In a remarkable shift from his previous career as a sports photographer, Gilles Bertrand has employed his lens to portray the poignant narrative of a wildfire’s aftermath on the Causse de Sauveterre, a vast limestone plateau in France. The exhibition, titled ‘Sauve Terre’ (Save Earth), is currently on display at the Arts Court in Saint-Affrique until February 9, following a successful debut at the Phot’Aubrac festival.

The Genesis of ‘Sauve Terre’

Bertrand’s journey into this new domain of photography was kindled by a catastrophic wildfire in August 2022, sparked by a farmer’s negligence. The inferno mobilized an army of 500 firefighters, necessitated the evacuation of 1,000 individuals, and razed thousands of hectares within the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park. Motivated by his longtime passion for natural environments and forestry, Bertrand felt compelled to document the aftermath of this devastation.

From Sports to Environmental Photography

Transitioning from a distinguished three-decade career as a sports reporter and photographer, Bertrand embarked on this venture a few weeks after the fire. His photographic expedition spanned from the end of November 2022 to August 2023. The shift from sports to nature photography was not an abrupt one for Bertrand, as his love for the outdoors was deeply ingrained from his childhood experiences.

‘Sauve Terre’: A Call to Action

The ‘Sauve Terre’ exhibition comprises 40 photographs printed on weather-resistant aluminum plates. Bertrand’s work, more than being simply an exploration of unique landscapes, is a clarion call for viewers to reconsider their lifestyles in the face of mounting climate threats. His photographs vividly illustrate the impact of wildfires and climate change on natural landscapes, inviting viewers to reflect on their behavior and its potential repercussions on the environment.