{"id":8042,"date":"2020-12-14T19:41:34","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T19:41:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/environmentaldefence.ca\/?p=28229"},"modified":"2020-12-14T19:41:34","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T19:41:34","slug":"behind-the-photographers-lens-the-making-of-north-of-long-tail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2020\/12\/14\/behind-the-photographers-lens-the-making-of-north-of-long-tail\/","title":{"rendered":"Behind the Photographer\u2019s Lens \u2013 The Making of North of Long Tail"},"content":{"rendered":"
This is a guest blog by Colin Boyd Shafer<\/a>, a documentary photographer and social sciences educator from Kitchener, Ont. We recently collaborated with Colin on\u00a0North of Long Tail<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 a documentary photography project that explores people’s deep intrinsic connections to Lake Erie.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n In recent years, Lake Erie<\/a> and its shoreline have been impacted by climate change, erosion, plastic pollution, and flooding. One of the biggest threats to the lake are annual massive \u2014 and sometimes toxic \u2014 algae blooms, which can kill fish and make the water unsafe for drinking or swimming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Honestly, I knew very little about Lake Erie and the threats facing it before embarking on creating <\/span>North of Long Tail<\/span><\/i><\/a>. But I do have a degree in environmental science and a love for storytelling through photography, so this project \u2014 to collect stories of people living along Lake Erie\u2019s northern shore – seemed like a perfect fit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Over a few busy months, I travelled thousands of kilometres to meet and learn about an exciting array of individuals of different backgrounds and in different locations \u2014 from Essex County to Niagara.<\/p>\n Photo credit for all images: Colin Boyd Shafer for Environmental Defence<\/em><\/p>\n Getting to know North Buxton with Michelle<\/a><\/strong>, a descendant of former slaves whose ancestors found safety there via the Underground Railroad.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photographing (and eating) some of the most delicious Lake Erie perch and chips I\u2019ve ever had at Anthony\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> restaurant, Mettawas Station.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Catching frogs out at Hillman Marsh with science teacher Lisa.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Saving baby turtles with John<\/strong> <\/a>along Long Point\u2019s Causeway Road<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photographing Janne<\/a> <\/strong>of Caldwell First Nation in Point Pelee National Park, at the picnic area she renamed \u201cMadbin Jina\u201d (which means \u201csit a while\u201d in Anishinaabemowin). The experience was extra-special because she hadn\u2019t been to the area since its renaming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Going forest bathing with Holly<\/a><\/strong> in Norfolk County\u2019s Backus Woods.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waking up at 2:30 am to go out on the boat for a day of commercial fishing with Todd<\/a><\/strong> (and getting to see the beautiful sunrise!)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kayaking out to see Rondeau Bay’s giant yellow lotuses with ecologist Ken<\/strong>.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Walking the Niagara shores, monitoring water quality and algae with Gregary <\/a><\/strong>of Swim Drink Fish and the Niagara Coastal Community Collaborative.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\nHere are a few highlights from the process of creating North of Long Tail:<\/i><\/strong><\/h3>\n