Wolfe Magazine Spread

MIRAGEART WOLFE The magazine of modern photographyAmerican photographerand conservationistURBAN SHOOTSCREATIVELOW LIGHTPHOTOGRAPHY $5 US / $6 CanadianJuly–Aug 2013

Photojournalist and art photographer An interview with Jim Miotke, BetterPhoto Photography

{ My challenge is to change the way you see the world }Over the course of his 30-year career, award- long, quite honestly. It's not that I'm smart, it's just winning photographer Art Wolfe has worked that I'm dogged about it. on every continent and in hundreds oflocations. His stunning images interpret and record Jim Miotke: Besides coming along at the rightthe world´s fast-disappearing wildlife, landscapes time, is there anything else that you think helpedand native cultures, and are a lasting inspiration contribute to your success?to those who seek to preserve them all. Wolfe’sphotographs are recognized throughout the world for Art Wolfe: Yes. I grew up in a middle-class, lower-their mastery of color, composition and perspective. economic family. My father was an entrepreneur, so IWolfe’s photographic mission is multi-faceted: art, saw that he was self-employed and that gives you thewildlife advocacy, journalism inform his work. Wolfe idea that you can also do that.has released over sixty books, including the award-winning Vanishing Act and Edge of the Earth Jim Miotke: At the same time, it sounds like one ofCorner of the Sky. your goals is to be part of a solution.Jim Miotke: Thinking back to when you were Art Wolfe: Yeah. I once gave a talk in San Francisco,first getting started in photography, is there one and a young man of about 22 came up to me afterbit of advice that you wish you were given? For the talk and said: \"I don’t think you know who Iinstance, to save you time? am, but I wrote you when I was in high school and you wrote a long letter back and I kept that letter.Art Wolfe: No. Of all the struggles and all the It really motivated me, and today, I’m strugglingmissteps that I made, I think those burn into you. but I’m somewhat successful in pursuing a career inIt's all apart of the process. And I didn’t struggle that photography.\" His eyes lit up and it was just so nice. Those are moments that you treasure, and I’m so glad. Mirage ❘ 21

22 ❘ Mirage Buddhist monks, Nepal

I try to respond to everybody, Jim Miotke: To take the airports, that kind of stuff. But there'sand it's good when it pays off concept further and make it really nothing negative I can say.and encourages people who are your own ...trying to get into the field.\" Art Wolfe: Yes, and quiteJim Miotke: Many beginning honestly, you must considerphotographers do not what subjects you canrealize that it really helps photograph that haven't beento be always looking for done already. So the realinteresting images in movies, challenge is to take what's beenmagazines, books ... you done and shoot at differentname it. If you are going to angles, which is lookingbe a great writer, you need to above or below, or whatever.read a lot. If you are going to Challenge perceptions.be a great photographer, youneed to look at photographic Jim Miotke: Is thereideas. anything you don't like as a photographer?Art Wolfe: Yeah, and the trickthere is to be inspired by Art Wolfe: There's nothingsomething you see and then to really. Oh, there are minorput your own slant on it. nuisances like getting through Mirage ❘ 23

An image from Art Wolfe’s Human Canvas Series - http://humancanvasproject.com/