news
campusreview.com.au
USC shoots
animals on
Fraser Island
A trek through the tall grass means you must always
be on the alert for snakes and other nasties.
A new course teaches ecology
students how to take photos
for scientific purposes.
By Patrick Avenell
Photos: USC
T
he University of the Sunshine
Coast is making the most of
its proximity to untouched
wilderness and fauna with a new
hybrid course melding ecology and
photography.
Called Animal Ecology, it’s taught by Dr
Christopher Clemente, a lecturer in animal
ecophysiology.
“There are many photographic courses
and wildlife courses; however, this
USC subject is addressing the need for
Animal Ecology students to take high
quality photos for scientific purposes,”
Clemente said.
“Animal ecologists use photographs to
document wildlife in their natural settings
and convey information about their
behaviour, health, habitats and anatomy.
“Despite images now being an essential
element of almost all forms of scientific
literature, from research papers and
scientific journals to blogs and websites,
most scientists do not receive any formal
photographic training.”
The class recently took a trip to Fraser
Island, situated off the Queensland coast
at Hervey Bay, to shoot (photos not bullets)
the myriad birds, mammals and reptiles
making the world’s largest sand island
their home. They were accompanied on
this venture by wildlife photographer and
former zoologist Simon Pynt.
“Simon and I were in awe as we
witnessed the students go from taking
average photos on the first day to
producing spectacular images on the final
day,” Clemente said. ■
Crepuscular wading makes
for great animal spotting.
Back on the USC site, bark is turned into byte.
Like Hitchcock before them, these students
are filming birds, but for conservation rather
than horrification.
Animal Ecology students make photographic
hay on Fraser Island’s famed beach freeway.
Dr Christopher Clemente (in the foreground)
with USC students.
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