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Where did you learn photography?
I took classes in junior high and high school but, other than
that, my photographic education has come from a frighteningly large mass of
exposed film and from reading copious amounts of photographic literature. My
father, an artist, helped me a great deal. He strictly critiqued every roll of
film and encouraged me to study master painters to learn composition, form and
use of color.
My actual education is in the sciences, where I obtained an M.A. in physiology
and cell biology. This may seem like a strange jump, but landscape photography
with a large format camera requires the same meticulous nature and patience
required for neurochemistry and physiology research. I also believe that
understanding the biology of plants and animals helps in obtaining photographs.
The more you understand about what you are shooting, the better your
photographs will be.
How much time do you spend in the field?
My goal is to spend seven to 14 days per month in the field. Some months are
less, and I spend more when I am on a long trip somewhere. In many respects,
great photography comes down to a numbers game. The more time spent in the
field, the more opportunities are available for great shots. Unfortunately,
financial reality sets in and I find the business end of photography requires a
great deal of time. I also enjoy my family and don't want to be away from them
too long.
What is your inspiration to shoot natural landscapes?
I have many great memories of wandering out in the prairies and woods on my
grandparents' farm as a little kid, which were deepened even more by numerous
fieldtrips with the Audubon Society. These experiences created a profound
motivation to inspire in others an appreciation of wild places so that they
will then be motivated to actively participate in conservation efforts. I try
to accomplish this through my photography. People will not conserve what they
have no affinity for. Hopefully my photography inspires that affinity.
How do you find places to photograph?
I start by researching places that inspire me creatively and look at
photography books on areas as well as talk to locals in camping stores and
forest service offices for recommendations on places to go. Once I arrive in an
area, I spend several days taking very few photographs. I do lots of hiking and
driving to ferret out individual scenes that have promise. I also take notes on
each scene; what time of day would be best, the weather conditions, etc. Then,
after several days of this, I review my list of scenes and prioritize them.
Toward the end of my trip (usually spending about 10 days to four weeks in an
area) I am very busy running from one "mapped out" scene to another. I find
this method very efficient. My goal is to come back with several really
exceptional portraits of the landscape, as opposed to many mediocre ones.
How many pictures do you take in a day, and of those, how many do
you consider really successful?
After my days of scouting (see previous question), I am happy if I photograph 8
to 12 scenes per day. Each scene may involve several shots (horizontal,
vertical, different crops, etc.)
Where is your favorite place to take pictures?
I don't really have one favorite place. However, the following
would be a short list of spots I find especially compelling:
-- North Cascades National Park, Washington
-- Canyon de Chelley National Monument, Arizona
-- North Shore of Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters
Canoe Area
-- the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas
-- Acadia National Park, Maine
What equipment do you carry in your pack?
I carry the entire Linhof system described previously with about
16 film holders (32 sheets) and the Canon A2E with the 28 - 105 zoom for duping
the 4x5 shots. I also carry the Gitzo in my arms. The pack weighs about 45
pounds and the tripod about 13 pounds. Yes, I'm tired at the end of the day,
and yes I'm obsessive-compulsive, but it's a good way to stay in shape and my
chiropractor likes me.
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