Últimos Refúgios (Last Refuges)

Instituto Terra

leonardomercon — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 05:34:58 GMT

I am environmentalist and my passion is wildlife photography.
I try to make my dream come true, becoming a nature photographer. My motto: "People only protect what they know exists."
My tactic is the fusion of design concepts, photography and environmental awareness actions. I founded the non-profit organisation Instituto Últimos Refúgios, devoting most of my time trying to preserve nature. Furthermore, I help in research biologists to improve their scientific work by donating some of my pictures of certain animal species.
I graduated as Graphic Designer. In order to turn my graduation project, my first nature photo book, into a reality, I needed to buy my professional equipment. For five months I worked in the ice cold mountains of Colorado (USA) photographing tourists. It was in these extreme conditions, with temperatures that reached - 40ºC, that I realised that my willpower is strong enough to overcome all obstacles. Because my first self-published book the renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado invited me to photograph the Instituto Terra in Minas Gerais.
Up until today I am not able to pay my bills and live from photography, but I intend to get there one day.

Photos: My Photo scholarship 2011 entry

leonardomercon — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:00:00 GMT

The photographs I am subscribing were taken in Itaúnas, a small nature park in Brazil with lots of problems. Big industries are exploiting the area and the local community has a difficult relation with the park´s administration. Monoculture, hunting and fires set on purpose are threats that put this place in danger. I graduated in Graphic Design which has a strong influence on my photographs. For that reason I am more critical with color, composition and image quality. My passion for nature photography developed from my early interest in animals by jumping out of the school window and search for small bugs in my school's garden. That, by the way, made me almost fail 1st grade of primary school. Nowadays, it’s what I plan doing for living. My recent experiences among biologist are that I saw them fighting to protect nature following political rules, struggling with bureaucracy. As everybody is tired of moving in circles, I saw an opportunity to sensitize people with art. It’s a romantic view, but maybe that’s what is missing those days. We can only protect what we know that exists! This is my main reason to photograph. Showing the beauties of nature and remaining cultures. In Brazil, I coordinate a project called "Últimos Refúgios" (Last Refuges), trying to attain environmental sensitization, showing that there are still important things to protect. At all nature parks we apply this project we also speak at the community's schools nearby by showing our pictures and applying environmental education activities. I think winning this scholarship will help me to earn reputation for my projects in Brazil and make it less difficult to obtain funds for upcoming projects. That’s my aim.

Photos: Profile

leonardomercon — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 10:28:00 GMT

Profile photo´s options

Photos: Faith on the "Occidental" China

leonardomercon — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:56:00 GMT

For the Application to the Travel Photography Scholarship 2010, I choose the theme "Faith on the "Occidental" China". On a trip to visit a Chinese friend, also a scholarship holder in Germany, we visited the most interesting religious and cultural points in Hong Kong and Macau. I tried to register the aspects of the reminiscent oriental faith on this two cities that was ruled by English and Portuguese governants. There are allots of temples of Buddhism, Taoism and so many others. Its impressive to see the great faith of these amazing people. The atmosphere of the temples in China make it looks like from another time, from different world. The fog gives an ethereal feeling combined with the faith of this millenary culture. My name is Leonardo Merçon and I graduated as a Graphic Designer on 2007 in Brazil. On 2009 I won a scholarship (DAAD) to do a post graduation In Photography and Graphic Design on the Academy of Media and Arts of Cologne\Germany. I am trying to specialize myself on photography publications, specially wildlife and culture! With this background, I think I will be able to do all that is necessary on the Scholarship´s experience and I really look forward to get this opportunity to improve my skills in a such great adventure with the photographer that I admire allot. As my biggest dream since 5 yeas old was to work on projects as I always saw on the National Geographic Channel on TV.