Switching focus on to global climate change

From capturing the aftermath of storms in the Philippines to showing the reality of the coal industry in Australia’s Latrobe Valley, photographer Michael Hall has done it all.

It was after a near-fatal cycling accident that Hall, a Kiwi now based in Sydney, began what’s become a decade-long project exploring human impact upon the world’s environment.

‘‘I got run over and just about lost my life so it took me a while to get my capabilities back and there was a lot of pent-up energy that I put into getting myself well so could get my thoughts out through my camera.

‘‘It’s been a personal journey for me, in the first instance, I became curious about climate change and decided to discover, and understand for myself, what was going on.’’

Hall is back in New Zealand for Photival, Wellington’s annual documentary photography festival. As the keynote speaker, he’s been tasked with sharing not only his photography skills but also his journey.

‘‘I’ve gone to a lot of destinations to put this puzzle together. It’s been a big project which has taken a long time but I feel like I’ve gained so much insight through my camera.

‘‘[After the accident] I started to understand that I could play a part in being an educator so this new found energy that I had could be channelled into this project.’’

While his primary focus has been on capturing images overseas, after cycling the length of New Zealand, Hall became acutely aware that the country is far from off the hook.

‘‘I’d always thought this was a problem outside of New Zealand but it’s become a problem just as much here.

‘‘I think dairy farming has been really detrimental.

‘‘Our rivers are completely