I learned about slideshows from my father who taught me photography
father who taught me photography
father who taught me photography photography was associated with the very
photography was associated with the very
photography was associated with the very best times in our family life the
best times in our family life the
best times in our family life the holidays and birthdays the games sports
holidays and birthdays the games sports
holidays and birthdays the games sports teams and especially the summer
teams and especially the summer
teams and especially the summer vacations my parents were both teachers
vacations my parents were both teachers
vacations my parents were both teachers we took trips out into America every
we took trips out into America every
we took trips out into America every summer
summer
summer we learned about American history
we learned about American history
we learned about American history culture landscape values and after we
culture landscape values and after we
culture landscape values and after we came home about ten days or two weeks
came home about ten days or two weeks
came home about ten days or two weeks later the film would arrive in the mail
later the film would arrive in the mail
later the film would arrive in the mail and my dad would put on a slide show it
and my dad would put on a slide show it
and my dad would put on a slide show it was in Technicolor
was in Technicolor
was in Technicolor and it featured us against a backdrop of
and it featured us against a backdrop of
and it featured us against a backdrop of America it’d be very difficult for me
America it’d be very difficult for me
America it’d be very difficult for me not to fall in love with photography I
not to fall in love with photography I
not to fall in love with photography I grew up to be a photographer who
grew up to be a photographer who
grew up to be a photographer who believed in publishing his photographs
one of the things that I do is take
one of the things that I do is take photographs backwards I photographed the
photographs backwards I photographed the
photographs backwards I photographed the setting first and wait for the subject
setting first and wait for the subject
setting first and wait for the subject and it’s something that I learned from
and it’s something that I learned from
and it’s something that I learned from my dad to compose and wait even though
my dad to compose and wait even though
my dad to compose and wait even though I’m stealing the picture down everything
I’m stealing the picture down everything
I’m stealing the picture down everything is set and that bursts of life that
is set and that bursts of life that
is set and that bursts of life that dramatic moment is why I wanted to be a
dramatic moment is why I wanted to be a
dramatic moment is why I wanted to be a photographer I have the thought from the
photographer I have the thought from the
photographer I have the thought from the time I first held the camera in my hands
time I first held the camera in my hands
time I first held the camera in my hands and felt how right it felt in my hands
and felt how right it felt in my hands
and felt how right it felt in my hands that it was a dynamic invitation to be
that it was a dynamic invitation to be
that it was a dynamic invitation to be in life to get up out of my chair to
in life to get up out of my chair to
in life to get up out of my chair to walk out the door to be in the light to
walk out the door to be in the light to
walk out the door to be in the light to be in the day to be with people to be
be in the day to be with people to be
be in the day to be with people to be with animals to be with landscape to be
with animals to be with landscape to be
with animals to be with landscape to be with cultures to be out in life and so I
with cultures to be out in life and so I
with cultures to be out in life and so I never wanted
photography to be a business I didn’t
photography to be a business I didn’t want a studio I didn’t even want a
want a studio I didn’t even want a
want a studio I didn’t even want a career I wanted a life and that led me
career I wanted a life and that led me
career I wanted a life and that led me to National Geographic which offered in
to National Geographic which offered in
to National Geographic which offered in my opinion the greatest life that a
my opinion the greatest life that a
my opinion the greatest life that a young person and a documentary
young person and a documentary
young person and a documentary photographer could want to have because
photographer could want to have because
photographer could want to have because National Geographic put you in life
thank you all for coming by now you’ve
thank you all for coming by now you’ve heard me speak of my father I think not
heard me speak of my father I think not
heard me speak of my father I think not many young men or women are taught to
many young men or women are taught to
many young men or women are taught to see seeing is taken for granted but my
see seeing is taken for granted but my
see seeing is taken for granted but my father would talk about light and color
father would talk about light and color
father would talk about light and color and shape and space and he had his
and shape and space and he had his
and shape and space and he had his little Maxim’s about photography that he
little Maxim’s about photography that he
little Maxim’s about photography that he gently taught me this is my father and
gently taught me this is my father and
gently taught me this is my father and me photograph made in 1977 I used to
me photograph made in 1977 I used to
me photograph made in 1977 I used to joke that haha I’m the one on the right
joke that haha I’m the one on the right
joke that haha I’m the one on the right but I did the math I added up the years
but I did the math I added up the years
but I did the math I added up the years his birth the year this picture was
his birth the year this picture was
his birth the year this picture was taken and the numbers were poignant to
taken and the numbers were poignant to
taken and the numbers were poignant to me I’m now the age he was then when I
me I’m now the age he was then when I
me I’m now the age he was then when I made this photograph my father died in
made this photograph my father died in
made this photograph my father died in 2002 the same year that this book came
2002 the same year that this book came
2002 the same year that this book came out my father saw this book before he
out my father saw this book before he
out my father saw this book before he died he got to see that I had taken to
died he got to see that I had taken to
died he got to see that I had taken to heart the not only the lessons that he
heart the not only the lessons that he
heart the not only the lessons that he had taught me but the life that he
had taught me but the life that he
had taught me but the life that he wanted and the life that he had wanted
wanted and the life that he had wanted
wanted and the life that he had wanted for me it’s always been easy for me to
for me it’s always been easy for me to
for me it’s always been easy for me to describe the influence of my father I
describe the influence of my father I
describe the influence of my father I simply say he taught me photography but
simply say he taught me photography but
simply say he taught me photography but in the photographs you’ve seen and
in the photographs you’ve seen and
in the photographs you’ve seen and especially the photographs you’re about
especially the photographs you’re about
especially the photographs you’re about to see you will see the influence of my
to see you will see the influence of my
to see you will see the influence of my mother whose influence has always been
mother whose influence has always been
mother whose influence has always been harder to explain I think I can explain
harder to explain I think I can explain
harder to explain I think I can explain it best by saying to you that it’s her
it best by saying to you that it’s her
it best by saying to you that it’s her taste her style and her aspirations that
taste her style and her aspirations that
taste her style and her aspirations that are in the photographs that my father
are in the photographs that my father
are in the photographs that my father taught me how to make speaking of making
taught me how to make speaking of making
taught me how to make speaking of making she made those suits that my brother and
she made those suits that my brother and
she made those suits that my brother and I are wearing my brother was three years
I are wearing my brother was three years
I are wearing my brother was three years older than me but it didn’t stop my
older than me but it didn’t stop my
older than me but it didn’t stop my mother from dressing us as twins for the
mother from dressing us as twins for the
mother from dressing us as twins for the first 10 years of our lives in 1942 my
first 10 years of our lives in 1942 my
first 10 years of our lives in 1942 my mother made this needlepoint mat at the
mother made this needlepoint mat at the
mother made this needlepoint mat at the United States it was her dream that are
United States it was her dream that are
United States it was her dream that are yet to be born boys together with her
yet to be born boys together with her
yet to be born boys together with her and her husband my father would touch
and her husband my father would touch
and her husband my father would touch all of those things on our able family
all of those things on our able family
all of those things on our able family vacation trips and we did and out of
vacation trips and we did and out of
vacation trips and we did and out of that man I think grew the kinds of
that man I think grew the kinds of
that man I think grew the kinds of photography that I see what I’m
photography that I see what I’m
photography that I see what I’m attracted to photographing the content
attracted to photographing the content
attracted to photographing the content and style of my photography this
and style of my photography this
and style of my photography this photograph here is on the cover of the
photograph here is on the cover of the
photograph here is on the cover of the book and the reason it’s on the cover is
book and the reason it’s on the cover is
book and the reason it’s on the cover is that it well represents the photography
that it well represents the photography
that it well represents the photography in it and me is taken in a small city on
in it and me is taken in a small city on
in it and me is taken in a small city on the southwest coast of Japan it’s in
the southwest coast of Japan it’s in
the southwest coast of Japan it’s in color but barely it’s a table for two a
color but barely it’s a table for two a
color but barely it’s a table for two a room with a view a bus is pulling out a
room with a view a bus is pulling out a
room with a view a bus is pulling out a woman is walking across the pavement
woman is walking across the pavement
woman is walking across the pavement soon the scene will change but for a
soon the scene will change but for a
soon the scene will change but for a moment it is held in a photograph
moment it is held in a photograph
moment it is held in a photograph because it is held in a photograph the
because it is held in a photograph the
because it is held in a photograph the moment has a life I’ve talked to an
moment has a life I’ve talked to an
moment has a life I’ve talked to an about this photograph to understand that
about this photograph to understand that
about this photograph to understand that they think this is how I live and this
they think this is how I live and this
they think this is how I live and this is where my photographs come from I take
is where my photographs come from I take
is where my photographs come from I take a room in a small Inn and right outside
a room in a small Inn and right outside
a room in a small Inn and right outside the window there’s a Zen view and I
the window there’s a Zen view and I
the window there’s a Zen view and I simply set up my camera and quietly one
simply set up my camera and quietly one
simply set up my camera and quietly one day take this picture the beauty of this
day take this picture the beauty of this
day take this picture the beauty of this book is that it shows you that that’s
book is that it shows you that that’s
book is that it shows you that that’s not true this is how the same load all
not true this is how the same load all
not true this is how the same load all of the elements of the cover photograph
of the elements of the cover photograph
of the elements of the cover photograph are there they’re just in chaotic
are there they’re just in chaotic
are there they’re just in chaotic disarray as is most of the life that
disarray as is most of the life that
disarray as is most of the life that photographers see and out of this chaos
photographers see and out of this chaos
photographers see and out of this chaos and disarray photographs are made
and disarray photographs are made
and disarray photographs are made they’re made through in my case several
they’re made through in my case several
they’re made through in my case several styles of seeing several points of
styles of seeing several points of
styles of seeing several points of concentration one thing that I believe
concentration one thing that I believe
concentration one thing that I believe in is internal framing photograph is a
in is internal framing photograph is a
in is internal framing photograph is a frame and if I cannot reframe it and
frame and if I cannot reframe it and
frame and if I cannot reframe it and reframe it again the other thing that I
reframe it again the other thing that I
reframe it again the other thing that I believe is in micro composition and
believe is in micro composition and
believe is in micro composition and right at the top of the tile roof the
right at the top of the tile roof the
right at the top of the tile roof the chaos begins but I’ve composed the
chaos begins but I’ve composed the
chaos begins but I’ve composed the photograph intensely enough so that none
photograph intensely enough so that none
photograph intensely enough so that none of the chaos is visible and all of the
of the chaos is visible and all of the
of the chaos is visible and all of the poetry is centered this is a double
poetry is centered this is a double
poetry is centered this is a double photograph there are two photographs
photograph there are two photographs
photograph there are two photographs here one a vintage photograph of the
here one a vintage photograph of the
here one a vintage photograph of the employees of the US Button company and
employees of the US Button company and
employees of the US Button company and my photograph of their buttons both the
my photograph of their buttons both the
my photograph of their buttons both the photograph and the buttons have outlived
photograph and the buttons have outlived
photograph and the buttons have outlived the people that made them therefore it’s
the people that made them therefore it’s
the people that made them therefore it’s altogether fitting that this picture
altogether fitting that this picture
altogether fitting that this picture beyond the title page of the new book
beyond the title page of the new book
beyond the title page of the new book the life of a photograph photographs I
the life of a photograph photographs I
the life of a photograph photographs I think we all know have a life in this
think we all know have a life in this
think we all know have a life in this photograph on the left there are the
photograph on the left there are the
photograph on the left there are the strong horizontal lines that define the
strong horizontal lines that define the
strong horizontal lines that define the graphics and design geometry of my
graphics and design geometry of my
graphics and design geometry of my childhood landscape another reason why
childhood landscape another reason why
childhood landscape another reason why it’s fitting that it beyond the title
it’s fitting that it beyond the title
it’s fitting that it beyond the title page of this book but my favorite page
page of this book but my favorite page
page of this book but my favorite page in the book features this four
in the book features this four
in the book features this four a roughest fronted flycatcher from
a roughest fronted flycatcher from
a roughest fronted flycatcher from tropical Peru being held by a scientist
tropical Peru being held by a scientist
tropical Peru being held by a scientist at a research station on the madre de
at a research station on the madre de
at a research station on the madre de dios river in peru in order to identify
dios river in peru in order to identify
dios river in peru in order to identify the bird the scientists got out a page
the bird the scientists got out a page
the bird the scientists got out a page in the south american bird analyst the
in the south american bird analyst the
in the south american bird analyst the Rufus fronted flycatcher is looking at
Rufus fronted flycatcher is looking at
Rufus fronted flycatcher is looking at itself it happens to be bird number 11
itself it happens to be bird number 11
itself it happens to be bird number 11 on an 11 bird page and in this book
on an 11 bird page and in this book
on an 11 bird page and in this book there are 11 chapters and that’s the
there are 11 chapters and that’s the
there are 11 chapters and that’s the kind of small thoughtful detail that we
kind of small thoughtful detail that we
kind of small thoughtful detail that we put into this book that no one will know
put into this book that no one will know
put into this book that no one will know about unless they’re sitting in this
about unless they’re sitting in this
about unless they’re sitting in this room tonight the first chapter in the
room tonight the first chapter in the
room tonight the first chapter in the book is the all-important phrase seeking
book is the all-important phrase seeking
book is the all-important phrase seeking the picture pictures don’t appear in
the picture pictures don’t appear in
the picture pictures don’t appear in front of you you go after them you are
front of you you go after them you are
front of you you go after them you are stopped by them I was stopped by this
stopped by them I was stopped by this
stopped by them I was stopped by this space and waited for the woman to come
space and waited for the woman to come
space and waited for the woman to come around the corner and complete the
around the corner and complete the
around the corner and complete the composition it’s on the cover of a book
composition it’s on the cover of a book
composition it’s on the cover of a book of mine and it’s one of the important
of mine and it’s one of the important
of mine and it’s one of the important primary pictures of my life and has an
primary pictures of my life and has an
primary pictures of my life and has an important place in this book but I would
important place in this book but I would
important place in this book but I would not show it to you tonight nor would I
not show it to you tonight nor would I
not show it to you tonight nor would I look at it myself if her shadow were
look at it myself if her shadow were
look at it myself if her shadow were touching the shadow of the bank building
touching the shadow of the bank building
touching the shadow of the bank building she’s about to pass in two together with
she’s about to pass in two together with
she’s about to pass in two together with Robert and Poole my distinguished
Robert and Poole my distinguished
Robert and Poole my distinguished colleague I was in Tokyo doing a story
colleague I was in Tokyo doing a story
colleague I was in Tokyo doing a story on the Imperial Palace the Imperial
on the Imperial Palace the Imperial
on the Imperial Palace the Imperial Palace officials did not want us to
Palace officials did not want us to
Palace officials did not want us to photograph the Emperor and yet here we
photograph the Emperor and yet here we
photograph the Emperor and yet here we were on an embassy invitation at the
were on an embassy invitation at the
were on an embassy invitation at the Emperor’s spring garden party
Emperor’s spring garden party
Emperor’s spring garden party our minder mr. takahashi said in anger
our minder mr. takahashi said in anger
our minder mr. takahashi said in anger you must not this spot and you must
you must not this spot and you must
you must not this spot and you must leave 20 minutes before the Emperor
leave 20 minutes before the Emperor
leave 20 minutes before the Emperor arrives so I was frozen in place and I
arrives so I was frozen in place and I
arrives so I was frozen in place and I turned around and I saw what was before
turned around and I saw what was before
turned around and I saw what was before me what was before me was a setting the
me what was before me was a setting the
me what was before me was a setting the very thing that my father had taught me
very thing that my father had taught me
very thing that my father had taught me to see and to seek and it wasn’t hard to
to see and to seek and it wasn’t hard to
to see and to seek and it wasn’t hard to wait and a micro compose the moment of
wait and a micro compose the moment of
wait and a micro compose the moment of the dignitaries the ambassadors and the
the dignitaries the ambassadors and the
the dignitaries the ambassadors and the diplomats arriving at the party a
diplomats arriving at the party a
diplomats arriving at the party a photograph of the Imperial archery
photograph of the Imperial archery
photograph of the Imperial archery target and Zen archery arcade deep
target and Zen archery arcade deep
target and Zen archery arcade deep within the Imperial Palace and the same
within the Imperial Palace and the same
within the Imperial Palace and the same archery arcade six months later with the
archery arcade six months later with the
archery arcade six months later with the archery master present disregard the
archery master present disregard the
archery master present disregard the cowboy bulldogging that steer to the
cowboy bulldogging that steer to the
cowboy bulldogging that steer to the ground concentrate instead on the broad
ground concentrate instead on the broad
ground concentrate instead on the broad anding at the composition the stunning
anding at the composition the stunning
anding at the composition the stunning line the sharp shadows the internal
line the sharp shadows the internal
line the sharp shadows the internal framing and to me the wonderful scale of
framing and to me the wonderful scale of
framing and to me the wonderful scale of the little boy looking over the shoulder
the little boy looking over the shoulder
the little boy looking over the shoulder of the rodeo announcer that’s the
of the rodeo announcer that’s the
of the rodeo announcer that’s the photograph it existed before the cowboy
photograph it existed before the cowboy
photograph it existed before the cowboy and a steer when I look at this
and a steer when I look at this
and a steer when I look at this photograph the steer in the cowboy are
photograph the steer in the cowboy are
photograph the steer in the cowboy are the last things I see second chapter in
the last things I see second chapter in
the last things I see second chapter in the book is called road trip and the
the book is called road trip and the
the book is called road trip and the first sentence and the book comes I
first sentence and the book comes I
first sentence and the book comes I spent a lot more time in cars than I
spent a lot more time in cars than I
spent a lot more time in cars than I ever expected to and saw a lot of the
ever expected to and saw a lot of the
ever expected to and saw a lot of the world through windshields what I became
world through windshields what I became
world through windshields what I became attracted to was the idea of stilling
attracted to was the idea of stilling
attracted to was the idea of stilling down the sensation of speed a cracked
down the sensation of speed a cracked
down the sensation of speed a cracked windshield raindrop
windshield raindrop
windshield raindrop on the windshield high-speed streaks of
on the windshield high-speed streaks of
on the windshield high-speed streaks of still mud on the side of my car in
still mud on the side of my car in
still mud on the side of my car in Newfoundland in 1970 all emblems to me
Newfoundland in 1970 all emblems to me
Newfoundland in 1970 all emblems to me of the idea of speed hurrying somewhere
of the idea of speed hurrying somewhere
of the idea of speed hurrying somewhere in the name of photography hurrying
in the name of photography hurrying
in the name of photography hurrying somewhere in the name of the last good
somewhere in the name of the last good
somewhere in the name of the last good light by presenting two views in this
light by presenting two views in this
light by presenting two views in this book it was our intention to put you in
book it was our intention to put you in
book it was our intention to put you in the field making choices making
the field making choices making
the field making choices making photographs secondly it was our
photographs secondly it was our
photographs secondly it was our intention to put you in the editors
intention to put you in the editors
intention to put you in the editors chair at National Geographic making
chair at National Geographic making
chair at National Geographic making choices which picture goes forward this
choices which picture goes forward this
choices which picture goes forward this photograph carries the sentence with it
photograph carries the sentence with it
photograph carries the sentence with it in the book the photograph is noteworthy
in the book the photograph is noteworthy
in the book the photograph is noteworthy to me for two reasons one the
to me for two reasons one the
to me for two reasons one the excruciating sound of a train coming off
excruciating sound of a train coming off
excruciating sound of a train coming off the tracks is absent and two it’s the
the tracks is absent and two it’s the
the tracks is absent and two it’s the only photograph in this book taken and
only photograph in this book taken and
only photograph in this book taken and not made I happen to be on the phone
not made I happen to be on the phone
not made I happen to be on the phone when I heard this excruciating sound
when I heard this excruciating sound
when I heard this excruciating sound behind me felt like the world was coming
behind me felt like the world was coming
behind me felt like the world was coming to an end I dropped the phone picked up
to an end I dropped the phone picked up
to an end I dropped the phone picked up my camera and made a fast photograph
my camera and made a fast photograph
my camera and made a fast photograph down the track to the left the train
down the track to the left the train
down the track to the left the train cars are toppling over if it continues
cars are toppling over if it continues
cars are toppling over if it continues the taxi cab will be crushed and covered
the taxi cab will be crushed and covered
the taxi cab will be crushed and covered in corn it didn’t happen the train
in corn it didn’t happen the train
in corn it didn’t happen the train stabilized itself off the tracks still
stabilized itself off the tracks still
stabilized itself off the tracks still standing and this is the most complex
standing and this is the most complex
standing and this is the most complex photograph I’ve ever made on the road I
photograph I’ve ever made on the road I
photograph I’ve ever made on the road I had the composition well in hand I was
had the composition well in hand I was
had the composition well in hand I was pumping gas myself and I micro composed
pumping gas myself and I micro composed
pumping gas myself and I micro composed into the corner of the picture the
into the corner of the picture the
into the corner of the picture the landscape of Utah each chapter of the
landscape of Utah each chapter of the
landscape of Utah each chapter of the book asked the question what about this
book asked the question what about this
book asked the question what about this chapter as a life what gives portraits
chapter as a life what gives portraits
chapter as a life what gives portraits their life I wrote that what gives my
their life I wrote that what gives my
their life I wrote that what gives my portraits of life these portraits is
portraits of life these portraits is
portraits of life these portraits is that the people are within themselves
that the people are within themselves
that the people are within themselves emotionally not happy not sad
emotionally not happy not sad
emotionally not happy not sad but thoughtfully within themselves I
but thoughtfully within themselves I
but thoughtfully within themselves I make the further point that each
make the further point that each
make the further point that each photograph be a part of a larger
photograph be a part of a larger
photograph be a part of a larger photograph his expression matters but so
photograph his expression matters but so
photograph his expression matters but so does his gesture and so does the setting
does his gesture and so does the setting
does his gesture and so does the setting setting expression gesture what sets
setting expression gesture what sets
setting expression gesture what sets this picture in Australia and not in
this picture in Australia and not in
this picture in Australia and not in Montana is the sky filling flight of
Montana is the sky filling flight of
Montana is the sky filling flight of cockatoos behind the cowboy perhaps my
cockatoos behind the cowboy perhaps my
cockatoos behind the cowboy perhaps my favorite photograph in the book is this
favorite photograph in the book is this
favorite photograph in the book is this one and the reason is I took it as a
one and the reason is I took it as a
one and the reason is I took it as a summer intern at National Geographic in
summer intern at National Geographic in
summer intern at National Geographic in 1967 bedding Leonard’s sandwich on one
1967 bedding Leonard’s sandwich on one
1967 bedding Leonard’s sandwich on one of America’s great artists Willem de
of America’s great artists Willem de
of America’s great artists Willem de Kooning within himself thoughtfully
Kooning within himself thoughtfully
Kooning within himself thoughtfully neither happy nor sad and the same for
neither happy nor sad and the same for
neither happy nor sad and the same for Christopher Pratt
Christopher Pratt
Christopher Pratt Canada’s great artist and the artist
Canada’s great artist and the artist
Canada’s great artist and the artist whose work and life has had the greatest
whose work and life has had the greatest
whose work and life has had the greatest affect and influence on my photography
affect and influence on my photography
affect and influence on my photography and my life you’ll see later my version
and my life you’ll see later my version
and my life you’ll see later my version of clothes on the clothesline which is
of clothes on the clothesline which is
of clothes on the clothesline which is homage to Christopher Pratt a
homage to Christopher Pratt a
homage to Christopher Pratt a grandfather and granddaughter in the
grandfather and granddaughter in the
grandfather and granddaughter in the outback of Australia backstage at a
outback of Australia backstage at a
outback of Australia backstage at a Shinto festival in Hoggy Japan and a
Shinto festival in Hoggy Japan and a
Shinto festival in Hoggy Japan and a favorite portrait of mine enigmatic
favorite portrait of mine enigmatic
favorite portrait of mine enigmatic emotionally a young person deeply within
emotionally a young person deeply within
emotionally a young person deeply within themselves two photographs at a little
themselves two photographs at a little
themselves two photographs at a little lunch stand a small little corner store
lunch stand a small little corner store
lunch stand a small little corner store in Newfoundland in 1970 outside and
in Newfoundland in 1970 outside and
in Newfoundland in 1970 outside and inside to be 15 and to be in
inside to be 15 and to be in
inside to be 15 and to be in Newfoundland in a sequence of
Newfoundland in a sequence of
Newfoundland in a sequence of photographs of a cowboy approaching me
photographs of a cowboy approaching me
photographs of a cowboy approaching me in the winter in Montana the caption in
in the winter in Montana the caption in
in the winter in Montana the caption in the book carries the simple statement
the book carries the simple statement
the book carries the simple statement the approach and departure of Gerald
the approach and departure of Gerald
the approach and departure of Gerald Mack
during the book is called portrait of a
during the book is called portrait of a people and the people are they
people and the people are they
people and the people are they Aborigines of Australia who until the
Aborigines of Australia who until the
Aborigines of Australia who until the English arrived two hundred years ago
English arrived two hundred years ago
English arrived two hundred years ago had lived there uninterruptedly for 80
had lived there uninterruptedly for 80
had lived there uninterruptedly for 80 thousand years this is a picture of
thousand years this is a picture of
thousand years this is a picture of ancient aboriginal life and this is a
ancient aboriginal life and this is a
ancient aboriginal life and this is a picture of contemporary Aboriginal
Cowboys cradling the head of his dying
Cowboys cradling the head of his dying horse the horse was gored by a wild
horse the horse was gored by a wild
horse the horse was gored by a wild both in the cowboy had tethered to a
both in the cowboy had tethered to a
both in the cowboy had tethered to a tree with too weak a tether the wound
tree with too weak a tether the wound
tree with too weak a tether the wound was cleaned with canteen water and hair
was cleaned with canteen water and hair
was cleaned with canteen water and hair from the mane of the horse was taken
from the mane of the horse was taken
from the mane of the horse was taken cleaned with canteen water and used to
cleaned with canteen water and used to
cleaned with canteen water and used to sew up the wound
sew up the wound
sew up the wound after that the horse was stood up and we
after that the horse was stood up and we
after that the horse was stood up and we rode away and I said what’s going to
rode away and I said what’s going to
rode away and I said what’s going to become of the horse and the station
become of the horse and the station
become of the horse and the station owner said the horse knows the way back
owner said the horse knows the way back
owner said the horse knows the way back to the station it’ll go back if it can
about everything that I aspired to in a
about everything that I aspired to in a photograph is on the screen right now
photograph is on the screen right now
photograph is on the screen right now the photograph is in color but barely
the photograph is in color but barely
the photograph is in color but barely the graphics are original to me the
the graphics are original to me the
the graphics are original to me the horizon line is wildly curving and yet I
horizon line is wildly curving and yet I
horizon line is wildly curving and yet I like it and I also like the reflection
like it and I also like the reflection
like it and I also like the reflection of the light on the water the texture of
of the light on the water the texture of
of the light on the water the texture of the sand and the scale of the people but
the sand and the scale of the people but
the sand and the scale of the people but the people are in a dire emergency their
the people are in a dire emergency their
the people are in a dire emergency their truck is bogged and they’re about 40
truck is bogged and they’re about 40
truck is bogged and they’re about 40 miles from their village their truck is
miles from their village their truck is
miles from their village their truck is doomed and possibly so are they and
doomed and possibly so are they and
doomed and possibly so are they and they’re shouting for help our pilot
they’re shouting for help our pilot
they’re shouting for help our pilot radios for help as I only take pictures
radios for help as I only take pictures
radios for help as I only take pictures of people in troubles but the people
of people in troubles but the people
of people in troubles but the people were pulled to safety and so I can
were pulled to safety and so I can
were pulled to safety and so I can credit the flight at least if not the
credit the flight at least if not the
credit the flight at least if not the photography the flight which was for
photography the flight which was for
photography the flight which was for photography for coming upon them for
photography for coming upon them for
photography for coming upon them for getting them help for pulling them and
getting them help for pulling them and
getting them help for pulling them and their truck to safety this is Mark Mora
their truck to safety this is Mark Mora
their truck to safety this is Mark Mora an Aborigine I’m about to go on a hunt
an Aborigine I’m about to go on a hunt
an Aborigine I’m about to go on a hunt with him in the great sandy desert I
with him in the great sandy desert I
with him in the great sandy desert I asked that the hunt come off it either
asked that the hunt come off it either
asked that the hunt come off it either dawn or sunset for the purposes of light
dawn or sunset for the purposes of light
dawn or sunset for the purposes of light because the light in the middle of the
because the light in the middle of the
because the light in the middle of the day in the great sandy desert is deadly
day in the great sandy desert is deadly
day in the great sandy desert is deadly as is the heat the hunt comes off at
as is the heat the hunt comes off at
as is the heat the hunt comes off at noon
first we eat and Markel stories the
first we eat and Markel stories the story he’s telling right now is that the
story he’s telling right now is that the
story he’s telling right now is that the greatest aboriginal hunter of them all
greatest aboriginal hunter of them all
greatest aboriginal hunter of them all and uncles he is saying and uncle who
and uncles he is saying and uncle who
and uncles he is saying and uncle who was so tall and so strong that he could
was so tall and so strong that he could
was so tall and so strong that he could lift up a dead kangaroo with one hand
lift up a dead kangaroo with one hand
lift up a dead kangaroo with one hand and as he says that one hand I make this
and as he says that one hand I make this
and as he says that one hand I make this photograph the hunt as I said came off
photograph the hunt as I said came off
photograph the hunt as I said came off at noon brutal deadly hot light I look
at noon brutal deadly hot light I look
at noon brutal deadly hot light I look around for something to base a portrait
around for something to base a portrait
around for something to base a portrait on and I select the grass it on top of
on and I select the grass it on top of
on and I select the grass it on top of my Land Cruiser and have marked pose
my Land Cruiser and have marked pose
my Land Cruiser and have marked pose against the grass many people perhaps
against the grass many people perhaps
against the grass many people perhaps all people see this as a portrait of
all people see this as a portrait of
all people see this as a portrait of Mark Mora or as a portrait of Mark Moore
Mark Mora or as a portrait of Mark Moore
Mark Mora or as a portrait of Mark Moore with a bird or of the bird but what I
with a bird or of the bird but what I
with a bird or of the bird but what I see and what I say to myself it is is a
see and what I say to myself it is is a
see and what I say to myself it is is a portrait of grass the chapter land sea
portrait of grass the chapter land sea
portrait of grass the chapter land sea and sky is about landscape photography
and sky is about landscape photography
and sky is about landscape photography but some of my landscapes were seascapes
but some of my landscapes were seascapes
but some of my landscapes were seascapes and some of my seascapes
and some of my seascapes
and some of my seascapes were sky scapes so we group them
were sky scapes so we group them
were sky scapes so we group them together and gave them this title and
together and gave them this title and
together and gave them this title and chose this picture as the chapter opener
chose this picture as the chapter opener
chose this picture as the chapter opener because it has land sea and sky all
because it has land sea and sky all
because it has land sea and sky all merging and obliterating that solemn
merging and obliterating that solemn
merging and obliterating that solemn solid centering line the only time I’ve
solid centering line the only time I’ve
solid centering line the only time I’ve ever seen
ever seen
ever seen on a landscape the horizon disappear I
on a landscape the horizon disappear I
on a landscape the horizon disappear I asked the boat captain what the name of
asked the boat captain what the name of
asked the boat captain what the name of that Island and the Galapagos was and he
that Island and the Galapagos was and he
that Island and the Galapagos was and he said Ye Lawson nombre
said Ye Lawson nombre
said Ye Lawson nombre I looked at him and he said no-name
I looked at him and he said no-name
I looked at him and he said no-name Island I write in the book that no-name
Island I write in the book that no-name
Island I write in the book that no-name Island is a good name for a lot of my
Island is a good name for a lot of my
Island is a good name for a lot of my landscape photography because it’s about
landscape photography because it’s about
landscape photography because it’s about anonymous places and what gives these
anonymous places and what gives these
anonymous places and what gives these photographs of life to me is not their
photographs of life to me is not their
photographs of life to me is not their anonymity but they are landscapes in
anonymity but they are landscapes in
anonymity but they are landscapes in motion the storm is arriving the fire is
motion the storm is arriving the fire is
motion the storm is arriving the fire is burning the mist is lifting
burning the mist is lifting
burning the mist is lifting so even though their landscape pictures
so even though their landscape pictures
so even though their landscape pictures they’re in motion a tree lies inert on a
they’re in motion a tree lies inert on a
they’re in motion a tree lies inert on a beach and the far northwest corner of
beach and the far northwest corner of
beach and the far northwest corner of Alaska something about the tree and the
Alaska something about the tree and the
Alaska something about the tree and the river and its relationship to the
river and its relationship to the
river and its relationship to the horizon attracts my attention and I
horizon attracts my attention and I
horizon attracts my attention and I approach closer from an elegant
approach closer from an elegant
approach closer from an elegant anonymous Noble in the far northwest
anonymous Noble in the far northwest
anonymous Noble in the far northwest corner of Canada on the Arctic plain I
corner of Canada on the Arctic plain I
corner of Canada on the Arctic plain I photograph an approaching storm beneath
photograph an approaching storm beneath
photograph an approaching storm beneath the storm is a crevasse a north-facing
the storm is a crevasse a north-facing
the storm is a crevasse a north-facing crevasse still holding snow from the
crevasse still holding snow from the
crevasse still holding snow from the previous winter and in this book for the
previous winter and in this book for the
previous winter and in this book for the first time I publish and see for myself
first time I publish and see for myself
first time I publish and see for myself essentially the wider view and I’m
essentially the wider view and I’m
essentially the wider view and I’m surprised to see it’s a second crevasse
surprised to see it’s a second crevasse
surprised to see it’s a second crevasse of snow but now seriously the storm is
of snow but now seriously the storm is
of snow but now seriously the storm is upon us and so I hasten off the knoll to
upon us and so I hasten off the knoll to
upon us and so I hasten off the knoll to secure the tent but one look back at the
secure the tent but one look back at the
secure the tent but one look back at the elegant Knoll looking like a killer
elegant Knoll looking like a killer
elegant Knoll looking like a killer whale coming out of the water land sky
whale coming out of the water land sky
whale coming out of the water land sky and the illusion of sea in the great
and the illusion of sea in the great
and the illusion of sea in the great sandy desert is a small outcropping of
sandy desert is a small outcropping of
sandy desert is a small outcropping of very weather-worn hills called the Balgo
very weather-worn hills called the Balgo
very weather-worn hills called the Balgo hills I’m flying over them the landscape
hills I’m flying over them the landscape
hills I’m flying over them the landscape is so hot and so bright that the dry
is so hot and so bright that the dry
is so hot and so bright that the dry landscape is reflecting light as though
landscape is reflecting light as though
landscape is reflecting light as though it was water there’s no door on the
it was water there’s no door on the
it was water there’s no door on the airplane am I feeling about these
airplane am I feeling about these
airplane am I feeling about these photographs these aerial photographs are
photographs these aerial photographs are
photographs these aerial photographs are that they don’t really catch the vertigo
that they don’t really catch the vertigo
that they don’t really catch the vertigo that the photographer feels when he’s
that the photographer feels when he’s
that the photographer feels when he’s taking it
taking it
taking it and so I took a second one that gives
and so I took a second one that gives
and so I took a second one that gives you a feeling of what it’s like to lean
you a feeling of what it’s like to lean
you a feeling of what it’s like to lean out from an airplane that has no door
probably my favorite landscape
probably my favorite landscape photograph because it is biographical as
photograph because it is biographical as
photograph because it is biographical as a 17 year old I saw the moon cast the
a 17 year old I saw the moon cast the
a 17 year old I saw the moon cast the shadow of trees onto fog and I thought
shadow of trees onto fog and I thought
shadow of trees onto fog and I thought I’ll never see that again I saw it again
I’ll never see that again I saw it again
I’ll never see that again I saw it again in Yellowstone Park behind the pine
in Yellowstone Park behind the pine
in Yellowstone Park behind the pine trees the moon it’s casting the shadow
trees the moon it’s casting the shadow
trees the moon it’s casting the shadow of the pine tree onto thermal hot
of the pine tree onto thermal hot
of the pine tree onto thermal hot thermal steam scattered around the edges
thermal steam scattered around the edges
thermal steam scattered around the edges of the photograph are the stars as the
of the photograph are the stars as the
of the photograph are the stars as the breeze moved the mist the picture
breeze moved the mist the picture
breeze moved the mist the picture appeared and disappeared and reappeared
appeared and disappeared and reappeared
appeared and disappeared and reappeared again we broke the word wildlife into
again we broke the word wildlife into
again we broke the word wildlife into two parts I wanted it to be about
two parts I wanted it to be about
two parts I wanted it to be about wildlife but I wanted it to be about the
wildlife but I wanted it to be about the
wildlife but I wanted it to be about the wildlife that I led led in getting these
wildlife that I led led in getting these
wildlife that I led led in getting these photographs what gives these photographs
photographs what gives these photographs
photographs what gives these photographs their life is their intimacy I’m not a
their life is their intimacy I’m not a
their life is their intimacy I’m not a wildlife specialist and so these are
wildlife specialist and so these are
wildlife specialist and so these are actual close encounters with wildlife
actual close encounters with wildlife
actual close encounters with wildlife what I wanted from photography was to be
what I wanted from photography was to be
what I wanted from photography was to be in life not with gear and so all of my
in life not with gear and so all of my
in life not with gear and so all of my wildlife photographs are like my
wildlife photographs are like my
wildlife photographs are like my photographs of the landscape and of
photographs of the landscape and of
photographs of the landscape and of people I am together with the animals is
people I am together with the animals is
people I am together with the animals is human moment as well as a wildlife
human moment as well as a wildlife
human moment as well as a wildlife moment photographing wild dolphins isn’t
moment photographing wild dolphins isn’t
moment photographing wild dolphins isn’t out of a controlled experience to bring
out of a controlled experience to bring
out of a controlled experience to bring it under my control I composed the
it under my control I composed the
it under my control I composed the picture without the dolphin and waited
picture without the dolphin and waited
picture without the dolphin and waited for the dolphin to come into my
for the dolphin to come into my
for the dolphin to come into my composition here is that picture
compose and wait I’ve also taken up an
compose and wait I’ve also taken up an interest in the passing of animals there
interest in the passing of animals there
interest in the passing of animals there remains wilderness travel in our time
remains wilderness travel in our time
remains wilderness travel in our time leads to not so many wilderness
leads to not so many wilderness
leads to not so many wilderness encounters but often there can be a
encounters but often there can be a
encounters but often there can be a spiritual encounter with the remains or
spiritual encounter with the remains or
spiritual encounter with the remains or the evidence for the presence that
the evidence for the presence that
the evidence for the presence that animals were here these two photographs
animals were here these two photographs
animals were here these two photographs are of sperm whales which beached
are of sperm whales which beached
are of sperm whales which beached themselves at low tide in Tierra del
themselves at low tide in Tierra del
themselves at low tide in Tierra del Fuego and then the tide left without
Fuego and then the tide left without
Fuego and then the tide left without them I treated them as landscape
them I treated them as landscape
them I treated them as landscape photographs small Hills in a foggy
photographs small Hills in a foggy
photographs small Hills in a foggy landscape bison disappear over a
landscape bison disappear over a
landscape bison disappear over a hillside in Montana in all approaches
hillside in Montana in all approaches
hillside in Montana in all approaches and flies over my head in Alaska a bird
and flies over my head in Alaska a bird
and flies over my head in Alaska a bird in Alaska walks through mud steps on a
in Alaska walks through mud steps on a
in Alaska walks through mud steps on a rock walks across it and steps off and
rock walks across it and steps off and
rock walks across it and steps off and four photographs from recent work in the
four photographs from recent work in the
four photographs from recent work in the Amazon nine Birds
Amazon nine Birds
Amazon nine Birds approached gliding in for a landing what
approached gliding in for a landing what
approached gliding in for a landing what gives this picture of life to me is it’s
gives this picture of life to me is it’s
gives this picture of life to me is it’s the only moment in the 15 weeks I was in
the only moment in the 15 weeks I was in
the only moment in the 15 weeks I was in the Amazon that I was ever able to get
the Amazon that I was ever able to get
the Amazon that I was ever able to get back that is step back from the jungle
back that is step back from the jungle
back that is step back from the jungle step back from the river get a little
step back from the river get a little
step back from the river get a little height one time in 15 weeks I had this
height one time in 15 weeks I had this
height one time in 15 weeks I had this vantage point I set up on a tripod and I
vantage point I set up on a tripod and I
vantage point I set up on a tripod and I was photographing the little Egret that
was photographing the little Egret that
was photographing the little Egret that you see along the edge of the beach sort
you see along the edge of the beach sort
you see along the edge of the beach sort of in the right-center lower right
of in the right-center lower right
of in the right-center lower right center of this picture that was my
center of this picture that was my
center of this picture that was my photograph I was happy about that it was
photograph I was happy about that it was
photograph I was happy about that it was something I hadn’t had a view of the
something I hadn’t had a view of the
something I hadn’t had a view of the Amazon that was stepped back and
Amazon that was stepped back and
Amazon that was stepped back and inclusive and into this poem of a
inclusive and into this poem of a
inclusive and into this poem of a photograph came the life-giving presence
photograph came the life-giving presence
photograph came the life-giving presence of the egrets landing the whole
of the egrets landing the whole
of the egrets landing the whole nothing more than the home of a giant
nothing more than the home of a giant
nothing more than the home of a giant armadillo that was enough for me in that
armadillo that was enough for me in that
armadillo that was enough for me in that dark and heavy forest was the lightest
dark and heavy forest was the lightest
dark and heavy forest was the lightest most incandescent form of beauty that
most incandescent form of beauty that
most incandescent form of beauty that I’ve ever seen a transparent winged
I’ve ever seen a transparent winged
I’ve ever seen a transparent winged butterfly and this last picture from the
butterfly and this last picture from the
butterfly and this last picture from the Amazon catches the philosophy of
Amazon catches the philosophy of
Amazon catches the philosophy of photography I had in the Amazon to not
photography I had in the Amazon to not
photography I had in the Amazon to not take portraits of animals which could be
take portraits of animals which could be
take portraits of animals which could be done in a zoo or a game park but to show
done in a zoo or a game park but to show
done in a zoo or a game park but to show the most beautiful of them and the
the most beautiful of them and the
the most beautiful of them and the smallest of them in their setting so
smallest of them in their setting so
smallest of them in their setting so that no one could say this isn’t the
that no one could say this isn’t the
that no one could say this isn’t the Amazon and one of the thing just about
Amazon and one of the thing just about
Amazon and one of the thing just about beauty I think that when there’s a gem
beauty I think that when there’s a gem
beauty I think that when there’s a gem of a beautiful object like this Morpho
of a beautiful object like this Morpho
of a beautiful object like this Morpho butterfly it’s best seen in context the
butterfly it’s best seen in context the
butterfly it’s best seen in context the small node of beauty in the large world
small node of beauty in the large world
small node of beauty in the large world of the Amazon that’s how MorphOS are the
of the Amazon that’s how MorphOS are the
of the Amazon that’s how MorphOS are the other thing that’s rare and special
other thing that’s rare and special
other thing that’s rare and special about this is that they’re unfotunately
and keep them closed so why was this one
and keep them closed so why was this one for half an hour sitting on the mud with
for half an hour sitting on the mud with
for half an hour sitting on the mud with its wings open the reason is that it’s
its wings open the reason is that it’s
its wings open the reason is that it’s dining on a delicacy and so are hundreds
dining on a delicacy and so are hundreds
dining on a delicacy and so are hundreds of other little insects and butterflies
of other little insects and butterflies
of other little insects and butterflies what they’re dining on is the
what they’re dining on is the
what they’re dining on is the regurgitated contents of a Jaguar
regurgitated contents of a Jaguar
regurgitated contents of a Jaguar stomach you can see the the paw prints
stomach you can see the the paw prints
stomach you can see the the paw prints of the Jaguar about a foot foot and a
of the Jaguar about a foot foot and a
of the Jaguar about a foot foot and a half above the Morpho become so obsessed
half above the Morpho become so obsessed
half above the Morpho become so obsessed with eating these minerals is the Morpho
with eating these minerals is the Morpho
with eating these minerals is the Morpho that it doesn’t close its wings the
that it doesn’t close its wings the
that it doesn’t close its wings the built world is the next
built world is the next
built world is the next factor and what gives the built world
factor and what gives the built world
factor and what gives the built world its life is itself architecture itself
its life is itself architecture itself
its life is itself architecture itself this is my favorite house in all the
this is my favorite house in all the
this is my favorite house in all the world iguanas lived on the roof birds
world iguanas lived on the roof birds
world iguanas lived on the roof birds lived on the inside they flew in and out
lived on the inside they flew in and out
lived on the inside they flew in and out it sat at the entrance to the only real
it sat at the entrance to the only real
it sat at the entrance to the only real Harbor in the Galapagos I visited the
Harbor in the Galapagos I visited the
Harbor in the Galapagos I visited the house and after the visit I stepped out
house and after the visit I stepped out
house and after the visit I stepped out into the strong equatorial light you can
into the strong equatorial light you can
into the strong equatorial light you can see my shadow at the lower right hand
see my shadow at the lower right hand
see my shadow at the lower right hand edge of this picture and as I stepped
edge of this picture and as I stepped
edge of this picture and as I stepped onto that patio the iguanas came to
onto that patio the iguanas came to
onto that patio the iguanas came to attention for photographs of the most
attention for photographs of the most
attention for photographs of the most humble dwelling in the world and one of
humble dwelling in the world and one of
humble dwelling in the world and one of the most elegant in this chapter which
the most elegant in this chapter which
the most elegant in this chapter which begins with this teepee construction in
begins with this teepee construction in
begins with this teepee construction in Alberta we will move from the most
Alberta we will move from the most
Alberta we will move from the most humble to the densest part of adult
humble to the densest part of adult
humble to the densest part of adult world both brought me signs I did a book
world both brought me signs I did a book
world both brought me signs I did a book on Lewis and Clark and one of my goals
on Lewis and Clark and one of my goals
on Lewis and Clark and one of my goals was to photograph everything and
was to photograph everything and
was to photograph everything and anything that had the words Lewis and
anything that had the words Lewis and
anything that had the words Lewis and Clark on it I was taking this picture of
Clark on it I was taking this picture of
Clark on it I was taking this picture of the Lewis and Clark cafe when that
the Lewis and Clark cafe when that
the Lewis and Clark cafe when that something caught my eye on the
something caught my eye on the
something caught my eye on the right-hand side of the photograph and I
right-hand side of the photograph and I
right-hand side of the photograph and I walked over to see what it was it was
walked over to see what it was it was
walked over to see what it was it was American history in one photograph
American history in one photograph
American history in one photograph geologic history American Indian history
geologic history American Indian history
geologic history American Indian history pioneer history telecommunication
pioneer history telecommunication
pioneer history telecommunication history in two forms telephone lines and
history in two forms telephone lines and
history in two forms telephone lines and a satellite dish I’m at work on a book
a satellite dish I’m at work on a book
a satellite dish I’m at work on a book on American photographs in 1967 the day
on American photographs in 1967 the day
on American photographs in 1967 the day before I came to National Geographic to
before I came to National Geographic to
before I came to National Geographic to apply for an internship I was at the
apply for an internship I was at the
apply for an internship I was at the Museum of Modern Art the assistant
Museum of Modern Art the assistant
Museum of Modern Art the assistant curator of photography there Peter
curator of photography there Peter
curator of photography there Peter Bernal engaged me in a conversation even
Bernal engaged me in a conversation even
Bernal engaged me in a conversation even took me to his office he held forth on
took me to his office he held forth on
took me to his office he held forth on photography and held forth some more
photography and held forth some more
photography and held forth some more well into the conversation I said whoa
well into the conversation I said whoa
well into the conversation I said whoa what do you think about
what do you think about
what do you think about the photography of National Geographic
the photography of National Geographic
the photography of National Geographic Life magazine
Life magazine
Life magazine an expression of disdain came over his
an expression of disdain came over his
an expression of disdain came over his face and he said so you want to go up in
face and he said so you want to go up in
face and he said so you want to go up in that direction and he said well here and
that direction and he said well here and
that direction and he said well here and he handed me a picture had me a book of
he handed me a picture had me a book of
he handed me a picture had me a book of American photographs by Walker Evans
American photographs by Walker Evans
American photographs by Walker Evans it’s my lifelong goal to prove to him
it’s my lifelong goal to prove to him
it’s my lifelong goal to prove to him and anyone else that it didn’t waste my
and anyone else that it didn’t waste my
and anyone else that it didn’t waste my photographic life by coming to National
photographic life by coming to National
photographic life by coming to National Geographic in this photograph there’s a
Geographic in this photograph there’s a
Geographic in this photograph there’s a Walker Evans picture in the background
Walker Evans picture in the background
Walker Evans picture in the background it’s in the background of my
it’s in the background of my
it’s in the background of my contemporary photograph in the book I
contemporary photograph in the book I
contemporary photograph in the book I say the truth about the American
say the truth about the American
say the truth about the American landscape today architectural or
landscape today architectural or
landscape today architectural or otherwise is the product placement is
otherwise is the product placement is
otherwise is the product placement is never far from you what I think about
never far from you what I think about
never far from you what I think about our culture having traveled extensively
our culture having traveled extensively
our culture having traveled extensively around the world when I come back here I
around the world when I come back here I
around the world when I come back here I think it’s the most layered landscape
think it’s the most layered landscape
think it’s the most layered landscape where layers of time and history and a
where layers of time and history and a
where layers of time and history and a culture and of society and of
culture and of society and of
culture and of society and of architecture lay closely on top of one
architecture lay closely on top of one
architecture lay closely on top of one another this is a photograph of a
another this is a photograph of a
another this is a photograph of a warehouse and truck Depot in Davenport
warehouse and truck Depot in Davenport
warehouse and truck Depot in Davenport Iowa at the top of the photograph is a
Iowa at the top of the photograph is a
Iowa at the top of the photograph is a band that expresses geologic time
band that expresses geologic time
band that expresses geologic time eternity if you will then the truck
eternity if you will then the truck
eternity if you will then the truck Depot then a cemetery submerged by the
Depot then a cemetery submerged by the
Depot then a cemetery submerged by the flooding Mississippi River in the desert
flooding Mississippi River in the desert
flooding Mississippi River in the desert in Doha and Qatar in the Middle East two
in Doha and Qatar in the Middle East two
in Doha and Qatar in the Middle East two buildings rise like a mirage on the
buildings rise like a mirage on the
buildings rise like a mirage on the horizon but it isn’t Iraq they’re
horizon but it isn’t Iraq they’re
horizon but it isn’t Iraq they’re designed to be waving that’s when I put
designed to be waving that’s when I put
designed to be waving that’s when I put all of the true vertical posts and lines
all of the true vertical posts and lines
all of the true vertical posts and lines into this photograph to accentuate their
into this photograph to accentuate their
into this photograph to accentuate their waving us I marveled at this in the
waving us I marveled at this in the
waving us I marveled at this in the workshop I was teaching in Doha and one
workshop I was teaching in Doha and one
workshop I was teaching in Doha and one of the students shyly said those
of the students shyly said those
of the students shyly said those buildings are mine I said what do you
buildings are mine I said what do you
buildings are mine I said what do you mean
mean
mean I designed them I said really I said
I designed them I said really I said
I designed them I said really I said what are you doing in this class he said
what are you doing in this class he said
what are you doing in this class he said I want to be a photographer I’ve always
I want to be a photographer I’ve always
I want to be a photographer I’ve always wanted to be a photographer it is my
wanted to be a photographer it is my
wanted to be a photographer it is my passion the imperial palace story was
passion the imperial palace story was
passion the imperial palace story was the last story that I did for National
the last story that I did for National
the last story that I did for National Geographic magazine it was done in 1999
Geographic magazine it was done in 1999
Geographic magazine it was done in 1999 and 2000 was also the hardest story that
and 2000 was also the hardest story that
and 2000 was also the hardest story that I did Bob and I every night came back to
I did Bob and I every night came back to
I did Bob and I every night came back to the hotel we often stood by this window
the hotel we often stood by this window
the hotel we often stood by this window I in particular was entranced by this
I in particular was entranced by this
I in particular was entranced by this same and one day went all the way back
same and one day went all the way back
same and one day went all the way back to my room to get a tripod to make this
to my room to get a tripod to make this
to my room to get a tripod to make this photograph of the roof of the Imperial
photograph of the roof of the Imperial
photograph of the roof of the Imperial Hotel why was this entrancing to me I
Hotel why was this entrancing to me I
Hotel why was this entrancing to me I think it was the aesthetic of it but it
think it was the aesthetic of it but it
think it was the aesthetic of it but it was also the color and the light it’s
was also the color and the light it’s
was also the color and the light it’s hard to explain
hard to explain
hard to explain I think only Bob would know this but in
I think only Bob would know this but in
I think only Bob would know this but in calm me and consoled me to stand and
calm me and consoled me to stand and
calm me and consoled me to stand and look at this scene and I write in the
look at this scene and I write in the
look at this scene and I write in the book that this intensely developed
book that this intensely developed
book that this intensely developed utterly built world of Tokyo all of its
utterly built world of Tokyo all of its
utterly built world of Tokyo all of its weight was gathered in this view and
weight was gathered in this view and
weight was gathered in this view and lightened my favorite chapter in the
lightened my favorite chapter in the
lightened my favorite chapter in the book is just looking and it’s in this
book is just looking and it’s in this
book is just looking and it’s in this chapter and I think you’ll find the
chapter and I think you’ll find the
chapter and I think you’ll find the sensibility of my mother best expressed
sensibility of my mother best expressed
sensibility of my mother best expressed just looking has two meanings one is in
just looking has two meanings one is in
just looking has two meanings one is in to them looking informal looking nothing
to them looking informal looking nothing
to them looking informal looking nothing important happening here just looking
important happening here just looking
important happening here just looking but the other meaning is right looking
but the other meaning is right looking
but the other meaning is right looking or just right looking or in my mother’s
or just right looking or in my mother’s
or just right looking or in my mother’s phrase just so as Rudyard Kipling
phrase just so as Rudyard Kipling
phrase just so as Rudyard Kipling load-in just so stories that just those
load-in just so stories that just those
load-in just so stories that just those stories are just right and just singing
stories are just right and just singing
stories are just right and just singing and just photography is something that
and just photography is something that
and just photography is something that you feel as I write in the book when the
you feel as I write in the book when the
you feel as I write in the book when the photograph looks right it also feels
photograph looks right it also feels
photograph looks right it also feels right just so
chapter singing Gardens is drawn from
chapter singing Gardens is drawn from the books and gardens but with no
the books and gardens but with no
the books and gardens but with no photographs the key sentence in the book
photographs the key sentence in the book
photographs the key sentence in the book seeing gardens is near the end of it
seeing gardens is near the end of it
seeing gardens is near the end of it it’s as follows often we are far from
it’s as follows often we are far from
it’s as follows often we are far from the garden of our dreams but nearby may
the garden of our dreams but nearby may
the garden of our dreams but nearby may be a reminder of it waiting to be seen
be a reminder of it waiting to be seen
be a reminder of it waiting to be seen and so these are non garden Gardens
and so these are non garden Gardens
and so these are non garden Gardens emblems of gardens ideas of gardens
emblems of gardens ideas of gardens
emblems of gardens ideas of gardens echoes and reminders of gardens when
echoes and reminders of gardens when
echoes and reminders of gardens when we’re far from the garden of our dreams
it’s 5 a.m. in Moscow in 1984 I’ve been
it’s 5 a.m. in Moscow in 1984 I’ve been at work in Moscow and around Russia for
at work in Moscow and around Russia for
at work in Moscow and around Russia for 3 weeks and I’ve been together with
3 weeks and I’ve been together with
3 weeks and I’ve been together with people minders sometimes as many as 11
people minders sometimes as many as 11
people minders sometimes as many as 11 all minding me of course I’m used to
all minding me of course I’m used to
all minding me of course I’m used to working alone as I said earlier and so
working alone as I said earlier and so
working alone as I said earlier and so on this day when I get out of bed and I
on this day when I get out of bed and I
on this day when I get out of bed and I look out at red square and the kremlin
look out at red square and the kremlin
look out at red square and the kremlin Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the distance
Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the distance
Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the distance I know that it’s a day off it’s a Sunday
I know that it’s a day off it’s a Sunday
I know that it’s a day off it’s a Sunday I won’t have any minders and I don’t
I won’t have any minders and I don’t
I won’t have any minders and I don’t have to take any pictures but I take a
have to take any pictures but I take a
have to take any pictures but I take a picture and then I remove the curtains
picture and then I remove the curtains
picture and then I remove the curtains and take it again time passes and later
and take it again time passes and later
and take it again time passes and later in the day when buses and people are
in the day when buses and people are
in the day when buses and people are there cars I rephotographed the scene
there cars I rephotographed the scene
there cars I rephotographed the scene and take a vertical of it and then get a
and take a vertical of it and then get a
and take a vertical of it and then get a really really bad idea of excluding the
really really bad idea of excluding the
really really bad idea of excluding the Kremlin and red square and including in
Kremlin and red square and including in
Kremlin and red square and including in the background with the cars but there
the background with the cars but there
the background with the cars but there are multiple horizon lines that’s the
are multiple horizon lines that’s the
are multiple horizon lines that’s the thing that I’m after that’s why I’m up
thing that I’m after that’s why I’m up
thing that I’m after that’s why I’m up there I’m taken in by those multiple
there I’m taken in by those multiple
there I’m taken in by those multiple stack horizon lines and now I’m closing
stack horizon lines and now I’m closing
stack horizon lines and now I’m closing in on the solution and for the first
in on the solution and for the first
in on the solution and for the first time when I return to red square another
time when I return to red square another
time when I return to red square another really bad idea
really bad idea
really bad idea of making the pears gigantic and the
of making the pears gigantic and the
of making the pears gigantic and the Kremlin small I’ve done something
Kremlin small I’ve done something
Kremlin small I’ve done something significant and that has excluded the
significant and that has excluded the
significant and that has excluded the parking lot the buses the people in the
parking lot the buses the people in the
parking lot the buses the people in the cars and now I’m close to the solution
cars and now I’m close to the solution
cars and now I’m close to the solution 12 hours have passed it’s 5:00 p.m. and
12 hours have passed it’s 5:00 p.m. and
12 hours have passed it’s 5:00 p.m. and the light is leaving the pears but just
the light is leaving the pears but just
the light is leaving the pears but just before it does it strikes st. Basil’s
before it does it strikes st. Basil’s
before it does it strikes st. Basil’s Cathedral in the deep background with
Cathedral in the deep background with
Cathedral in the deep background with its pear shaped dome exactly the color
its pear shaped dome exactly the color
its pear shaped dome exactly the color of the pears so that the furthest then
of the pears so that the furthest then
of the pears so that the furthest then the closest thing in the photograph are
the closest thing in the photograph are
the closest thing in the photograph are identical all that’s left is for me to
identical all that’s left is for me to
identical all that’s left is for me to return the curtain to where it was at
return the curtain to where it was at
return the curtain to where it was at 5:00 a.m. because the cameras on a
5:00 a.m. because the cameras on a
5:00 a.m. because the cameras on a tripod I can concentrate on the one
tripod I can concentrate on the one
tripod I can concentrate on the one unfinished aspect of the composition and
unfinished aspect of the composition and
unfinished aspect of the composition and that is to allow the wind to wait for
that is to allow the wind to wait for
that is to allow the wind to wait for the breeze to gently blow and lift and
the breeze to gently blow and lift and
the breeze to gently blow and lift and hold the curtain into the composition so
hold the curtain into the composition so
hold the curtain into the composition so that at the bottom of the photograph
that at the bottom of the photograph
that at the bottom of the photograph there is the graceful silver in line of
there is the graceful silver in line of
there is the graceful silver in line of the hem of the curtain my father taught
the hem of the curtain my father taught
the hem of the curtain my father taught me to take this picture my mother taught
me to take this picture my mother taught
me to take this picture my mother taught me to put into it all of those elements
me to put into it all of those elements
me to put into it all of those elements the last chapter in the book retraces
the last chapter in the book retraces
the last chapter in the book retraces the title of the book the life of the
the title of the book the life of the
the title of the book the life of the photograph the accompanying picture is
photograph the accompanying picture is
photograph the accompanying picture is the kind of photograph that most of you
the kind of photograph that most of you
the kind of photograph that most of you and certainly I include myself would say
and certainly I include myself would say
and certainly I include myself would say have a life those photographs of our
have a life those photographs of our
have a life those photographs of our family the family snapshot this family
family the family snapshot this family
family the family snapshot this family snapshot is being looked at by an
snapshot is being looked at by an
snapshot is being looked at by an Aboriginal elder she’s being taped
Aboriginal elder she’s being taped
Aboriginal elder she’s being taped recorded as she tells the story of this
recorded as she tells the story of this
recorded as she tells the story of this family
family
family this family is part of the lost
this family is part of the lost
this family is part of the lost generation of children in Aboriginal
generation of children in Aboriginal
generation of children in Aboriginal Australia in the 1940s the government of
Australia in the 1940s the government of
Australia in the 1940s the government of Australia in an attempt to whiten
Australia in an attempt to whiten
Australia in an attempt to whiten Australia removed selected Aboriginal
Australia removed selected Aboriginal
Australia removed selected Aboriginal children from a large number of families
children from a large number of families
children from a large number of families and sent them to boarding schools many
and sent them to boarding schools many
and sent them to boarding schools many never returned this photograph is all
never returned this photograph is all
never returned this photograph is all that remains
that remains
that remains of this once intact Aboriginal family
of this once intact Aboriginal family
of this once intact Aboriginal family it’s what I call a derived picture a
it’s what I call a derived picture a
it’s what I call a derived picture a picture of a picture a picture about the
picture of a picture a picture about the
picture of a picture a picture about the life of a photograph in a photograph in
life of a photograph in a photograph in
life of a photograph in a photograph in my travels I have photographed
my travels I have photographed
my travels I have photographed photographs in rural Japan I came upon a
photographs in rural Japan I came upon a
photographs in rural Japan I came upon a vending machine it had this photograph
vending machine it had this photograph
vending machine it had this photograph of the American Midwest what on earth
of the American Midwest what on earth
of the American Midwest what on earth was that doing an avenging machine a
was that doing an avenging machine a
was that doing an avenging machine a picture of an interstate highway zooming
picture of an interstate highway zooming
picture of an interstate highway zooming off to a horizon line that could be a
off to a horizon line that could be a
off to a horizon line that could be a photograph of Ohio or Nebraska or
photograph of Ohio or Nebraska or
photograph of Ohio or Nebraska or Illinois what was it doing an amending
Illinois what was it doing an amending
Illinois what was it doing an amending machine with the Japanese inscription
machine with the Japanese inscription
machine with the Japanese inscription something like have a nice day and then
something like have a nice day and then
something like have a nice day and then the answer came to me that photograph
the answer came to me that photograph
the answer came to me that photograph means to a Japanese consumer thirsty
means to a Japanese consumer thirsty
means to a Japanese consumer thirsty Japanese consumer the same thing that
Japanese consumer the same thing that
Japanese consumer the same thing that meant to me as a little boy I can go
meant to me as a little boy I can go
meant to me as a little boy I can go anywhere the horizon line says unlimited
anywhere the horizon line says unlimited
anywhere the horizon line says unlimited possibilities how does it life like this
possibilities how does it life like this
possibilities how does it life like this again it begins with a photograph that I
again it begins with a photograph that I
again it begins with a photograph that I took when I was 15 years old of my
took when I was 15 years old of my
took when I was 15 years old of my father watching a train depart from
father watching a train depart from
father watching a train depart from Painesville Ohio it’s cold
Painesville Ohio it’s cold
Painesville Ohio it’s cold he’s closing his jacket against that
he’s closing his jacket against that
he’s closing his jacket against that cold and the trains departing the things
cold and the trains departing the things
cold and the trains departing the things that he taught me take a low angle keep
that he taught me take a low angle keep
that he taught me take a low angle keep the Sun to your back look for strong
the Sun to your back look for strong
the Sun to your back look for strong diagonals bad weather makes good
diagonals bad weather makes good
diagonals bad weather makes good pictures and above all compose and wait
pictures and above all compose and wait
pictures and above all compose and wait waiting for the train to pull out of the
waiting for the train to pull out of the
waiting for the train to pull out of the station and you
”
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