Carolyn Cole is an incredible photographer.

That is a hard statement to argue.

Her work as a staff photographer for the Los Angeles Times conveys a strong instinct and passion for every situation she is faced with.  Earlier this year, a tragedy occurred in the Gulf of Mexico that on many levels disrupted the natural beauty of the region.  Cole lived in the gulf, for more than 60 days, during the disaster and captured photographs that would be seen throughout the world.  The images resonated a tragic beauty, almost ironic in the sense that her photography of devastation was really quite beautiful.

The G2 Gallery in Venice is showing 20 of Cole’s photographs as part of its ongoing series called Nature L.A., which showcases the works of photographers who are well-established as well as those who are up-and-coming.  Cole’s photographs are powerful, and even more dramatic when viewed in this non-newspaper setting, as you focus on just the picture and what it tells you.

The G2 Gallery was created in 2008 to raise awareness of the human impact on Earth by using the power of photography to inspire people to become active in conservation.  The gallery hosts concerts, screenings, lectures and fundraising events to keep an important conversation going.

Along with Cole’s work will be Michael Forsberg’s look at the vast Great Plains region in Nebraska.  His body of work will be presented on canvas, which works well with the subject matter.  A couple of Ansel Adams’ and Robert Glenn Ketchum’s works,  as well as some great photographs of penguins by J.J. L’Heureux, will also be on display.

If you love animals and nature, you will love this gallery.

If you can make it to the reception on Friday, it would be a great opportunity to meet Cole and take in her work.

An added coolness to the gallery is that all proceeds from its sales go to environmental causes. Unfortunately, Cole’s photographs are not for sale.

Photos:  (top) The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to spread on May 17 despite BP’s efforts to cap the blown well. Credit: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times

(bottom)  One of 10 Kemp’s Ridley turtles recovered on June 14 by a team of sea turtle experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Florida, who were working to recover oiled and endangered turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, near the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Credit: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times