Sustainability in photography is important because it helps reduce the environmental impact of photography and can also be used to raise awareness about current and even future environmental issues.
Sustainable photography can be:
- Incorporating recycled materials in images or methods
- Printing on eco-friendly surfaces/materials that have been recycled or sustainably sourced
- Reducing waste by double checking printing dimensions (making sure there are no mistakes before sending final pieces to print)
- Conserving energy by using more natural light sources instead of artificial lighting for shoots
- Walk to shooting locations or use public transport to reduce pollution from fossil fuels
- Simply visualise the consequences of not being sustainable and exhibit it to the public
- Maintain and look after equipment to prevent damage and having to get replacements (reduce e-waste going to landfill and contaminating environments for plant and animal life)
- Use a camera with a long battery life (so it requires less charging) and energy-saving features e.g. sleep mode
I am going to try my best to consider sustainability in every shoot I carry out during this project.