At a time when nature faces climate change, habitat loss, and the overexploitation of resources, photography is taking on an increasingly important role. It is no longer just a means of expression or a hobby, it is becoming a tool for documentation, inspiration, and a call to preserve what we still have.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Nature photography is not just a “pretty picture”. A powerful photograph can tell a story about an endangered species, environmental changes, or nature that can still be saved. Visual imagery reaches audiences faster and more effectively than statistics or dry reports.
“We remember 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, 50% of what we see and hear, 70% of what we discuss with others, 80% of what we personally experience, and 95% or what we teach others”, said Edgar Dale, the American educator who developed the Cone of Experience, also known as the learning pyramid.
When we see a photo of a baby turtle hatching on a sandy beach and crawling toward the sea despite dangers from all sides, we don’t need much explanation. That’s exactly why nature conservation organizations use photography – to capture attention, raise funds, and influence legislative change.
But not every nature photo is “beautiful” in the classical sense. Some of the most striking images are the ones that evoke discomfort – burned forests, animals entangled in plastic, trash floating in the sea. These pictures may not be pleasant to look at, but they strike exactly where they need to. They reveal a reality that’s hard to ignore. And sometimes that unvarnished truth has more impact than a perfectly timed sunset over the open ocean.
Nature through the lens: more than a hobby
According to photographer and conservationist Lana Tannir, nature photography has the power to shape how we perceive the world. In her blog, she emphasized that “photographs don’t just document reality – they shape awareness and inspire empathy”.
In the era of social media, a good photo can go viral and spread an important message to thousands or even millions of people. Campaigns to save degraded habitats or endangered species often began with one powerful image that kept being shared again and again.
Interestingly, many photographers didn’t begin their careers as activists. More often than not, they were enthusiasts drawn by the beauty of landscapes, animals, or light, and eventually realized their photos could serve a greater purpose.
Nature photography teaches patience, observation, and silence. Over time, changes become visible through the lens: fewer birds than last year, trees disappearing, colors fading. And that’s when a hobby turns into a calling.
A view from a different perspective
Nature photographers are often the first to notice environmental changes simply because they are constantly outside, in the field, observing nature up close and returning to the same places. An article published by Backcountry Journeys – an American travel company offering over 100 global photo tours and workshops – explains how these individuals, often without academic degrees, become the first messengers of climate change, species extinction, or spreading pollution.
Their photographs aren’t just inspirational images for calendars, they become records of our time. They literally “capture” moments that can serve as evidence that something has changed.
One well-known example is photos of plastic found in the stomachs of seabirds. These images shocked the public and spread across social media at lightning speed. They weren’t beautiful or artistically refined, which made them powerful and brutally honest. Global debates followed about plastic in the seas and oceans, and some countries began implementing bans on plastic bags and straws.
The same goes for photos of glaciers disappearing year by year. Series of “before and after” shots have become tangible visual proof of climate change. A temperature increase of 1.5°C might not stir many people, but when they see that an entire glacier that stood there ten years ago is now gone, the problem becomes real.
The emotional power of an image
People respond to emotion. And nature photography, when done with empathy and authenticity, can move us deeply. It doesn’t always have to be a dramatic image of an endangered species. Sometimes it’s a simple photo – a seabird floating offshore, a sea cave with the dawn breaking behind it, or waves crashing on a beach – that reminds viewers how precious nature is.
Once we become “hooked” on such sights, it’s hard to ignore them. And then comes the most important part: the desire to protect that beauty.
Beyond raising awareness, nature photography is also a tool for education. Photos often illustrate scientific papers, school textbooks, exhibitions, and awareness campaigns, and they encourage people to travel sustainably. Photographs that are crucial for researches can turn photographers into citizen scientists!
For example, the Photo Ark project by photographer Joel Sartore aims to photograph every animal species living in zoos and wildlife reserves across the world. These photos are not just impressive, they are an archive of what may soon no longer exist.
Everyone can participate
Nowadays, expensive equipment is no longer a requirement for photography. Smartphones with good cameras allow anyone to document the nature around them. Even the simplest photo, when shared with the right message, can have a major impact.
That’s why it’s important to encourage people to take pictures, share them, and raise awareness. Some of the most influential environmental campaigns were launched by amateurs – people who, while walking in nature, decided to share what they saw.
In addition to individual enthusiasm, nature photography is also encouraged by numerous photo contests, such as Wildlife Photographer of the Year or the National Geographic Photo Contest, which not only reward artistic value but also highlight the stories behind the lens.
Your perspective can make a difference
Nature photography is not just visual art. It is documentation, a call for empathy, a warning, and perhaps most importantly – a beacon of hope. At a time when Earth quietly endures everything humanity throws at it, the lens can become its voice.
So next time you head to the coast or open sea, take a camera or smartphone with you and – while respecting ethical guidelines for wildlife photography and laws protecting species and habitats – capture the marine world. Submit your photos to our “Adriatic Treasures” photo contest and show us what the Adriatic looks like through your lens! Everyone can participate, regardless of experience, and entries are open until August 31, 2025, via Google Forms.
Choose one of the two categories – Adriatic wildlife (Loggerhead sea turtles, Ferruginous duck, and Kentish plover) or Adriatic habitats (Posidonia seagrass meadows, muddy and sandy seabeds that are not covered by the sea at low tide, and submerged or partially submerged sea caves) – and share with us the scenes that deserve to be seen. The best photographs will be presented to an international expert audience at project events, and winners can expect valuable prizes. Your shot could inspire change –don’t miss the chance!
The contest is organized as part of the ASPEH project – Adriatic SPEcies and Habitats of coastal areas, funded by the Interreg Italy–Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021–2027. The project aims to preserve the Adriatic’s biodiversity through shared tools and strategies for protecting key species and habitats, and by improving management of Natura 2000 sites. It promotes cross-border cooperation between Italy and Croatia to protect the ecological integrity of the Adriatic Sea and ensure the long-term sustainable development of this precious region. The project is co-financed by the European Union and the Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. The views expressed in this call are the sole responsibility of the ASPEH project and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Office for Cooperation with NGOs.
