Due to the long list of chemicals that photography has required in the past, it’s not been known for being very environmentally friendly. With today’s digital cameras it’s easier to be a green photographer, but it’s important to keep a few things in mind to make sure you’re reducing your impact on the environment as much as possible.

• If your camera uses AA or AAA batteries, invest in rechargeables. They’re better for the environment, and better for your bank account in the long run. Also be sure to dispose of your non-rechargeable batteries properly; many camera stores will recycle them free of charge.

• Unplug chargers when they’re not in use. Even when you’re not actively charging your battery, many chargers draw power, wasting megawatts a year. Make it easy on yourself by using a power strip so you can turn everything off with the flip of a switch.

• Check out your options for recharging batteries with solar power. Sundance Solar offers options for almost every camera out there.

• When you upgrade your camera, consider donating your old one to worthy causes (like the New Orleans Kids Camera Project previously mentioned on this blog). For equipment that’s no longer usable, be sure to take advantage of electronics recycling programs rather than simply throwing it away.

• Take advantage of your computer’s energy saving features to turn off your screen and slow your hard drive when you’re not using them.

• When printing your photos at home, look into using recycled paper such as GreenPix, which is made of 100 percent post-consumer material. If you do a lot of printing, use refillable ink cartridges rather than buying and discarding every time you run out.

• When considering new purchases, do a little research to find out which companies are making efforts to reduce their environmental impact.

• Be low impact when you’re out photographing nature. Don’t disturb the plant or animal life, and of course always take out with you everything you bring in. Remember the motto, “Take only pictures; leave only footprints.”

• Use your talent to raise awareness about environmental issues. Document the beauty of the natural world, or use your images to show the changes that are occurring. Especially when it comes to the environment, nothing gets a message across like a good picture.