Week 2 Forum (Late)

Photographer of the Week: Thomas Magnelson
Thomas Magnelson is a nature photographer who has lived in Wyoming for over 40 years. He was raised in the natural world; born in Nebraska, his childhood involved hiking hunting and swimming in the area around the Platte River. Between 1970 and 1972, he lived in a shack with no amenities or utilities, his only interactions being with a dog and raccoon. There he honed his photography skills, and in 2015 he co-published a book entitled Grizzlies of Pilgrim Creek, part of his long history of defending the Grizzlies of Yellowstone.

Magnelson's use of color is what stands out to me, each and every photo alive with a symphony of pigment. Even photos taken in the desert are somehow vibrant and lively, and he has the ability to turn harsh light into a satisfying hue.

Finally, his claim to fame is a photo taken of a Grizzly Bear in Yellowstone as it catches a fish flying up the cascades in mid-air. His photography of the Yellowstone area in general is what produced his best and most notable works.

It's What I Do
This book so far has been one of the most inspiring that I've read. Addario's drive and bravery is what makes her stand out, and her commitment to her field and work is astonishing. The way she views her job, and what she says about "bearing witness to history" is truly honorable. Few people bring up photographers when they are asked about important and noble jobs, and this book truly illuminates just how important they are and everything they sacrifice. The photo of the bombed out gas station where Addario and her colleagues were stopped by Qaddafi's men is perhaps the most powerful. It is interesting to read about such a high stress situation and then see something that quanitifies it so well.