Laura Gold, July 2024, Alpine Visitor Center
Museum of the Big Bend hosts Texas Photographic Society’s (TPS) FotoTexas III, showcasing Texas people, icons, small towns, city life, varied landscapes, natural resources, and more. The 50-image exhibition, is viewable online, and was juried by E. Dan Klepper, acclaimed photographer and gallery owner based in Marathon, Texas.
Visit – FotoTexas III, People, Places, and Culture, photos and historic camera exhibit at Museum of the Big Bend through August 31, 2024.
Photo credit, Laura Gold
Saturday, June 22 the Museum of the Big Bend hosted talks by Texas photographers Sarah M. Vasquez from Marfa, E. Dan Klepper from Marathon, Byron Rogers from San Angelo, Matt Walter from Alpine, Tony Drewry from Terlingua, and Edgar Miller from Fort Worth.
The personal experiences these photographers so generously shared provide us with mini-autobiographic stories, glimpses by and of each individual, shaping our understanding and experience of the diverse cultural expressions of the profoundly unique West Texas Big Bend.
Sarah Vasquez, Marfa, Photojournalism in Far West Texas
In photojournalism, storytelling is paramount. Through carefully composed images, photojournalists like Sarah Vasquez capture the essence and emotion of an event, or place, allowing viewers to experience the story on a visual level. These photographs complement and enhance written narratives, providing a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Sarah led a morning photowalk – a technique photographers use to stay inspired and practice their skill. It gives the photographer opportunities to observe the unique quality of morning light useful for enhancing photos of various subjects. Later, Sarah talked about her experiences as a professional photojournalist. She shared a selection of her recognizable photos and explained how she used each to capture an essence or feeling of an event or place for a story she wrote. She noted that people or wildlife, a lucky moment to capture a javelina, horses or mule, can make the story. Sarah described the planning processes she might use to get to the moment where the picture comes together. A camera in a crowd can cause a distraction of the crowd’s attention so she uses her “disappearing” skills and the crowd resumes its’ natural activity. “People will see you with a camera but can quickly refocus on what they are doing.” Sarah observed that you have to act fast to grab a picture because you usually never get a redo of the moment! Attention to settings, action and some luck work together to create a good photo for her stories.
Sarah is a photo-journalist and intends her pictures to support the story in a way words cannot. She noted that luck plays a significant role in creating a good photo. Sometimes, unexpected, and unplanned elements come together perfectly in a single frame, resulting in a captivating and unique image. Whether it is the perfect lighting conditions, natural elements like rain or clouds, a serendipitous interaction between subjects, or a split-second moment that can never be repeated, luck often adds that extra touch of magic to a photographer’s work. Sarah has many pieces published in local and national journals.
You can find more of her great work on her website: http://www.somanybands.net/
E. Dan Klepper, Marathon, Publishing and Photography
Dan has many years of experience in photography and publishing and possesses a wide range of photography skills and publishing insight learned over the years. He shared interesting details about how he kept learning, who some of his colleagues and mentors were and things that worked for him throughout his career. A highly accomplished professional outdoor photographer, his publications include “Why the Raven Calls the Canyon.” This photobook is a combination of fine art photography and cultural and natural history, that takes you into the restoration of an old, abandoned ranch with adobe buildings, in remote and rugged Fresno Canyon along the Rio Grande in the heart of the Texas Big Bend. The historic ranch, a legend unto itself, is now part of Big Bend Ranch State Park. He has also published biking, hiking and nature books complete with photos that tell the story of trails and places. An enthusiastic audience of outdoor-loving people consume these books.
When combining words and pictures into a publication he asks “Is it a story? Words are critical. Is it a photo essay? Then photos are important.” He pointed out that if someone wants to be a writer and have their work published, you need to “deeply understand the publisher,” what they need, and equally importantly, what they do not want. He advises prospective writers to make it compelling, so it stands out uniquely. Develop your idea, find the theme that ties it together – and note that it will evolve as you work.
Dan also produces commercial photos for multiple markets. He captures his client’s concept through careful planning and staging. Explaining his dynamic approach, he shared the thought that “art is the experimentation of ideas with no other purpose than to manifest.” Dan has produced a dynamic collection of artistic works in photography.
Things don’t always go as planned and Dan gave an example of “adapting to the moment.” In the photo above, the artist who created the famous longhorn sculpture used as an album cover for a famous record album, did not want his photo taken. But Dan’s editor required a photo of both the artist and the artwork. The artist wanted a picture of the sculpture but no picture of himself. With some negotiating the artist compromised and was willing to hold up his sculpture and hide behind it! Two problems solved! This anecdote highlights the willingness of both the sculptor and photographer’s dedication to their craft – to prioritize the integrity of their work over personal recognition. The way Dan adapted to the situation highlights the importance of understanding and respecting an artist’s preferences and boundaries when capturing their creations through photography. Everybody was happy! True story.
The mystery in the picture above is a combination of elements put together to create a sense of intrigue and create curiosity in viewers’ minds. Alluding to a sense of mystery using a Datura blossom in one photo and obscuring the person’s face with hazy smoke under a wide brimmed cowboy hat in the other, E Dan Klepper created a sense of anonymity and universality, allowing viewers to project their own thoughts and emotions onto the image. This intentional ambiguity invites interpretation and engages the audience on a deeper level, making the photograph more memorable and thought-provoking.
A collage from a collection of moon photos taken over many nights photographed from the same window in his house illustrates his directive to “find the theme that ties your story together.” The theme that ties the moon photos together is the ever-present, yet ever-changing nature of the celestial body juxtaposed to the ever-present horizon. By capturing the moon from the same window in his house over many nights, E. Dan Klepper highlights the phases, colors, and moods of the moon, creating a captivating collage that invites viewers to ponder the mysteries of the night sky. More about E. Dan Klepper can be found here.
Byron Rogers, San Angelo – Select Big Bend Photographs
An interview with Byron Rogers revealed a lifetime career in photography. Early in life he was inspired by the starry night sky he grew up under when his mom remarried, and they all moved to a house north of the urban lights of Abilene. He built a treehouse to fulfill his curiosity and learned to use his first camera, a box camera, trying to take pictures of the night sky and everything else he was amazed by. At age 13, he figured out how to find and make the chemicals needed to develop pictures. This impressed his parents so much they got him a nice SLR camera. He was also gifted with a telescope and taught himself about the night sky and is still an avid amateur astronomer. He finished high school and went on to study photography and sculpture and graduated from Sam Houston State University in 1974. He stayed in Huntsville until he moved for a job at a camera company in Big Springs.
Among his career accomplishments are running darkrooms and camera stores and he has spent much of his career teaching people how to use their equipment and take better pictures. During his university studies, fortune smiled, and he found himself studying under Paul Caponigro, 20th century master photographer, at the Ansel Adams Gallery Yosemite Workshop in the winter of 1975 after college. Byron became skilled in several techniques, “split-tone” being a favorite. He produced an award-winning photo “Hair Cut” which won a spot in the Foto Texas III contest and can be seen in the collection of winners on exhibition at the Museum of the Big Bend.
He describes his style as a photographer of “questions”- things that elicit questions. He finds inspiration in America’s great National Parks, Big Bend National Park being a favorite. His forays into Big Bend began in 1975 after graduating from college. Since then, he has made 14 trips to Big Bend and finds wild inspiration generating unanswerable questions each visit. As in other wild and scenic national parks, Big Bend vistas are surreal with formations that make you wonder how the mountains and landforms took shape. What happened?! The question evocates an emotional response, a reaction. He does not necessarily seek an answer because it’s the mystery that matters. Until you know the answer the mystery lives; once you know the answer the mystery is gone, and the all-consuming feeling of awe and breathless wonder disappears. Some things are better left unknown.
Byron has hiked into far reaches of national parks to find the views and scenery that capture his attention. He advises that preparing a photo hike into the Big Bend National Park takes planning. Hauling photographic equipment and required water means carrying weight and you need stamina and strength to get to the best locations and get back safely.
A lifetime creates a biography and even though life throws curveballs, photography threads that life into a photo-autobiography – a life story stitched together through photos. He found himself navigating curves and turns having to sell his state-of-the-art darkroom equipment to relocate and another time a major leak destroyed most of his work. Recovering what he can from the leak he is scanning transparencies and negatives to make a modern collection of his work.
When he started the salvage process, he discovered that his journal notes written in pencil on paper survived the flood but notes in ink had vanished from the paper. This discovery led him to a new enterprise, a micro-business named Journal Daddy that uses everything he learned about the differences in paper types and what makes a lasting document. Good paper, good pencil, good ink, good binding. He created a line of handmade leather-bound journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, and photo albums made of leather and the best paper; his loss inspired a product that will last.
Semi-retired he works on making fine photographs of his archive of thousands of films made images using contemporary digital print making process. He has worked on this process for several years, getting exceptionally fine digital prints using a combination of analog and digital in beautiful large size fine photographs. He continues sharing his experience and wisdom. The hardest thing, he says, about photography, is that it is so easy, but doing it well is extremely difficult. The next hardest thing is understanding what the camera “sees.” We see in 3-D, the camera sees in 2-D. You must practice with it, use it often and learn how your materials and equipment work. Camera technology is evolving but is not yet good enough to capture exactly the way people see it. Photography has a way of producing more questions than answers; mystery keeps the magic alive.
Byron Rogers and his Journal Daddy creations can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/byron.rogers.165 and https://www.facebook.com/JournalDaddy
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Matt Walter, Alpine Bird Photography in the Big Bend
Matt Walter is one of those folks who get introduced to a crowd with the awkward “he needs no introduction.” Peculiar turn of words for introducing someone you would like to meet! Gratefully, Matt introduced himself with a quick and interesting story about his background. He grew up in Brazil, finished school in the USA, joined the Navy, then after a trip to Alpine, determined he would attend Sul Ross University – and after he got out of the Navy he did. He graduated from Sul Ross University and was promptly hired by the same university as a history instructor. He had a full career, retired from the university, and was hired by the Museum of The Big Bend! He says he has retired recently; we’ll see how long retirement lasts. Because Matt spent so many years working as a history professor and at the Museum of Big Bend, he has enriched Alpine students, the community, and visitors with his passion for learning and storytelling talent. He is a great storyteller and makes every picture-story look easy to assemble, whether it is a spotlight on a historical moment, person, place or thing.
Matt titled his talk “Photographing Birds + (plus) in the Big Bend” and his photo collection includes birds, wildlife, starry night skies and stunning backyard photos of the moon from Alpine. We are fortunate he shares his work with us through Facebook, complete with detailed identifying information and even the techniques and settings he uses with his cameras. Matt’s passion for learning and storytelling has undoubtedly played a significant role in his ability to capture stunning photographs. His deep understanding of history and his skill in presenting stories has allowed him to approach bird photography with a unique perspective, capturing not just the beauty of the birds themselves, but also the rich narratives and connections they hold within their natural habitats.
Matt Walter’s Birding + in the Big Bend presentation cover page is an example of a lucky- perfectly-timed shot of a Sharp-shinned Hawk with a White-winged Dove in his talons. Matt took this photo at Fort Davis State Park bird viewing blind, a favorite birding spot. He spotted the hawk and snapped the photo then discovered the hawk had just caught the dove.
Matt pointed out some of the most popular places in the tri-county area of Big Bend to take birding and wildlife photos. The Big Bend of West Texas is an ecologically diverse area with an exciting mix of birding and wildlife opportunities.
Matt explained some of the differences between his cameras and what he likes about them. Not every photographer will share the nuts-and-bolts low down on their equipment and lenses and let the audience handle them too. Matt is simply a generous teacher.
Matt demonstrates the use of his cameras and offered them for us to handle. I expected them to be heavier than they were! Photo credits, Laura Gold
This camera has a large built-in zoom lens which he demonstrated by focusing into a crisp image on grass tassels outside of the next building across an adjacent patio and sidewalk.
Matt Walter can be found on Facebook.
Tony Drewry, Terlingua – Portrait Photography
Tony Drewry is a portrait photographer among many other titles and roles. I liked the way Tony introduced himself to the audience with a series of pictures I interpreted as a mini biographic collection of self-portraits, each one a unique photo of his ever-growing list of interests and skills. Remember the COVID-19 Pandemic? The “Covid lockdown” affected everyone and Tony decided to make it something memorable in a good way. With his hobby in overdrive, he set off on an ambitious project producing what became a life event he called “Drive-by-Porchtraits.” He explained that this project required him to contact the friends he knows, be contacted by strangers he got to know, travel, and self-imposed production goals, touched him as much as it affected his clients.
His dog for traveling companion they crisscrossed the states, and even went into Mexico, for a photo project. As he described following the COVID social distancing protocols, you could imagine what he looked like as he hung his lanky body and arms out of the truck window to take photos! He never got out of the truck to take anyone’s photo; everyone set up their safe zone in each their own fashion.
His collection, continuing to grow, is made op of people from all over the world and an impressive collection of traditional Quinceanera photographs.
Tony shared many photos of remarkable characters, people with soft and strong personality and character, possessing the colorful desert patina that occurs on desert rocks. These are people who have carved out a piece of desert informed life, who understand the desert well enough to persist in a harsh, uncompromising environment.
Tony Drewry expressed pride and joy about his daughter. Our lives are more meaningful when we express gratitude and appreciation for family, without expectation, for simply being in our lives.
Tony took the above sweet photo of his mother and father who posed for the picture in the clothes they first wore years ago when they got engaged and promised each other their love. His dad didn’t fit his uniform jacket now so he had is slung over his shoulder in a natural fashion.
The “COVID lockdown” affected everyone differently and Tony decided he could offer something both positive and memorable. He set off on an ambitious project producing what became a body of work he calls “Drive-by-Porchtraits”.
Experience in the desert trains the watchful eye to detect when the sunlight is exactly right. It also sees it create a sculpted shadow from the overhead rocks in the tunnel arch. At another hour or on another day the sun might be too bright or obscured by overcast or you might simply be in the wrong spot.
Alpine, the biggest little city in West Texas seen from Hancock Hill in 2017. Yes, there really are many lights here!
Tony shared his gear and tools lists. A list makes a craft sound simple to master, however, it takes experience and time to learn each tool and part to become a highly skilled pro.
Tony Drewry illustrating the range of his “biography” at Museum of the Big Bend. Photo credits, Laura Gold
Tony can wear a lot of hats, above is a small sampling of his many, self-portraited, talents and skills he shared with the audience. I think it’s a good bet that the next time Tony gives a talk like this he will have added several more pages to his phot-autobiography!
You can find Tony Drewry on Instagram Threads/X as “beerpedaler” and on TikTok as “Antonio Alacran” and he can be found on Facebook.
Rebekah Antrosio, Interim Director and Event Coordinator, Museum of the Big Bend and Tony Drewry, photographer, chatting during a break.
Edgar Miller, Fort Worth – Elevate Your Photography: Insights for Amazing Photos
Edgar Miller is an educator and professional photographer with a full suite of specialized techniques and skills covering every type of photography. Offering a welcome, mini-refresher course, he spoke about all the elements of photography; you know – those basics of light, composition, focus, and the like. Edgar provided some excellent examples of the range of photos most cameras and lenses capture depending on all the basic elements. He offers all sorts of tutorials for every level and will help you learn what you want to know about your camera and photography techniques. From equipment to software and technical to aesthetic Edgar is remarkably familiar with the workings of cameras and will help you with your photographic endeavors. Learning both the technical and aesthetic aspects of photography would encourage you not only to understand how to operate your camera and capture technically proficient images, but also to develop your own unique artistic style and vision. By mastering the technical side, photographers can confidently manipulate settings to achieve their desired results, while a strong grasp of aesthetics enables them to create visually compelling and emotionally impactful photographs.
Edgar Miller can be reached by phone at 817-975-2886 and on the web at Edgar Miller Images https://www.edgarmillerimages.com/
