The Telegraph, UK picks up Gray Tree Frog Photo; other 'Environmental Photographer of the Year' competition images

The Telegraph of London has posted an on-line gallery featuring the winner of the 2008 CIWEN environmental photographer of the year competition and the remaining 23, highly commended, photographs. I am very humbled to have made one of the highly-commended images to be included in the exhibit. See this post for more information.

Environmental Photographer of the Year Exhibition 2008, London, UK

I received the good news this morning that one of my images (pictured above) will be included in the gallery exhibit for the 2008 Environmental Photographer of the Year Competition. The show will be held at London's Arts Pavilion in the Mile End Ecology Park which is an 'earth sheltered building in a formal landscape setting dominated by the water pools which it overlooks.' The show will be on display from September 17th - October 11th 2008.

The prestigious competition was judged by renowned photographer, author and ILCP member, Gary Braasch who is a recipient of the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography.

This is the official press-release for the competition:

Photographs dealing with some of the most important issues of our time will be on display from 17th September until 11th October 2008 at The Art Pavilion, Mile End Park, east London. The 2008 Environmental Photographer of the Year exhibition includes images that are resonant, creative and beautiful. Over 1,400 pictures were entered into the competition, examining issues such as poverty, climate change, human rights, leisure, culture, biodiversity and natural beauty. The categories were Changing Climates; A World of Difference; Quality of Life; The Natural World; and a special Under 21 category which had no thematic boundaries. The entries were judged on impact, creativity, composition, originality and technical abilities, by some of the most respected environmental photographers in the industry, including Gary Braasch, winner of the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography, Anthony Epes and Ronnie Israel. Lord Smith, acting Chief Executive of the Environment Agency selected the final overall winner who became the Environmental Photographer of the Year.

For more information please visit the official website.

Landscapes of the Spirit essay by William Neill

World-Class Nature Photographer William Neill has posted a really insightful and inspiring essay on his experiences in nature and nature photography here at 'The Luminous Landscape.' His personal blog is well worth a visit and always a very positive place to discuss great images.

Much of what Mr. Neill expresses in his writing is the moment behind the photograph; the attempt to capture the essence of place rather than always focusing on just capturing a literal image of a landscape of other subject. If you aren't familiar with his work please take a moment to review his portfolio.

Clay

Four-Hole Swamp, Charleston, SC

I have been spending some time down along the South Carolina coast photographing several properties for a project that I'm currently involved with. One of my absolute favorite places to visit is the Francis Beilder Forest which is a very accessible portion of the Four-Hole Swamp; the largest remaining tract of virgin bald-cypress/tupelo gum swamp in the world. Some of the trees at the preserve are estimated to be around 1,000 years old which means that they were standing long before Columbus arrived in the New World. Incredible when you consider how much has changed since some of these old giants were just seedlings.The swamp is a haven for bird life, reptiles, amphibians and some really great plants. During my 4 hour visit I saw and heard several birds including prothonotary warblers and a barred owl. Four-Hole Swamp is an amazing place to photograph snakes and I was pleased to have an opportunity to photograph this little red-bellied watersnake. I also saw several five-lined skinks sunning themselves on uprooted trees.
One nice surprise was this fairly large fawn sitting quietly just beyond the trail's edge. You really never know what you'll see there; especially if you arrive early.