Salina native to present seminar on nature photography in McPherson
Nature photographers in the Great Plains area, including a Salina native, are gathering for a seminar and photography contest in McPherson this weekend.
The featured speaker at the event is Salina native photographer, Judd Patterson. Patterson attended Salina Central High School before graduating and attending Kansas State University, where he completed a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in geography. He now lives and works in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Patterson continues to pursue nature photography to promote environmental education and conservation and for the enjoyment of being outdoors. His photography was used for a variety of regional and national publications, education centers and birding guides.
“His photography is phenomenal,” said event organizer Jim Griggs. “I’m anxious to see his new stuff.”
Protecting species through photography and awareness
Patterson’s work has been featured in exhibits in Kansas, Florida and Washington, D.C. Part of his motivation in the industry, according to his website, is to capture images of at-risk species and habitats in order to play a role in ensuring their future.
Hosted by The Great Plains Nature Photographers, the day-long event on Nov. 12 will include a presentation from Patterson and other photographers who work in the Great Plains region.
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“His programs are great,” Griggs said. “He talks a lot about nature photography and what you can do to protect nature and habitats — what you can do with your photos to protect them.”
The purpose of the event, Griggs said, is to provide inspiration and education for people interested in photography. On Saturday, Patterson will describe how he goes about getting the photos, the places he’s been, and the benefits of the profession.
For non-photographers, Griggs said, his presentations are a chance to see parts of the country people never see, including Kansas.
“I tell everybody that tourists look, and photographers see,” said Griggs, who is also a photographer in the group.
Spreading a passion for unseen nature
The Great Plains Nature Photographers consists of photographers from the Dakotas south through Texas. The group is in its 25th year of operation.
GPNP welcomes postings of work dealing with the nature of the Great Plains, questions about photography, the environment and wildlife of the plains. Members of all skill levels and interest in nature, landscape and wildlife photography are welcome to the group.
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On Nov. 12, there will be a nature photography print competition, which is open to the public. Attendees are invited to enter up to two of their own original images, up to 16 inches by 24 inches, in four different categories: Wildlife Captive, Wildlife Non-Captive, Great Plains Nature and Travel Nature.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Historic McPherson Opera House at 219 South Main St. in downtown McPherson. Doors will open at 8 a.m.
The event is not limited to photographers, but to anyone who enjoys nature. It costs is $15 to enter, but students are free. Registration is available at the door on the day of the seminar.
More information about Patterson and full galleries of his work can be found on his website at www.juddpatterson.com. More information about the photography group can be found on its Facebook page “Great Plains Nature Photographers.”
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina native to present nature photography seminar in McPherson
