Archives: October2008

• TAOS, N.M., STUDENTS TO GO ON ASSIGNMENT WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TO DOCUMENT NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

  WASHINGTON (Oct. 6, 2008)—National Geographic magazine contributing photographer Lynn Johnson will give a group of Taos High School students a unique opportunity to establish a personal connection to the environment through photography during National Geographic Photo Camp 2008. From Thursday, Oct. 9, to Sunday, Oct. 12, the students will photograph, edit and design a portrait of the natural world and the environmental issues of their community. The Photo Camp is presented in partnership with the Blackstone Ranch Institute, a nonprofit located in Taos, N.M., that supports pioneers of environmental change worldwide.

  During the four-day workshop, the teenagers will explore the region, documenting portraits of the Taos Pueblo Indians as well as the area’s agriculture, architecture and landscape. Johnson will brief the students on photographic vision, equipment and technique and guide them through the process of creating a story through photography and writing. The young photographers will create a multimedia show using the images as a catalyst for discussing their experiences.

  “We hope that Photo Camp 2008 will provide students with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it,” said Terry Garcia, National Geographic’s executive vice president, Mission Programs. “We are honored to participate in this endeavor.”

  Participants, their families and community members are invited to a final presentation of the students’ work at 5 p.m. on Oct. 12, at the Harwood Museum of Art, 238 Ledoux St., Taos.

  The theme of the Photo Camp is the environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation’s connection to the natural world.

  EVOLT SLR cameras for the Photo Camp have been provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards have been donated to the Photo Camp program by PNY Technologies.

  In addition to Johnson’s work for National Geographic magazine, she has covered editorial assignments for various national and international publications and private corporations. Her photographic skills allow her to take pictures that are intimate and enlightening. Johnson has won numerous awards, including Picture of the Year Award from the National Press Photographers Association and four World Press Photography Awards.

  National Geographic Mission Programs is sponsoring other Photo Camps this year in Rajasthan, India; Chesapeake Bay; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S.D.; Costa Rica; Appalachian Trail; Camden, Maine; New York; Santa Monica, Calif.; and Miami, in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md. Visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp for more information.

  The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 325 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

  The Blackstone Ranch Institute in Taos, N.M., is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to create positive environmental changes worldwide. The organization supports those who are engaged in solution-oriented conversations about the most important environmental challenges of our time. Participants in institute programs address urgent concerns such as global warming, water supply, air quality, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, biodiversity and population growth, and challenge themselves to come up with innovative steps for the way forward.