Of forest, glaciers and whales

For those readers who do not understand Catalan. I've just posted the column I wrote about Michio Hoshino for El Ter magazine (bellow). Would like to use these lines to thank all the people who is collaborating with us in this European Tribute; Naoko Hoshino, Lynn Schooler, Ron Niebrugge, Patrick J. Endres and Alaska based media companies. Also, all those Catalans who fairly help Manlleu Camera Club convey Michio's love for nature photography. 


Of forest, glaciers, and whales. A career dedicated to the Last Frontier (El Ter, August 2012)

By typing Michio Hoshino in Google we get two suggestions: “Michio Hoshino last photo” and “Michio Hoshino death.” Such dire words are — unfairly — linked to a man who devoted his life to others; no matter if they were people, forests or glaciers.

Hoshino was attentive to the point of thanking a pod of whales just after photographing them, and professional to publish dozens of books about life in the Arctic in several languages. This introverted Japanese photographer who wore wool sweaters and Wellington boots was very unassuming when someone praised his photographic prowess, encouraging others to do the same: “If a place is important to you, it becomes your responsibility to make a book.”

His affable character, sometimes footloose and fancy-free, rooted deeply in the heart of Alaskans, a state with an area almost three times bigger than the Iberian Peninsula and with fewer inhabitants than the province of Girona. Those who knew Michio say that he was the person with less ego than anyone they’d ever met. Most of the praise for the Religious Service held in Anchorage, referred to him as “my best friend”.

In our minds remains forever his photographic legacy on Alaska’s flora and fauna, especially when combined together. His pictures of wildlife under the midnight sun or inside the eternal night show a land full of beauty and severity in equal parts. Such images remind us of the principle under which they were created: “A good photograph must tell an entire story”.

The language of music

“Have a nice journey back.” With this sentence I said goodbye to dozens of participants in the Cantonigròs International Music Festival.

Year after year, hundreds of people from all continents, come & share, dances, songs, and smiles, in this small town of Cabrerès, which during four days becomes a metropolis of culture.

One of the best assignments I got on my photojournalist calendar. A chance to know people from countries I’ve never been. All, in a superb natural environment.

Members of Pražská Kantiléna Choir, hoist the Czech Republic flag in front of Ayats cliff. © David Fajula Jufré