Episode 3: Collaborating for conservation with Matthew Newton
Cinematographer and photographer Matthew Newton in his studio
Matthew Newton, an accomplished photojournalist, cinematographer and director, has spent 25 years capturing Tasmania's rich environmental landscapes. Matt discusses his unique career path, starting as a whitewater kayaker before delving into photography and filmmaking. He shares insights into his collaborative projects, including documenting Tasmania's wilderness and history, and how his work with writers, artists and conservationists has brought stories of the natural world to life.
We also explore major projects working with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and some of the nation's leading artists on arts project The Skullbone Plains Experiment and with scientists on Albatross Island, highlighting how visual storytelling and partnerships have raised awareness about Tasmania’s hidden wonders.
Through his unique experiences, Matt reveals the transformative power of film and photography in promoting environmental conservation and bridging connections between people and places.
In this episode we cover:
Matt’s career starting as a whitewater kayaker to becoming a photojournalist and cinematographer documenting Tasmania's wilderness,
The importance of working with writers, artists, and conservationists to create compelling visual stories, including The Skullbone Plains Experiment arts project and the Albatross Island project.
Matt’s techniques and philosophy behind photographing the unique landscapes and wildlife of Tasmania,
How film and photography can drive environmental awareness and inspire conservation efforts, and
Behind-the-scenes stories and lessons from years of documenting remote and fragile ecosystems.
Biography
Matthew Newton is a photographer, director and cinematographer based in Hobart, lutruwita | Tasmania. He has shot numerous documentaries that have been broadcast nationally as well as feature documentaries for festival release. He has worked on shoots in over a dozen counties, often in remote locations.
Matt regularly photographs for editorial and news publications throughout Australia. His photographic work is regularly chosen amongst the countries best and exhibited in the nations premier photographic art prizes.
Much of his personal work revolves around how Tasmania and the rest of the world see Tasmania’s environmental policy. Matt bears witness to show environmental battlegrounds rarely accessible to the general public. In doing so he amplifies these stories, provoke reactions of care and empathy with the aim of fuelling a desire for change, for solidarity with those around him and a more socially aware and conscious outlook on life.
In 2023 he was a feature artists at the Head On Photography Festival in Sydney with an exhibition surrounding his 20-year documentation of the Tasmanian forest wars.
