Conservation photography

[1] A notable example are the powerful images of Carleton Watkins which were successfully used to stimulate the establishment of Yosemite National Park in 1864 and William Henry Jackson and Ansel Adams who advocated for expansion and continued funding of the park.

Renewed emphasis on photography-for-conservation arose at the beginning of the 21st century, primarily in response to the human-caused environmental crisis, recognizing that the global pattern of ecosystem degradation was not sustainable.

Determined effort can result in excellent photo stories that can move people's hearts and minds.

Though not every picture may find an immediate use, a carefully catalogued archive of conservation pictures can help increase impact of conservation related news stories, provide material for public awareness campaigns, including internet activism and sometimes serve as Investigative journalism evidence in court proceedings.

Images of habitat destruction, especially in protected areas, can be important as legal evidence against the activity.

Photo of Management sign encouraging wildlife conservation
Ansel Easton Adams (1902–1984), an American photographer and environmentalist , photo by J. Malcolm Greany
Photo by Carleton E. Watkins (1829–1916) of Mt. Broderick and Nevada Fall (700 ft.) at Yosemite Valley in 1861
Photo by Ansel Adams of Yosemite Half Dome, Apple Orchard, trees with snow on branches in April 1933
Photo of a vendor in Tanzania in 2000 selling to tourists threatened species seashells which have been taken alive from the sea, killing the animal inside.
Photo of Greenpeace protest against Esso / ExxonMobil in 2003
True-colour satellite image showing flooding in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani Provinces in Central Thailand (right), compared to before the flooding (left) in 2011
Photo of Illegal logging in Thailand was taken from the roadside in Chiang Mai Province in 2011
Photo of roadkilled kangaroo in Australia