The magnificence of nature has always wowed humans. Just imagine the picturesque landscapes of dense forests or the subtle beauty of a single droplet on a leaf. I think we can all agree that nature offers an array of visuals that no other subject can.
自然之美总是令人惊叹。想象一下茂密森林中如诗如画的风景，或是树叶上一滴露珠的精妙之美，我想我们都会认同，大自然所提供的无数视觉效果是其他任何题材都无法比拟的。
But beyond aesthetics， environmental photography has a role in shaping our perceptions about the environment and the issues it faces. Through photography， many have come to understand， appreciate， and act upon the dire challenges our world encounters today.
除了给予我们美的享受，环境摄影也在影响着我们对环境以及环境问题的看法。许多人正是通过摄影逐渐理解和领会了当今世界所面临的严峻挑战，并开始采取行动。
But it is no easy feat： environmental photographers also have to dabble in1 portrait， landscape， and wildlife photography， so exploring different photography niches is crucial. They have to really master their craft to catch the moment authentically and， subsequently， spark dialogue！
但这绝非易事：环境摄影师还须涉足人像、风景和野生动物摄影，因此对他们来说探索不同的摄影领域是至关重要的。他们必须真正熟练掌握捕捉真实瞬间的技艺，之后，还得引发讨论！
The importance of environmental photography
环境摄影的重要性
Preserving the authenticity of your photos in an AI-ridden world is more important than ever—and that’s where environmental photography comes in， showcasing the realities of this rock we inhabit.
在被人工智能充斥的世界里，保持照片的真实性比以往任何时候都重要——这便是环境摄影的意义所在：它展现了我们所栖居的星球的真实面貌。
The past century has witnessed rapid environmental degradation， from disappearing forests to melting ice caps. Pictures from NASA Earth Observatory have shown us real-time changes in our environment， demonstrating the impact of global warming on polar ice， for instance. These images challenge our conscience， igniting debates and discussions.
从森林消失到冰盖消融，上个世纪环境急剧恶化。美国航空航天局地球观测站的图像向我们展示了环境的实时变化，例如全球变暖对极地冰层的影响。这些图像直击我们的良知，引发了争论和讨论。
Environmental photographers have the challenging task of capturing these nuances in a frame， telling a story that words often cannot convey. Through their lens， they provide a visual testament to the changes our environment undergoes， driving home the urgency of the matter.
在画面里捕捉细微差异，讲述文字往往无法表达的故事，这是环境摄影师须承担的艰巨任务。通过镜头，他们为环境变化提供了直观的见证，将问题的紧迫性展露无遗。
A single photo can change the world by sparking movements2 or even shaping policies.
仅仅一张照片就能引发各种社会运动甚至影响政府政策，从而改变世界。
How do photographers use environmental photography？
摄影师如何利用环境摄影？
Environmental photography not only captures nature in its raw form but also showcases the interplay between human civilization and the natural world.
环境摄影不仅能够捕捉自然的原始状态，还能展现人类文明和自然世界之间的相互作用。
For example， it can highlight the contrast—the untouched beauty of landscapes against the glaring scars of deforestation， a pristine3 river against the backdrop of an industrial setup， or the sad eyes of an animal trapped in a zoo against its brethren4 running freely in the wild.
比如，环境摄影可以突出对比——未经雕琢的自然美景与滥伐森林的满目疮痍，前景的洁净河流与背景的工业设施，或是圈养之兽悲伤的双眼与旷野之兽自由奔跑的身影。
For photographers， teaming up with environmental protection programs can also be a chance to play a part in critical environmental research. For example：
对摄影师来说，与环境保护项目合作也是在重要的环境研究中发挥作用的好机会。比如：
——Documenting5 the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies using successive photos
——用连续的图像记录帝王蝶的迁徙模式。
——Witnessing the recovery of a coral reef after a bleaching event through periodic imaging.
——通过定期成像，见证珊瑚礁白化后的恢复情况。
Environmental photography as a means to showcase natural beauty
环境摄影：展现自然之美
Through their iconic images， some photographers have showcased the breathtaking beauty of our planet while also underscoring the importance of preserving these scenes for future generations.
一些摄影师通过他们拍摄的标志性图片展现出地球摄人心魄的美，同时也强调了为子孙后代保护这些美景的重要性。
These images compel viewers to appreciate and hopefully protect the world around them. Examples：
这些图片促使观众珍惜并很有可能采取行动去保护他们身处的世界。例如：
Frans Lanting
弗兰斯·兰亭
Eye to Eye： This collection of intimate wildlife portraits is a reflection of Lanting’s deep respect and connection with animals. The images are taken in such a way that they appear as if the animals are looking directly at the viewer.
《四目相对》： 这组近距离拍摄的野生动物肖像，反映了兰亭对拍摄对象的莫大尊重及与动物的亲密关系。照片拍摄的方式让观众觉得动物们仿佛正直视着自己。
Paul Nicklen
保罗·尼克伦
Born to Ice： This coffee-table collection presents visual tales from the polar regions， highlighting both the beauty and the plight of animals in these regions due to climate change.
《生于冰上》：这套精装画册是极地故事的视觉呈现，既展现了极地风景之美，又凸显了极地动物因气候变化而陷入的困境。
Iconic environmental photographs that changed the world
改变世界的标志性环境摄影
Environmental photography has been at the forefront of advocacy for nature and environmental conservation. Photographs like these do more than capture a moment; they encapsulate6 stories and ask for urgent calls for action.
环境摄影一直是倡导自然和环境保护的前沿力量。这类摄影图片不仅仅是捕捉瞬间，还述说了瞬间背后的故事，呼吁人们采取紧急行动。
Here are a few iconic images that have stirred global consciousness：
以下是一些激发全球环保意识的标志性作品：
Ansel Adams’s work
安塞尔·亚当斯的作品
Ansel Adam revolutionized the world of nature photography （think of Moon Over Hernandez7）. At a time when most hadn’t treaded the landscapes in Yosemite8 and Yellowstone9， Adams captured their majesty in monochrome10 film， ultimately aiding the preservation efforts for these breathtaking national parks.
安塞尔·亚当斯革新了自然摄影（如《月升》）。当大多数人还未曾踏足优胜美地国家公园和黄石国家公园时，亚当斯就用黑白胶卷拍摄了它们的壮丽风景，最终帮助保护了这些令人叹为观止的国家公园。
The Rising Tide Sons by Antonio-Aragón Renuncio
安东尼奥-阿拉贡·雷嫩西奥的《涨潮之子》
This photograph showcases a child sleeping in the remnants of a home destroyed by coastal erosion in Ghana. This powerful image highlighted the pressing issue of rising sea levels in West Africa， shedding light on the immediate challenges inhabitants face and forcing many to rethink climate change’s human toll.
这幅摄影作品展示了在加纳，一个小孩睡在因受海岸侵蚀而已成废墟的家中。这张极具震撼力的图片凸显了西非地区海平面上升的紧迫问题，揭示了当地居民所直面的生存挑战，迫使许多人重新思考气候变化对人类带来的伤害。
The Burning Cuyahoga River
《燃烧的凯霍加河》
In 1969， the Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire due to severe pollution from industrial waste. This wasn’t the first time this river had caught fire， but this time， photos of the flaming river caught the nation’s attention. These images played a significant role in establishing the Environmental Protection Agency （EPA） and the passage of the Clean Water Act.
1969年，美国俄亥俄州的凯霍加河因工业废料严重污染而起火。这并不是该河第一次起火，但是这次，河流燃烧的照片引起了全国的关注。这些照片对美国国家环境保护局的成立和《清洁水法》的通过起到了重要的作用。
The growing awareness culminated in April 1970 when 1，000 students rallied at the riverbank to commemorate the inaugural Earth Day. This movement painted the Cuyahoga River as the emblem11 of environmental disaster， marking the nation’s collective awakening to industrial pollution’s consequences.
随着民众的环保意识不断提升，最终1000名学生于1970年4月在凯霍加河岸集会，纪念首个地球日。这场运动将凯霍加河描绘成环境灾难的象征，标志着全美人民对工业污染后果的集体觉醒。
Starving Polar Bear by Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier
保罗·尼克伦和克里斯蒂娜·米特迈尔的《饥饿的北极熊》
This heart-wrenching image features a gaunt polar bear， its ribcage visible， scavenging for food on barren land.
在这张令人揪心的照片里，一头形销骨立的北极熊正在荒原上觅食，它的肋骨清晰可见。
This image stirred global conversations about climate change， melting ice caps， and the direct threats posed to the wildlife that inhabits these regions. It was a stark reminder of the immediate impacts of global warming.
这张图片引发了全球讨论，涉及气候变化、冰盖融化以及栖息在有关地区的野生动物所直面的生存威胁。它冷酷而真实地提醒着人们全球变暖的直接影响。
The Crying Girl by Chris Steele-Perkins
克里斯·斯蒂尔-珀金斯的《哭泣的女孩》
This image shows a young girl crying in the middle of a vast deforested area. The backdrop of stumps and barren land accentuates her sorrow.
画面中，一个年轻女孩在一大片被砍伐殆尽的森林中哭泣，背景中的树桩和荒凉大地愈发凸显了她的伤悲。
An embodiment of nature’s loss， this photograph was pivotal in highlighting the devastating effects of rampant12 deforestation， galvanizing movements for afforestation and sustainable wood sourcing.
这张体现自然遭毁的照片在强调滥伐森林的灾难性影响方面发挥了关键作用，促使人们投入植树造林和可持续木材获取运动。
Amaze by Cristina Mittermeier
克里斯蒂娜·米特迈尔的《绝美》
This book blends captivating nature photography with themes of sustainable living and our bond with the environment， offering perspectives on materialism and the vital connection between land and sea.
这本书将迷人的自然风光摄影与可持续生活、人类与环境的联系等主题融为一体，提供了对物质主义和海陆间重要联系的看法。
Conclusion
结语
Environmental photography does more than just please visually： it educates， informs， and provokes thought. It challenges the status. But most of all， it motivates environmental engagement. In a world where environmental concerns are escalating， the lens of a camera becomes an essential tool that has the power to bring about change.
环境摄影的意义绝不止于悦目，它可以起到教导作用，普及相关信息，还可以引发思考，对现状提出质疑。但最重要的是，它激发人们参与环保的积极性。当今世界，人们对环境问题的忧虑日益加深，相机镜头已经成为一种重要工具，拥有改变世界的力量。
（译者为“《英语世界》杯”翻译大赛获奖者；单位：广东外语外贸大学）
1 dabble in涉猎，涉足，浅尝。
2 movement（有特定目标的）运动。
3 pristine清新的；处于原始状态的。 4 brethren同胞。 5 document（以书面或胶片方式）记录。
6 encapsulate简述，概括。 7美国摄影师安塞尔·亚当斯的代表作，1941年拍摄于美国新墨西哥州埃尔西德兹。 8 = Yosemite National Park优胜美地国家公园。 9 = Yel-lowstone National Park黄石国家公园。
10 monochrome黑白的；单色的。 11 emblem象征，标志。
12 rampant泛滥的；猖獗的。
Types of Environmental Photography
环境摄影的类型
Environmental Portraiture： Bridging the scene and the subject to show the impact of environmental issues on people 环境肖像摄影：建立拍摄场景与拍摄对象之间的关联，以显示环境问题对人类的影响。
Natural History： Highlighting environmental changes over time 自然志：凸显环境随时间的变化。
Marine Photography： Raising awareness about underwater threats and impacts of human activities 海洋摄影：提高人们对海洋生物所面临的威胁和人类活动所带来的影响的认识。
