The Ramsar Convention plans book of wetland photos

Calling all photographers

If you have high quality photographs of people using wetlands wisely, or showing the stunning beauty, diversity, vitality and productivity of wetlands, then we want to hear from you.

As part of the global Outreach Programme of the Convention on Wetlands, the Ramsar Bureau is preparing a spectacular publication showcasing the world’s wetlands. The production of this book is being made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Governments of Spain and Switzerland.

A few facts about the project:

• The book will be launched at the Rio +10, World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2002;
• It is to be a photographic portrayal of the world’s wetlands, with images chosen to illustrate the beauty, the vitality, productivity and diversity of wetlands.
• Wetlands from high latitudes to the equator will be featured, their differing functions and values (social, cultural and economic) shown, and most importantly ‘people using wetlands sustainably’ will be a highlight.
• While the book will have universal appeal, the primary target group is world leaders, including Heads of State, Ministers, Ambassadors and CEOs in the corporate sector.
• Anticipated to extend to approximately 150 pages, the book will contain a minimum of text in Spanish, French, and English, relying upon its photographs to convey the message that wetlands are community assets worth protecting through conservation and wise use.
• Accompanying the book will be a CD-ROM with a screen saver using the same images that are found in the book.

The challenge is to find the photographs needed to produce this exciting book.

We would like to be able to include at least one photograph from each Contracting Party to demonstrate the range of types, functions, and values that wetlands have around the globe.

We are therefore requesting your assistance in locating such photographs. We have all attended meetings and workshops and seen such striking photographs of wetlands, or perhaps you yourself have taken such photographs. Below you will find more details about how you can help.

We look forward to hearing from you, and to hearing that you are able to assist with this important project, which will help us all to bring the cause of wetland conservation and wise use before the world’s leading decision makers.

How you can help

If you have photos that you yourself have taken that may be suitable, please contact us (see below).

Or if you know others who may have suitable photographs, please pass on or forward this to them.

While the book is being made possible through the generous support of the Governments of Spain and Switzerland, it is hoped the majority of photographs will be donated free of charge for the cause of wetland conservation. However, where it is unavoidable, a small payment for the use of photographs may be considered.

The best way to send your photographs for our initial consideration is electronically as JPEG files (***** please do not e-mail TIFF, BMP, or similar higher resolution files as they are too large *****). JPEG files are relatively low resolution and are not suitable for use in producing the actual publication, but they will allow us to ‘shortlist’ the photos to be used in the book so that the originals can later be sent as slide transparencies, print negatives, or high-resolution scans at a later date. If you have access to a CD-ROM writer/burner, you may wish to send higher resolution copies via CD-ROM.

If you do not have a way to transmit the photographs electronically, please send copies of the original transparencies/slides or print negatives (never the originals themselves!) so that we can consider them for the ‘shortlist’.

For any images sent, please provide details of where it was taken and what it shows that is of particular interest. For example, "photograph of children collecting drinking water from X wetland, country Y". Please also indicate how the photographer should be acknowledged.

It is also the intention to produce a screen saver on CD-ROM for use on personal computers. These will be inserted in a plastic sleeve inside the back cover of the book. Unless otherwise specified it will be assumed that in providing your photographs for consideration as part of this project, you are also agreeable that any photos chosen may also be used in the screen saver.

All images used in the book and screen saver will be copyrighted to the photographers.

This project is being coordinated on behalf of the Ramsar Bureau by Dr Bill Phillips, former Deputy Secretary General of the Convention and now the Director of MainStream Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd, based in Australia. It is recommended that all electronic images be sent directly to him at Bill.Phillips@bigpond.com with copy to Valerie Higgins in the Ramsar Bureau (higgins@ramsar.org). Note – see above: do not e-mail higher resolution files as they are too large.

In the case of color-positive slide transparencies, please send them to the Ramsar Bureau marked for the attention of Valerie Higgins.

The deadline for receiving electronic images or transparencies is 15 November 2001. [This deadline has been extended to the end of December 2001.]

-- reported by Dr Bill Phillips, MainStream Environmental Consulting