I am absolutely delighted to be the official endorser of the Get To Know Contest Photography Category! Inspired by the campaign to protect the Carmanah Valley and Clayoquot Sound, I decided to dedicate myself to producing images for conservation full-time in 1992. Since that time my work has taken me all over the world and appeared in many major publications. However many of my most rewarding moments have come from working on projects in British Columbia and Canada, and sharing those images in slideshow tours I have given throughout, Canada, the U.S. and Europe. The more I travel and photograph in other parts of the world, the more I have come to realize how truly special and rare is the diverse and magnificent wilderness we have in Canada.
I have always felt that as a photographer my goal is to approach the natural environment with the sense of wonder and curiosity that comes so naturally to children. This, I believe, is one of the fundamental keys not just to producing meaningful images, but more importantly, to gaining a full appreciation and enjoyment of the natural world. For these reasons, I am particularly honoured to be associated with this exciting contest.
I find that not only my best images, but also my most enjoyable experiences in nature, occur when I have an open mind and follow my intuition. When I feel drawn to a certain scene, I try to simplify the scene and not include anything that is distracting. I also try to always look for beautiful light. Early morning and the end of the day almost always produce light that results in more pleasing images than those taken under the harsh light in the middle of a sunny day. Soft overcast skies are wonderful for photographing all day, especially in our beautiful forests or for small subjects like wildflowers. Rain, storms, and snow also provide wonderful opportunities for new and different kinds of images.
Most of all, enjoy yourself, keep your mind and your heart open, take lots of pictures, photograph what you love and you will love what you photograph!
Good Luck!
Garth
