Name:Lea Lee Inoue
Project title: Emotional range
Category: Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award
Nationality: USA
Occupation: Full-time photographer
Technical information
Used camera’s: SONY A1, SONY A9Mii, SONY A7Rm3
Used lenses: SonyGM 100-400, Sony GM200-600mm, 1.4tc, Sony 600mm
Accessories: Various for each photo and light conditions
Other info: Handheld, Monpod, Tripods, RRS Ballhead, Katana Jr Gimbal, Customized bird blinds, gumption
WINNER CATEGORY FRED HAZELHOFF PORTFOLIO AWARD
Lea Lee Inoue | EMOTIONAL RANGE
Name:Lea Lee Inoue
Project title: EMOTIONAL RANGE
Category: Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award
Nationality: USA
Occupation: Full-time photographer
Technical information
Used camera’s: SONY A1, SONY A9Mii, SONY A7Rm3
Used lenses: SonyGM 100-400, Sony GM200-600mm, 1.4tc, Sony 600mm
Accessories: Various for each photo and light conditions
Other info: Handheld, Monpod, Tripods, RRS Ballhead, Katana Jr Gimbal, Customized bird blinds, gumption
Lea Lee Inoue says:
Emotional Range: A Photographic Portfolio of a Round Tailed Ground Squirrel Family
Several years back, when moved out to the base of the Superstition Mountains in Arizona, I noticed a Round-tailed Ground Squirrel family.
I decided to photograph them, hoping to show that these animals think, feel and have emotions too. Often people think that dogs and cats are the only animals that have feelings. Could it be that people think this because observation is easier with a pet?
My hope is that through photography I can show all animals think and feel emotion. With this understanding, love and respect is developed for the natural world. Conservation is the natural effect of this endearment. This is a paradigm shift in thought – that conservation can begin early, at a ground level – with each person awakening to the natural world. With this realization, comes animal respect, conservation and welfare.
Below is a description of each shot in the portfolio.
- Love – A mother Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel (not a prairie dog!) emerges from the earth with her babies. She comes up alone, about 45 minutes earlier, to make sure the area is clear of predators.
- Fear and Need – This young one reaches for Mom after being frightened by the fast movements of a rabbit. This was the smallest of the babies and she stayed close to Mom whilst the other siblings played tirelessly.
- Feather Meditation – Appreciation. A baby discovers the softness of a feather and begins to rub it all over its face. I feel I captured a wonderful moment of discovery and appreciation.
- Feel good stretch – Squirrel Yoga. Mom wakes up early everyday and takes a stretch. Just like humans.
- Confession of a Food Thief. Accusations were made and there was shame over a stolen tidbit. This is easy to see in dogs… However, this also happens within other species.
- Space – Dad knows instinctively to give room to the Mom and babies. He climbs and eats Creosote flowers and seeds. This is the natural food source for these animals. They have a mutual relationship… The squirrels aerate the soil for monsoon rains and propagate plants by spreading seeds.
- Care – In the midday desert heat, a mother carries her sick baby to a cool, shady place. Will the baby survive? A good Mom cares about her children.
- Patience – Whilst Mother is with her sick one, the others wait patiently by their hole or just underground.
- Joy – Childs play. Other babies play gently.
- Intense – Some babies are intense in play and relentless. More serious arguments begin in spring amongst males.
- Delicious surprise – It appears that creosote bark is delicious. A sister or brother might come along for a bite.
- Sentiment – A mother usually intervenes with some heavier play or arguments; however this time, Mom watches and lets them figure it out. The babies are growing up.
About Lea Lee Inoue:
USA
I began my photography journey at the age of 15 when I was in high school. I found it an immediate fit – it just felt right…. besides my art teacher told me to drop painting class and just focus on my photography. 🙂
I later studied Film/TV at Columbia College/Uni in Chicago, and received my BA degree. I’ve worked in television production, post production, the film portion of advertising – this industry for many years. I now focus mostly on wildlife and other aspects of life that I see attractive. I just follow my eye. I have won various photography competitions including a State of Arizona black&white exhibition, NANPA first runner-up in mammals and firsts in other international competitions. I endeavor to always do my best photographically; as I take my craft very seriously, and bring beautiful, meaningful art to fruition. We all have an important role to play in contribution to this world – our amazing earth. Let’s do our best!
Thank you for reading.