A photography adventure: Putting faces with photos
Photographers had the chance to photograph “Hoot,” a majestic great horned owl, during the Photo Adventure program put on by Friends of the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Mandi Bateman
Photo by Mandi Bateman David Brinkman, with his son Logan Brinkman, meet with photographer Steve Jamsa, who signs Logan’s photo and gives the young photographer advice.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Photographers had the rare chance to take photos of the owl that Ken English rescued five year ago.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Photographers of all levels attended the Photography Adventure. Some brought out the bigs lenses.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Antendees waited to hear if their name was called for the variety of raffle prizes.
Photo by Mandi Bateman Ken English and his friend, Great Horned Owl “Hoot,” have a special bond, formed over the last five years after Hoot was rescued.
BONNERS FERRY — To many, these people did not have faces. They were just a name, connected to an ongoing series of images that awed and inspired their viewers. Their photographs gave an insight into their lives, their passions. Their writings helped amateur and professional photographers alike, hone their skills. Yet they did not have a face, a smile, a look.
For many, that changed on June 10, at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, where photographers gathered for the Photography Adventure, sponsored by the Friends of the KNWR.
The Photography Adventure drew approximately 100 people, who came to share knowledge, to learn, to photograph, and to connect faces to the images and names they had become so familiar with over the years.
Twelve guest photographers came to guide the attendees in the adventure, showing their faces for the first time to many, bringing the human factor to their portfolios.
“They are great photographers and I have learned a lot from them,” said Mark Vogt, the presenter as well as guest photographer. Vogt is an award winning professional wildlife and nature photographer.
The list of guest photographers provided attendees a wealth of information from a diverse variety of top names, including Steve Jamsa, Nancy Russell, Sue Wilson, Sharon Stadler, Chris and Connie Jacobsen, Ralph Kerr, J.R. McCurdie, Albert Seger, Tom Holman, and Elaine Wheatley.
The Friends of the KNWR had been discussing the idea of another event, wanting one that would be all encompassing, providing something that people would really enjoy. Jamsa submitted the idea of a photography workshop at the refuge and it was met with enthusiasm.
“I thought, OK, I’m going to need some help,” said Jamsa. “Luckily I have Facebook friends, and other photographer friends that stepped up and came out to help and so we ended up getting just an extraordinarily nice bunch of people, and a lot of expertise to help us out for this event.”
The surprise visitor delighted all in attendance, including the guest photographers. Wildlife rescuer Ken English, who specializes in birds of prey, brought “Hoot,” a great horned owl. Five years ago, Hoot hit a logging truck. The driver was caring enough to bring him to English, who nursed him back to health and eventually developed a close bond with him.
The photographers got the opportunity to photograph Hoot in two different setting, giving them a rare chance to be close to a wild owl. Everyone was respectful, moving quietly and taking turns, so as not to upset Hoot.
“Respect the bird … mostly … and then Ken, second,” joked Vogt, before releasing the photographers, evoking a round of laughter.
English spoke of his unusual bond between him and the great horned owl, “You got to let them, let you into their life. You can’t force your way in because they don’t know anything but ‘kill or be killed’.”
“It’s been wonderful, especially the owl,” said guest photographer Stadler, who does mostly wildlife, a lot of birds, some landscape, and many photos of her grandchildren.
The most devoted Hoot fan, and the youngest attendee, was 9-year-old Logan Brinkman. His father, David Brinkman pulled a well-loved stuffed owl out of his son’s backpack and said, “Logan is obsessed with owls and he carries around Hoot, his stuffed owl, who has been with him for almost three years now.”
Logan was proof that photography knows no age. He stood among the photographers with many more years of experience, practicing his skills with his camera. He won an owl photo in the raffle, taken and donated by Jamsa. Logan borrowed a pen, and got the courage to approach Jamsa, asking him if he would sign his print for him. Jamsa not only signed it, but kneeled next to him, giving the young photographer advice and tips on taking pictures.
Photographers of all levels enjoyed the morning. Debbie Rochan, a member of the North Idaho Photography Facebook Group, mostly takes pictures of flowers and birds. She enjoys photographing wildlife when she can find it. “I am an amateur that takes some good shots once and a while,” she said, adding, “It’s a great event.”
There were different stations of specialized photography that the attendees could choose to learn from. Russell, one of the guest photographers whose work can be found adorning the walls of Mugsy’s Tavern and Grill, led a group on photographing wildflowers.
“Wildflowers are a little bit different than your garden flowers. They are in the woods, they are in the dark; it’s windy out there, so they are a little bit harder,” Russell explained to her group. “They are fun to take; they are intricate; they are beautiful.”
Other groups explored the waterfalls of Myrtle Creek and Snow Creek. Some broke off and explored different areas in the refuge, or stayed to take more photos of Hoot.
Wilson, another guest photographer who features her landscape and wildlife photography at Mugsy’s Tavern and Grill, among other venues, said, “I’m one of the photographers here to help out with everybody and hopefully get the public involved in the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, and into taking photography, and just getting outdoors.”
The whole Photography Adventure was funded by a suggested donation of $10 per person, that goes to benefit the Friends of the KNWR, which in turn, benefits the Wildlife Refuge. The Friends program works hard to help the Wildlife Refuge through its events, memberships, and the sales of items, such as hand made bird houses.
“They have done a lot of nice things, because we are such a small staff here. They work really hard to put together these programs,” said Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge Manager Dianna Ellis.
Ellis spoke to the crowd about the refuge and other federal lands. She encouraged the attendees to talk with the Friends group and view different media sources.
“Federal lands are under assault,” she said. “You are a photographer. You can speak for federal lands through your photographs, on your blogs, web pages, Facebook and so on. We need your help more than ever because times are changing. There are different priorities in the country. We are fighting for the survival of our federal lands.”
The resulting eruption of applause from the attendees and guest photographers was evidence of why events, such as these, carry an importance far greater than just taking a simple picture.