I am in the exact same boat as you. Nature photography had taught me so much about the land, and myself. It has helped me find a passion to learn about how things are connected, wild edibles, mushrooms and following the seasons. But lately I've felt a sadness, that "taking pretty pictures" isn't enough. So I too am on a path of exploration, hoping to find a way to do more.
Thank you so much for your comments Rania. I really enjoyed your post, it sounds like we have a lot of similar thoughts. I have subscribed to your substack and look forward to following your journey. 🙂
A very thought provoking article and one I can identify with. As an insect photographer I was very disturbed by the lack of insects during 2024, around the area I live in. I think as photographers we all need to get the message 'out there'. I have volunteered to help the village bug club ( a group of young children) to photographer and record all the insects they see this year with the idea of displaying the results later in the year.
That is fantastic Rosey! What a lovely project and so worthwhile. As has already been mentioned in another comment I think inspiring the young is the best way forward because once you have developed a love for nature it never leaves you. I hope the project is a real success.
A timely post Gill and with some beautiful images...every year I see more and more changes locally. Last year for instance the Cuckoos which were so prevalent in our local valley didn't return...worrying times for our planet. I'll look forward to seeing some of your collaboration work.
Thank you very much for your comments Lin. It is sad to see how things are going especially when birds like cuckoos fail to return to somewhere they have always been. I think that is when it really hits home.
I am looking forward to getting started with my collaborations and I am sure I will be writing about them in future posts. 🙂
Beautiful images Gill - it is so nice to be able to return to a familiar place and focus on just one idea like focussing on the shingle islands. I am incredibly frustrated with our collective inability to take action to protect nature and stop imposing costs on future generations. Increasingly I am looking to use my skills to tell the stories and show what is at stake to support collective action at a local level.
Thank you very much for your comments James. I can really relate to how you feel and think that your idea of showing the impact of the nature crisis on the local area is a really worthwhile one. People are much more likely to pay attention when they can identify and relate to the subjects they see in your images.
Beautiful images of a place I haven’t been too for far too long Gill!!! I understand your quandry with the ‘what can I do?’ scenario but as a fellow photographer you are already highlighting the beauty of nature. I have no doubt your photography already inspires people to think ‘what can I do?’. Must catch up on your other entries!!!
A lovely written article with a fabulous collection of images all involving a subject matter that concerns us all. It's far to big but little things like collecting rubbish, planting insects friendly plants or even hanging bee and insect hybanation tubes help but when the government reintroduces a band insectersid that kills Bee's in there thousands it's always going to be a up hill struggle on every level.
I look forward to joining the Gill Moon Guild with maybe a secret hand shake or a Polo shirt with the Moon motif under the collar or a password for an extra slice of Rhubarb Cake.
Thank you very much for your comments Ian . I agree that little things make a big difference and I understand your frustration with the insecticide thing - I feel the same way.
I am not sure about the secret guild but the rhubarb cake sounds like a good plan! 🙂
I have a suggestion and please forgive me if I'm being too forward. How about offering your walks to youngsters at a school. I firmly believe it is with the youngsters that the change will come.
Thank you very much for your suggestion Roberta, which I think is a great idea. I developed my love for the natural world as a child and this has stayed with me all my life - so it is definitely the best place to start.
Many thanks for sharing. While biodiversity has decreased significantly in the UK in the past 40 years or so, there is at least a recognition of this problem and a desire to repair things - hence the recovery of species like red kites and white-tailed eagles.
Thank you very much for your comments and whilst I agree I still think there is so much to be done. The countryside I see now in East Anglia is much more empty of wildlife than it was 50 years ago and that is what I find most depressing. However I agree that programs like those you mentioned have been a huge success and I have enjoyed watching both these birds in the wild.
Such a beautiful post Gill! I think sharing your work, the beauty you see is important and will inspire others alongside your writing. Even if it doesn't bring immediate action it will plant a seed of thought.
I love all the photos in this post, particularly the birds against the colourful sky. Also Orford Ness spit sounds interesting, sounds similar to Chesil beach which people here either love or hate.
Thank you very much for your comments Hayley and I am glad you enjoyed the post and the images. The shot with the cormorants is my favourite as it was such a lovely moment to witness. I have never been to Chesil beach but I imagine they are similar landscapes.
Powerful essay, Gill! I have many of the same thoughts, questions, and feelings. Your idea to facilitate nature connection in other is right on, and exactly what I am aiming to do. In that sense, as artists, I think it is good to share images of nature in its best form. So, I do leave out trash or distractions in the framing of my photos. I see this as capturing the best of what nature offers and is different than other types of photo manipulation that create something that was never there.
Thank you very much Erik, I am glad you enjoyed it. It's also great to hear that you have the same thoughts. As photographers, if we can inspire others to seek their own connection with nature through our work, then that has to be a good thing.
You raise such critical questions, Gill. Something about how the first part, with its sublime photographs, immersion in the place, and your thoughtful observations, softened me up to feel your dilemma and questions more than usual. I have the same questions. Following my heart feels true and also like not enough in the face of multiple crises.
Gill, I’m with you and Julie on the critical question. Our purposes align. If you haven’t already, please join us in Rebecca Wisent’s magnificent Substack where she provides space for nature writers to gather. 🌱🌿💚
'...to use my work to help facilitate nature connection in others'. I couldn't have put it better myself. I have also spent a long time thinking and come to pretty much the same conclusion. Looking forward to the year ahead!
Saw tranquility in every piece of your photos ✨
My fav is flying birds in the sky.
Thank you very much Fanny, I am glad you enjoyed the photos. 🙂
I am in the exact same boat as you. Nature photography had taught me so much about the land, and myself. It has helped me find a passion to learn about how things are connected, wild edibles, mushrooms and following the seasons. But lately I've felt a sadness, that "taking pretty pictures" isn't enough. So I too am on a path of exploration, hoping to find a way to do more.
I write a little bit about that here, if you want to connect more on the topic: https://grainandfern.substack.com/p/seeing-the-world-through-the-viewfinder
I subscribed and can't wait to follow your journey! ✨️
Thank you so much for your comments Rania. I really enjoyed your post, it sounds like we have a lot of similar thoughts. I have subscribed to your substack and look forward to following your journey. 🙂
A very thought provoking article and one I can identify with. As an insect photographer I was very disturbed by the lack of insects during 2024, around the area I live in. I think as photographers we all need to get the message 'out there'. I have volunteered to help the village bug club ( a group of young children) to photographer and record all the insects they see this year with the idea of displaying the results later in the year.
That is fantastic Rosey! What a lovely project and so worthwhile. As has already been mentioned in another comment I think inspiring the young is the best way forward because once you have developed a love for nature it never leaves you. I hope the project is a real success.
A timely post Gill and with some beautiful images...every year I see more and more changes locally. Last year for instance the Cuckoos which were so prevalent in our local valley didn't return...worrying times for our planet. I'll look forward to seeing some of your collaboration work.
Thank you very much for your comments Lin. It is sad to see how things are going especially when birds like cuckoos fail to return to somewhere they have always been. I think that is when it really hits home.
I am looking forward to getting started with my collaborations and I am sure I will be writing about them in future posts. 🙂
Nice shots and a very interesting and thought provoking article.
Thank you very much Philip, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Beautiful images Gill - it is so nice to be able to return to a familiar place and focus on just one idea like focussing on the shingle islands. I am incredibly frustrated with our collective inability to take action to protect nature and stop imposing costs on future generations. Increasingly I am looking to use my skills to tell the stories and show what is at stake to support collective action at a local level.
Thank you very much for your comments James. I can really relate to how you feel and think that your idea of showing the impact of the nature crisis on the local area is a really worthwhile one. People are much more likely to pay attention when they can identify and relate to the subjects they see in your images.
Beautiful images of a place I haven’t been too for far too long Gill!!! I understand your quandry with the ‘what can I do?’ scenario but as a fellow photographer you are already highlighting the beauty of nature. I have no doubt your photography already inspires people to think ‘what can I do?’. Must catch up on your other entries!!!
Thank you very much for your comments Jon. I suspect you are right, it just feels like there is more than can be done.
Maybe I will bump into you on the beach at Shingle Street one day. 🙂
A lovely written article with a fabulous collection of images all involving a subject matter that concerns us all. It's far to big but little things like collecting rubbish, planting insects friendly plants or even hanging bee and insect hybanation tubes help but when the government reintroduces a band insectersid that kills Bee's in there thousands it's always going to be a up hill struggle on every level.
I look forward to joining the Gill Moon Guild with maybe a secret hand shake or a Polo shirt with the Moon motif under the collar or a password for an extra slice of Rhubarb Cake.
Thank you very much for your comments Ian . I agree that little things make a big difference and I understand your frustration with the insecticide thing - I feel the same way.
I am not sure about the secret guild but the rhubarb cake sounds like a good plan! 🙂
I have a suggestion and please forgive me if I'm being too forward. How about offering your walks to youngsters at a school. I firmly believe it is with the youngsters that the change will come.
Thank you very much for your suggestion Roberta, which I think is a great idea. I developed my love for the natural world as a child and this has stayed with me all my life - so it is definitely the best place to start.
Many thanks for sharing. While biodiversity has decreased significantly in the UK in the past 40 years or so, there is at least a recognition of this problem and a desire to repair things - hence the recovery of species like red kites and white-tailed eagles.
Thank you very much for your comments and whilst I agree I still think there is so much to be done. The countryside I see now in East Anglia is much more empty of wildlife than it was 50 years ago and that is what I find most depressing. However I agree that programs like those you mentioned have been a huge success and I have enjoyed watching both these birds in the wild.
Yes, the overall trend is definitely in the wrong direction!
Such a beautiful post Gill! I think sharing your work, the beauty you see is important and will inspire others alongside your writing. Even if it doesn't bring immediate action it will plant a seed of thought.
I love all the photos in this post, particularly the birds against the colourful sky. Also Orford Ness spit sounds interesting, sounds similar to Chesil beach which people here either love or hate.
Thank you very much for your comments Hayley and I am glad you enjoyed the post and the images. The shot with the cormorants is my favourite as it was such a lovely moment to witness. I have never been to Chesil beach but I imagine they are similar landscapes.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful landscape photos. They have truly captured the essence of nature's splendor.
Thank you very much Randy, I am glad you enjoyed them.
Powerful essay, Gill! I have many of the same thoughts, questions, and feelings. Your idea to facilitate nature connection in other is right on, and exactly what I am aiming to do. In that sense, as artists, I think it is good to share images of nature in its best form. So, I do leave out trash or distractions in the framing of my photos. I see this as capturing the best of what nature offers and is different than other types of photo manipulation that create something that was never there.
Thank you very much Erik, I am glad you enjoyed it. It's also great to hear that you have the same thoughts. As photographers, if we can inspire others to seek their own connection with nature through our work, then that has to be a good thing.
You raise such critical questions, Gill. Something about how the first part, with its sublime photographs, immersion in the place, and your thoughtful observations, softened me up to feel your dilemma and questions more than usual. I have the same questions. Following my heart feels true and also like not enough in the face of multiple crises.
Gill, I’m with you and Julie on the critical question. Our purposes align. If you haven’t already, please join us in Rebecca Wisent’s magnificent Substack where she provides space for nature writers to gather. 🌱🌿💚
Mmmm, beautiful nadscapes!
'...to use my work to help facilitate nature connection in others'. I couldn't have put it better myself. I have also spent a long time thinking and come to pretty much the same conclusion. Looking forward to the year ahead!