Greener Photography (simple tips and resources)
Photography is a hobby and profession for millions of people. Thankfully most photographic paper (which used gelatine) has been replaced by digital cameras (if you still use traditional cameras, choose gelatine-free photographic paper). Of course, most people these days take photos on their smartphone.
Never disturb wild creatures (nor use flash photography). Stay well away and use a zoom lens. If the creature is looking at you, you’re too close.
Sell unwanted cameras at Camera Resale. Enter postcode at Recycle Your Electricals to recycle old cameras (if you buy new, the store must by law accept the old one for recycling, and also recycle camera batteries at any store that sells them). In northeast England, you can pass on unwanted cameras to Camera Donation Project.
Paper Shoot Camera (made from stone paper)
Paper Shoot Camera is a digital camera made from recycled materials and encased in stone paper ((compressed limestone & biodegradable resin) making it water-resistant. Each camera includes rechargeable batteries.
Compact and lightweight, this camera has all the features you’d expect of a normal camera, just upload photos using the included SD card to your phone or laptop. Keep rechargeable batteries away from heat, light & metal items like coins.
You can also use the shutter button to take time-lapse photos & videos, and the camera replaces a built-in flash with a detachable ring light. Made ethically in Taiwan (the founder is a resident paper engineer).
Respect Wildlife, When Taking Photographs
Lee Frost – this is a dragonfly
It’s best really to leave wildlife alone, as flash can shock or kill, and if wildlife is looking at you, you’re always too close. Never entice creatures with food, use a zoom lens and avoid flash lenses.
If you do photograph other creatures, wear dull shades (green and brown) to blend into the background, and don’t make any noise. Never block a creature’s view (it could disturb feeding or nesting) and if an animal looks frozen or agitated, it’s time to back off. Report concerns to wildlife rescues.
Use Photographic Skills to Help Animals
Kind volunteers at animal shelters often take terrible photos! So if you are a talented photographer, show shelter animals in their true light, with happy faces and natural backgrounds, this helps to up adoption rates. Find out more at Hearts Speak (see examples of before/after images at Bored Panda).
Keep pets away from toxic plants, even though flowers may look nice. Many dogs have guardian behaviours or allergies, so avoid using treats or dressing up pets.
Sophie Gamand has good tips (that’s one of her subjects above!) She is very experienced and says that dogs in cages, may go a bit nuts when brought out to play and have their photos taken, so be aware of this.
One portrait Sophie took of a blind senior dog who kept facing the wrong way, went viral after she just went with it as a comedy statement. Of course the lucky pooch found her forever home!
Mutley’s Snaps also has good tips for other pet photographers (his work is beyond amazing!) He uses his skills to take photos of local mutts, to produce a calendar that raises funds for an animal shelter.
KLIK (a no-screen basic digital camera)
KLIK has no screen or camera roll, and again is sold with a rechargeable battery. The screen-free camera gives 500 shots in one charge, for retro-style shots. Just plug in and upload your photos via USB.
Posable (an alternative to disposable cameras)
Posable is for weddings or other special occasions. You are sent several digital cameras for guests to take photos, then these are returned postage-paid. You are then sent all the photos online to create an album of ‘reportage’ photography to create a wedding album.
Cute Eco Digital Cameras for Children
These eco digital cameras for children are from a French company that create the cameras with animal designs, to foster a child’s interest in nature. A tree is planted, for each camera sold. And there are no internet or games on the camera, it’s just for taking photos.
The cameras are tested to meet safety standards for electronic and toy products, and the body and case are free from toxic chemicals. Keep small parts and batteries away from children and pets. Follow age range guides for safety.
The cameras are super-light and made for children’s hands, for less chance of falling. And if it does, the super-cute covers absorbs the shock, so cameras hopefully don’t get damaged. The photos can even be edited by small photographers, with various premade layouts and templates.
The cameras are sold in various fun colours and designs, with matching silicone camera bags. Plus you can buy matching fun animal-themed child binoculars.
Volunteer for Operation Photo Rescue
Operation Photo Rescue has worldwide volunteers photographers, image restoration artists and graphic designers, who restore photos, for those damaged in natural disasters like floods, or house fires.
For a paid service, Photographs Forever can restore photos that are faded or discoloured or accidentally ripped. Experts can also remove stains, by digitally removing mould damage and improving contrast.
How to Restore Old Damaged Photos
If you have old damaged family photos, this company can restore them by removing scratches and dust, and repairing missing parts (you’re sent a preview of the images before purchase).
Or sent in bulk to Vintage Photo Lab to receive a digital album to store on a disk or on the cloud. It can take faded photos, slide disks, old scrap books and telegrams.
What to Do with Unwanted Photos
If you have hundreds of photos of people you don’t remember, chopped-off heads or clouds from aeroplanes, just throw them out. You can’t recycle photos due to the paper type. Don’t be sentimental (have a little blessing ceremony, it can be good to release photos from past relationships, to help you move on).
And don’t worry anything bad will happen. Photos are printed in newspapers and magazines every day, and they get thrown out. They are just photographs, at the end of the day.
Photo Albums & frames (from elephant dung!)
Paper High sells lovely photo albums, made with elephant dung and filled with 35 pages of handmade paddy husk paper (a by-product of the rice-milling industry).The dung is collected by villagers in Sri Lanka, who get paid to do this, rather than see elephant as enemies for eating crops (due to lack of habitat).
The average elephant eats the same as us chomping 300 cans of baked beans a day, so that’s a lot of dung! It’s a great way to foster peace in communities where elephants live nearby. And each item has unique flecks, depending on what your elephant friend ate that day!
Also available as photo frames, with attached stands for portrait or landscape orientation on a flat surface. There are no glass/plastic windows nor fiddly hooks. Just slot photos in the discreet slot. Each frame is finished with a hand-crafted brass elephant.
Photo Frames (from recycled newspapers)
These photo frames made from recycled newspapers are naturally colourful, made by artisans in India, to help reduce the huge waste paper issue. Also in landscape versions.
