Alaska has been my home for nearly 30 years, and its epic landscape continues to lure me, both personally, and professionally as a freelance stock and assignment photographer.
I grew up in a small town in southern Wisconsin, surrounded by the rolling hills of green farmland and hardwood forests. Adolescent curiosities and dreams of the future turned my vision north, and at age eighteen I ventured to Alaska—that seemingly mythical realm of adventure and land of extremes. I am not unlike many northern sojourners, lured to Alaska for reasons of intrigue and fascination, and compelled to remain by its giant space and rugged wilderness. Adventure is the seed of discovery, and Alaska is a place fertile and rich with opportunities for both.
Alaska’s natural world serves as a gateway into ubiquitous photographic material, from which I have sampled abundantly, but it is the layers and depth of its landscapes that now lure me most. While style is often found in the rear view mirror, I know that my long-time fascination with color and light, two fundamental aspects of painting and photography, weave their way into what may be descriptive of my work. I’m constantly intrigued by the influence of one upon the other.
My professional career is best summarized by nearly 30,000 images that span the last 17 years. These images are marketed through my business stock photography website www.alaskaphotographics.com and they represent isolated moments in a fluid journey across Alaska’s vibrant landscape. Some are the result of serendipity, some of extensive planning and scouting, but all tell a small part of larger story. The process of their creation has been a voiceless, but not silent teacher, and I as the student am perpetually exhorted that the gift of seeing requires more than the eyes that see.
I’ll be sharing some visual goods and comments about my ventures here so stop back often and let this be your virtual Alaska.
Thanks for visiting,
AlaskaPhotoGraphics
2923 Moose Mountain Road
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
907.750.4065
Business office hours: 8am to 5pm Alaska Time (4 hours behind NY)
by Patrick Endres
19 comments
Patrick Endres - Bern,
That was the one that was chosen.
Bern - I like the second cover with the wintery looking trees. When I think of Alaska, I think of snow, not so much Autumn/Fall.
Melanie Wells - I do love the birch trees and fall colors but I think that the winter shot captures the essence of what most visitors associate with Fairbanks. And I think those icy blues will really stand out from the other calendars. Both are beautiful, Patrick.
Kathy Richardson - Both images are great but #1 gets my vote for the cover shot as I think the bright colours will make it more eye catching on the rack.
Tim Marks - I like #1. Many of us forget that Alaska has a beautiful summer season and we need to be reminded. Both shots are great
Chuck Bruton - WOW!, they are both excellent, but as I read other comments and then studied the two I would choose the winter image. No.1 was a bit busy in foreground, when I cropped some off of bottom it seemed to more closely match the winter scene.
But, I’m not the pro, great images you have.
Thanks
Chuck
steve greer - By far, the compositionally stronger, more dynamic, wowing image, is the winter scene. Yet, given the predictable nature of folks thumbing through the plefora of calendar options, I think the other will offer more sales.
I rarely see a state, regional, or country calendar using their cover depicting a winter photo.
This calendar category always has a fantastic winter scene, but its placement is relegated only for December or January. Unfortunate but true.
Tad - Both photos are beautiful. I really love the colors in the first one. But in my opinion for an Alaskan calender the second photo would be the way to go.
carolynbelshe - #2…..first is beautiful but could be a scene from other areas.
#2…..absolutely specific, absolutely the one for telling your story. tks for sharing the opportunity to glimpse. c/
Randy - I like photo #2 better, but for a cover I would choose #1. It works better with the copy and the colors will stand out on a bookshelf or as thumbnails on a website.
Andrea L - Both are lovely, but I would pick #2. A magical shot!
Troy - The second one, it looks like home longer than the first.
Jon Cornforth - The 2nd one w/winter trees!
David Shaw - Number 2 definitely. The first has nice color but isn’t as visually gripping. I spent more time looking at the second image. Plus you had an autumn image on the cover of this year’s calendar didn’t you? Yep, I just looked again. Number 2 it is.
Amy Mapes - Both photos would capture my attention. I believe that I would choose #2 if I had to pick one. It may be because I am live outside Alaska. When I think of Alaska, I think of things that are larger than life. Snow and ice…which I know is not correct but if you asked most people outside that is the response you would get. #2 has a wonderful perspective that gives you a feeling of how small nature can make you feel.
Tim - I say photo 2. When you see the word Fairbanks, AK, you don’t think of fall, you think of winter.
Ronn - I really like to second one best.
Chris (Inside Alaska) - We like the Winter shot. Both are really nice.
Eli Mitchell - Why did you have to choose my two favorite photos?
You couldn’t go wrong with either one. I think I’ll vote for #1. I like the color in it, but really, as I said, you couldn’t go wrong with either one.