Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — Seeing insects has always provoked a feeling of disgust and annoyance for some, especially among those with “antomophobia” or insect phobia, but these clear and accurate snapshots of threatened species in the world of insects make a different impression than usual.
In this series, titled Extinct or on the verge of extinction: Insects in dangersheds theBritish photographer Levon Pace highlights the current crisis of declining insect populations and loss of biodiversity, inspiring future generations with the importance of the insect world.
Credit: Levon Biss
As for the insects presented in this series, they are either threatened, at risk of extinction, or already extinct. Human practices are among the main causes.
Working with specimens from collections held by the American Museum of Natural History, Pace invites us to take a closer look at these insects, and think about their importance to the planet we share with them.
In his interview with CNN in Arabic, Pace, who specializes in micro-macro photography, explained that such a crisis does not receive serious attention to a large extent, which may greatly affect the way we live in the future.
“Humans need insects to survive, that’s indisputable,” he said.
In Pace’s view, these creatures who share the planet must be valued and provided the conditions and habitat for them to thrive, to survive.
He added, “Humans are the main reason for the decline in insect numbers, and we must understand that we need to coexist with these creatures and not dominate the planet and its resources.”
As a professional photographer, Pace employs the aesthetics of nuanced photography to highlight such important issues, noting that declining insect populations lead to an imbalance in healthy ecosystems, something that has an immediate impact.
Credit: Levon Biss
Pace explained that he used an imaging technique known as image stacking, noting that each photograph in the series was created by more than 10,000 individual images, using a dedicated camera system and microscopic lenses.
The final results reveal intricate details that are usually hidden from the human eye.
The clarity in these images allows the viewer to study these beautiful insects up close and encourages a new level of respect and understanding for the little beasts with whom we share the planet.
The work of the British photographer was praised and admired by the visitors of the seventh edition of the International Photography Festival “Exposure” in the Emirate of Sharjah.
“When the public can view insects on a larger scale, they appreciate the beauty of these creatures, and their relationship with them changes,” he said, adding, “I hope that these works will inspire and help people appreciate nature a little more, especially the younger generation, the decision-makers of the future.” “.
