Today I bought this gorgeous book called Tarkine:
It’s full of divine photographs of the Tasmanian Wilderness - some of which I toured through this past January. What is really interesting is that the book was compiled mostly from photos taken by a group of 43 photographers who went on a funded trek through the Wilderness for the sole purpose of calling attention to the very real threat of its destruction.
Sauer-Thompson points out that there’s been a long tradition of photography that represent a sense of place for a social purpose in Tasmania, given the battles to protect the areas of pristine Wilderness. Some of it has achieved its purpose, with World Heritage listed areas that are totally protected. Unfortunately, the Tarkine wilderness area is not yet listed, and there’s a battle waging in Tasmania right now with logging companies and chipping mills wanting to strip this area, fighting against the Wilderness Society and conservation groups. The photographs are used as artefacts of evidence to support the Wilderness preservation argument.
One of the photographers featured in the book is Rob Blakers. I also love Rob’s photographs of Freycinet on the East coast of Tasmania, which is where I’m headed next summer! Take a look:
These are featured in this book:
Divine, aren’t they!! Tasmania Tasmania Tasmania - only 11 more months *grin*