Technique: Effective Symmetrical Compositions

Reflections often offer perfectly symmetrical compositions. Shot on Location in the Pantanal, Brazil.

Want more composition tips? I am offering several more composition tips through my Photography as Art seminars this year throughout the U.S.

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1, 2, 3 Moose & O is for Orca Board Books Published Today

Oisfororca_boardbookBeloved picture books O IS FOR ORCA and 1, 2, 3 MOOSE  by Andrea Helman and photographed by me are now available for the first time as board books! Perfect for the littlest of hands, this new durable format will be sure to garner even more fans to these Pacific Northwest classics.

With over 50,000 copies sold in hardcover and paperback combined, O IS FOR ORCA brings the alphabet to life for toddlers through colorful animals and landscapes. In 1, 2, 3 MOOSE toddlers will enjoy learning with this colorful counting board book, which features engaging photos of Pacific Northwest 123moose_boardbookanimals, introducing young children to wildlife while also teaching numbers and how to count.

 

“Much more than an alphabet book, thanks to Art Wolfe’s stunning full-color photography.”

—School Library Journal on O IS FOR ORCA

 
“A visual treat, its appeal shouldn’t be limited to a single corner of the country.”

—Publishers Weekly on O IS FOR ORCA

 
“Wolfe’s accomplished photographs, set off by bright numerals and swaths of color, shimmer with light.”

—Publishers Weekly on 1, 2, 3 MOOSE

 
“Outstanding.”

—Parent council on 1, 2, 3 MOOSE

 

Andrea Helman is an award-­winning television writer and producer, and has written several other books for children that include Art Wolfe’s photography, such as O is for Orca and Northwest Animal Babies.

Sasquatch Books, together with their children’s imprint, Little Bigfoot, is one of the country’s leading independent presses, located in downtown Seattle, just blocks from Pike Place Market and Elliot Bay.

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New! artwolfe.com/create

Aerial of braided rivers, IcelandWe have created a new webpage for the all-new Photography as Art Seminar.

“Photography as Art” is a groundbreaking new seminar created for individuals who want to spark their imagination and discover how to make artistic statements through photography. The all-day seminar encourages creative professionals to see and make art in exciting new ways. With art history as a reference point, participants explore avenues to maintain inspiration, foster their own personal style, and distinguish their photography from others.

I am debuting this presentation February 28th at Kenmore Camera just north of Seattle.


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The 2016 Art Wolfe Next-Generation Photographers Grant

In Alaska's Katmai National Park, there are abundant sock-eye salmon in the rivers and abundant bears hungry for them. Here a brown bear bounds and splashes after a school of the red fish.The 2016 Art Wolfe Next-Generation Photographers Grant is now taking applicants from professional nature photographers in the early stages of their careers. Recipients will be selected on the basis of skill, artistic excellence and by demonstrating the promise of future achievement.

From July 31 to August 6, 2016, seven successful applicants will attend a six-day workshop at a remote Lodge in Katmai, Alaska, photographing the spectacular wildlife and rugged landscape.

Sponsored by The Luminous Endowment for Photographers and Art Wolfe, Inc., and made possible with the generous support of Rebecca Jones and the Seneca Sawmill Co.

Enter here, Entry deadline: March 31, 2016


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Technique: Photographing Brown Bears

I usually shoot with a 16-35mm or a 70-200mm. However, when I know I am going to be getting a chance to photograph wildlife, like Brown Bears in Katmai, I bring along something longer. Shot on location in Katmai National Park, Alaska, USA.

Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement on an exciting Katmai event coming soon!

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2015 Year in Review

Some years are publishing years, some are traveling, 2015 was for reshaping the business—a necessity in the ever-changing photography industry. I closed my downtown Seattle gallery and launched this website, focusing my core business online and allowing me the ability to concentrate on other projects, of which there are many.

TV: Tales by Light aired in Australia & New Zealand

All the filming that I did in 2014 with Abraham Joffe and the Untitled Film Works crew—in East Africa, Papua New Guinea, Alaska, and here in Seattle—finally came to fruition. Tales by Light is a joint Canon Australia and National Geographic Channel production & I hope it comes to the US soon!

As for Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge, it continues to air in broadcast markets worldwide.

Travel & Photography: The year was bookended by East Africa

While travel slowed somewhat in 2015, I still managed trips to Tanzania (twice), Kenya, Yellowstone National Park (twice), Antarctica, India, Bali, Japan, Iceland, Washington State, Alaska, Svalbard, California, and Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. The final expedition of the year was to the Danakil Basin of Ethiopia.


Presentations, Gallery Shows, and Articles

I lectured at, among other places, Florida’s Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Fine Art, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, Portland’s OMSI, and at #OPTIC2015 in New York. Human Canvas took over the Rotella Gallery in Soho for the month of November. DPreview.com published several well-received articles on my experiences photographing emperor penguins, humpback whales, and Iceland.

Books: A year of foreign editions

 

The Art of the Photograph in Spanish

El Arte de la Fotografia

 

Earth Is My Witness in French and German by National Geographic

Hymne coverEden cover

 

Vanishing Act in USA, German & French

VANISHING ACT Photographs by Art Wolfe, text by Barbara Sleeper In this revised edition, legendary wildlife photographer Art Wolfe turns to one of nature's most fundamental survival techniques: the vanishing act. His portraits show animals and insects disappearing into their surroundings, using deceptions, disguises, lures, and decoys to confuse the eye of both predator and prey. Spotting each cryptic animal amid Wolfe's clever compositions is both a fun and an informative challenge. At a time when many species are performing permanent vanishing acts due to habitat loss and human encroachment, this book showcases the beauty and evolutionary extremes of animal behavior and artfully illustrates the tenacious will to stay alive in an eat-or-be-eaten world. Softcover: 224 pages Publisher: Cameron + Company; Revised edition (Oct 14, 2014) Language: English Product Dimensions: 12 x 8.5 inches Preorder: http://store.artwolfe.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=526 Book will be signed and shipped October 14, 2014. (Cover design and release date subject to change)Meisterhaft getarntL'art du camouflage001

Awards & Honoraria

Earth Is My Witness garnered several publishing awards, including an IBPA Benjamin Franklin and an Independent Publisher. As for moi, I was named honorary chair of Washington Wild.

Top Blog Posts of 2015

Why I Do What I Do
Pretty in Pink: Springtime in Japan
Yes on 1401: Save Animals Facing Extinction (YES- it passed in November!)
Technique: Creating Graphic Images
Revealing Africa’s Major Elephant Ivory Poaching Hotspots
Travels To The Edge Music in the Japan Episode
Fall in Wyoming
Technique: Creating Abstract Images
International Cheetah Day
Colors of the Year 2016

Now on to 2016: new books! Museum shows in Europe! Exciting travel and learning opportunities!

 

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Last Week to Get Early Bird Special on Photography as Art Seminar in Seattle


Photography as Art Seminar
Seattle, WA
February 28th, 2016 at Kenmore Camera
Sign up before Jan 8th to get the early bird price of $200.

This all new seminar has been created for photographers who are inspired to go beyond capturing a natural history moment and would rather pursue their creativity and make compelling artistic statements.

In this three part series Art will establish unequivocally that the photograph stands toe to toe with painting, sculpture, and the other prominent forms of art.

This is an intentional journey to discover a new way of seeing and making art through the photographic medium. This full day seminar has been carefully crafted using hundreds of images that support the concepts Art is presenting.

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Early Bird Special on New Photography as Art Seminar

Gas spilled in a creek, Borneo, Malaysia

This all new seminar has been created for photographers who are inspired to go beyond capturing a natural history moment and would rather pursue their creativity and make compelling artistic statements.

In this three part series Art will establish unequivocally that the photograph stands toe to toe with painting, sculpture, and the other prominent forms of art.

This is an intentional journey to discover a new way of seeing and making art through the photographic medium. This full day seminar has been carefully crafted using hundreds of photographs that support the concepts Art is presenting.

Photography as Art Seminar: Seattle

February 28, 2016

Sign up before Jan 8th to get the early bird price of $200.

 

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Aerial of braided rivers, Iceland

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Worst Advice Ever

What is the worst advice you ever followed?

For me – early in my career people told me not to bother going to India – they said it had nothing to offer and I should focus elsewhere. So for over a decade that’s what I did. Worst advice ever!

Once I finally saw India with my own eyes—I’ve been back just about every year since and I’ve still just scratched the surface it’s beautiful, complex and wonderful variety of culture, nature, landscape and wildlife.

I’ve added a new photo tour for India in January/February 2016 that can either be just one week or over two depending the time you have. I’ll be taking you along an extraordinary route that combines the best of Inida, full of lore and splendor, punctuated by diverse photographic attractions.

The Kumbh Mela is a rare mass pilgrimage when Hindus from all over the world journey to bathe in the sacred river Ganges. It is considered to be the largest peaceful gathering in the world. I have been to several Kumbhs and can help effectively navigate you through this large and colorful congregation of pilgrims, yogis, and sages. Following the Kumbh we will travel to Ranthambore National Park where a highlight will be the chance to photograph elusive tigers and leopards and other rare wildlife.

Secret, Sacred and Wild India Workshop
January 25, 2016 – February 2, 2016

I hope to see some of you there! And if not with me, just put India on your bucket list regardless. That’s my advice!

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New Katmai Bears Trip Scheduled

In Alaska's Katmai National Park, there are abundant sock-eye salmon in the rivers and abundant bears hungry for them. Here a brown bear bounds and splashes after a school of the red fish.

It is the last frontier, a place where wild dominates humankind. A place known as the land of the midnight sun, here alpenglow lasts for hours, not minutes. Imagine venturing into this wilderness where the brown bears do not fear humans, where the minimal human population has learned and adapted to live in harmony with them. The bears rule, not only because they are strong, large, and on the top of their food chains, but because the humans believe that they should. Now imagine being able to capture photos of these magnificent creatures from 15 feet away. This is Alaska!

All aspects of outdoor photography will be covered, including composition, field techniques, technology, and the unique philosophy of this highly specialized profession. There will be informative lectures, rigorous critiques and portfolio reviews. Instead of concentrating only on f-stops and equipment, we will work on composition, imagination, and the control of every element in the image. We do more than just take you to the location; we help you to maximize your creative and technological skills as a photographer.

Katmai, Alaska Photography Workshop
Led by Art Wolfe
July 27th – August 1st, 2016Limited to 8 participants

Click through to the events page to read more.

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