The Rama Team Photographers
An International Traveling Exhibition of Endangered Species
Dedicated to the Children of the World by Calley O'Neill with Rama the Elephant
AN EPIC JOURNEY OF ART AND SOUL FOR THE EARTH
RAMA: AMBASSADOR FOR THE ENDANGERED ONES
Artists Speaking Passionately on Behalf of Those who Cannot Speak
Celeste Ets-Hokin of The Xerces Society, Native Beeguiled and WildBeeGardens provided the native bee reference photographed in her backyard in the NW US.
As with many photographers, finding a shot of Charlie is proving difficult. All his photos seem to be from BEHIND the camera....We're not giving up.
THE GERMAN AEROSPACE CENTER (DLR) is the national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany. Its extensive research and development work in aeronautics, space, energy, transport, digitalisation and security is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures. In addition to its own research, as Germany’s space agency, DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the planning and implementation of the German space programme. DLR is also the umbrella organisation for the nation’s largest project management agency.
MICHAEL DURHAM, Oregon Zoo Photographer, Portland, Oregon has contributed to each of the eight paintings featured here. From the tiny spaces of an urban yard, to the remote corners of the Earth – Michael Durham has used a camera to document subjects that are often beyond human perception. To this end, he has studied and practiced bat photography, remote nocturnal photography, trail camera photography, extreme macro photography, infrared photography, long exposure photography, and much more. The more elusive a subject, the more interesting it is. Michael brings with this years of experience in the trenches as a commercial photographer where subject, light, and moment are combined to make powerful images that capture an idea or emotion. For years now, video has also been a part of his work.
JACK JEFFREY Wildlife Biologist, Volcano, Hawaii
As a long time resident of the Big Island of Hawaii, wildlife biologist, photographer and birder, Jack Jeffrey, is intimately familiar with Hawaii's hidden valleys, remote rainforests and rare birds. He brings to his images the knowledge from over 30 years of observation and study of Hawaii's endemic birds, as well as those from around the Pacific. He combines a naturalist's curiosity with a photographer's patience and technical skill to produce beautiful images. Jack contends' that "Public awareness is the greatest asset to Hawaii's imperiled species". Jack is the recipient of the prestigious National Sierra Club 2002 Ansel Adams' Award for Conservation Photography, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Recovery Champion Award, Nature Conservancy of Hawaii Kako'o Aina Award, Hawaii Chapter Sierra Club Conservationist of the Year Award, and Hawaii Audubon Society Conservationist of the Year Award.
ROBIN MOORE, photographer, filmmaker, author, conservationist, and host of the No Filter podcast, in which he turns the lens on some of the most influential photographers working today.
Robin grew up in Scotland chasing frogs and newts before entering the steamy jungles of West Africa to study chameleons, a life-altering experience that ignited a burning desire to try to protect such incredible places bubbling with life.
In 2014 he published his first book, In Search of Lost Frogs, a 70,000-word narrative wrapped around 400 images depicting his search for some of the most elusive creatures on earth. The book was featured by the Guardian, Mother Nature Network and the Dodo as one of the top nature and conservation photography books of the year.
THOMAS MARENT, Wildlife Photographer, Neuenhof, Switzerland was born in 1966 in Baden, Switzerland. During his childhood he developed a strong fascination for nature and wildlife. When he bought his first camera at the age of 16,
he became as passionate about photography.
At the age of 23, Marent first set foot into a rainforest in Australia: “It was rainy season and the forest was bursting with life. It was hot, humid, noisy and completely exhilarating, but most exciting of all was the wildlife. I was immediately hooked. There and then, I made up my mind to explore rainforests throughout the world”. And so he did. Since that first expedition, he has explored rainforests all over the world.
PAUL McCORMICK, Photographer/Giclee Master, Waimea, Hawaii
began photographing wildlife as a teenager in the Alaska wilderness. Through his work with bears, moose, caribou, and other species, Paul developed the immense patience needed to capture their essence.
After earning a degree in wildlife management at the University of Alaska, Paul focused his cameras on Hawai‘i, bringing his extraordinary skills and distinctive vision to the endangered species of the islands.
Paul is a master printer with more than 20 years of experience in giclee production. His skillful use of advanced equipment and quality materials create exquisite reproductions for a select group of artists in Hawai’i.
PIOTR (PETER) NASKRECKI) entomologist, photographer and author, currently at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (Cambridge, MA, USA.). He received his M. Sc. degree in Zoology from the A. Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland (1990), and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (2000). Between 2002 and 2009 Piotr served as Director of the Invertebrate Diversity Initiative at the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International, Washington, D.C. His research focuses on the evolution of katydids and related insects, and the theory and practice of nature conservation.
EARL REININK, Wildlife Photographer, Dunneville, ON, Canada
From the first time I looked through a macro lens, I was photographically hooked. Since that day in 1977, I have devoted all my spare time in the pursuit of the "ultimate image" and fortunately have yet to take it.
My journey has led me to writing and publishing in various magazines, lecturing at numerous camera clubs, and finally a career in wedding, aerial and product photography.
In 1999 this fascination in image making brought me to the Dundas Valley School of Art, where I have taken numerous courses in drawing and painting, and ultimately, the opening of my gallery - "Canadian Art Sales." Photography remains for me, the vehicle for my art inspiration.
DOUG PERRINE, Wildlife Photographer, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost marine wildlife photographers. His photographs have been reproduced in virtually every major nature magazine in the world, as well as in thousands of books, calendars, greeting cards, posters, etc., including more than 100 covers. His photography has won a number of awards, including the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition as the overall winner (2004), and also winner of the animal behavior category and the Nature's Best/Cemex competition in the Professional Marine Wildlife category.
He is also the author of seven books on marine life and numerous magazine articles. Doug founded SeaPics.com as a venue for his own photography, and later expanded it to represent a growing number of other photographers as well. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Doug was educated at the University of Hawaii and the University of Miami, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in marine biology. He has lived in Morocco and Micronesia (as a Peace Corps volunteer) and the Cayman Islands (as a dive guide/instructor). Since finishing graduate school in 1986, he has been self-employed as a naturalist/photojournalist.
SUSAN DOMREIS - Oregon Zoo Photo Team, Enrichment Team, Animal Talker, Past Photo Team Co-Chair, Past Primate Enrichment Liaison, Past ZooDoer Graphic Designer and Layout Artist.
Susan is currently retired, working only when she wants to, and we feel so lucky to have had her expertise in capturing Kutai's likeness for this painting.
KEOKI STENDER is a native Hawaiian photographer, educator, diving industry specialist, and owner of marinelifephotography.com, a popular species identification resource for Hawaii and beyond. He studied marine science and botany at the University of Hawaii and shares this passion as a guest speaker and volunteer educator for many organizations. Keoki is a PADI scuba instructor with more than 25 years of experience in the dive industry.
YUKO STENDER, Animal Lover, Surfer, and PADI Divemaster is originally from Tokyo, Japan and earned a BA in Liberal Studies-Marine Science from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo and Masters degree in Geography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She has experience as a Assistant Dolphin Trainer and Bilingual Interpreter at Sea Life Park in Waimanalo, O'ahu, Finfish Aquaculture technician at the Oceanic Institute, and Environmental Lab technician, and Educator with Rapture Marine Expeditions,Waikiki Aquarium, Marine Option Program, and 'Alu Like. Yuko was Scuba certified in 1987 and began taking underwater photos in 1992. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Geography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
DALE WALSH, Photographer, Ardent traveler
We fell in love with Dale's photograph of a breaching whale while surfing the net for one. The photo was a stock photo, and it took some effort for Julia to track him down and call him. She was so excited, she didn't realize it was 9:30 pm at his house. Dale graciously agreed to sharing the 2006 Maui photo, which was also a winner of the 2006 Pacific Whale Foundation Photo Contest! Dale's photography is widely varied, and covers 62 galleries in his online photo base.
Obviously well traveled, Dale says, "A picture is worth a thousand words but an experience is worth a thousand pictures!"
CHAD YOSHINAGA, NOAA Fisheries’ lead man in the Pacific Region
Chad's journey started out in Hawaii, where he was born and raised, involves a chemistry set he received in 4th grade that got him hooked on science and continued as he graduated from Roosevelt High School and later from University of Hawai`i.
His love of animals and his time spent in the ocean growing up in Hawai`i also played a key role in his career path. He worked with University of Hawaii's Marine Options Program as an undergraduate, volunteered with the Hawaiian monk seal program and was hooked. Eventually he worked his way up to a paid position he’s worked ever since to study and protect one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals.
CHARLIE RUTKOWSKI, Zoo Photographer, Oregon Zoo
Charlie's photo of Rama as a baby inspired this painting depicting the "Birth of Rama."
