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Knoth are very contrasting figures Beltra looks brawny and communicative, while lanky Knoth is somewhat reticent and withdrawn.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)