About

Anthony Basil Rodriguez

Botany
Photography
Film
Books
Much More...

Bio

Anthony Basil Rodriguez is an independent photographer, filmmaker, and ethnobotanist, with a passion for exploring the complex relationship between people and plants. Raised in New York, Anthony’s love for botany and the visual arts has taken him on a journey across the world—from the dense jungles of Borneo to the towering heights of the Himalayas.

Over the years, his work has focused on documenting rare and culturally significant plant species, particularly the banana, a fruit deeply intertwined with human history. His extensive research and travels have led him to photograph and study dozens of wild banana species, including some so rare they have never been photographed before. Anthony’s upcoming book is the culmination of years of immersive ethnobotanical research, spanning multiple countries and cultures, bringing to life the untold stories behind the humble yet iconic banana.

Having been featured in live television as a videographer and editor earlier in his career, Anthony’s storytelling and visual expertise continue to shine through in his current projects. He invites you to join him on this journey, where nature and culture converge, as he shares captivating insights from his expeditions.

His flagship project, Bananas of the World: A First Look, is an ongoing ethnobotanical and visual study of the banana — not simply as a fruit, but as a global symbol of resilience, identity, and memory. The project spans photography, film, field notes, and a limited-edition book, and serves as the foundation for lectures, events, and future multimedia work.

Anthony’s work is grounded in research, but driven by feeling — always led by a curiosity for the forgotten, the sacred, and the interconnected.

He is available for creative commissions, lectures, exhibitions, and production work.

Enthobotany & Research

My work in ethnobotany is grounded in a deep respect for the ways people and plants shape each other’s lives. What began as a fascination with edible plants and botanical systems evolved into a years-long investigation into the cultural, ecological, and historical dimensions of the banana — one of the most complex and significant crops on Earth.

Since 2019, I’ve conducted fieldwork across Southeast Asia and the Pacific — including Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, the Solomon Islands, and Northeast India — documenting wild banana species, agricultural traditions, and the knowledge held by local communities. Many of the plants I’ve encountered are rare, some never formally photographed before.

This work is as much about listening and observing as it is about discovery. I study how people interact with the plants they rely on: the rituals, the recipes, the beliefs, the trade routes. My research often takes me into remote forests, informal markets, and generational gardens — always guided by curiosity and respect.

The photographs, films, and stories that emerge from this work are part of a larger effort to preserve and share ethnobotanical knowledge at a time when much of it is at risk of disappearing. I see these records not only as art, but as evidence of living systems — reminders of how plants connect us across space, culture, and time.

Photograhpy & Motion

Photography was my first language — the way I began to make sense of the world. I picked up a camera as a teenager and never really put it down. What started as instinct — documenting storms, shadows, and stillness in New York — evolved into a way of moving through the world with purpose.

Today, my visual work spans photography and film, often blurring the line between documentary and art. I use the camera to tell stories about culture, plants, and the human condition — from high-altitude Himalayan villages to dense equatorial forests.

Motion work came naturally. I spent years in live television as a video editor, where I developed a sharp sense for timing, pacing, and emotional rhythm. That foundation continues to shape how I approach narrative in both short-form and long-form projects.

My images are rooted in observation. I’m drawn to real moments, natural light, and the quiet in-between spaces. Whether I’m filming a seed exchange in the Solomon Islands or capturing the texture of a banana flower in Borneo, I treat every frame as an opportunity to reveal what’s often overlooked.

I approach each project with an eye for intimacy and atmosphere — not just what’s seen, but what’s felt.