Forest is a very important natural resource that we must protect so that living things in and around the forest can continue to breathe fresh and clean air. Not only that, forest also produces various materials that can be used by other living things. Apart from having various benefits, forest also has fabulous beauty. Enjoying the beauty of the forest by exploring it directly is indeed very interesting and fun, but since in 2020 the world is being hit by the global pandemic of COVID-19, then the exploration of the forest beauty can be done by utilizing the technological sophistication. Yes, for the time being we are enjoying the beauty of the forest in a virtual way, by seeing the photographers’ masterpiece through their lens captures.
In 2020, PEFC was holding their 4th PEFC Photo Contest. As do not want to be left behind, IFCC also participated by holding it nationally, known as the IFCC Photo Contest 2020. "Forest Through Lens with IFCC" is the theme of the IFCC Photo Contest in 2020. Just like previous years, this photo contest was started on the World Earth Day, 22 nd April 2020 and was closed on the World Environment Day, 5 th June 2020. The IFCC photo contest was held to tell people about the beauty of Indonesia's forest and build a higher level of community attention and concern for forest and everything in them. This year IFCC received 1,517 photos, which is higher number than last year. Lots of photographers have managed to capture the beauty of Indonesia's forests very nicely!
From west to east, from Sumatra to Papua, it is no longer impossible for all of us to see the beauty of Indonesia's forests. Thank you to all of the contestants who have participated in this photo contest by being willing to show their masterpieces to the public so that we can enjoy the beauty without having to leave our house. After going through a rigorous judgement and a long process, the judges finally succeeded choosing the best 5 photos as the winners of the IFCC Photo Contest 2020. Below are the masterpieces of the winners and their respective profiles!
The Winners
Photo of 1st Winner: The beauty of Walakiri Beach
This photo was taken by Ismail Abd. Muttalib, the 1 st winner of IFCC Photo Contest 2020. He captured the beauty of mangrove trees located in Walakiri beach, East Nusa Tenggara. According to Ismail, the mangrove trees that grow on this beach are unique because the mangrove branches that are not straight tend to twist, like a dancing tree. This tree, known as the dancing tree, will be seen when the sea water is receding.
Ismail has been doing photography for 5 years. He has also won several photography competitions, including 1 st place in the Aerial Photo Competition (2017), 3 rd place in the World Habitat Day Photo Contest (2017), and winner of the Indonesian Colorful Photo Competition (2018). Ismail participated in the IFCC Photo Contest 2020 to gain more experience in photography so that he can work more in the world of photography, and become a winner in international contests. He also hopes that his work can inspire everyone about the importance of preserving forests.
Photo of 2nd Winner: The Beauty of Waerebo Tropical Forest
“Waerebo is a small village located about 1,100 meters above sea level, where the air is really cold and the village is surrounded by beautiful mountains and Todo dense forests. This tropical forest is rich in vegetation, where you will find orchids, ferns and hear the chirping of many kinds of birds." That's what Sofyan Efendi said, describing the photo he took in Waerebo village, Manggarai, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.
Sofyan has been a photographer for 20 years. By participating in this photo contest, Sofyan wants to show the natural beauty including forest in Indonesia including its biodiversity to the public. Sofyan has been actively following IFCC's growth through his participation in the IFCC photo contest since 2018. The good fortune was upon him in the last two years since at the IFCC Photo Contest 2019, Sofyan was selected as the 1 st winner and this year Sofyan has successfully achieved the top 5 again by winning 2 ndplace at the IFCC Photo Contest 2020.
Photo of 3rd Winner: Kedung Kayang Waterfall
Kedung Kayang Waterfall which is located in Mount Merapi National Park (Wonolelo Village, Sawangan, Magelang, Central Java) was captured by Ady Agustian, the 3 rd winner of the IFCC Photo Contest 2020. Ady said that the use of Kedung Kayang waterfall as a tourist spot had received permission from the local Perhutani with the aim of improving the economy of the community around the waterfall while the local communities are obliged to protect the environment and the existing natural resources.
The beauty of Kedung Kayang waterfall can be enjoyed both from the top of the waterfall and from under the waterfall. Ady said that to enjoy the beauty of the waterfall, it requires a journey of about 30 minutes along the Pabelan river basin which is quite challenging so it is better not to do it during the rainy season as it is dangerous.
Ady has been a photographer for 17 years. He started photography, which has become his hobby since 2003. One of Ady's goals to participate in this photo contest is to channel his hobby of photography. He hopes that this kind of contest shall be maintained in the future in order to encourage people to grow a sense of love for nature.
Photo of 4th Winner: Morning Activity
This photo was taken by Chairil, the 4 th winner of the IFCC Photo Contest 2020. Chairil has been a photographer for 11 years. He is very grateful to live in an area that still has many forests that can be captured in photographs. One of them is the forest in Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, Sukabumi, West Java, which has a lake named Situ Gunung. This lake provides a great view in the morning, as in the photo he took.
The natural beauty of Situ Gunung is well known to foreign countries. Some foreign tourists, especially photographers, can sometimes come to that place where they take part in capturing the beauty of the morning atmosphere at Situ Gunung. According to Chairil, if we want to capture the natural beauty of Situ Gunung, you should come in the morning between 06:00 and 09:00 WIB. The atmosphere that is harmonious between nature and the activities of residents who are looking for fish in this location is very beautiful moment to be captured.
By participating in this photo contest, Chairil felt very happy because he could show the natural beauty of Indonesia through the photos he took. He hopes that this photo contest will be the way for PEFC and IFCC to grow a sense of care and love for forests to the community.
Photo of 5th Winner: Dancing Mangrove in Walakiri
This photo showing the beauty of mangrove trees dancing in Walakiri amidst a beautiful sunset has succeeded in bringing Giri Wijayanto to become the 5 th winner of the IFCC Photo Contest 2020. Mangrove trees on Walakiri Beach, East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara are endemic to Sumba Island. Its unique shape resembles a silhouette of a dancing person making the local community call it "Dancing Mangrove".
Through this photo contest, Giri wants to spread information about the beauty of the natural environment in Indonesia so that public will recognize it more and then love and care for it.
Photography has been his hobby for the last 8 years. Giri is very enthusiastic in participating to this photo contest as it has spurred him to explore the natural beauty of Indonesia more and more widely.