EJ InSight

Vernal pools — small, ephemeral forest wetlands — may appear humble, but these complex, keystone ecosystems have an outsized ecological role. So when photographer Tristan Spinski set out to deconstruct them by season, species and life-cycle stage, he captured extraordinary moments above and below the water’s surface. Spinski shared his journey with EJ InSight editor Andrew Cullen, along with some nature photography strategies even for those without impressive gear. Plus, view his images.

If extreme heat seems an unusual subject for December, the new EJ InSight column reminds us that among the natural disasters sweeping 2023 were waves of devastating global highs. Yet telling that story visually is an enormous challenge, acknowledges former LA Times photo editor Silvia Rázgová, who shares insights into how to portray the seriousness of extreme heat, getting beyond the cliches and connecting (safely) with its dangerous reality.

A gripping new documentary on raging megafires weaves together stunning cinematography with deeply researched revelations that reveal the futility of current policy around managing wildfires, writes veteran wildfire reporter Robert McClure in a new EJ InSight column. His review, with three big takeaways.

Three teams of video journalists descended on the Brazilian Amazon amid some of its worst-ever fires to capture efforts of Indigenous rainforest “guardians” to protect it from destruction. They returned with award-winning reporting, but also a deeper understanding of the region and its people, and of how to bring the climate change story closer to home. They share their experiences, in the new EJ InSight.

View our shortlist of outstanding interactive environmental journalism projects, in this three-part EJ Insight. Plus, in Part I, a walking tour of the world of interactive storytelling, and Part II, a Q&A with Hannah Fairfield, climate editor for The New York Times, and one of the leading practitioners of new interactive storytelling techniques.

Hannah Fairfield, climate editor for The New York Times, is one of the leading practitioners of new techniques of interactive storytelling on the environment. SEJournal interviews her for a three-part EJ Insight. Also see Part I, a walking tour of the world of interactive storytelling and Part III, a shortlist of outstanding projects.

Decades worth of technical advances, used creatively by journalists, have led to a world of “wow” storytelling, including on the environmental news front. In the new EJ Insight column, SEJournal’s own Joe Davis takes you on a walking tour of the world of interactive storytelling. Plus, an interview with Hannah Fairfield of The New York Times, a leader in the burgeoning field, and our own shortlist of outstanding projects to view.

For Boston Globe environment reporter David Abel, a side project shooting video of the 2013 Boston Marathon sealed his passion for nonfiction filmmaking, one that has since yielded four high-profile nature documentaries. In EJ InSight, Abel traces that path and details how he balances his environment reporting and filmmaking. Plus, view images from Abel’s documentary work.

Wildfire photographer Helen Richardson, in a companion EJ InSight case study, shares a personal account of her efforts to capture compelling images from Colorado’s deadly Waldo Canyon Fire. Plus, more of her photos and a report on how to prepare properly to shoot disasters while protecting yourself, including from COVID-19.

Safety has long been an element of smart disaster photojournalism. But there’s a new dimension to the risk now — coronavirus. Wildfire photographer Helen Richardson writes in the latest EJ InSight column about how to protect yourself, how to be prepared and how to get the story. Plus, a photo slidehow and a case study on confronting the journalistic challenges in one major fire.