National Geographic First Photography Forum Online Screening: Sensing Taiwan’s Ecological Pulses through Photographic Aesthetic Perception

The “2022 National Geographic Photography Forum”, hosted by “National Geographic”, was broadcasted on YouTube and Facebook for the first time, to benefit more photography enthusiasts and raise awareness of the ecological environment. The forum was divided into three parts, inviting photography experts from the fields of sea, land, and air to reveal their reflections on environmental issues through image creation. The premiere on February 15th featured the internationally renowned aerial photographer George Steinmetz, of “National Geographic”. On February 18th, part two streamed a fascinating conversation between Taiwan’s environmental documentary director, Ke Chin-Yuan, and Wistron Humanities Foundation CEO, Joyce Chou (Chou Wen-Ling). They shared their experience on environmental sustainability through photography. The last installment aired on February 22nd featured Yorko Summer, one of the world’s top 100 underwater photographers, shared the beauty of the ocean and its conservation.

Forum 1: Aerial View of Environment and Ecology｜National Geographic Aerial Photographer George Steinmetz

Throughout George Steinmetz's career, his lens has captured the global food waste and greenhouse gas emissions crisis, leading him to reflect on social and humanistic issues and to become an environmentalist. He also shared his unique observations on Taiwan's fishing and farming industries, an unprecedented exclusive interview that should not be missed!

Caption: Taiwan squid fishing boats off the coast of the Falkland Islands attract plankton with bright light; when squid catch the prey, they are caught by fishing nets. (Photo by George Steinmetz)

Forum 2: Ecological Photography and Ecological Sustainability｜Taiwan Environmental Documentary Director Ke Chin-Yuan

Director Ke Chin-Yuan invited Wistron Humanities Foundation CEO Joyce Chou as a co-keynote speaker to his lecture. They both shared their experiences in ecological conservation and pointed out that no one is a bystander in this era. Additionally, they encouraged citizens to take action on ecological conservation. Ke Chin-Yuan exhibited his 40 years of video documentary on Taiwan's ecological environment, which clearly contrasts environmental changes and dilemmas. Furthermore, exerting a substantial influence on public opinion and policy through citizen documentary reporting. According to Joyce Chou, ecological conservation has long been embedded in Wistron's corporate DNA. For a decade, employees have taken the initiative to contribute to ecological restoration and take practical actions to protect the ecological environment.

Caption: Through the exposure of environmental records, it has a substantial impact on public opinion and policy generation (Photo by Director Ke Chin-Yuan)

Forum 3: Diving into the world below sea level｜Top 100 Famous Underwater Photographers in the World of Yorko Summer

Yorko Summer explained why he loves such difficult underwater photography so much. He shared the fantastic underwater worlds of various countries and the rare underwater creatures. His concern for marine conservation is that he actually observed through the lens the deterioration of the seabed and climate change, especially since the value of fishery tourism is far greater than the fishing value. People should contemplate on a sustainable development of the ocean. He also encouraged both photographers and water sports enthusiasts do their part in marine conservation.

Caption: The sea anemone behind the clownfish is facing a serious bleaching threat. (Photo by Yorko Summer)

“National Geographic Taiwan Photo Contest Prologue Interview and Call for Submission”: Triggering Ecological Conservation Practices through Art

Before the broadcast of this forum, the “National Geographic Taiwan Photo Contest Prologue Interview and Call for Submission” was planned, and well-known anchor Claudia Lin (Lin Shu-Wei) was called as host. First, Lee Yung-Shih, editor-in-chief of the traditional Chinese version of “National Geographic” magazine, and Lin Hsien-Ming, the chairman of Wistron and the Wistron Humanities Foundation, had a cross-industry conversation to draw inspiration, and further invited Lin Hwa-Ching, the director of the Forestry Bureau, to share about embracing ecology through artistic aesthetics. Finally, Ambassador-at-large and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE), Mr. Eugene Chien (Chien Yu-Hsin), analyzed the challenges of ESG trends and environmental issues.

Li Yung-Shih said that “National Geographic” was founded in 1888, and had since greatly influenced photographers. At the same time, such impact stimulated people to think deeply about humanities, places, ecology, and other issues. This year's contest stipulated that the scenes must be set in Taiwan adding ecological stories, hoping to convey the importance of environmental sustainability through visual thinking.

Lin Hsien-Ming shared that the Wistron Humanities Foundation had been concerned about Taiwan's ecological environment since 2006, and joined hands with public welfare groups to invest in ecological conservation, including Taipei City’s Fuyang Eco Park, Yilan County’s Shuanglian Bei, and Tainan City’s Longci. Hopefully, this year’s eco-sustainability photography contest will draw the attention of the Taiwanese people.

In recent years, the Forestry Bureau's publications have been well received by the public. Director Lin Hwa-Ching said it is easier to gather the public's attention and resonance through image aesthetics. Moreover, the Forestry Bureau's publications were often themed on forest animals and plants, displaying elaborate illustrations that have lighten up people's eyes and risen their love for forest ecology.

Ambassador Eugene Chien shared the trends of environmental sustainability based on the impact of the global ESG wave and climate change. He pointed out the challenges Taiwan's ecological environment is facing. It is fortunate that there were many benchmark companies such as Wistron have been committing to ecological conservation over the years. Improving the ecological environment can enhance ESG indicators and strengthen international competitiveness.

Displaying the beauty of Taiwan and Ecological Conservation through the lens

This year, “National Geographic” encourages photography enthusiasts to encounter the beauty of Taiwan and restricts Taiwan as the shooting location. In addition to the themes "People", “Places”, and “Nature”, “Eco-sustainability” has been added to the category for the first time. For this theme, five photos will be considered as a group of works to tell stories of “Animal and plant Conservation”, “Water, Land and Wetland Ecology”, “Marine Conservation” or “Climate Change”, hoping to inspire national consensus for ecological protection.

The winner of this year's Eco-sustainability theme will receive both the award money and the opportunity to work with the director, Ke Chin-Yuan on the "Eco-sustainability Reportage Mission" and record the mission process by text and video. It will be published in a special edition of the 2022 National Geographic Taiwan Photo Contest and on social media platforms! Submissions are open until noon on April 15th.

National Geographic Aerial Photographer George Steinmetz: An Aerial View of Environment and Ecology

Chou Wen-Ling (Joyce Chou), CEO of the Wistron Humanities Foundation｜Ecological Photography and Eco-Sustainable Taiwan Environmental Documentary Director Ke Chin-Yuan.

Top 100 famous underwater photographer in the world, Yorko Summer