South SFV Today

Students at Stanford University are delving into the world of conservation photography under the guidance of Professor Susan McConnell. McConnell, an esteemed professor of biology, is leading an Introductory Seminar course that explores the intersection of photography, wildlife, and environmental conservation.

The course, aptly named "Conservation Photography," aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to use photography as a tool for advocating environmental causes. McConnell emphasizes the importance of photography in influencing social movements, stating, "We need to fix this, and how are we going to use images to actually alter people’s behaviors?"

Throughout the course, students not only learn how to operate cameras but also dive into the history of photography in shaping conservation efforts. From the Civil War to the climate crisis, McConnell's course covers a wide range of topics to showcase the impact of photography on environmental activism.

As part of their hands-on learning experience, students embarked on a guided tour of Elkhorn Slough, where they had the opportunity to capture coastal wildlife up close. The picturesque setting of Elkhorn Slough provided a backdrop for students to not only photograph wildlife but also explore the coexistence of nature and human activity in the area.

For many students, like first-year student Antonio Vega, the course is a chance to merge their passion for nature with newfound photography skills. Vega expressed his desire to tell a story from the perspective of his culture through photography, highlighting the potential of images to capture the essence of conservation and biodiversity.

As the students navigated through Elkhorn Slough, spotting sea otters, harbor seals, and various bird species, the tour served as a platform for students to test their photography skills in a real-world setting. Despite the excitement of seeing abundant wildlife, McConnell and her course assistant, Marina Luccioni, hope that students will go beyond capturing mere moments and aim to convey deeper messages through their photographs.

In the words of Luccioni, "Everyone in this class is so passionate and motivated, and it’s so hopeful to me to see such an awesome group of students who care about conservation from a lot of different angles." The course not only fosters photography skills but also nurtures a sense of environmental stewardship and advocacy among the students, paving the way for them to make meaningful contributions to conservation efforts in the future.