Photography: These Canadian Photographers Will Leave Your Jaw on the Floor

Joseph Saraceno and Jim Norton of Canada use wildlife and still photography to push the boundaries of environmentalist discourse

Photography has often been used for environmental causes. From photojournalism to documentary traditions, photography has a storied tradition of narrativizing leading global issues. They record the fleeting and the socioculturally important. They bring to attention the calamities plaguing our world. They use their craft to better our understanding of ourselves and our world. And these photographers are no exception.

Joseph Saraceno’s DLDT Anachronism_001 (ABOVE), is a testament to amalgamating a myriad of different themes to detail the precarious nature in which wildlife exists in. “Using the novel 1984 as inspiration,” Saraceno hoped to “mix new and old items with a mix of natural elements to create a strong vignette.” The result is a breathtaking look at the preciousness of our world, and the ways in which humanity is being tasked with protecting—oft at our own comfort.

Jim Norton’s Silver award-winning work Icelandic Puffin (ABOVE) is a similarly important piece, one that invokes the work of early 20th century Pictorialism. With a stylization reminiscent of Irving Penn and the early work of Edward Steichen, Norton’s tantalizing work affectively humanizes the Puffin, showcasing a near anthropomorphized facial expression. It is wildly arresting and yet profoundly moving.

Be sure to submit your work to Graphis’ Annual Photography Competition before time runs out! The deadline is September 25. Winners will have the opportunity to see their work published on our website, blog, newsletter, and social media platforms.