With the camera up to his eye, Nick Manes tries to capture a whole other side of SNR. A fisheries and wildlife senior with a minor in environmental studies and Spanish, Manes hopes to segue his natural resources studies into a career in conservation photography.
The idea to synthesize his love for nature with a love for photography emerged during a presentation given by conservation photographer Michael Forsberg. “It was one of those cheesy ‘aha!’ moments,” described Manes. “He was talking about what he does, and I thought, ‘That’s exactly what I want to do.’” Manes said he went out and immediately bought himself his first professional camera.
Manes grew up watching the Discovery Channel and “romping around the woods” near his home in Fremont, Nebraska. He points to his comfort in the silent wilderness as being a huge influence on his current pursuit.
“The way I look at nature is different,” said Manes. “A lot of photographers suggest that we stop polluting and show us the ugliness that ensues from pollution. But it’s not realistic to simply stop polluting. So I try to show people what beauties are in nature so that they can recognize for themselves why we should try to save it.”
While working on his fisheries and wildlife major, Manes has participated in an NET partnership that couples Michael Forsberg and Michael Farrell—an NET special projects manager—with UNL students interested in digital imaging and storytelling. “Both Forsberg and Farrell have been the greatest mentors I could ever imagine,” said Manes. “I feel very lucky to work with them practically daily.”
Manes said he first reached out to Forsberg after the “aha!” presentation. “I didn’t realize I was breaking ground on one of the greatest adventures of my life.”
Manes explained how Forsberg came into conservation photography through a degree in geology. “I figured if he could do what he’s doing with his background, I could do the same with mine.”
Pairing his academic pursuits in SNR with his art has worked well for Manes. He has trained himself in photography, taking on a job as a photographer for EdMedia as a way to “practice, practice, practice.”
Manes has also added a Spanish minor as a way to prepare himself for any future work in the field. “Studying Spanish is sort of brain training,” he explained. “You learn to use what you know to communicate an idea. Which is essentially photography,” he added with a smile.
Manes recommends that SNR students use every resource presented. “People might not realize until they’re seniors,” he explained, “but we’re offered so many opportunities. Faculty here are so well-networked, and they help us get in touch with the people we need to know.”
“Professors in this school want us to be involved, want us to be in the field with them,” he added. “They want more professionals to be interested in natural resources concerns, to help improve the cause overall.”
Manes hopes his photography will help the conservation of natural resources. SNR sends him the best of luck on his endeavors.
--Michelle Hubele Rubin