Enabling Creator and NFTs – Michael Yamashita

Michael Yamashita is one of the most influential photographers of our age producing some of the most incredible images of the landscape and people of our planet. As well as working extensively for National Geographic and other premium publishers for over 40 years, he has also always moved with the times and the technology. For instance he has amassed an amazing 1.8m followers on his Instagram channel.

So when he approached us about his latest project, launching an NFT collection, we could not have been more excited.

Michael asked us to animate one of his most iconic images, Heedless of the Snow, an image he shot in Tibet in 2000, at the Labrang Monastery, the largest in the traditional Tibetan region of Amdo. The monastery is a focal point for Buddhist celebrations and pilgrimages. Xiahe, Gansu, China.

In the image, the monks, dusted in snow, wait for early prayers. 

“I wanted people to see what I could see when I was taking the picture. Seeing all the heads moving as the monks looked around.  And that’s exactly what D-ID were able to do – take what was a single image, a moment in time and transform it into an experience, transport the viewer back to my point of view as the photographer. I look forward to working with this visionary company now and in the future.”

The feeling is very much mutual, Michael.

The next auction of the world-renowned photographer’s M.Y. Earth Collection will take place on August 2nd at 10 PM EDT and last for two days

The auction will be hosted by Origin Protocol, whose inaugural NFT drop saw $11.7M worth of sales for popular house DJ 3LAU, and who have also hosted NFT sales by rapper Lupe Fiasco and others.

With the growing carbon footprint of the NFT industry in mind, proceeds of the sale will be used to offset its own carbon emissions and those produced by all NFTs minted as of Yamashita’s Earth Day announcement.

If you’d like to talk to us about bringing to life your artwork using Live Portrait, please get in touch