If you haven’t yet discovered the wonderfully localized new media, Carlsbad Patch, do check it out. Especially in such a diverse county, it is refreshing to have a community journalism focus in our own town. Journalist Megan Pincus Kajitani recently interviewed me about my work with Greener Photography; she tells an engaging story. In her words, from her article Flash of Green-ius on Carlsbad Patch:

Did you know that your photographs—like the landfill-crowding disposable diapers we often hear about—will never, ever biodegrade?  “Two hundred years from now, the images on your photographs may have faded, but the plastic-based paper they are printed on will remain,” explains Carlsbad-based professional photographer, Dawn Tacker.

This surprising fact is one of many shockers concerning the large carbon footprint of photography that Tacker discovered as she strived to make her own family portrait business more environmentally friendly several years ago.

Discovering the damage mass-produced photographs and photographic equipment are doing to the planet—along with realizing the utter silence in her profession about this issue—led Tacker to co-found the first eco-conscious professional association for photographers worldwide, Greener Photography, in 2008.

Tacker and her co-founder, New Hampshire-based wedding photographer Thea Dodds, now have a thriving professional organization with more than 150 members on four continents, who are all “greener” certified through an intensive process the partners created. They also have a 1,000-subscriber newsletter and the first and only clearinghouse of information on greener photography in the entire industry.

Read the entire article here. Thanks to Megan, for the wonderful and painless interview!

Reexamining the Greener Print

By Dawn Tacker
Images by Mark Pawlyszyn

Whether your do your own printing or task that to a competent lab, Greener Photography recommends using natural fiber paper in place of traditional RC/silver halide paper for printmaking as a greener option. Read more about that in our Greener Photographic Prints article. But which natural fiber paper to choose? One important factor to consider: the use of OBAs, or optical brightening agents.

OBAs are used to make paper look more uniform, and more white. But at what cost? As OBAs break down, their effects do as well—and they don't break down uniformly. A paper that is made unnaturally white through the use of OBAs will start to yellow—it is a matter of the paper returning to its "natural" color. However, when OBAs break down they can cause irregular yellowing. OBAs call into question the longevity of a photographic print—what good is a lightfast rating of 200 years if your print will yellow sooner than that? The greenest options for printing are also those that will withstand the test of time.

What's a photographer to do? To avoid color shifts and yellowing of your fine art prints, chose papers with zero or very low levels of OBAs. How do you find out if your paper has OBAs? Check out the manufacturer's website, and look for information on OBA content. Click on "Continue reading 'Reexamining the Greener Print'" to find our list of a few examples of papers that have zero-to-low levels of OBAs:

By Jessica Riehl.  As seen in Professional Photographer's Web Exclusives.

The heart of any environmental conservation program are tenets that make up the recycling symbol: reduce, reuse, and recycle. But why limit ourselves to just three R's? These are Greener Photography's favorite five R's to help you run a greener photography business.

Reduce:

• Reduce the amount of paper you use on a regular basis by printing front and back; consider implementing a paperless office.

• Reduce the number of shipments you receive from your lab by consolidating orders into as few shipments as possible.

• Reduce your energy consumption by turning off equipment when not in use, replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs, and use natural forms of heating and cooling.

Refuse:

• Refuse that plastic bag when you purchase items where a bag is not necessary, or bring your own bags.

• Refuse bottled water. Invest in a water cooler, filtration system, and/or a water bottle.

• Refuse, or rather refer, jobs that require air travel.

• Refuse shipping upgrades to 2-Day Air. Ground shipping is significantly less polluting.

• Refuse to patronize businesses that do not have an environmental statement.

Repurpose/Reuse:

• Reuse your office paper by shredding and using it as packaging materials, printing on the back of it, or using it as scrap paper.

• Reuse the boxes you receive your product in by using them to ship products to clients. You can also reuse the cardboard inserts by donating them to a local art class.

• Reuse batteries by investing in rechargeable batteries.

Recycle:

• Designate a place in your studio to recycle paper. Check with your local recycler to see what you can and cannot recycle.

• Recycle any cardboard that cannot be reused.

• Recycle your electronic equipment instead of throwing it in the trash. To locate a recycling center near you, check Earth911.org.

• Buy products made from recycled materials!

Finally, consider adding a fifth R to your environmental plan: Replenish. Be responsible for the sustainability of the resources that you consume. Even when we recycle, there is waste produced. Recycling also requires energy, which produces carbon dioxide. We can choose to replenish by selecting FSC-Certified paper and products made from natural materials, and by purchasing carbon offsets.

Look for creative ways to integrate the five Rs into your business. What other R's can you come up with to reduce the impact of photography on the environment? We would love to hear your ideas! Check out Greener Photography.

Jessica Riehl is the owner of Jessica Riehl Photography, www.jessicariehl.com and a contributing member of Greener Photography. She is also a member of Professional Photographers of America and Virginia Professional Photographers.

Come Visit Greener Photography at WPPI 2010!

Date: Monday, March 8, 2010

Time: NEW EXTENDED HOURS! 8-11pm

Location: MGM Grand. Room # will be announced on FaceBook and Twitter on Monday.

Enjoy food, drinks, and raffle prizes while you network with other photographers and vendors. Come and learn how you can be a greener photographer!

RSVP at: http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/7f564qks7cs6rexxr

Raffle prizes provided by:
-Bay Photo
-Borrow Lenses
-GP Albums
-Hahnemuhle FineArt
-LensBaby
-M-Rock
-Pro DPI
-Rice Studio Supply
-Simply Color Lab
-White Glove First Edition Books
-Wild Sorbet Frame Company

SPECIAL thanks goes to our Sponsors:
ProDPI - http://www.prodpi.com/
Rice Studio Supply - http://ricestudiosupply.com/
Simply Color Lab - http://www.simplycolorlab.com/
Wild Sorbet Frame Company - http://www.wildsorbet.com/