More than 375 people crowded into the Bell Auditorium Tuesday night to listen to nationally acclaimed nature photographer Jim Brandenberg discuss his career and his new book, “Chased by the Light.”
Brandenberg is renowned for his photos of wolves. His photos have appeared in The New York Times and National Geographic, Life and Smithsonian magazines. A highlight of his career is the United Nations 1991 World Achievement Award for his use of nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment.
“I like the way he depicts the natural world while focusing on the incorporation of land,” said incoming freshman Dave Sorenson.
Although best-known for his photos of wolves, Brandenberg photographs a wide variety of topics. He has traveled worldwide to photograph local people intermixing with nature. He has visited such places as Japan, Thailand and China, while being well known for his work in Minnesota.
The focus of his presentation was his new book, which is to be published this fall. The premise of the book is that Brandenberg took one photo every day for 90 days, focusing on life in Minnesota.
Many photographers in Minnesota and Wisconsin who admire Brandenberg’s work attended the sold-out event. Photographer David Joles sees Brandenberg as the best wildlife photographer in North America. He said he is impressed with the discipline and self control Brandenberg needed to undertake such a project.
Other people in attendance were members of the Bell Museum and students of the Biological Process Technology Institute, who sponsored the event.
The discussion was the highlight of the institute’s annual spring retreat. Ken Valentes, director of BPTI, is a fan of Brandenberg’s work, and the institute has been trying for three years to have Brandenberg attend one of their retreats. The annual event is a combination of technical and creative components, which culminated in this presentation.
There was a book signing following the lecture.