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Interview Inga Yandell Spirit
Quintessentially wild is the west for its untamed landscapes, majestic nature and outdoor nation, all of which conjure a romantic picture of earths raw beauty. Here, where the woodland whispers draw you in, one can relate to nature on a deeper level and discover the influence we each yield on the decline or rise of the wild. Interpreting this truth through an artists eye, is north american wildlife photographer Allen Thornton who’s images capture the spirit of nature and reflect mans action to safeguard or destroy our greatest treasures.
Natures Beauty a Reflection of Man!
Did you grow up with a passion for nature? My father was an outdoorsman; he moved the family from suburbia to the country in down state Illinois when I was a young boy. Most days, I would rush home from school to walk in the fields and woods near my home, it seemed to call to me then and those same feelings still live in me today.
How has wildlife photography expanded your appreciation and understanding of nature? Wildlife and landscape photography has taken me to many of most beautiful and inspiring spots in North America. When I travel to new locations I study the area: the geology, the weather, the culture and the history. All this helps me craft my images and helps me to become a better photographer and a better steward of the land.
Has your impression of America’s wilderness changed over the years?
I first traveled to the mountains and deserts of the west 35 years ago, back then it seemed vast and endless, but today true wilderness seems hard to find. I appreciate our wild lands more today than ever before. I’m starting to understand its strengths and frailties, its opportunities and limits. It’s too bad it has taken a lifetime to get here.
Your work translates the subtle and striking visuals present in nature what is the key to capturing these elements? The simplest things are often the most difficult things to achieve. I work to isolate my subject from clutter and visual distraction all around us. This happens with selecting the right camera position, choice of lens, the use of depth of field and after capture tools. When a photographer can do this, magic can happen.
What is the longest you have spent in wait for the right moment? I once won an on-line award for an image of a red fox in the snow. I received dozens of congratulation emails from other photographers. One of the emails included a comment of how lucky I was to capture the image. At first I was a little frustrated by the comment for I had driven over 1300 miles to the location, invested over 50 hours, waiting in the rain, snow and freezing temperatures to capture the image. Then I realized, yes, I was lucky and enriched by the time I invested. Success is never measured in degrees of time but in successful images. I spent ten days in Alaska last summer and came home with very little to show for it, but on the other hand, last spring in a single morning near the California coast and returned with a bonanza of exciting new images.
How much of your work comes down to good fortune (stumbling onto the perfect shot)? As a matter of fact, some of my most successful images were unplanned. When you spend time in the outdoors, amazing things happen. The big thing is to get out there and be ready. A top telecom salesman once told me his success was do mostly to one thing, “just show up.” I think this is true in many things in life including photography.
What elevates a photo from an image to fine art? Good photography almost always includes quality light, a strong subject and good composition. Great photography also evokes an emotional response from the viewer: excitement, curiosity, peacefulness or amazement. It’s the one element that make us return to that single image time and time again. Years ago I read a book by Boyd Norton, who described the perfect photographic image as both, “Simplistic and Elegant.” I’ve given it a lot of thought over the years and I can’t think of a better description or goal as a photographer.
How important is equipment in contrast to a photographers skill and intuition? Equipment is important but never as important as a skilled eye and patience. I have a friend who is an amazing photographer, but he only uses a simple point-and-shoot camera. His work is limited to making only smaller prints but the unique quality of his images more than make up for it.
Still
KNOWLEDGE
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