Hey guys! James here. Just wanted to tell you a little about why I love what I do, and what it means to me :)
I have an admitted passion for
birds and wildlife. Influenced by
the world around me as I traveled for almost a decade, I see that the world is
changing very rapidly. Whole species are becoming extinct every day and I feel
the need to capture things as they are right now, so future generations can see
how beautiful this place used to be. That being said, I feel some amount of
faith that things can improve; that we can turn it around before it’s too late.
Forests, lakes and mountains are a
testament to the fluctuating natural rhythms of this planet, and I feel most
comfortable listening to it. I try to render that feeling through my images,
the reverence I experience while quietly walking in the woods, turning my head
to the sound of a bird I don’t quite recognize. This is what it’s all about.
We all need to slow down, remember
who we are, and take stock of what is really important to us. If a photograph
of mine on a wall can stop someone from their rushing around during the day,
even for a few seconds, it would give me a sense of accomplishment.
Nature is perfect. People behave
differently in front of a camera, but animals are always themselves. They are
connected to pure instinct instead of ego, and we can learn a lesson or two
from them. Capturing the personality and of these creatures is a goal of mine,
as they seem as varied and different as ourselves, and are the innocent victims
of the damage we humans create.
Many artists use photography as a
memory tool to mark their journey, and I like that idea. I want to look at an
image and remember exactly how I felt in that instant. Patience and luck play a big part in me
getting the shots I want, as much as trying to have fun with it. I primarily use colour digital photography,
but more subtle, toned down images do have their place as well- depending on
what feeling I’m trying to pull out of an image.
Digital allows me to relax in any
situation, because I can take as many shots as I care to. While I was traveling
years ago, I felt tremendously limited by the film cameras I was using, and
still have a massive pile of untouched negatives in my basement as a
result. I have also grown to love
stitching photos together to produce large, panoramic scenes that hopefully will
inspire awe and a sense of humility in the viewers. Only when we see a bigger
picture can we step back and really observe what we’re doing. I know that there
are a countless numbers of photographers out there, but this is what I’m good
at, and it’s what I can contribute to the world.
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So all I can say is find a way to do what you love, because it's what you are here for. Hope you are all having a great evening wherever you are :)
Visit my website when you have a minute:
JamesToth.com
I found this really inspirational video about people who untangled a whale from fishing net that weighed the poor creature down so much that it was nearly dead. Whales are some of my favourite animals on this planet. I have dreams about them quite regularly, and love to visit them when I am near the ocean. It's also one of the powerful reasons I do not eat fish. This industry causes so much suffering, and I would like to see an end to it one day. Let's not even get into the whale hunters. 
Yes, I know that people all around the world have relied on fish as a staple in their diet, but you know what? Things can change. We evolve. Funny thing about fruits and vegetables, nuts and seed- they can grow almost anywhere if we 
How is it possible that we have let ourselves be enslaved by giant multi-billion dollar corporations like Monsanto who control our food systems?? Patenting seeds, and now human genomes? How can corporations claim ownership over something they did not create? 
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