Carl R. Battreall
Exploration -
© 2007 Carl R. Battreall • All rights reserved • Prints and stock available
Green Pixels
By Carl Battreall
Published in Currents: The Journal of the North American Nature Photographer Association
As a nature photographer and conservationist, I am obligated to help protect and conserve the environment. That is why I have always had trouble coming to terms with the amount of pollution that photography creates.
While the new generation of photography - the digital generation - has the potential to greatly reduce the amount of waste that photography produces, modern digital photography is ultimately not any less damaging than the traditional methods, it is just that the damage is different.
Traditional photography produces the majority of its waste through the chemical processes that are needed to develop film and make prints. Not only are the chemicals involved in traditional photography harmful to the environment, they are also harmful to those working around and with the chemicals. The traditional photography industry is the third largest user of silver, following right behind industrial applications and the jewelry industry. Silver mines are major polluters of the environment, causing extensive damage to ground water supplies, rivers and streams. Miners also take great health risk when working with silver.
Digital photography produces the majority of its waste through the disposal of obsolete, electronic products; this is commonly known as electronic waste or E-Waste. Cameras, computers, monitors and printers are made of a variety of toxic metals and plastics. These toxic components make the disposing of electronic items very difficult and recycling them even more so. The photographer is generally safe from the harmful effects of these products, but the people who attempt to dispose of or recycle computers, monitors, etc… put themselves at great physical risk. The youthfulness of the digital realm is partially to blame for the amount of waste that is being produced. The never-ending advancements in computer and digital technology is making many digital products less productive or arguably, not as useful.
Manufacturers are guilty of the catapulting rise in electronic waste. When new technology is developed, most companies introduce a whole new product, instead of offering to upgrade the current product with the new advancements. The ability to upgrade products is available, but is not as profitable, and therefore, not considered a viable option. The manufacturers of digital cameras and inkjet printers need to be held responsible for the disposable market they have created.
When possible we should applaud companies that are trying to steer the digital world in the green direction and support them by buying their products over others. HP, for example, is one company that is on the right track. It is starting to make their printers with easily removable, non-toxic, recyclable plastic. As another example, Canon has started a recycling program for many of their products. Sadly, we the consumers, have little influence over the manufacturer’s decisions on how they design their products. However, as digital photographers, we can make some choices that may directly affect our impact on the environment:
By Carl Battreall
Published in Currents: The Journal of the North American Nature Photographer Association
As a nature photographer and conservationist, I am obligated to help protect and conserve the environment. That is why I have always had trouble coming to terms with the amount of pollution that photography creates.
While the new generation of photography -
Traditional photography produces the majority of its waste through the chemical processes that are needed to develop film and make prints. Not only are the chemicals involved in traditional photography harmful to the environment, they are also harmful to those working around and with the chemicals. The traditional photography industry is the third largest user of silver, following right behind industrial applications and the jewelry industry. Silver mines are major polluters of the environment, causing extensive damage to ground water supplies, rivers and streams. Miners also take great health risk when working with silver.
Digital photography produces the majority of its waste through the disposal of obsolete, electronic products; this is commonly known as electronic waste or E-
Manufacturers are guilty of the catapulting rise in electronic waste. When new technology is developed, most companies introduce a whole new product, instead of offering to upgrade the current product with the new advancements. The ability to upgrade products is available, but is not as profitable, and therefore, not considered a viable option. The manufacturers of digital cameras and inkjet printers need to be held responsible for the disposable market they have created.
When possible we should applaud companies that are trying to steer the digital world in the green direction and support them by buying their products over others. HP, for example, is one company that is on the right track. It is starting to make their printers with easily removable, non-
1. Before purchasing a new product, consider your long-term goals and make sure that the product will satisfy all your needs for at least five, and hopefully, ten years or more. It is easy to get swept up in new trends and hype, but be patient and not spontaneous with your purchases.
2. Go out of your way to try and find a new home for your old equipment. If it is completely obsolete, research a legitimate and responsible way of recycling the old, unwanted item.
3. You should purchase energy efficient products like Energy Star® rated LCD monitors and printers.
4. You should turn computers and monitors completely off instead of letting them sit idle for hours, which waste a lot of energy.
5. Color calibration of your monitor and printer helps reduce the amount of waste prints, reduces your frustration and saves valuable ink.
6. You should recycle your ink cartridges and consider using a bulk feeding system if you make a lot of prints. All reject prints should be put in the recycle bin.
7. Use rechargeable batteries in all your electronic devices.
8. Find a local environmental issue and use your photography skills to help those who are trying to resolve the issue.
If we are patient with our purchases, use items responsibly and use the power of photography to help conserve and protect the environment, than I do believe that, the waste produce by digital photography is justified, or at least, tolerable.
For more information on E-
www.computertakeback.com
Articles