Today marks the ninth anniversary of the passing of a great friend and mentor. Galen and Barbara Rowell along with pilot Tom Reid, and Reid's friend Carol McAffee, were killed in a small plane crash just outside of Bishop, California. The Rowells were returning from a photography workshop in Alaska. During his life, he was a world class climber, innovator and the pioneer of adventure photography. His photographs are known the world over, as are his climbing and outdoor accomplishments. In short, he was truly an amazing individual.
You can read for about him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galen_Rowell
I first met Galen at the Maine Photographic Workshop as a student in one of his classed and we quickly connected and became friends. His passion for photography and the process was infectious, his energy limitless and his generosity and care for our craft was deep. Over the next several years I met him at various places whenever I could, to photograph, climb and work together and I cherished every minute in his presence. His insight into my work was deeply valuable and the insight he gave to me in helping to form my eye, along with others, has largely developed the way I see, one that is still with me today.
This photograph, although not a great one, reminds me in a small way of him as for it's similarity in theme to the one shown on the cover of his most widely known book, Mountain light. It was taken at Oljato Monument Valley, Az.
He still is deeply missed when I am out photographing, but in a sense is still with me as well as I seek to reflect on his principals in looking through the viewfinder.
A self portrait of his:
