- “Fragile Environments:
- Photographs of Antarctica and the Everglades by Roger Craton and Clyde Butcher”
“Fragile Environments: Photographs of Antarctica and the Everglades by Roger Craton, and Clyde Butcher” explored the two distinct ecological environments of the Florida wetlands and beyond to Antarctica, the icy continent at the South Pole. Though observably and geographically at polar opposites, these environments share the same threats - of global warming, pollution, over fishing, and human intrusions - to their fragile systems. Both passionate and inspirational, these contrasting works are a rich visual testament to the extraordinary diversity and beauty of this planet.
- Clyde Butcher, “Moonrise”
- Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida 1986
“A successful photographer’s vision defines their work. My vision is particularly attracted to images that contain strong graphic design elements... A photograph is brought to life when that vision is creatively combined with light, color, and texture—plus an overlay of emotional content. My photographs show the world 'as I see it' ”.
~ Roger Craton
Roger Craton is a fine art photographer who travels widely looking for unique images. He has worked closely with Jackson Hole photographer Jon Stuart; attended “Photography at the Summit” workshops conducted by Rich Clarkson; and studied with National Geographic photographer Sam Abell, Magnum photographer Alex Webb, and Jay Maisel. Mr. Craton’s color photographs are produced as giclee prints on watercolor paper. They have been exhibited at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, Michigan, the Dennos Museum in Traverse City, Michigan, and other venues around the country.
- Roger Craton, “Half Moon Rising”
“Wilderness, to me, is a spiritual necessity. When my son was killed by a drunk driver it was to the wilderness that I fled in hopes of regaining my serenity and equilibrium. The mysterious spiritual experience of being close to nature helped restore my soul. It was during that time, I discovered the intimate beauty of nature. My experience reinforced my sense of dedication to use my art form of photography as an inspiration for others to work together to save nature’s places of spiritual sanctuary for future generations.”
~ Clyde Butcher
Clyde Butcher: www.clydebutcher.com
Clyde Butcher is a graduate in architecture from the University of California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo. His interests in spatial relationships, and presentation of architectural designs, led him into the field of photography. From these early formal interests, he became attracted to the landscape. Mr. Butcher's award winning black and white photographs explore his personal relationship with the environment. For more than thirty-five years, he has been preserving, on film, the untouched areas of the landscape.
