WK-8: VISUAL COMMUNICATION OF ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE: PHOTOGRAPHY AS A TOOL OF STYLE AND SUBSTANCE Ecological Society of America | Pittsburgh, PA | Aug 1 2010 | 8am - 5pm
Intended for ecologists interested in using photography or photographers as a communication medium, this workshop will take your photography skills up a notch while deepening your understanding of visual communication and its application in ecological research and education. A locally-developed photographic tool, the GigaPan, will be highlighted. http://eco.confex.com/eco/2010/techprogram/S5771.HTM Organizers: Molly Mehling, Miami University; Dror Yaron, Carnegie Mellon University CREATE Lab; Neil Losin, UCLA; Chad Anderson, USFW; Amy Wolf, Stanford University; and Adam Wilson, University of Connecticut Audience: The workshop is intended for ESA attendees that are interested in refining their ability to communicate visually, using their camera as a tool for research, education and outreach, or those interested in collaborating with visual communicators. Description: Changes in the landscape of media and the surge of interest in sustainability have precipitated opportunities for ecologists to communicate more directly with diverse audiences. Imagery plays a prominent and powerful role in conveying the excitement of discovery and beauty of pattern inherent in science, its resulting knowledge and application. However, photography has not been fully embraced nor refined as a tool capable of dissolving the technical language barriers between stakeholders. The goals of this workshop are (1) to enhance your digital photography skills (bring your camera!), (2) to promote and facilitate collaboration between scientists and visual communicators, and (3) to discuss the value and limitations of ecological imagery. These goals will be addressed through presentations, a photo shoot, short-term collaborations with visual communicators, discussions and take-home materials. The workshop will begin and end at the conference center and will include a field trip to a local site of ecological restoration, during which hands-on exercises will allow participants to improve their technique and understanding of photography. Participants will be introduced to the GigaPan, a robot developed by NASA and Carnegie Mellon University that allows novice photographers to capture high-resolution panoramas using a point-n-shoot; applications of the GigaPan in research and education will be discussed. Participants will leave better equipped to employ photography as a tool to (1) engage via citizen science projects, inquiry-based education activities, natural history story-telling and to (2) share the broader impacts of research via diverse publications (photo exhibits, educational materials, EcoEd Digital Library) to various audiences. Join us! *** Molly Gail Mehling, M.En. Research Associate & Doctoral Candidate Miami University Zoology Department Oxford, Ohio 45056 http://www.mollymehling.com “In nature's infinite book of secrecy. A little I can read.” ~ William Shakespeare
