Artist's Statement: Exploring the Beauty of Nature

The beauty of nature is the predominate theme of my work. I am fascinated by the underlying structures, patterns, and visual rhythms of nature. To share this fascination, I seek subjects that are rich in detail yet graphically strong, with full tonal pallets.

When I started my photographic odyssey, I was looking for restoration and a reconnection to that which our modern society takes from us. Increasing, however, I find that my photography is often a political statement. I'm concerned about the disregard the current administration has for things wild and natural. Indeed, some of the scenes I've photographed, even in National Parks, are no longer available. Some have been marred by paving and widening trails in the name of "improvement." In one case, a newly placed bench obscures what was once a charming view of a unique black oak tree.

I worry that my government, and even my fellow citizens, have lost their connection to our shared heritage. Part of what makes America great is its great beauty. Previous generations, and previous governments, have acted to protect our forests, parks, and wilderness areas. This generation, and this government, is actively working to log our forests, defund and starve our parks, and drill and mine our wilderness areas.

My photography illustrates the beauty of nature; it also reminds us that the beauty of nature is fragile indeed. You can set off the explosives that blow the top off a mountain with just a push of a finger, but once you do, the resulting ugly scar is never going to heal.

Biography of Bruce R. Watson

I'm an engineer by training, with 25 years of engineering experience. The same precision and obsession with quality that marked my engineering work drives my photography. The answer to my need to provide the viewer with the most pristine, detailed, and dynamic images possible has been large format photography. (See the Process description.) My 4x5 negatives are 15 times larger than conventional 35mm film, and the construction of the camera allows me precise control of focus and perspective beyond what one can achieve with conventional camera equipment.

There are practical benefits to having an engineering background too, and I've used it to good effect since going into fine art photography full time in 2001. I found that I needed to design and fabricate some equipment, and modify other equipment to get the quality levels I needed in the final print. I've also used the learning-seeking behavior of my engineering soul to learn the following in the last three years of my self-imposed boot camp:

• Large format (4x5 inch film) view camera operation
• Zone System (a film exposure system popularized and taught by Ansel Adams)
• Film exposure and processing for conventional darkroom
• Film exposure and processing for digital lightroom
• Drum scanning
• High-end, large format archival inkjet printing.

I'm not completely self taught. I've taken classes from pioneers such as Jon Cone, the originator of the Digital Platinum system for IRIS printers, and the originator of the PiezoTone inks that I use for my printing.

I believe in the old story about the pottery class that the instructor divided in two. He told the first half they would be graded on their single best pot. He told the other half they would be graded on how many pots they made. At the end of the semester, both sides of the class were shocked to learn that the half graded on quantity was also making the highest quality pots.

I've learned that story over and over again in my various careers. I've learned how to be a large format photographer by making lots and lots of photographs. I've learned that when a scene is calling to me, and I can't instantly see the correct way to make the photograph, to try anyway. Some of my best photographs came about because I was willing to try something new or do something that was difficult. Many of them come from my willingness to come back over and over again until all the conditions are just right.

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, 1978, North Carolina State University

Master of Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering, 1986, North Carolina State University

Experience:

1970-1973, Photojournalist, Raleigh News & Observer. Covered high school and college sports events. Features, studio portraits, and general assignments as required.

2001-present, Large format photographer and fine art printer. Founder of Achromatic Arts, Inc. Fine art nature photography, large format photographic film negative processing, drum scanning, image editing, and large format archival inkjet printing.

Representation:

Points of View Photography Gallery, 20 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh NC 27603. 919-829-1000.