The camera has been one of this century's most powerful forces, and it serves those of us who are activists. It aids us in countering the heavy hand of our culture, the one that harms our environment and people. Mainstream media, design and photography is inherently political, and is nearly always used to support the dominant forces of culture, conciously or not.

Unfortunately, those in non-profit and 'good causes' communities often have a big hole in their ability to speak to the outside world through large-volume media. How easy is it to have a voice on the radio or in the newspaper? How can we show the world the multitude of significant events that occur under our noses without ever being known? Today independents can speak through images and words, primarily through the internet (the 'great equalizer'), but those whose need a voice the most don't have the education or technical know-how or equipment to do it.

All this is why I feel compelled by responsibility to leverage my abilities to help support other's dreams of a returning salmon run here in the Northwest, fair treatment of laborers in the orchards, a public conciousness of the spiritual dearth in first-world lifestyles.

The camera also allows me to engage with nature in very deep way that all my hunting and gathering doesn't. When my camera is in hand, my mind gets quiet and I slow down and sense the world around me. It's a living meditation.

I don't like having to own camera equipment or a computer. Virtually all of my equipment is reused or salvaged and repaired. Nevertheless, I am keenly aware of the fact that photography and design tools draw a huge amount of resources out of an earth we defile, and that in using them must be extremely cautious about where it all comes from.

All images on this site are photographed by me, Kerrke Yu. My work is licensed under a Creative Commons License for: Industrialized Nations, and Developing Nations. I donate images to people that ask who will use them for good reasons.

Okay, I think that's it! Goodwill!