The winner of the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 award has sparked a controversial discussion for his use of children in both his winning image and the rest of his portfolio. This has prompted a closer look at the way competitions approach imagery of minors and the ethics surrounding this.
There are no ethical camera brands, study finds – Buy used instead
“Ethical consumerism” is defined as a type of “consumer activism”. The idea is that the concept of voting with your wallet to convince companies to adopt a more “ethical” approach to their product creation and general operating procedures. Supporting small-scale manufacturers and local artisans, protecting animals and the environment.
One such UK-based organisation on the topic is Ethical Consumer, which has been around since 1989 and rates companies based on how ethical they are. In a recent study of camera manufacturers, however, they found that there isn’t a single ethical camera manufacturer out there, recommending to boycott the lot and simply buy used.
Five tips to an ethical photography practice
Our brains love good storytelling. In fact, humans are hard-wired for storytelling as a means of survival and protecting ourselves. Storytelling is perhaps the most significant way we can start making a positive impact on any level. The way we narrate, frame, and define situations, people, and events to make sense of them. According to Paul J. Zak, the founding director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies and a professor of economics, psychology, and management at Claremont Graduate University, and the CEO of Immersion Neuroscience, stories that we can relate to trigger the release of this neurochemical called oxytocin, which is a hormone associated with connection and bonding. Knowing this is really powerful!
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