What is your name?

Jason Peters

Where are you based?

Brighton, UK, but moving to Bristol soon...

How would you describe what you do?

I am a budding freelance film maker. I have mainly worked as a researcher to date but am competent in camera work, editing and also have a deep love of still photography. Plus I am looking to branch out as a presenter after my involvement in an advertisement for South Africa Tourism with National Geographic Adventure last year!

Who or what inspires you in your photography and why cover nature and conservation issues?

I have been fascinated by the natural world my entire life... Having grown up on a farm in Sussex, England, I grew up with a deep respect for all that was around me and very early on developed an avid interest in exploring further a field than the South Downs and recording what I saw... I discovered during that early exploration that the natural world was in deep trouble and so got involved in various conservation efforts along the way.

After often feeling like I was banging my head against a brick wall when trying to help in that field, I came to realise, by far the best way of getting conservation messages to the masses, both on a local and wider audience level, was by using imagery. That includes both still and moving images, be it digital or otherwise, as long as they tell a story that can be interpreted positively by the people the message needs to reach.

I love being outside in the wilds of the world. It is always a privilege and one that must be preserved for all for all time.

What is the essence that you are trying to capture?

I want to be able to show people why the natural world is so very important and precious. I want to try and capture the thrill of the seemingly most mundane of wildlife experiences. The fascination of how a delicate plant or insect can survive in a harsh environment. Or the utter breathtaking beauty of a wild and wonderful landscape dotted with mega-fauna!

I want to show it in such a way so that it feels a part of the person watching. Inseparable & indispensable. Needed.

The rich biodiversity of this planet belongs to us all, not just the countries who have it within their political boundaries. Developing countries shouldn’t be left as lonely custodians of what is key to all our survival. We should all play a part in preserving what is left. Share the burden and the rewards are obvious.

Has technology hindered or enhanced your photography?

Technology never ceases to amaze but often baffles me! Definitely enhanced.

What is your favourite place in nature?

I would have to say my favourite place in nature to date would have to the Okavango Delta in Botswana. There is something about the delta meets desert scenario coupled with its rich & varied biodiversity that never ceases to enrapture me. (Saying that, a week spent in Yellowstone a few years ago comes a close second. Volcanic activity, snow storms, bison, wolves & bears a plenty!!)

It doesn’t take much to excite me though. A walk on a beach, hike up a mountain, a bit or gardening or a spider in the bath will always inspire some kind of wonder and awe!!

From your field experience, what is your biggest concern when it comes to the environment?

An ever growing population is the biggest root problem that our planet faces. Increasing human population leads to all the other problems. Pollution & poverty along with deforestation, fossil fuel dependency, poaching & over fishing of the oceans. Global warming is also a by-product of over population and is the most dangerous as it exacerbates the others whilst being increased by them.

People in developing countries need to be given real, tangible benefits for curbing population growth and for preserving biodiversity. People-based conservation in the best way forward.

How do you think the media industry should be addressing environment and conservation issues?

The media industry had an obligation to address all the important issues facing the planet. It should welcome conservation & development based films. It is a complete fallacy to believe that people do not want to know about what is going on in the world, good or bad. The majority of people get their daily news fix from the evening television news or from one of the daily newspapers and they have to report on what are the most pressing issues of the day. More and more environmental issues are being reported on, in keeping with the concerns of the times, so broadcasters should embrace this trend and give more film makers a voice.

Film makers must be clever however and make the narrative as engaging and wide-ranging as possible, using character led stories to entertain and strike a chord with the audience!

What are you working on at the moment?

I am working for a charity fundraising company at the moment, raising money for WWF, Greenpeace, EIA and others whilst trying to get together some film ideas to pitch at Wildscreen 2010. Mostly looking at an eco-tourism travel-based programme idea!

Where are you going next?

Moving to Bristol to be near the BBC NHU & others in the hope of finding work!!

What would you like to remembered for?

My passion, enthusiasm and love of all things wild and wonderful & my sense of humour!? ;-)

www.jasonpeters.co.uk