INTO THE HEART OF ROMANIA S PROTECTED AREAS :: WWF interview

„Wild Romania” is a photo project initiated by renowned Romanian photographer Dan Dinu in partnership with WWF. For a period of almost two years, some of the most spectacular areas of the 28 national and nature parks in Romania will be caught on camera. Park administrations will be consulted to determine the most important places and species that should be photographed as part of the projet.

The general public will be able to view the photos online, but also as part of an ehxibiton to be organised next year. The images taken during the expedition will be available for parks’ administrations to use for communication materials.

Born in 1980 in Mangalia, Romania, Dan Dinu has lived in the city of Brasov for the past seven years. Here we talk to Dan Dinu about the „Wild Romania” project.

WWF: What is the idea and ispiration behind Wild Romania?

Dan DINU: The idea for the project came some time ago when I published two articles in the pages of a magazine about nature and natural parks in Romania. I needed pictures for illustration, but getting hold of good images was surprisingly difficult. This is how the idea to visit all these places and to create a set of images that can be used by the project partners came about. This is also a way to help and promote these areas among people who are passionate about nature and photography. I could also say that inspiration came from a bigger project, Wild Wonders of Europe, a project that recently reunited the best nature photographers on the continent.

WWF: What have you photographed so far?

Dan DINU: Until now we have visited four national parks. We started with  Rodna Mountains, where we photographed mountain ridges and alpine lakes. I also took some shots of endemic plant species and the marmot colonies that the area is known for.

The second park to shoot was Semenic – Cheile Carașului National Park. What attracted us to this area were the alpine landscapes and wonderful vistas of the Nera springs and the virgin forest, one of the largest remaining areas of this kind in Europe. Finally we phographed the Cheile Carașului, an area that boasts the longest gorges in Romania.

 Bicaz – Hășmaș National Park came next. This area hosts many beauties, like the country's only natural dam lake and the most spectacular gorges in Romania.

Our latest expedition was in Domogled-Cerna Valley, the largest national park in Romania. There we photographed pine species endemic to this area as well as craggy areas and wood-covered gorges.

Three more destinations are planned for 2010 - Retezat, the most important national park in Romania, Defileul Jiului National Park and Piatra Craiului, two of the most popular places for mountineering.

WWF: What are the highlights so far? Tell us about some unique and inspiring places and experiences.

Dan DINU: So far I believe I managed to get many good pictures on most of the trips. One of the best moments was a sunset seen from the ridge of Rodna Mountains, from the top of Ineu pick. The colours were out of this world, you can probably only find these colours on this very mountain. At one point we didn’t even know which lens to use to catch all these wonderful images. Once this was over, we had to walk for two hours back to the refuge under a dark, but incredible clear blue sky. After four hours of sleep we had to start again in order to catch the sunrise at about the same place.

In Rodna I was lucky to find good light, but in Hășmaș we had no luck with the light for three days in a row. At dawn, we would go to places where we hoped to see the Carpathian deer, but we weren’t so lucky. Also, in Hășmaș we climbed Suhardul Mic, which usually offers beautiful views, but the fog did not lift and didn’t allow us to see anything. The trail took us through an area so wild that every step forward made you bump into yet another creature of the forest, and the trail ran so close to the edge that you got goosebumps. For us, fog shaped this scary landscape, and the paradox is that this area is called the Fairy Garden.

Mountains always have their unique places, waiting to be discovered, but it is the mountains that make the law and allow you to see these places or not. For photographers, behind every successful image there is an unique story, as every image begins with an experience.

WWF: Is this the first expedition of this type you are attempting?

Dan DINU: I have made many photographic expeditions so far, but this is definitely very close to my heart, because I work in places that I like very much. I`ve been in the Alps, the Dolomites, along the Danube from its source to the Danube Delta, and I even went to Iceland. But this is the only major photographic project that I dedicate entirely to Romania. Besides, it’s also the longest project that I will work on, and definitely the biggest nature photography project made in our country. All these things make it interesting and challenging. Each of the 28 destinations are unique and have their own places worth discovering. Each season is different, and the landscapes also vary greatly. Each expedition is unique. Therefore this project is unique in its own way.

WWF: What does this project mean to you, as a photographer?

Dan DINU: For the photographer in me this project is certainly a challenge, but at the same time it’s a huge responsibility. This project has waited too long to be done and does not deserve to be done in haste. The project has huge potential and promoting the wilderness in Romania is very important, especially today, when we have started to value nature again and realize its importance. This project gives me contact with people involved in environmental protection and a collaboration with many organizations. This will definitely lead to good professional development.

WWF: What does Wild Romania mean for Dan Dinu, the man?

Dan DINU: One can’t get involved in such a project without getting involved personally, and for me this project is a happy combination of many passions - photography, mountains, nature, animals and last but not least travel. This project is definitely an unique experience that will lead to a personal development, which will certainly mark future projects. I'm still young so there are many things to learn.

WWF: Why did you choose WWF as your main partner in this project?

Dan DINU: My collaboration with WWF is not new, we have worked together on other projects in the past. One of the most recent and largest was an expedition along the Danube that was photographed from its spring in the Black Forest Mountains, to the Black Sea. The fact that we have worked well together so far and that we have common interests when it comes to the environment, lead to this collaboration. The fact that we have so much in common, has led to this partnership and indeed the general idea of the project was conceived together. I do not think that such a project could be designed without WWF. But I should not forget the other partners who supported us, they too have an important role. In these initiatives I believe that every support is essential.

WWF: What is the plan for Wild Romania in 2011?

Dan DINU: Next year is going to be very busy, with many trips left, but also with the first results made public. Until May we will finish the first part of the project, dedicated to national parks and we will launch the first photo exhibition. After this first step we will start work on part two, where we visit the natural parks. This will be completed in May 2011,with another show and hopefully a photo album and many other materials.

By early 2011 we will launch the official website, with info about the project. It will also act as a platform dedicated to Romanian nature. Certainly as we move into the project, other ideas will come and the public will get more involved. Most likely Wild Romania will be a surprise for us also, the organizers.

The “Wild Romania” project is supported by Nikon Romania, Photosetup, Gitzo, Manfrotto, Kata and Photolife. Media partners are Alpinet and Fotomagazin.ro, Fotografa.ro, CalendarEvenimente.ro, RNP Romsilva.

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