A New Lens on Conservation: The "New Big 5" Photography Book
In a bid to revive the dwindling wildlife, British photographer Graeme Green has taken up the mantle of the "Big Five," traditionally referring to the iconic African animals that were once hunted for their trophies. However, Green's vision is broader - he's created a global "New Big 5" photography book, showcasing 144 renowned photographers from around the world, all united by a common goal: to raise awareness about endangered species.
The book features breathtaking images of the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger, five animals that have been designated as ambassadors for the plight of wildlife on our planet. According to the United Nations, one million animal and plant species are facing extinction, with these five creatures being a stark reminder of what we're losing.
Green's project was conceived over a decade ago, when he was on assignment in Botswana. He wanted to encourage people to "shoot" with their cameras rather than guns, thus shifting the focus from hunting wildlife to documenting its beauty and majesty.
The book is not just a visual feast but also a call to action. It highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts, rewilding, and indigenous community involvement in protecting our planet's precious biodiversity. Essays by renowned conservationists like Jane Goodall and Paula Kahumbu emphasize the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding wildlife.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is its scope. Beyond the five iconic animals, it includes a chapter on endangered species from bees to blue whales, illustrating the far-reaching impact of climate change on our planet's delicate ecosystem.
Green believes that this book is more than just a photography project - it's a global call to action. "We have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we've inflicted on the natural world," says Goodall in her foreword. "But only if we get together and take action now."
The book, titled "The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife," is set to be published on April 4, 2023, by Earth Aware Editions.
In a bid to revive the dwindling wildlife, British photographer Graeme Green has taken up the mantle of the "Big Five," traditionally referring to the iconic African animals that were once hunted for their trophies. However, Green's vision is broader - he's created a global "New Big 5" photography book, showcasing 144 renowned photographers from around the world, all united by a common goal: to raise awareness about endangered species.
The book features breathtaking images of the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger, five animals that have been designated as ambassadors for the plight of wildlife on our planet. According to the United Nations, one million animal and plant species are facing extinction, with these five creatures being a stark reminder of what we're losing.
Green's project was conceived over a decade ago, when he was on assignment in Botswana. He wanted to encourage people to "shoot" with their cameras rather than guns, thus shifting the focus from hunting wildlife to documenting its beauty and majesty.
The book is not just a visual feast but also a call to action. It highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts, rewilding, and indigenous community involvement in protecting our planet's precious biodiversity. Essays by renowned conservationists like Jane Goodall and Paula Kahumbu emphasize the importance of collective responsibility in safeguarding wildlife.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is its scope. Beyond the five iconic animals, it includes a chapter on endangered species from bees to blue whales, illustrating the far-reaching impact of climate change on our planet's delicate ecosystem.
Green believes that this book is more than just a photography project - it's a global call to action. "We have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we've inflicted on the natural world," says Goodall in her foreword. "But only if we get together and take action now."
The book, titled "The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife," is set to be published on April 4, 2023, by Earth Aware Editions.