Published and News

Press: 2 Portraits for Canadian Wildlife Magazine

in

I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing two great individuals for the July/August edition of Canadian Wildlife magazine. Alana Krug-MacLeod was awarded the Youth Conservation Award and Brent Cooke the Robert Bateman Award (given to one who brings awareness and conservation through artistic work). It's always a fun yet somewhat nerve wracking challenge shooting environmental portraits on location but it's also great way to get to know someone and their unique story in brief window of time and an opportunity to showcase them in a beautiful light.

For Alana's shot we walked around the Pearson College Campus in Metchosin until we found this nice glowing Garry oak meadow. The harsh midday sun was challenge in most areas but here the leaves helped filter it. I crouched down low in the grass and used the Canon 580EXII strobe as a fill light.

For Brent's shot we trekked around some nice forest trails near his house before deciding on this beautiful mountain top arbutus scene at sunset. Here I used the last rays of sun as a rim light while shooting my Vivitar 285 strobe through a white umbrella on a light stand as a soft fill.

Press: Environmentalists fight to save tract of old-growth Vancouver Island trees

in , ,

Thrilled to wake up and see one of my photos featuring the spectacular ancient forests of the Walbran Valley on the front page of the Times Colonist. If you can't bring everyone to the forest, bring the forest to everyone! Now we just need the headline to read: Walbran Giants Protected!!

I also had the fortunate opportunity to present a host of new images and information on the Walbran Valley to a full house forum in Victoria last night. A lot of great work is being done right now by citizens and organizations committed to protecting this global ecological treasure. I will be posting a link to a send-a-message site with a call to action soon!

 

 

Press: Central Walbran & Edinburgh Mt. Ancient Forest Threatened

in , ,

We've already picked up some big news coverage on the logging threat facing the endangered Central Walbran and Edinburgh Mountain Ancient Forests on southern Vancouver Island! Be sure to watch the Global TV interview with the Ancient Forest Alliance's Ken Wu below. Really happy to see that the included a lot of my photos and video footage of the areas alongside it as well! Video: http://globalnews.ca/video/2102896/vancouver-island-ancient-forests-at-risk

Press: Macleans Features Big Lonely Doug Climb

in ,

In celebration of Canada's 148th birthday, Macleans has featured 148 first-person videos from people and places across the country.  Up front is a 1 minute video of our climb up Big Lonely Doug, Canada's second largest Douglas-fir tree near Port Renfrew, shot by both Will Koomjian and myself. Keep an eye out for a photo in the print edition as well!

 

Press: Global BC News Coverage of Echo Lake Eagles

in , ,

Global BC News has now covered the campaign to protect the old-growth forests of Echo Lake on the Lower Mainland! Their focus is on the bald eagles, of which hundreds often roost in the giant Douglas-fir trees around the lake. I was able to provide Global with some eagle footage that I've shot over the past few years. It's always been painfully cold while filming them in winter so I'm happy to see the efforts pay off :) They've also included a gallery with some of my images at the bottom of the article. Follow the link to check it out! http://globalnews.ca/news/1906359/clear-cutting-threatens-echo-lake-eagle-colony/

Press: Globe & Mail Coverage - Echo Lake Campaign

in , ,

Yesterday's Globe and Mail featured one of my eagle images along with a story on our campaign to protect the old-growth forests around Echo Lake near Vancouver, the world's largest night roosting site for bald eagles. About 60% of the ancient forests around the lake were protected from logging in 2013 but the remaining 40% are still at risk. In 2014 we hosted a "Bio-Blitz" which resulted in the discovery of some rare and endangered species as well. It's high time that the BC government steps in to protect this incredible ecological treasure.
• Read the Bio-Blitz press release here: www.ancientforestalliance.org/news-item.php?ID=868
• Read the Globe and Mail article here: www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/race-is-on-to-save-fraser-valleys-bald-eagles-echo-lake-old-growth-forest/article23576358/

Recipient of 2015 Eco-Hero Award

in

A big thanks to all those who voted in the Hemp & Company Eco-Hero contest! I'm humbled to have tied for first with Misty MacDuffee of Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Congrats to each nominee as well, all of whom are doing amazing work in the local community. Anybody devoting time and energy each day towards making the planet a better place is an Eco-Hero to me! And thanks of course to Hemp & Company for showing leadership in recognizing citizen conservation efforts: http://www.hempandcompany.com/blogs/news/17382957-t-j-watt-of-the-ancient-forest-alliance-and-misty-macduffee-of-the-raincoast-conservation-foundation-winners-of-our-2015-eco-hero-award