The environment is a very important thing to us here at PhotoMoto, and we all want to do what we can to preserve it.
One of the most environmentally unfriendly things a person can do is go out and buy a brand new camera for every new trip or event they have coming up. This only contributes to waste on our planet. There are several ways you can go about greening your photography, and we’ve compiled a list of some great eco-friendly photography tips to help you save the planet while you’re at it.
Table of Contents
1) Be Prepared
This is the most important thing when trying to be environmentally friendly when photographing. Being prepared means that you aren’t wasting resources, and you’ll already have everything you need before you leave the house.
2) Use Reusable Bags
Plastic bags are a major environmental hazard that can take hundreds of years to decompose. Even if they decompose, plastic bags still pose a danger as they contain toxic chemicals that will seep into the soil and water. It is much better to bring a reusable bag from home to carry your goods in when you go grocery shopping or out on a photoshoot than using plastic bags.
3) Seek Out the Right Materials
Many types of papers and plastics are used in cameras and lenses, so finding out how eco-friendly they are before you choose them is important. Opting for eco-friendly materials like bamboo will keep chemicals out of the environment while also having a lower carbon footprint than other materials such as plastic and aluminum.
4) Hit the Outdoors, Not the Shops
Going shopping can be bad for the environment because it wastes gas and consumes electricity. If you have to go shopping, try and get the materials you need online instead of going to a store.
5) Use Both Sides of Paper
Reusing paper is another good way to help save the environment while still getting your work done. Make sure that you’re printing on both sides of the paper when possible. If not, print on used paper if you’re going to toss it after.
6) Print with Eco-Friendly Ink
Ink can be very harmful to the environment and those who use it. Inks made from petroleum are often extremely toxic and contain carcinogens. Opting for refillable ink cartridges instead of making sure they are recyclable can also pose a problem. Try finding ink cartridges that use soy-based inks instead of petroleum, so you know you’re doing your part to keep the environment safe.
7) Use Your Computer for Work Too
Computers and printers use up energy, but not nearly as much as they would if you didn’t make an effort to use your computer for work as well. Use your computer instead of buying more paper, and print documents like photos only if you’re sure they will be necessary.
8) Choose Eco-Friendly Software
It takes resources to make software, but not nearly as many resources as it takes to produce cars or houses. Try out eco-friendly software to help save the environment while you’re using your computer.
9) Use Natural Light Whenever Possible
Natural light is preferred over artificial lighting because it won’t consume as much energy and helps keep toxins out of the air. Be sure to take advantage of natural lighting whenever possible when photographing.
10) Avoid Disposables
Disposable items like strobe flashes, battery packs, and light bulbs are not only harmful to the environment; they are extremely overpriced. There are ways around throwing away these things instead of using them multiple times. Items like strobes can be bought in pieces so you can get many uses out of one flash head. You can buy them online with refillable cases for items like bulbs, so you only have to purchase the bulb once.
11) Strive for Perfection
Being environmentally friendly is not about having an excuse to be lazy or unproductive. Instead of taking disposable items that won’t save any resources, try working around them and finding other ways to still accomplish the job. If you’re going to take a disposable strobe, try setting it up in a way that won’t waste batteries and doesn’t have any extra parts that will just be thrown out later. You can even recycle old film cases by using them for light stands rather than throwing them away when they get too beat up!
12) Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
Bringing your water bottle to photoshoots will help save the environment because it reduces the number of plastic bottles washed and reused. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time on location, bring along some snacks as well, so you don’t need to spend extra money at a restaurant or cafe.
13) Don’t Let Your Gear Get Wet
Gear like lenses and cameras will break down if they get wet, and because of this, it’s best to avoid letting your gear get completely soaked. Try using rain covers for your gear when you’re out shooting in the rain or other harsh weather conditions. Be sure to let your gear fully dry if it does get wet before using it again.
14) Keep Batteries Dry
No matter how careful you are, batteries will eventually get wet and lose their power over time. Be sure to keep all batteries in a waterproof case when outshooting; this will help them last much longer and reduce the number of batteries that you need to buy.
15) Go Paperless
Printing bank statements, photos, and other documents with a printer is a large waste of paper and energy. It’s best to go as paperless as possible by using online banking, storing important files on an external hard drive instead of printing them out, and printing all photos only when necessary.
16) Use a Shower Curtain
Rather than using drop cloths made of plastic to protect your workspace. It’s effective and can be reused for future photoshoots! Just make sure to wash it after each shot, so you don’t spread any dirt or bacteria from one photoshoot location to another.
17) Reuse Paper
Rather than throwing all your used paper away, you can reuse it by turning it into other products. You can use glue and water to make your popsicle stick frames for photos or even roll pieces of discarded paper into makeshift light gels that won’t harm the environment while being just as effective!
18) Put Your Camera Away
At the end of a photoshoot, take a moment to reflect on your work and then pick out your best images. After you’re done with that, put away your camera and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Taking a break will help refresh your mind to come up with other creative ideas for future photography projects.
19) Don’t Throw Away Old Gear
Don’t simply throw away old gear that you’re replacing with a newer model. Instead, try selling it on forums or websites like Craigslist or eBay to make some extra cash while helping others get good deals on used equipment at the same time! If your old flashes and studio lights still work, you can even use them as a backup while your new ones are shipped.
20) Avoid Disposable Products
Disposable camera flashes aren’t environmentally friendly because they have to be replaced with a new one every time you want it. Instead of using these types of flashes, consider buying rechargeable batteries and a few extra rechargeable flash units that you can save as a backup. This will save you money in the long run and help reduce waste.
FAQ’s
Q: How does recycling help to save the environment?
A: Recycling turns used products into new ones, so they don’t have to be thrown away and reused instead. The process of recycling consumes less energy than making a product from scratch, which helps reduce waste and pollution.
Q: How can photos were taken with disposable cameras be harmful to the environment?
A: Disposable cameras are made of plastic, glass, and other materials that will eventually get thrown away after a single use. This wastes natural resources and creates more waste to be recycled or disposed of instead.
Q: What is an eco-friendly alternative to storing photos on CDs or DVDs?
A: Digital files can be stored and backed up on an external hard drive instead of storing them with CDs and DVDs. This helps to reduce waste because you won’t have any disks thrown away after each photoshoot, saving money in the long run.
Q: How does printing bank statements or other documents at home cause harm to the environment?
A: Paper pages are made from trees that have to be chopped down to be used, which leaves room for other trees in the area to grow instead. It also takes a lot of energy and water to turn the wood into paper prints, so using an alternative method like bank statements online can help save these resources while reducing waste at the same time.
Q: Is Canva eco-friendly?
A: Yes, Canva is an eco-friendly design app because it does not require any downloads and allows you to create designs for websites, social media images, and more.
Q: Is film photography eco-friendly?
A: No, film photography is not eco-friendly because it requires the use of more resources than digital photography. You can recycle disposable cameras or undeveloped rolls of film, but you cannot reuse them like film in reusable cameras.
Conclusion
If you take a little time to think about it, there are many ways we can all help the environment through photography. We hope these 20 tips have inspired you to get creative with your photos and make some simple changes that will have a big impact on the planet. How will you reduce your environmental impact through photography?
