in appealing to the compassion of humanity. A single compelling photo can inspire lasting positive change.
In recent weeks, I’ve been repeating the mantra that people around this beautiful blue orb are not all that different. Photography is the ultimate universal language – and through this collaboration of shared collections, poignant images, and candid conversations with prolific photographers around the world we will illustrate how it connects us all.
Last night, Host Parimal Deshpande and myself previewed EIOW, and we had our first interview with Australia’s Darren Jew who’s specialty is under water photography – you can catch both videos on the EIOW Instagram TV Page. I’m thrilled about what lies ahead – I hope you are as well!
