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Photographers Daniel Beltra and Robert Knoth are very
contrasting figures Beltra looks brawny and communicative, while
lanky Knoth is somewhat reticent and withdrawn. The former prefers
colourful pictures about scenery, while the latter focuses more on
people, preferably in black and white.
Despite their many differences, these two photographers have a
common cause they use their cameras to record the planet's agonies,
such as pollution and extreme weather.
Both of them won prizes in this year's World Press Photo awards.
Beltra pocketed the bronze with his entry on the drought in the
Amazon, while Knoth was awarded for his photo about the Chernobyl
nuclear accident.
Nature lover
"I studied biology before taking up photography," said Beltra, a
41-year-old freelance photographer based in Washington during his
first visit to China early this month. "Even before I became a
professional (photographer), I loved nature."
He decided to use his camera as a weapon in the battle to save
the environment when he started working with environmentalist group
Greenpeace 16 years ago.
"I approached the group, which needed professional quality
images to help document environmental damage. And at the end of
1992, they asked me to photograph a serious oil spill in Spain,"
said Beltra, who has been involved in six assignments for the
campaigning organization.
His prize-winning entry on the Amazonian drought was taken last
year.
That was not Beltra's first trip to the world's most precious
tropical forest, but probably his most fruitful. A photo he took on
the trip, depicting the arid landscape of Curuai Lake, won prizes
at this year's World Press Photo awards and the China International
Press Photo Contest.
"I find myself travelling by inflatable boat on the Amazon River
towards Lago Rei, one of the areas that has been more severely
affected by this terrible drought. Of its 12,000 hectares that feed
more than 40 small lakes, Rei is almost dry," Beltra writes.
He later chartered a helicopter, seeking strong images that
could "push the story further." During the 2,000-odd hours in the
air, Beltra spent more than half of this time on his knees,
shooting from a window barely large enough to fit his lens.
His most dangerous experience during the expedition was when he
came face to face with some local people who had cut down trees in
order to plant soya crops to feed their animals. "When I and the
environmental volunteers approached them, they threatened to kill
us," the man recalled.
"But helping to raise awareness of the problem is very
rewarding. It is everybody's responsibility to protect nature, but
still there is not enough information available. I am satisfied
that I can make a little effort."
Focus on people
Knoth, 43, shares the same motivation and courage as Beltra.
Starting his career in 1993, Knoth is a freelance investigative
photojournalist who recorded wars and conflicts in the former
Yugoslavia, Somalia and Afghanistan. Knoth also works with
Greenpeace, but what sets him apart from Beltra is his focus on the
victims of environmental disasters.
His top concern is nuclear energy, because "the story is
generally hidden."
"Not many people know about the impact of the Chernobyl
accident," pointed out the Dutchman.
Moreover, it is difficult to photograph as "its impact on the
environment and people is deep," he said.
"The after effects (of the Chernobyl nuclear accident) will last
for 100 years, and will get worse for a lot of people," noted
Knoth, who joined Beltra in Beijing to exchange views with local
photographers.
Knoth started working with Greenpeace four years, simply because
he wanted to "publish a book."
The campaign provided him with a chance to exhibit his Chernobyl
photos and compile them into a small book.
For Knoth, it is a good way to reach a far larger audience which
is unaware of the severity of the accident. "I want to do a lot
more than just taking photos," he said.
Knoth hopes his photos of disabled children, cancer victims and
heartbroken families will have a lasting influence on people.
While his photos were on display at the US Congress last month,
Knoth said he was pleased to see them having an impact on
legislators.
Knoth said his work is far less dangerous than Beltra's. "Most
of the time you are just waiting for visas or planes, or are
arguing with local officials," he said, smiling.
For more sensitive subjects, such as portraits, he uses
black-and-white photography, which makes for "more powerful
photos," he said.
He usually spends a lot of time talking with people before
taking their portraits. "People usually don't see the importance of
it. So you need to communicate with them. Also it is more important
to tell the stories behind faces, so you need to know what happened
to these people before you photograph them," Knoth said.
Beltra expressed his strong desire to work in China sometime in
the future, but Knoth, who has been to many Asian countries, said
he would rather work elsewhere.
As for their respective private lives, Beltra said he prefers
outdoor activities. In contrast, Knoth appreciates staying at
home.
So, after leaving Beijing a week later, Beltra returned to the
Amazon to cover flooding, While Knoth, a home-loving guy, reunited
with his wife for a long-awaited holiday. But he also expects to be
back on his travels in the near future.
(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2006)
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