Inspired by the ancient Japanese Shinto ritual of Misogi and its modern adaptation by Dr. Marcus Elliott and Jesse Itzler, we present a unique challenge for photographers and filmmakers seeking to document climate change impacts on local wildlife and habitats while developing their physical and creative abilities.

The original Misogi practice involves ritual purification in sacred waters. Its contemporary version, as popularized by Elliott and others, is a personal growth exercise designed to be extremely difficult, with about a 50% chance of failure, while not risking one’s life. We’ve adapted this concept for visual storytellers, combining physical endurance with creative documentation of our changing planet.

Challenge Overview

Duration: 30 consecutive days

Location: Local ecosystems showing signs of climate change (e.g., urban heat islands, coastal erosion areas, drought-affected forests).

Goal: Create a visual documentation of climate change effects on local wildlife while pushing physical and creative boundaries.

Physical Conditioning/Rucking

Consistency: Carry a weighted backpack (20% of body weight) for 5 miles (8 km) per day.

Progression: Gradually increase weight and distance over 30 days.

Variety: Perform rucking on varied local terrain to simulate real-world shooting conditions.

Photography/Filmmaking Tasks

Daily Wildlife Documentation: Capture one portfolio image or 1-minute video clip of local wildlife adapting to climate change impacts.

Habitat Time-lapse: Set up and maintain a long-term time-lapse of a changing local habitat (e.g., shifting tree lines, drying wetlands).

Local Expert Interviews: Film interviews with local wildlife biologists, park rangers, or conservationists about observed changes in animal behavior and habitat.

Specific Local Wildlife Focus Areas

Temperature-sensitive Species: Document local cold-water fish populations struggling with warming streams.

Phenology Changes: Capture evidence of altered timing in bird migrations, plant flowering, or insect emergence.

Habitat Fragmentation: Illustrate how local wildlife corridors are affected by climate-induced landscape changes.

Extreme Weather Impacts: Document wildlife responses to local floods, droughts, or heatwaves.

Doing the challenge with a friend is an excellent way to stay motivated and create lasting memories of your shared experiences.

Additional Challenge Elements

Minimalist Gear: Limit equipment to essentials, forcing creative problem-solving.

Off-grid Days: Spend 5 days relying solely on portable solar chargers or batteries.

Extreme Conditions Shoot: Complete one shoot during a local extreme weather event.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

  1. Undergo thorough medical check-up before starting
  2. Adhere to local wildlife protection regulations
  3. Minimize personal environmental impact during the challenge
  4. Partner with local conservation groups to ensure positive community contribution

This Misogi challenge embodies the principles of being extremely difficult, potentially life-changing, and unique to the individual. It pushes visual storytellers to develop both their physical capabilities and creative skills while contributing to the vital documentation of climate change impacts. By focusing on nearby ecosystems, participants gain a deeper understanding of how global climate shifts affect their immediate environment and its inhabitants. The combination of rucking, intense photography/filmmaking tasks, and challenging conditions creates a transformative experience that goes beyond typical assignments, preparing participants for the increasingly demanding environments they may face in their future work.

Resources

GORUCK offers comprehensive guides on rucking techniques, gear recommendations, and training programs. It provides valuable resources for both beginners and experienced ruckers.

The Journal of Wildlife Photography (JoWP) is an educational platform designed to help wildlife photographers enhance their skills and create impactful images. While it doesn’t specifically focus on the Photographer’s Misogi Challenge, it offers resources that could be valuable for developing skills mentioned in the challenge.

Digital Magazine: Quarterly publication with workshop-level training on various aspects of wildlife photography.

Article Library: In-depth articles covering wildlife ecology, shooting tips, and field techniques.

Monthly Live Webinar Trainings: 90-minute sessions with award-winning photographers.

Photo Contest Image Critiques: Monthly live sessions analyzing non-winning photos to improve contest entries.

Social Community: Platform for sharing photos and receiving feedback from peers and professionals.

Monthly Photo Contests: Themed contests with cash prizes.

Access to Expert Knowledge: Learn from experienced wildlife photographers.

While the JoWP doesn’t explicitly teach time-lapse techniques mentioned in the Misogi Challenge, its comprehensive resources on wildlife photography could support participants in developing their overall skills and understanding of conservation photography.

Special Offer for Our Readers

JoWP is providing our readers with a free 7-day trial to explore their resources.

To take advantage of this offer, please use the following link: https://journalofwildlifephotography.com/bejournal/

Go Beyond the 30-day Challenge

The 52 Week Creativity Kit created by Jaymi Heimbuch and featured in the JoWP, is an innovative course designed to inspire photographers to engage with and document conservation issues through their art. Each week, participants are presented with a specific theme or prompt that encourages them to explore various aspects of wildlife and environmental conservation. This challenge not only aims to enhance participants’ photography skills but also emphasizes the importance of storytelling in raising awareness about ecological concerns.

Heimbuch, a renowned conservation photographer and educator, focuses on empowering photographers to use their skills for impactful visual storytelling. By participating in this challenge, photographers can contribute to a greater understanding of the natural world and advocate for its preservation through their imagery.

Inga Yandell
Explorer and media producer, passionate about nature, culture and travel. Combining science and conservation with investigative journalism to provide resources and opportunities for creative exploration.