The Power of Environmental Photography環境攝影的影響力

The magnificence of nature has always wowed humans. Just imagine the picturesque landscapes of dense forests or the subtle beauty of a single droplet on a leaf. I think we can all agree that nature offers an array of visuals that no other subject can.

自然之美總是令人驚嘆。想象一下茂密森林中如詩如畫的風景，或是樹葉上一滴露珠的精妙之美，我想我們都會認同，大自然所提供的無數視覺效果是其他任何題材都無法比擬的。

But beyond aesthetics， environmental photography has a role in shaping our perceptions about the environment and the issues it faces. Through photography， many have come to understand， appreciate， and act upon the dire challenges our world encounters today.

除了給予我們美的享受，環境攝影也在影響著我們對環境以及環境問題的看法。許多人正是通過攝影逐漸理解和領會了當今世界所面臨的嚴峻挑戰，并開始采取行動。

But it is no easy feat： environmental photographers also have to dabble in1 portrait， landscape， and wildlife photography， so exploring different photography niches is crucial. They have to really master their craft to catch the moment authentically and， subsequently， spark dialogue！

但這絕非易事：環境攝影師還須涉足人像、風景和野生動物攝影，因此對他們來說探索不同的攝影領域是至關重要的。他們必須真正熟練掌握捕捉真實瞬間的技藝，之后，還得引發討論！

The importance of environmental photography

環境攝影的重要性

Preserving the authenticity of your photos in an AI-ridden world is more important than ever—and that’s where environmental photography comes in， showcasing the realities of this rock we inhabit.

在被人工智能充斥的世界里，保持照片的真實性比以往任何時候都重要——這便是環境攝影的意義所在：它展現了我們所棲居的星球的真實面貌。

The past century has witnessed rapid environmental degradation， from disappearing forests to melting ice caps. Pictures from NASA Earth Observatory have shown us real-time changes in our environment， demonstrating the impact of global warming on polar ice， for instance. These images challenge our conscience， igniting debates and discussions.

從森林消失到冰蓋消融，上個世紀環境急劇惡化。美國航空航天局地球觀測站的圖像向我們展示了環境的實時變化，例如全球變暖對極地冰層的影響。這些圖像直擊我們的良知，引發了爭論和討論。

Environmental photographers have the challenging task of capturing these nuances in a frame， telling a story that words often cannot convey. Through their lens， they provide a visual testament to the changes our environment undergoes， driving home the urgency of the matter.

在畫面里捕捉細微差異，講述文字往往無法表達的故事，這是環境攝影師須承擔的艱巨任務。通過鏡頭，他們為環境變化提供了直觀的見證，將問題的緊迫性展露無遺。

A single photo can change the world by sparking movements2 or even shaping policies.

僅僅一張照片就能引發各種社會運動甚至影響政府政策，從而改變世界。

How do photographers use environmental photography？

攝影師如何利用環境攝影？

Environmental photography not only captures nature in its raw form but also showcases the interplay between human civilization and the natural world.

環境攝影不僅能夠捕捉自然的原始狀態，還能展現人類文明和自然世界之間的相互作用。

For example， it can highlight the contrast—the untouched beauty of landscapes against the glaring scars of deforestation， a pristine3 river against the backdrop of an industrial setup， or the sad eyes of an animal trapped in a zoo against its brethren4 running freely in the wild.

比如，環境攝影可以突出對比——未經雕琢的自然美景與濫伐森林的滿目瘡痍，前景的潔凈河流與背景的工業設施，或是圈養之獸悲傷的雙眼與曠野之獸自由奔跑的身影。

For photographers， teaming up with environmental protection programs can also be a chance to play a part in critical environmental research. For example：

對攝影師來說，與環境保護項目合作也是在重要的環境研究中發揮作用的好機會。比如：

——Documenting5 the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies using successive photos

——用連續的圖像記錄帝王蝶的遷徙模式。

——Witnessing the recovery of a coral reef after a bleaching event through periodic imaging.

——通過定期成像，見證珊瑚礁白化后的恢復情況。

Environmental photography as a means to showcase natural beauty

環境攝影：展現自然之美

Through their iconic images， some photographers have showcased the breathtaking beauty of our planet while also underscoring the importance of preserving these scenes for future generations.

一些攝影師通過他們拍攝的標志性圖片展現出地球攝人心魄的美，同時也強調了為子孫后代保護這些美景的重要性。

These images compel viewers to appreciate and hopefully protect the world around them. Examples：

這些圖片促使觀眾珍惜并很有可能采取行動去保護他們身處的世界。例如：

Frans Lanting

弗蘭斯·蘭亭

Eye to Eye： This collection of intimate wildlife portraits is a reflection of Lanting’s deep respect and connection with animals. The images are taken in such a way that they appear as if the animals are looking directly at the viewer.

《四目相對》： 這組近距離拍攝的野生動物肖像，反映了蘭亭對拍攝對象的莫大尊重及與動物的親密關系。照片拍攝的方式讓觀眾覺得動物們仿佛正直視著自己。

Paul Nicklen

保羅·尼克倫

Born to Ice： This coffee-table collection presents visual tales from the polar regions， highlighting both the beauty and the plight of animals in these regions due to climate change.

《生于冰上》：這套精裝畫冊是極地故事的視覺呈現，既展現了極地風景之美，又凸顯了極地動物因氣候變化而陷入的困境。

Iconic environmental photographs that changed the world

改變世界的標志性環境攝影

Environmental photography has been at the forefront of advocacy for nature and environmental conservation. Photographs like these do more than capture a moment; they encapsulate6 stories and ask for urgent calls for action.

環境攝影一直是倡導自然和環境保護的前沿力量。這類攝影圖片不僅僅是捕捉瞬間，還述說了瞬間背后的故事，呼吁人們采取緊急行動。

Here are a few iconic images that have stirred global consciousness：

以下是一些激發全球環保意識的標志性作品：

Ansel Adams’s work

安塞爾·亞當斯的作品

Ansel Adam revolutionized the world of nature photography （think of Moon Over Hernandez7）. At a time when most hadn’t treaded the landscapes in Yosemite8 and Yellowstone9， Adams captured their majesty in monochrome10 film， ultimately aiding the preservation efforts for these breathtaking national parks.

安塞爾·亞當斯革新了自然攝影（如《月升》）。當大多數人還未曾踏足優勝美地國家公園和黃石國家公園時，亞當斯就用黑白膠卷拍攝了它們的壯麗風景，最終幫助保護了這些令人嘆為觀止的國家公園。

The Rising Tide Sons by Antonio-Aragón Renuncio

安東尼奧-阿拉貢·雷嫩西奧的《漲潮之子》

This photograph showcases a child sleeping in the remnants of a home destroyed by coastal erosion in Ghana. This powerful image highlighted the pressing issue of rising sea levels in West Africa， shedding light on the immediate challenges inhabitants face and forcing many to rethink climate change’s human toll.

這幅攝影作品展示了在加納，一個小孩睡在因受海岸侵蝕而已成廢墟的家中。這張極具震撼力的圖片凸顯了西非地區海平面上升的緊迫問題，揭示了當地居民所直面的生存挑戰，迫使許多人重新思考氣候變化對人類帶來的傷害。

The Burning Cuyahoga River

《燃燒的凱霍加河》

In 1969， the Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire due to severe pollution from industrial waste. This wasn’t the first time this river had caught fire， but this time， photos of the flaming river caught the nation’s attention. These images played a significant role in establishing the Environmental Protection Agency （EPA） and the passage of the Clean Water Act.

1969年，美國俄亥俄州的凱霍加河因工業廢料嚴重污染而起火。這并不是該河第一次起火，但是這次，河流燃燒的照片引起了全國的關注。這些照片對美國國家環境保護局的成立和《清潔水法》的通過起到了重要的作用。

The growing awareness culminated in April 1970 when 1，000 students rallied at the riverbank to commemorate the inaugural Earth Day. This movement painted the Cuyahoga River as the emblem11 of environmental disaster， marking the nation’s collective awakening to industrial pollution’s consequences.

隨著民眾的環保意識不斷提升，最終1000名學生于1970年4月在凱霍加河岸集會，紀念首個地球日。這場運動將凱霍加河描繪成環境災難的象征，標志著全美人民對工業污染后果的集體覺醒。

Starving Polar Bear by Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier

保羅·尼克倫和克里斯蒂娜·米特邁爾的《饑餓的北極熊》

This heart-wrenching image features a gaunt polar bear， its ribcage visible， scavenging for food on barren land.

在這張令人揪心的照片里，一頭形銷骨立的北極熊正在荒原上覓食，它的肋骨清晰可見。

This image stirred global conversations about climate change， melting ice caps， and the direct threats posed to the wildlife that inhabits these regions. It was a stark reminder of the immediate impacts of global warming.

這張圖片引發了全球討論，涉及氣候變化、冰蓋融化以及棲息在有關地區的野生動物所直面的生存威脅。它冷酷而真實地提醒著人們全球變暖的直接影響。

The Crying Girl by Chris Steele-Perkins

克里斯·斯蒂爾-珀金斯的《哭泣的女孩》

This image shows a young girl crying in the middle of a vast deforested area. The backdrop of stumps and barren land accentuates her sorrow.

畫面中，一個年輕女孩在一大片被砍伐殆盡的森林中哭泣，背景中的樹樁和荒涼大地愈發凸顯了她的傷悲。

An embodiment of nature’s loss， this photograph was pivotal in highlighting the devastating effects of rampant12 deforestation， galvanizing movements for afforestation and sustainable wood sourcing.

這張體現自然遭毀的照片在強調濫伐森林的災難性影響方面發揮了關鍵作用，促使人們投入植樹造林和可持續木材獲取運動。

Amaze by Cristina Mittermeier

克里斯蒂娜·米特邁爾的《絕美》

This book blends captivating nature photography with themes of sustainable living and our bond with the environment， offering perspectives on materialism and the vital connection between land and sea.

這本書將迷人的自然風光攝影與可持續生活、人類與環境的聯系等主題融為一體，提供了對物質主義和海陸間重要聯系的看法。

Conclusion

結語

Environmental photography does more than just please visually： it educates， informs， and provokes thought. It challenges the status. But most of all， it motivates environmental engagement. In a world where environmental concerns are escalating， the lens of a camera becomes an essential tool that has the power to bring about change.

環境攝影的意義絕不止于悅目，它可以起到教導作用，普及相關信息，還可以引發思考，對現狀提出質疑。但最重要的是，它激發人們參與環保的積極性。當今世界，人們對環境問題的憂慮日益加深，相機鏡頭已經成為一種重要工具，擁有改變世界的力量。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者；單位：廣東外語外貿大學）

1 dabble in涉獵，涉足，淺嘗。

2 movement（有特定目標的）運動。

3 pristine清新的；處于原始狀態的。" 4 brethren同胞。" 5 document（以書面或膠片方式）記錄。

6 encapsulate簡述，概括。" 7美國攝影師安塞爾·亞當斯的代表作，1941年拍攝于美國新墨西哥州埃爾西德茲。" 8 = Yosemite National Park優勝美地國家公園。" 9 = Yel-lowstone National Park黃石國家公園。

10 monochrome黑白的；單色的。" 11 emblem象征，標志。

12 rampant泛濫的；猖獗的。

Types of Environmental Photography

環境攝影的類型

Environmental Portraiture： Bridging the scene and the subject to show the impact of environmental issues on people" 環境肖像攝影：建立拍攝場景與拍攝對象之間的關聯，以顯示環境問題對人類的影響。

Natural History： Highlighting environmental changes over time 自然志：凸顯環境隨時間的變化。

Marine Photography： Raising awareness about underwater threats and impacts of human activities" 海洋攝影：提高人們對海洋生物所面臨的威脅和人類活動所帶來的影響的認識。