Environmental Articles

Apple Training and Certification introduces a NEW GREEN Certificate fulfillment process...contributing to a GREENER and better Environment

Apple Training and Certification goes GREEN....just received this info, I am very happy and supportive of this GREEN move, well done Apple for caring about our Environment.

Plane,Earth,Environment,Apple Mac,Green,Gunther Deichmann,Photography
© Gunther Deichmann - taken care of our Environment in 2008 and beyond...

Hi,
Since environmental considerations are an integral part of Apple's business practices, Apple Training and Certification is pleased to introduce a new Green certificate fulfillment process. Beginning August 1, paper certificates will no longer be sent to Mac OS X and Pro Apps students who pass certification exams. Instead, students will receive an email with a link to download a PDF version of their certificate at no charge. Students will be able to print these certificates, but we hope that most will choose to simply post the PDF certificates on their websites. This new system will be available worldwide. 
Apple Training and Certification

A nice letter from the National Geographic Traveler and the closing chapter on our Nudibranch Photography discussion as seen in the recent National Geographic Magazine...plus a short intro... the Olive ridley Turtles, an endangerd species.

...the closing chapter? maybe...but YOU never know what is
around the next corner.


Environment, Protect, save, Planet, Ocean, Gunther Deichmann, Photography
© Gunther Deichmann - “Caring Hands -Save and Protect our Environment”
...
Olive ridleyTurtle hatchlings been released into the Ocean, Philippines.

The leatherback, hawksbill and Kemp's ridley turtle species are listed as endangered. The breeding populations of Olive ridley and green sea turtles are endangered along Mexico's Pacific Coast, and threatened elsewhere, the study found. Coastal development, beachfront lighting, pollution and hunting are contributing to the demise of the sea turtles, which come ashore periodically to lay their eggs in "nests" dug in the sand, according to the study. "Threatened" means a species could become "endangered," which means the species might face extinction.
GD

See below the letter from Marilyn Terrell; thanks Marilyn for your kind words, lets do this again one of these days with topics concerning our Environment or related issues.

Fascinating discussion, and I'm impressed that marine biologist Lee Goldman took the time to write such an informed and thought-provoking response. Thank you Gunther for hosting this worthwhile conversation. I like it that people with differing points of view are given a chance to express their concerns and opinions on your blog in a civilized way.
All best,
Marilyn Terrell
National Geographic Traveler
Intelligent Travel blog:
http://intelligenttravel.typepad.com

Marilys letter came in response of our last discussion and the letter written by Lee Goldman, if you have missed it just click on the link below.
Underwater Photography…are you a responsible Photographer? A letter from a Marine Biologist…Education, awareness, an article in the recent Fins Magazine fits in nicely with the Nudibranch images in National Geographic Magazine…
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
GD

Underwater Photography…are you a responsible Photographer? A letter from a Marine Biologist…Education, awareness, an article in the recent Fins Magazine fits in nicely with the Nudibranch images in National Geographic Magazine…

To bring our discussion on the recent article in National Geographic to some sort of closing stage…I have just read an article in the latest issue of Fins Magazine
“A Photographer’s Responsibility” by Richard Smith, a great article describing the
Do and Don’t…
Check this link the article is a pdf file for downloading, Environment.

0103ENVIRO

© Gunther Deichmann - “Our Environment” the image was
created in Photoshop to ilustrate our fragile environment.

Thanks again to all who have responded to this discussion…if nothing else comes out of it at least we have tried to guide new and not so experience Underwater Photographers in the right direction explaining about our precious Marine Life and to follow the rules of engagement, Don’t Touch.
The mention article in Fins Magazine is not only a guide but it is extremely educational for new and Pro Underwater Photographers.
Maybe National Geographic Magazine should publish an article, but this time not with pretty images but explaining the Do and Don’t which could be very educational to the million of readers they have.

Last but not least…let me quote one example from the recent article in Fins Magazine; did you know? Don’t take to many shots of each Animal. You know how a Camera Flash from a few meters away can blind you? The same flash can kill Pigmy Seahorses.
Not only that… I have seen large Fan corals completely destroyed by irresponsible “Underwater Photographers” to get this shot of the Pigmy Seahorse.
Now everything is gone.
GD

See below a letter from Lee Goldman a Marine Biologist…

I was hesitant to write a reply to the blog about the nudibranchs, mostly because, as you know, I agree with your points.
Recently, however, a response was written about your blog from SM Jayabalan, a response that I don’t necessarily agree with. First off, would people’s lives be less enriched or ‘disadvantaged’if they don’t ever see a nudibranch? Well, it depends, right? Perhaps they won’t make more money at work or solve the reasons for why the kids get tattoos early in life, but to see the nudibranch may provoke a direction in their lives that lead towards responsibility to the environment even if on a personal level. How many times before have we heard that a photograph inspires? What if the particular person who appreciates the nudibranch is 18 years old and has an epiphany that leads towards a career in marine biology; where he studies nudibranchs and does work to protect them (and their environment)? It is slightly irresponsible for the author of the response to say that the photo of a nudibranch won’t do anything for anybody. Could a photo of the nudibranch in its natural environment do the same thing? Perhaps, but I know of thousands of photos of Ayer’s Rock and for each one, five-thousand people prefer it over all the others. Is that justification for moving marine organisms around? I don’t know, but then again, if none of them were harmed, nor their lives dramatically changed (or changed at all for that matter) then it boils down to other areas of concern…not at all whether it had an affect (or not) on the viewer of the photograph.
The statement about a percentage of millions of people whose new perspective of nudibranchs is that they live in white walled sections of the reef…with piped music? When you go to an aquarium how many people above the age of seven do you think believe all of the fish live in glassed tanks in the ocean? This is a huge stretch that not even a good lawyer could sell a jury. What percentage? As a marine biologist, professional aquarist, and professional dive guide I have had my share of folks who needed a lesson in the most basics of the ocean and marine-life, but never have I encountered someone who would believe such a thing as this author is suggesting. I believe NG explained this particular shoot so the audience would understand the concept as well as the natural history and habitat of the nudibranch.
You had it right from the start about the ‘message’ it sends. In the current world of marine photography, to me, the greatest area of stagnation is creativity, mostly due to everyone striving for the same picture/subject as everyone else. Don’t believe me, check out just about everyone’s portfolio; pygmy seahorse, a shark of some sort, wide angle reef scene, manta ray, turtle, nudibranch…oh, nowadays the over/under shot. David Doubilet approached a ‘worn’ subject and added a bit of creativity (and I believe entire WHY NG DID go this route). The dangerous area that this photo shoot leads to is the hundreds of less than respectful photographers with less than proper equipment, knowledge, and support doing the same thing.
We talked before about this and I told you that I felt that with the right equipment, attitude, and knowledge it can be pulled off so that nothing is harmed. I believe David Doubilet is probably one of the few photographers capable of doing this…mostly due to his inexhaustible resource for the right equipment and support. I believe the approach NG and Mr. Doubilet took was that of no disrespect to the organism. As you also know, my fear is that other folks may try and copy his work.
Lee Goldman, Marine Biologist

Not only Photographers can help to save our Planet...U2

Christmas is over, the New Year is approaching, as photographers we can help to get the message out there, the survival of our Planet is important for our younger generations. I have seen with my own eyes so many changes over the past 30 years, hence the images below. We have to do something and think about it now, before it is too late.

Mother planet is showing us the red warning light. Be careful, she is saying.
To take care of the planet is to take care of our own house.

Dalai Lama

Happy Holidays and thanks for all your support,
from Gunther, family and team.

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân- yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun


1 DR#029rtch
Before...

2 AFTERDR#029rtch
After...

3 B847
Too late!

The species extinction rate has increased to one species a day.
Lets make the coming years more greener and protect our environment.
©Gunther Deichmann - more environmental images at: www.deichmann-photo.com

Think...!

____________________



The ugly things I have to shoot sometimes.


02 Shells


From 30,000 feet above (my last Blog)to 100 feet below or more...
the ugly things I have to shoot sometimes.

We are again at the end of the year, wow how fast this one past... but then not as fast then the disappearance of our animal species.

The species extinction rate has increased to one species a day.
Lets make the coming years more greener and protect our environment.

Think!
Mother planet is showing us the red warning light. Be careful, she is saying.
To take care of the planet is to take care of our own house.

Dalai Lama


106-0679_IMG
Confiscated shark fins... eating the soup...yuk...
when the slurping stops... the killing will too.


BABY SHARKAUS83
Embryo shark... mother and child got killed... for?
Nothing!


An endangered animal or plant is a species that is considered in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its population is very small and it needs active protection to survive. In many countries, hunting of endangered animals is not allowed. Neither is importation of their meat, fur, tusks, blubber, or other products.

Extinction has happened throughout history, but in modern times the rate has increased dramatically. There is a link between the increase in the extinction rate and the growth in human population. The worldwide human population was 1 billion in 1600, 1.5 billion 100 years ago, and is over 6 billion today. At the same time, the species extinction rate has increased to one species a day. If this continues, it will cause a dramatic drop in the diversity of life on our planet, which will most certainly have serious effects.
If you have any interesting images related to the environment or stories to tell, please let me know and I try to incorporate these in my Blogs, thank you.

For other recent related environmental issues, please click these links below:

http://marinebio.org/Oceans/History/

http://www.samstours.com/blog/

______________________________________

Website update and upcoming Photography Magazine spreads

Dear friends and photographers,

I like to inform you that I have just updated my website: www.deichmann-photo.com

New look at the home page, change of image, I have also added a new category on
Environment within the site. (top bar in between Tibet and Wildlife)
Within the next two weeks you be able to download also some pdf files;
Portfolio spread and the cover in Click Magazine, the Digital Photography Magazine from Malaysia.
Also Portfolio spread in the Asian Photography Magazine, talking about
Aperture and Photography, I inform you all on my blog once both Magazines can be downloaded as a pdf file from my site under publication.
Enjoy the new images and thanks for all your support,
thanks,
GD

www.deichmann-photo.com

02 WATERDROPCRACKEDSOIL
Global warming, Photo © Gunther Deichmann

Sharks and Discovery Channel, voices of concern

This is in response to my Blog (see below this one) regarding the open letter regarding the Discovery Channel, some of us are out there to voice their concern
and offered their support, please read the unedited letters I have so far received, thank you all for your feedback, from Germany, Australia and Singapore so far.
For those who have not read the letter please go to:
http://www.divephotoguide.com/discovery_shark_week.php


Gunther
www.deichmann-photo.com

Snail055@web.de
Subject: open letter (sharks)
Date:
July 21, 2007 4:50:21 AM GMT+08:00
To:gdeichmann@mac.com

Hi Gunther

Den offenen Brief zur Rettung der Haie ist sehr bewegend. Diese phantastischen Tiere muessen einfach in ihrer Artenvielfalt ueberleben. Leider ist der Mensch das groesste "Raubtier" und jagt diese Tiere manchmal nur aus Vergnuegen. Ich habe gesehen, wie ein Haendler (irgendwo in China) tausende von Haifischflossen gelagert hatte, nur um sie fuer die "Haifischflossensuppe" zu verwenden. Diese Flossen sind den Tieren bei lebendigem Leib abgeschnitten worden, was den sicheren Tod zur Folge hat. Leider koennen diese Tiere keine entsetzliche Schmerzensschreie ausstossen. Es ist ein Jammer, das diese Menschen es nicht verstanden haben, das diese Lebewesen zum Oekosystem der Meere gehoeren. Sterben die Haie aus, kippt das Meer um und bringt das Gleichgewicht der Natur durcheinander, was auch auf die Landtiere Einfluss hat. Diese Denke trifft natuerlich auch auf andere vom aussterben bedrohte Tiere (Berggorillas, Wale, Meeresschildkroeten, etc.) zu. Bedauerlicherweise haben die Menschen, die diese Tiere ausrotten, es nicht begriffern, das mit diesen Tieren der Tourismus eine sehr gute Einnahmequelle sein kann. Die Meere werden ueberfischt, unsere Luft wird verschmutzt, die Umwelt durch Gifte und Pestizide verseucht. In Deutschland wird zur Zeit mit einem Zeppelin, der in großen Hoehen fliegt, geprueft, ob die belasteten Luftschichten sich regenerieren. Passiert das nicht, erstickt die Menschheit an ihren eigenen in die Luft geblasenen Schadstoffen. Die Automobilindustrie ist an dieser Miesere nicht ganz unbeteiligt. Hinzu kommen noch die natuerlichen Belastungen aus den Vulkanen mit den pyroklastischen Wolken. Die Reihe laesst sich weiter fortsetzten. Es muss eine umweltgerechte Denkweise der Menschen einsetzen, die nicht nur auf den (schnellen) Profit ausgerichtet ist, aber in den "armen Laendern" ist dieser Denken reiner Luxus. Hier geht es ums taegliche Ueberleben.


Cheers Mojan



From:
dcallard@bigpond.net.au
Subject: Sharks.
Date:
July 21, 2007 9:56:36 AM GMT+08:00
To: gdeichmann@mac.com

Hello Gunther,
I have read your blog re shark conservation with great interest. I watch Discovery, History, Nat Geo to be educated. I too have been appalled by the negative portrayal of sharks as man-eaters while largely ignoring the larger vital role they play in the functioning of the ecosystem. I expect truly objective science from programs such as Discovery, and Nat Geo, which also seems to have sold out to the public fascination with disaster; I am thinking of NG programs like "Raging Planet", even docos about American prisons!

The sensational Discovery programs about sharks seems to have more to do with the ratio of ratings to the $ bottom line. It is certainly not objective science. Anyway, if it takes sensationalism to sell a program Discovery could objectively promote their cause and that of conservation by highlighting the real issue which of course is the truth about sharks. This approach would provide all the sensationalism they want while coincidentally telling the real story. In other words, the truth is likely to be more 'sensational' and marketable than mythological conceptions of sharks (and many other examples of Nature).

I find it interesting to contrast the issue of shark conservation with that of whales. The campaign to "Save the whales" has been high profile and effective in promoting that cause. I see no difference between the basic priorities: sharks, whales, frogs, butterflies and so on. We must protect them all from us!

Never has the world needed objective, informed and balanced media more than it does now. Yet what do we get? CNN devotes headlines to
Paris Hilton! For goodness sakes, enough, enough I say! The important truths will always sell, if only we can get them.


Well, those are my thoughts Gunther. Keep up the good work! I am just about to get back behind the camera myself.

Cheers,
David.



On Jul 20, 2007, at 3:04 PM, aaron@lennoxnooi.com wrote:

Dear Gunther,
I've just read through the letter. I agree 100%.

Aaron

Please help our Sharks and Turtles, an Environmental message

Unborn Shark, it's Mother and Baby got
Murdered!
W BABYSHARK
Stop the killing and say no to Shark fin soup, it is Disgusting.
Sharks are NOT man-eaters, it is us who eat and destroy them,
and why do we kill Turtles and burn our forests?
Why???????
Gunther Deichmann and his friends are fully in agreement with this letter!

108-0806_IMG01 OLIVERIDLY09GT
Photos © Gunther Deichmann, www.deichmann-photo.com

107-0732_IMG

Please take a good look at the images above, there is a community in Bataan, who used to collect turtle eggs and sell them.
No more, they now take care of these precious creatures, collect the eggs and once they have hatched release them back into our Ocean, I wish we had more communities like this, and who thought this is happen in the Philippines, but this is the fact, including road signs in this area have been put up for our oil guzzling cars.
More in details about this amazing Turtle loving community in one of my future blogs, but please read on regarding the letter which I have received
from my friend and supporter Jason Heller at DivePhotoGuide and get all the info @

http://www.divephotoguide.com/discovery_shark_week.php

F
or those of you have not seen this yet, please feel free to post it. It is a formal response from the world’s foremost shark scientists, researchers and conservationists regarding this year’s Shark Week content. If you support shark conservation, please consider posting or publishing it.

http://www.divephotoguide.com/discovery_shark_week.php
 

Our Environment-some of us do care!

Interesting note from David Callard in Australia, his comments on the Environment issue and images, please read below, some of us do care.
Thanks David for your views and nice words.
G.D.
From:
dcallard@bigpond.net.au
Subject: The planet in the oven.
Date: June 9, 2007 10:19:28 AM GMT+08:00
To: gdeichmann@mac.com

Hello Gunther,

Love the new environment images. I think my favorite is the plain water drop on the leaf; that really says it for me. Addressing climate change has to be the biggest challenge mankind has faced, yet I am not totally pessimistic about our ability to solve it. Unlike the Mesopotamians or the Aztecs modern man has the scientific knowledge to identify the problem and propose solutions. Yes, we will have to accept some major changes to our lifestyles and means of production but capitalism has clearly won the ideological wars and of course its greatest strength is its capacity to rapidly adapt to change. So, I put my faith in science to find alternative energy sources. I am in favor of nuclear power as a stopgap solution until we can get solar and other sources fully developed. More later - have to do some more study.
Cheers, David.
02 WATERDROPCRACKEDSOIL

To view my new collection on Environment images, please go to my Aperture Gallery:
http://homepage.mac.com/gdeichmann/ENVIRONMENT%20PART%202/

or go to my PhotoShelter archive for high res. images:
http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann 

Some of us do care!

Just received this nice note from Mark Cox, please read below:

Hi Gunther,

You are so right mate! all we humans ever do is take take & more take, then we start crying when its too late, we will definitely destroy our selves its just human instinct I think. If all the tree's & rain-forest disappear human life will cease to exist. I'm the same as you Gunther the world has to come together before its too late really.

Great Work Gunther.

unknown
Mark Cox
mark@tech-dive-academy.com
Photographer & Adventurer

Global warming and water crisis


CAMEL SKELETONB86004 WATERDROPCRACKEDSOIL

I have created some images trying to portrait the on going world water crisis and Global warming issue.
enjoy these images and...
THINK!
It is indeed a serious problem world wide, lets do something about it.
THANKS!
You can help.
Too!

Click this link to view more images on my Aperture web Gallery

Blue Planet Run: The Water Crisis

This article has just come to my attention, and we should put some real thought into this issue.
We do have a problem, no arguments about that. Not only in Africa......
.......but on a Global scale.
I have provided a link to the Aperture Users Professional Network.
AUPN BLOG.
There you can read the whole article/story how we can be part of this and help,
I certainly will!
Gunther

074WDROP
Photo: © Gunther Deichmann
The world is just a drop away from disaster

0103ENVIRO
Photo: © Gunther Deichmann
It is in our hands to make a difference!