A stunning photograph by Metchosin photographer TJ Watt has gained national recognition.

WattB次元官网网址檚 earned first place in Outdoor Photography Canada magazineB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渉uman impact on the environmentB次元官网网址� photo contest.

The image is of a lone man standing on the stump of an ancient tree in the middle of a clear cut in Gordon River valley, near Port Renfrew.

B次元官网网址淭his shot I feel summed up the factual aspects of whatB次元官网网址檚 happening and the emotional aspects,B次元官网网址� Watt said. B次元官网网址淚t summarizes the whole impact in the photo.B次元官网网址�

While shooting in the Gordon River valley, Watt said heB次元官网网址檇 come across stumps with circumferences of nearly 50 feet.

The photo was taken about a year ago after Watt discovered this area.

He uses his photography to spread word on environmental activism. Watt is a founding member of the Ancient Forest Alliance, a group that has highlighted the so-called Avatar Grove trees near Port Renfew.

B次元官网网址淚 think the main thing is these places are actually so close to us, but seem so remote. They are finally getting out to the world through photos,B次元官网网址� Watt said.

WattB次元官网网址檚 photo may be on the cover of an upcoming environmental documentary and possibly even in a museum exhibit. Both projects are still in the works, Wats said.

The same photo also earned Watt first place in the Metchosin Day photography contest.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 also been in many different newspapers,B次元官网网址� Watt said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been travelling around and I get many requests by e-mail for it. ItB次元官网网址檚 not just about pretty pictures now. There is a higher cause to my photos.B次元官网网址�

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com