Hodgepodge 243/365 - Jim Brandenburg

I don't remember how I first stumbled on the work of National Geographic nature photographer Jim Brandenburg. It wasn't through the magazine; it may have been through the 1998 book Chased by the Light: A 90-Day Journey, on the recommendation of a friend. The project was to create one—only one (but one exquisite)—photograph every day between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. Brandenburg lives in the northern woods of Minnesota, and his subject matter coursed through big changes during that ninety-day span. Several years later, he repeated the project in Looking for the Summer (summer solstice to autumnal equinox). He has also published several books on wolves, as well as a couple about southern Africa and the North American prairie.

Lately, when I remember, I follow him on Facebook: for ten years now he's been working with film, documenting his wild place up north, and he shares the moving pictures with his followers. His current project, in collaboration with French director Laurent Joffrion, is called Nature 365: a daily short video put together from those ten years' worth of films (for 365 days, 1/1 to 12/31—no wonder he's near and dear to my heart!). You can see a short introduction to the project here—and then click on the "Daily videos" tab and explore. It's worth the trip.

But go find Chased by the Light and Looking for the Summer: they are full of beauty and solace. And just for fun, here's Jim's blog. And finally, here's a recent (2016) story about him on the occasion of his seventieth birthday.

But really, don't you want to see a few of his photos? Sure you do. Here. (As always, click on the images to view them large on black.)