About

Method and Philosophy

It can be difficult to create a simple natural photograph because nature obeys few rules. Nonetheless, nature does reveal unifying design elements- our opportunity is to recognize them. My images are based upon such natural design elements, illuminated by dramatic light.

River with Fog, Yellowstone NP, 2007

I create images for decorating large spaces. I work with high-resolution camera systems to capture detail sufficient for large, sharp images which enable the possibility of perceiving a "third dimension" in the print.

I print my own photographs using a 12-ink pigment-based printer on rolls of 44-inch paper or canvas.

Living and working in the wilderness is a religious experience to me and I make photographs based on emotion.

Making such a photograph may be "inconvenient"-- a finished image may be the result of days of hiking, followed by hours or days waiting for the right light.

Atop slick rock in the Pariah Wilderness, 2008, photo by Karl Kroeber.
Into remote Death Hollow, Escalante, 2010
Airstream, Patagonia, 2019

Evolving High-Resolution Cameras

Prior to 2007 my images were captured with a 6x7 cm film camera on Fuji Velvia. The images were developed and then scanned to approximately 60 million pixels.

With 6x7cm film camera in 2003, Lamarck Col, 13000', photo by Barbara Naden.

In 2007 I bought a 39 million pixel medium format digital camera system, which made possible prints comparable to those from 4 x 5 inch film. In 2010 this system was upgraded to 80 million pixels.

With 39 megapixel medium format camera in 2007, below Death Hollow, the Escalante. Photo by Kent Patterson.

In 2015 I invested in a digital "35 mm" single-lens reflex camera for star photography. By 2018 this camera became available with 45 million pixel resolution, and I switched exclusively to this technology.

I began photographing birds in flight in 2017. Again "35 mm" equipment fit the bill.

Flock, Bosque del Apache, 2020

Video

I am collecting video footage, time permitting. I'm into high resolution- 4K or 8K- and also high-frame rate for slow-motion of natural scenes, especially water scenes. The camera I have for this kind of work is equivalent in resolution to the SLR I describe above, but is mirrorless- thus it's much smaller and lighter. In addition, switching between still and video mode is fast.

The future of fine photography is mirrorless technology.

And...Composition is Everything

It's easy for me to become immersed in craft items; but I know that the most important “gear” is within the right side of the brain: an understanding of photographic composition. If you feel something is lacking in your photographs, you can improve your work without buying new gear! I’ve seen students with very little training and inexpensive cameras make wondrous photos- they “get it"!

My understanding of composition is only beginning to take shape; it is as if a mysterious process is teaching me. Definitely not something I will learn from a book.