Picture perfect quest: Michael Riffle puts his Florida best into Photofest exhibit
In a world where trillions of images are taken daily and distributed at the click of a mouse, it may seem an insurmountable feat to take the perfect picture. The subjectivity of photography makes it difficult to pinpoint the attributes of the ideal image.
Yet, photographer Michael Riffle has made it his artistic quest to capture the beauty emanating from Florida’s hidden coves, crevices, and creatures into one perfect image.
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Although the journey has brought him eye to eye with a bear, side by side with a herd of hungry manatees, and head to head with a camera-shy Florida brown snake, Riffle forges ahead. “I am in search of the perfect image. I know I’ll never get it, but that’s the fun part.”
In November, Riffle returns to showcase Florida’s wildlife at the 2022 Photofest opening at the Artport Gallery.
Inspired by science
As the Senior Director of Field Research & Development at Valent U.S.A. LLC armed with a doctorate in agronomy, the study of soil management and crop production, Riffle’s lifelong dedication to biology and plants has influenced his work tremendously.
Ever the student, Riffle views photography like a science: analyze the light, test the exposure, and study the weather. “I’m a scientist at heart. So, I’m an analytical person, and I always have been. Drives my wife crazy,” Riffle said. “I took all that into the passion of photography because photography is a science-ended art.”
Combining science and art led him to capture nature images while playing with the artistic elements of light and time. He finds solace in physiology and biochemistry and unapologetically treads science blogs for fun.
Although Riffle’s love for photography began at a young age, it was not until later in his life that he decided to pick up the camera again and follow that old feeling. True to his agricultural roots, the lens took him deep into the thicket of Tallahassee.
Drawn to the rivers, Riffle claims over two-thirds of his photography has an element of water and that he can often be found with a wet suit and camera snorkeling. Riffle revels in the sense of Utopia he finds among the Florida freshwater springs. “It literally is like swimming in an aquarium.”
Process makes perfect
Ruffle reveals that in addition to planning regarding the weather, moon phase, and surrounding natural environment, that 90% of getting the shot is to be there. “You gotta be out there, and you have to be ready.” Friday through Sunday, his laces are tied tight, and his cameras lay steadily in hand.
Riffle has perfected his process: First, prep the night before by looking at the weather forecast and the river levels. Pack a grab back with the hiking essentials. Select your tripod and camera, whether full-frame, full-spectrum infrared, underwater, etc. Finally, you wake up before sunrise and wade through Florida’s dark forests to find the perfect place.
Then, you wait. “A lot of times, I’m in place at 4:30 or 5: a.m. Six at the latest.” says Riffle, “Sometimes I’ll have a composition in mind that I want to go get … Other times I’ll just go for a walk and just let it happen. So, no real hard and fast rules. As long as I’m out there.”
Education continues to be part of Riffle’s process. He credits mentors like David Moynahan and Amanda Thompson for encouraging him to pursue his artistic side and to view himself as an artist.
Once he did, his newly found knowledge of photography and previous study of biology and plants merged into a deep connection with his photography. “I want to do it all … It's a passion. It’s what I want to do. It’s not something that I’m putting out there and expecting someone to say, ‘Hey, I like that.’ I do photography for me.”
Photofest for travelers
Riffle’s ability to capture, in a split instance, the prolonged movement of our world through long exposure is mesmerizing. It is easy to see why his images hang on many Tallahassee walls.
Riffle’s most famous piece showing manatees swimming through the Florida springs was selected to be exhibited at the Tallahassee City Hall board room. In 2019, Riffle’s solo show, Transcend the Ordinary featured his infrared photography at the Artport gallery.
Riffle returns to showcase his latest breathtaking insight into Florida’s wildlife at the 2022 Photofest. Artists submit to the yearly gallery to be displayed in the unique Tallahassee Airport Art Gallery from November to January.
Riffle is delighted to return to the space that brings expansive gallery art to so many travelers. “You can spread the photography out and have each piece be it's own… the light is incredible. It’s a really bright area. So the light working with your image is just perfect… It’s a perfect place to hang images.“
Though he celebrates his latest artistic displays, Riffle continues his quest, knowing he may never achieve perfection. Still, he follows the process and waits for the science to show itself to the lens. And maybe, one day, he’ll fulfill his dream of capturing an alligator swimming underwater through the beautiful Florida springs. We excitedly await his findings.
If you go
What: Photofest 2022
When: 8 a.m.-11:30 p.m. daily, Nov. 9, 2022 - Jan. 24, 2023
Where: Tallahassee International Airport, 3300 Capital Circle SW
Cost: Free and open to the public (The first 30 minutes of parking is free)
Contact: Sarah Painter – COCA Public Art Manager | sarah@tallahasseearts.org
Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte is the feature writer for the Council on Culture & Arts. The Council on Culture & Arts (COCA) is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (www.tallahasseearts.org).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Picture perfect quest: Michael Riffle taps watery charms in Photofest
