Over the weekend, we officially entered into Dark-Sky Week! I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the folks over at the International Dark-Sky Association for a while now and along the way I’ve learned much regarding the benefits of curbing light pollution. I’ve long known about it’s impact on night photography – but the issues that arise from an abundance of artificial light are much more complex than you might believe. To that end, IDA has created International Dark Sky week to bring awareness to many of those issues – from disrupting the patterns and habits of wildlife to artificially manipulating the moods and routines of human beings.
It may seem harmless, but light pollution has far-reaching consequences that are harmful to all living things. Effective outdoor lighting reduces light pollution, leading to a better quality of life for all. The dark sky movement is working to bring better lighting to communities around the world so that all life can thrive.
-International Dark-Sky Association
For more information and to find out what you can do to raise awareness within your community photographic or otherwise, visit DARKSKY.ORG.
To commemorate the increasingly popular topic of light pollution and efforts by the IDA to bring awareness to it’s benefits, I am currently running a 25% discount on my most recently (as of this post!) published book project, Night On Earth as well as my entire print collection – good this week only, until the end of Dark Sky Week on April 22nd.
I’ve picked out some of my favorite night-related prints, found below if you need a starting point. It’s always nice to be able to spark a dialogue with the photographs and artwork you choose to hang on your wall. With the accessible information in Night On Earth and the efforts of the IDA, these make for an excellent conversation piece.
AURORASTARTRAILS OVER DEADVLEINIGHT FISHERMENSTAR TRAILS OVER CEREUS CACTUSCOMET NEOWISE & MT. RAINIERTUAREG TRIBESMENINLE FISHERMENMILKY WAY OVER THE DEVIL’S MARBLESKOKERBOOMWAITING FOR NIGHTEVENING AT THE PUSHKAR FAIRCELESTIAL MOAI
I want to express my deepest gratitude & appreciation to the big crowd that turned out last night in Portland. After years and months of zoom calls, It was nice to see everyone safely in person.
For those who couldn’t make the event, I recently shared the stage with Ruskin Hartley, the Director of the International Dark-Sky Association. Included in that talk are some of the stories behind the photos in Night On Earth – available for streaming online:
This week (April 22 – 30) is International Dark Sky Week!
It may seem like a small thing that most may not ever think about, but artificial light pollution can be problematic for a number of reasons. Not only does it disrupt the natural habitat of wildlife by stifling reproduction, disrupting migration, and increase predation – it can also have harmful effects on human health and negatively impact climate change. Last but not least if you’re a photography enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys staring up at the heavens, light pollution greatly obscures our view of the universe around us.
There are a number of ways to get involved in curbing light pollution in your community. Most major cities may already have an organization or two to join or work along side. Community members can help measure light pollution and share data using their cell phone, and there are several things you can evaluate at your own home to cut down on the amount of artificial light contributed to the evening skies.
For more information and to find out what you can do to be an advocate for curbing light pollution in your community, visit darksky.org. Following the release of my latest book Night On Earth I had the pleasure of presenting with the International Dark-Sky Association’s Executive Director Ruskin Hartley. This is a fantastic and well-organized group doing great work. Check them out and get educated on light pollution and how you can help minimize it!
On the heels of being graciously invited to partake in the Night Photography Summit presented by B&H and National Parks at Night, I’m ecstatic to announce that Night On Earth has won gold in the PubWest Book Design Awards!
The PubWest Book Design Awards recognize superior design and outstanding production quality of books published throughout North America. A big thank you to our publishers at Insight Editions, who continue to support me and the projects I wish to bring to light.
An even bigger thank you to everyone who has purchased the book thus far. We’ve been shipping them out non-stop, not to mention the copies that have been sold at various events along the way. I love knowing that so many of you still appreciate the feel of a tangible photo book at a time when so much is online.night
You can still order your copy today – don’t forget to make a note to add a signature!
I’m excited to announce that today is the official publishing date for my latest book, Night On Earth! I set out to create a book that not only encompasses night photography of stars, cultures, animals and more – but also explores the margins of the night at both dusk and dawn. I wanted to capture the buzz of activity, the glow of the heavens, the lights of cities – all of the things that only reveal themselves when daylight gives way to darkness.
I’m incredibly happy with the way this book turned out as far as image quality, and the authors we worked with to make it a complete package. Included is a forward from Executive Director of the International Dark-Sky Association Ruskin Hartley, and an introduction by award-winning New Yorker staff writer David Owen.
Order your signed copy today! If you pre-ordered, your books will be on the way as soon as I can sign them. If you’re near the Seattle area I’ll be giving a Night On Earth presentation in just a few weeks on December 7th at Town Hall. Ruskin will also be joining me for this event as we talk about light pollution, how it affects each and every one of us – and what’s being done to minimize our human impact on the night sky.
