Light of the Andaman

The charitable photography course “Light of the Andaman” is implemented by the Andaman Foundation, whose activities are aimed at environmental protection, preserving the ecosystems of the Andaman Sea, and protecting sea turtles.

The course combines basic photography training for beginners with environmental education. Participants learn the fundamentals of working with a camera, composition, and light, and also learn how to use photography to tell stories about the fragility of marine ecosystems, the problem of coastal pollution, and the importance of conserving sea turtle populations.

Project goal:

To develop participants’ basic skills in artistic and documentary photography while simultaneously increasing their environmental awareness and engagement in activities aimed at protecting the marine environment and sea turtles.

Objectives:

1. To provide participants with accessible knowledge of the basic principles of photography: camera fundamentals, exposure, sharpness, composition, and working with light.
2. To teach how to use photography as a tool for environmental education: documenting the condition of beaches and marine ecosystems, volunteer activities, and sea turtle rescue.
3. To develop a responsible attitude toward nature among participants, as well as an understanding of issues such as marine pollution, plastic waste, poaching, and other threats.
4. To engage participants in the Foundation’s hands-on conservation activities (beach clean-ups, turtle monitoring, and visits to rescue centers).
5. To create a final photo exhibition / online gallery dedicated to the conservation of the Andaman Sea environment and sea turtles.

Course format and duration

Recommended duration: 24–36 academic hours (6 modules of 4 hours each), delivered in an in-person format.

Charitable and environmental context

Each participant prepares an individual or group photo project dedicated to one of the following themes:

• sea turtle conservation;
• coastal pollution and its consequences;
• restoration of mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems;
• the work of volunteers and local communities.

The best works are used by the Foundation in educational campaigns, exhibitions, social media, and materials for schools and local communities, with authorship credited to the participants.

The project promotes the development of volunteerism and environmentally responsible behavior, and strengthens the participation of NGOs and civil society in the implementation of national environmental policies.

Project sustainability and development

After the completion of the course, the Foundation plans to:

• reuse the developed educational materials, expanding both the geography and the number of participants;
• regularly run updated course cohorts, taking into account the experience gained;
• build a community of volunteer alumni around the Foundation, ready to participate in new environmental initiatives and photography projects;
• use the photo archive created within the project for future grant applications, tenders, and partnership programs.