Graeme Green's New Big Five: A Global Photography Project For Endangered Wildlife
In a bold move, British photographer Graeme Green has taken on the mantle of reclaiming the term "Big Five" - originally coined to describe Africa's most elusive game animals. However, instead of trophy hunting, Green aims to harness the power of wildlife photography as a call to action against extinction and environmental degradation.
The concept was born on assignment in Botswana over a decade ago, when Green realized that people were more likely to "shoot" with a camera than a gun. He envisioned an initiative that would encourage people to focus on wildlife, think about the animals they love, and consider the dire situation facing many species worldwide.
To achieve this, 50,000 people from around the world voted for their top five animal choices to photograph in the wild. The results were unanimous: elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger took the top spots, with other iconic animals featuring prominently throughout the book.
The New Big Five is more than just a photography project - it's a movement to raise awareness about the global crisis threatening wildlife. Spanning over 144 renowned photographers from Ecuador to India, the book showcases breathtaking images of endangered species in their natural habitats. The photographs are not only visually stunning but also serve as a powerful reminder of what we stand to lose if we fail to act.
Conservationists like Jane Goodall have harnessed the power of photography to inspire action. "We have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we have inflicted on the natural world, but only if we get together and take action now," she stated in her foreword.
Green believes that by highlighting these iconic species, people will be inspired to take action towards conservation. The book features essays exploring the benefits of rewilding and the critical role indigenous communities play in protecting wildlife.
Climate change is also a pressing concern for many species outside of the New Big Five. Green warns that this issue extends far beyond the "Big Five," with countless animals facing extinction due to human activity.
As Graeme Green's New Big Five gains traction, it remains to be seen whether this movement will bring about meaningful change. However, one thing is certain - this groundbreaking photography project will leave no doubt in your mind about the urgent need for action.
In a bold move, British photographer Graeme Green has taken on the mantle of reclaiming the term "Big Five" - originally coined to describe Africa's most elusive game animals. However, instead of trophy hunting, Green aims to harness the power of wildlife photography as a call to action against extinction and environmental degradation.
The concept was born on assignment in Botswana over a decade ago, when Green realized that people were more likely to "shoot" with a camera than a gun. He envisioned an initiative that would encourage people to focus on wildlife, think about the animals they love, and consider the dire situation facing many species worldwide.
To achieve this, 50,000 people from around the world voted for their top five animal choices to photograph in the wild. The results were unanimous: elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger took the top spots, with other iconic animals featuring prominently throughout the book.
The New Big Five is more than just a photography project - it's a movement to raise awareness about the global crisis threatening wildlife. Spanning over 144 renowned photographers from Ecuador to India, the book showcases breathtaking images of endangered species in their natural habitats. The photographs are not only visually stunning but also serve as a powerful reminder of what we stand to lose if we fail to act.
Conservationists like Jane Goodall have harnessed the power of photography to inspire action. "We have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we have inflicted on the natural world, but only if we get together and take action now," she stated in her foreword.
Green believes that by highlighting these iconic species, people will be inspired to take action towards conservation. The book features essays exploring the benefits of rewilding and the critical role indigenous communities play in protecting wildlife.
Climate change is also a pressing concern for many species outside of the New Big Five. Green warns that this issue extends far beyond the "Big Five," with countless animals facing extinction due to human activity.
As Graeme Green's New Big Five gains traction, it remains to be seen whether this movement will bring about meaningful change. However, one thing is certain - this groundbreaking photography project will leave no doubt in your mind about the urgent need for action.
. I mean, we gotta take care of these animals, you know? They're not just cute and fluffy on National Geographic covers, they're real creatures that deserve our help. It's crazy how people used to go around killing them for sport, but now it's all about taking pics and spreading awareness. I'm not saying it's going to solve everything, but at least we're trying 
. And hey, 50k people voting on their top animal choices? That's some pretty cool grassroots action 
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. I mean, isn't it kinda weird to make a big deal out of taking pictures of animals that are already on everyone's radar? Like, how are 50k people gonna help the cause if they're just clickin' away at elephants and polar bears all day? 
But what's next? Are they gonna create a "New Big Five" for climate change or something? That sounds like just another buzzword to me 
. And have you seen the prices of those books and prints? Who can afford to save the world, huh? 
I mean, I get that it's for a good cause and all, but let's not forget about all the photographers who are getting rich off this movement 
just thinkin bout all these amazin animals & how we can help save 'em... 50k people votin for their fave species to photograph is a pretty cool start 
gotta keep pushin for more awareness & conservation efforts 
I'm really glad someone is finally doing something to raise awareness about endangered species 
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! Let's keep the conversation going and hope that Graeme Green's New Big Five sparks some real change 