Do you know Clyde Butcher

[David Hall]

I just love is website. www.clydebutcher.com I find myself visiting it from time to time just to be inspired again. He seems to be very passionate about both Florida and LF photography, and it's cool how his wife shares what they do in an on line journal.


dgh

 

[SteveGangi]

I've seen it, and it is excellent. I go there from time to time when I need a reminder of what the good stuff looks like.

 

[brYan]

I read a comment where he is described as the Ansel Adams of the Everglades.

 

[Aggie]

..

 

[lee]

Clyde Butcher nearly broke several years ago. Most of those really large prints he is famous for were on RC paper and they started to go bad. He has had to replace all of the prints. Especially for the State of Florida.

lee\c

 

[lee]

first line of that last post about Clyde is supposed to read "Clyde Butcher nearly went broke several years ago. I type to slow and my brain won't slow down.


lee\c

 

[David Hall]

Lee,

What an interesting fact. I guess he's evolved a lot since then. But it's also kind of surprising given the depth his knowledge seems to be, and the commitment he seems to have to the darkroom, no?

dgh

 

[glbeas]

I read an article about him long ago. I was impressed with his fearlessness as he was waist deep in the swamp getting ready to shoot an approaching thunderstorm. I can't remember where it was I saw it though. Really good images, shows you can get really beautiful images anywhere you go. You have to get to know your subject well and be passionate about it. That gets my respect anytime.

 

[lee]

yeah, that is what is on the street so to speak. I don't know if it is true, I think it is. Coming from the source that has never been known to lie, I would say it is true. It is said that he replaced all the bad prints at no cost. If he did that, I am impressed. I have a video of him teaching a workshop and all he really talks about is Wisner and Super Angulons.

lee\c

 

[David Hall]

Lee,

What does he say about Wisner? In looking at his site, it seems he's all about Deardorffs.

dgh'

 

[lee]

Well, he had/has a ton of them and all the assorted things you can add on like the 4x10 back. In the video he seemed to really push them. That is all from memory as it has been a long time since I saw it. It was hard to listen to as it seemed off the top of his head and he is a mouth breather. I think the problem is because he is so big. So, there was a lot of panting going on.


lee\c

 

[r-brian]

I got to know Clyde when I lived in Ft. Myers. I would stop whenever I had a chance at his studio/house in Big Cypress Nat. Preserve. Since I worked for the Florida Dept. of Environment Protection we always talked about the environment not photography. Now that I live in New Mexico I really miss those talks. But at least I have 4 of his prints on my wall.

If you are impressed with his images on his web site or in the magazines, you should see them in person. He has a travelling exhibit going around the country now, stopping at small cities. For the month of May and June it will be in Lubbock, TX at Texas Tech. A definite 'must see'.

Clyde is adamant about saving the natural state of the environment. He is also one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Totally down to earth. He gives workshops a couple times a year, but it is hard to get inot one.

 

[David Hall]

Brian,

What one thing about his vision or technique or way of looking at the craft impressed you the most, or stays with you the most?

dgh

 

[r-brian]

David

Clyde studied architecture in college. As such, he understands spatial dimensions. The one thing he always said about his photos is that he always leaves a space in them for the viewer to enter the scene. That is, he wants the viewer to feel they are part of the scene. When he first started to print in 5' x 7' size, I mentioned that it would be interesting to mount them curved so the viewer would literally stand inside of the photo. He thought for a moment and then said "Maybe if they were mounted on curve plexiglass." It was only a thought.

 

[avandesande]

I usually don't like extreme wide-angle work, but I enjoy his very much.

 

[kudzma]

I have visited Clyde Butcher's gallery in Big Cypress. Some of the really big prints are very impressive. Standing in front of one you really get a feeling of being in the swamp. Look down to see if your feet are wet

My only criticism, if I dare, is that he sometimes likes to burn in skies in a very unnatural manner.

 

[blansky]

Some of Clyde Butcher's work is in the March 2003 issue of Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

Michael McBlane