Author, Icebergs to Iguanas: Photographic Journeys Around the World
This week, Ira spoke with award-winning photographer, TV host, conservationist and National Geographic photographer Jason Edwards, author of Icebergs to Iguanas: Photographic Journeys Around the World, a large format series of books illustrating his National Geographic imagery. In this wide-angle episode of “Ira’s Everything Bagel,” Jason talks about his early years as a drawing and painting artist; experiencing the influence of two German curators as an eighteen year old; forming his own style; starting out with film and eventually converting to digital photography (but somehow still carrying the same weight); how he keeps in shape for his globe-trotting adventures; viewing the world as a photo; what he views in the camera that the rest of us do not; seeing the “rectangle” in everything he does; why he is paid to make images, not excuses; how the book project came into existence; why story telling in the book is essential, along with the stunning images; the “behind the scenes” perspective; how the photos and text were curated for the book; and why it will become a series of books.
Jason Edwards has been at the forefront of natural history photography for more than three decades. His image portfolio ranks among the largest of any photographer in the Society's long history. Based in Melbourne Australia, a passion for wildlife and the environment has been with him over his extensive career that began as a zookeeper at the Zoological Board of Victoria. Jason has since been recognized globally for his contributions to Science, the Environment, and the Arts.
Jason's accolades within the photographic industry stretch over 25 years and include among others; two times winner of the Eureka Prize for Science Photography, four times winner of Communications Art Photography Annual, two times winner of the ProMax Golden Muse, POYi Pictures of the Year International, and Travel Photographer of the Year. He was awarded the Australian Geographic Society Pursuit of Excellence Award, and also honored as one of the world’s ‘100 Photography Heroes’ by Professional Photographer Magazine, London.
Through his commissioned assignments and as the face of National Geographic Channel's Pure Photography, Jason has taken his story telling to television and streaming networks in dozens of countries and to every continent. His imagery has appeared in hundreds of publications including National Geographic Magazine, BBC Wildlife, Australian Geographic, Sports Illustrated, Conde Nast Traveler, and The New Yorker.
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