Yann Arthus-Bertrand
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
======================
Full Name and Common Aliases
--------------------------------
Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a French photographer, environmentalist, activist, and former President of the Agence de la Photographie de l'Image du Monde (API).
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born on March 13, 1946, in Paris, France. Still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
---------------------------------
French national with a career spanning multiple fields: photography, environmental activism, filmmaking, and publishing.
Early Life and Background
------------------------------
Yann Arthus-Bertrand was born into a family of intellectuals and artists. His father, François Arthus-Bertrand, was an engineer, and his mother, Madeleine Bertrand, was a linguist. Growing up in the French countryside influenced his interest in nature and the environment.
Arthus-Bertrand developed a passion for photography at a young age, inspired by the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson and Ansel Adams. He began taking photographs as a teenager, eventually enrolling in the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris to hone his skills.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Photography: Yann Arthus-Bertrand's photography career spans over four decades, with a focus on documenting social and environmental issues. His photographs have been exhibited worldwide and are part of several museum collections.
Environmental Activism: He is the founder of the _Planet Action_ movement, which advocates for environmental protection and sustainable development.
Filmmaking: Arthus-Bertrand directed the documentary series _Earth from Above_, featuring aerial photography that highlights human impact on the environment. The series won several awards, including an Emmy Award.Notable Works or Actions
-----------------------------
Some of his notable works include:
Earth from Above (2009): a documentary series showcasing aerial photographs of human activity and its effects on the environment.
Humanity (2011): a documentary film exploring the concept of humanity through interviews with people from different backgrounds and cultures.Impact and Legacy
----------------------
Yann Arthus-Bertrand's work has had a significant impact on raising awareness about environmental issues. His photographs and documentaries have been seen by millions worldwide, inspiring conversations and action on sustainability.
As an advocate for social and environmental change, he has received numerous awards and honors, including the French Legion of Honor.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
------------------------------------------
Yann Arthus-Bertrand's influence extends beyond his work as a photographer and filmmaker. He is widely quoted and remembered for:
His ability to capture the human experience through his photographs and documentaries.
* His commitment to environmental activism and advocacy for sustainable development.
His dedication to creating awareness about social and environmental issues has left an enduring legacy, inspiring future generations of artists, activists, and leaders.
As a testament to his impact, his work continues to be featured in exhibitions, publications, and educational programs worldwide.
Quotes by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
The whole world is determined by trade – which is really the blood of the world. The driving force is everyone’s desire to have a better life. How? By consuming. For countries, the ‘Holy Grail’ is economic growth.
Our children think our world will end. It’s a tragic thing. Adults don’t think that. They don’t see that we are eating the planet. But we are. If you take all the biomass of vertebrates on the planet, 98% are men and their domestic animals. All the wild animals in the world make up only 2%.
I always take hundreds and hundreds of pictures. I used to work for ‘National Geographic,’ and they gave us a lot of film.
The West has become the world model; developing countries are dreaming of living like us, which is impossible. They should reject our model, because it is not sustainable. Developing countries should even give us the example, but unfortunately that’s not what happens.
An image of the earth, its landscapes, directly affects people. The beauty of the earth creates enormous emotion, and through that emotion, you can transmit knowledge and raise consciousness.
For me, an aerial picture is no different than a close-up portrait. It’s a question of framing and angle. Helicopters are great for that. But I’ve also used planes. Of course, I always have a harness.
I’m not an expert when it comes to technology, but what changed things for me was autofocus. I used to have to throw away half my pictures because it was so difficult to get the focus right.
One fifth of human kind depend on fish to live. Today now 70 percent of the fish stock are over-exploited. According to FAO if we don’t change our system of fishing the main sea resources will be gone in 2050. We don’t want to believe what we know.
After Hurricane Katrina, over New Orleans, my helicopter crashed and the pilot and I were only saved because we fell on the roof of a flooded house that absorbed the shock. When the helicopter was spiraling downward out of control, I didn’t expect to survive at all.
I wanted to be a scientist. I did a thesis on lions. But I realised photography can show things writing can’t. Lions were my professor of photography.