Daniel Beltrá

Beltrá started his career with photos of bombings by the Basque separatist organization Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) while he was a student at the Complutense University of Madrid.Canon Professional Network. (2008). [http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/interviews/daniel_beltra.do Daniel Beltrá: Fighting for nature] He went on to work at EFE and the Gamma photo agency while also photographing assignments for Greenpeace. He is a board member of the International League of Conservation Photographers.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ilcp.com/photographers/daniel-beltra |title=International League of Conservation Photographers |access-date=June 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708204435/http://www.ilcp.com/photographers/daniel-beltra |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }} He moved to Seattle in 2001.Seattlest. (2011). [http://seattlest.com/2011/04/20/translating_science_into_images_dan.phpTranslating Science into Images: Daniel Beltrá's SPILL]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Beltrá has presented his work in slideshows and lectures at galleries and conferences across North America, including the 9th World Wilderness Congress,Conservation International. (2009). [http://www.conservation.org/conferences/Pages/wild-9.aspx 9th World Wilderness Congress (WILD9)] the Annenberg Space for Photography,Annenberg Space for Photography. (2010). [http://old.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/events/iris-nights/water/36 The State of Tropical Rainforests] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20150118062946/http://old.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/events/iris-nights/water/36 |date=January 18, 2015 }} the Aquarium of the Pacific,Aquarium of the Pacific. (2011). [http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/multimedia/player/daniel_beltra_larry_mckinney The Deepwater Horizon Blowout: Two Perspectives—An Artist and a Scientist ] and the ABC Continuity Forum.ABC Continuity Forum. (2012). [http://www.abcfound.org/events/detail/continuity-forum-2012 2012 ABC Continuity Forum]

Beltrá was granted a commission by Charles, Prince of Wales for the Prince's Rainforests Project (PRP) to document the status of the world's great tropical rainforests in 2009.YouTube: His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales speaks at the Sony World Photography Awards [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CDfXEGn2QQ]

Daniel Beltrá's work has had a profound influence on the field of environmental photography, blending artistry with activism in a way that has inspired a new generation of photographers. His unique ability to capture the beauty and fragility of Earth's ecosystems from an aerial perspective has set him apart as a visionary in his field.

Beltrá's approach to photography is deeply rooted in his belief that art can be a powerful tool for change. He often cites the work of Ansel Adams and Sebastião Salgado as major influences, both of whom used their photography to advocate for environmental conservation. Beltrá, however, has taken this tradition to new heights—literally—by focusing on aerial photography, which provides a broader, more impactful view of the landscapes under threat.

His work has also influenced the broader art community. Several contemporary artists and photographers have credited Beltrá with inspiring them to explore environmental themes in their work. His photographs have been featured in art books, documentaries, and even fashion campaigns, where his images are used to highlight the connection between consumer behavior and environmental degradation.

In academia, Beltrá's photography is studied in courses on environmental science, visual arts, and media studies. His ability to communicate complex environmental issues through visual storytelling has made his work a case study in the power of images to drive public awareness and policy change.

In 2023, Beltrá was honored with a retrospective exhibition at the Tate Modern in London, showcasing his most iconic works alongside new, unreleased pieces. The exhibition was widely praised for its emotional depth and artistic innovation, solidifying Beltrá's legacy as one of the most important environmental photographers of his generation.

Through his photography, Beltrá has not only documented the state of the planet but has also inspired countless individuals to take action in preserving its beauty for future generations. His legacy continues to grow as new projects and collaborations bring his work to an even wider audience.

• Spill. London: Gost, 2013. {{ISBN|978-0-9574272-4-2}}. With an essay by Barbara Bloemink. Edition of 2500 copies.

• Benham Gallery, Seattle. Sustainability / Sostenibilidad, May 2009 – July 2009.{{Cite web|url=https://seattle.eventful.com/events/sustainability-sostenibilidad-/E0-001-022909769-3|title=Eventful: Sustainability / Sostenibilidad|website=Eventful}}
• City Hall, Paris. Prince's Rainforests Exhibition, October 2009.The Guardian. (2009). [https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2009/sep/29/daniel-beltra-princes-rainforest-project Daniel Beltra's photographs of deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo ]
• Kew Botanical Gardens, London. Prince's Rainforests exhibition, October–December 2009.The Independent. (2009).[https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/princes-rainforest-exhibition-opens-at-kew-1794538.html Prince's Rainforest exhibition opens at Kew]
• 212 Gallery, Aspen. Spill, August–December 2010.Aspen Peak Magazine. (2010). [http://aspenpeak-magazine.com/living/articles/reality-check Enviro Art at 212 Gallery]
• Seattle Aquarium, Seattle. Spill, May–August 2011.Seattle Times (2011). [http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2014840561_beltra22.html 'Spill' exhibit captures drama of Gulf of Mexico oil disaster]
• Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, Calif. Spill, October 2011 – January 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/news/story/photography_exhibit_opening_in_october_depicts_gulf_oil_spill |title=Aquarium of the Pacific. (2011) |access-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228054041/http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/news/story/photography_exhibit_opening_in_october_depicts_gulf_oil_spill |archive-date=December 28, 2015 |url-status=dead }}
• Roca Gallery, Barcelona. Marea Negra, October 2011 – January 2012.{{Cite web|url=https://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/events/marea-negra/|title=Marea Negra|date=September 18, 2011|website=(barcelona-metropolitan.com)}}
• Catherine Edleman Gallery, Chicago. Spill, March–June 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://www.edelmangallery.com/exhibitions/2012/beltra/beltrashow2012.htm |title=Catherine Edelman Gallery. (2012) |access-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026005940/http://www.edelmangallery.com/exhibitions/2012/beltra/beltrashow2012.htm |archive-date=October 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
• "Power", Prix Pictet touring exhibition, toured the world, including London,{{Cite web|url=https://www.prixpictet.com/events/finalists-exhibition-saatchi/|title=Power Finalists' Exhibition, Saatchi Gallery, London|date=June 25, 2012|website=Prix Pictet}} Paris,{{Cite web|url=https://www.prixpictet.com/events/power-at-galerie-quang-paris/|title=Power, Galerie Vanessa Quang, Paris|date=June 25, 2012|website=Prix Pictet}} and Istanbul.Istanbul Modern. (2013). [http://www.istanbulmodern.org/en/exhibitions/past-exhibitions/prix-pictet-power_1003.html Prix Pictet: Power]
• Somerset House, London. Landmark, Fields of Photography March–April 2013.{{Cite web |url=http://www.photomonitor.co.uk/2012/11/landmark-field-of-change/ |title=Photomonitor. (2013) |access-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316111417/http://www.photomonitor.co.uk/2012/11/landmark-field-of-change/ |archive-date=March 16, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
• Quintenz Gallery, Aspen. Ice, December 2012 – February 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://quintenzgallery.com/archives/portfolio_page/daniel-beltra}|title=Quintenz Gallery. (2012)}}
• Aperture Gallery, New York. Power, November 2013 – February 2014.{{Cite web |url=http://www.aperture.org/exhibition/prix-pictet-power-exhibition/ |title=Aperture Gallery. (2013) |access-date=January 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224100035/http://www.aperture.org/exhibition/prix-pictet-power-exhibition/ |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |url-status=dead }}
• Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego. Power, February–April 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prixpictet.com/events/power-museum-of-photographic-arts-san-diego/|title=Power, Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego|date=July 22, 2013|website=Prix Pictet}}
• Lentos Kunstmuseum, Linz, Austria. Pure Water, October 2014 – February 2015.Lentos Kunstmuseum. (2014) [http://www.lentos.at/html/en/2894.aspx Pure Water: The Most Valuable Resource in the World]

• 2006: 3rd prize, World Press Photo awards, nature series category, for his work on the Amazon Rainforest drought{{Cite web|url=http://www.archive.worldpressphoto.org/search/layout/result/indeling/detailwpp/form/wpp/start/2/q/ishoofdafbeelding/true/trefwoord/year/2005/trefwoord/category/Nature%20stories?limit=20|title=World Press Photo. (2005)}}
• 2006: Golden Award, China Press International Photo (CHIPP) Contest, for his work on the Amazon Rainforest droughtHolden, Sara. (2007). Planet Ocean: Photo stories from the 'Defending our Oceans' voyage. New Internationalist. {{ISBN|1904456790}}
• 2007: 2nd prize, World Press Photo awards, contemporary issues category, for a photo of tropical deforestation in the Amazon{{Cite web|url=http://www.archive.worldpressphoto.org/search/layout/result/indeling/detailwpp/form/wpp/q/ishoofdafbeelding/true/trefwoord/photographer_formal/Beltr%C3%A1%2C%20Daniel|title=World Press Photo. (2006)}}
• 2009: Global Vision Award, Pictures of the Year InternationalBlue Earth Alliance. (2009). [http://www.blueearth.org/projects/current.cfm?projectID=86 Amazon: Forest at Risk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917183914/http://blueearth.org/projects/current.cfm?projectID=86 |date=September 17, 2009 }}
• 2011: Winner, Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the "Deeper Perspective of the Year" from the International Photography Awards for his photographs from the Gulf Oil spill[http://www.photoawards.com/en/Pages/Gallery/Gallery.php International Photography Awards. (2011)]
• 2012: Shortlisted, 2012 Prix Pictet{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2012/jul/04/prix-pictet-shortlist-in-pictures|title=Prix Pictet 2012 shortlist – in pictures|work=the Guardian |date=July 4, 2012|via=www.theguardian.com}}
• 2013: Knowledge Dissemination and Communication in Biodiversity Conservation award, BBVA Foundation, Spain{{Cite web|url=http://www.fbbva.es/TLFU/tlfu/ing/noticias/fichanoticia/index.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141217145000/http://www.fbbva.es/TLFU/tlfu/ing/noticias/fichanoticia/index.jsp?codigo=1118|archive-date=17 December 2014|url-status=dead|title=FBBVA - New - The BBVA Foundation awards recognize wetland recovery in Spain, whale conservation in Latin America and photojournalism focusing on conservation challenges}}
• 2014: First place, Nature and Environment category, China Press International Photo contest{{Cite web|url=http://www.chipp.cn/2014-04/14/content_11029794.htm|title=Deforestation in the Amazonia(1)|website=www.chipp.cn}}
• 2018: Nominated, World Press Photo of the Year, World Press Photo, Amsterdam"[https://www.theguardian.com/media/gallery/2018/feb/15/world-press-photo-contest-2018-the-nominees-in-pictures World Press Photo Contest 2018 – the nominees in pictures]". The Guardian, February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.

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• {{Official website|danielbeltra.photoshelter.com}}

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Category:Spanish photographers

Category:American photographers

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Category:Living people

Category:1964 births

Category:Complutense University of Madrid alumni