Images captured by landscape photographer Clyde Butcher reveal a side of Florida that many people never see.
For decades, Butcher has waded into Florida’s wild side — and until recently, he’s used a large format camera to produce captivating black-and-white images of the state’s natural splendors.
(Courtesy of Clyde Butcher)
Now that he’s 72, he can no longer lug the 65 pounds of equipment he used to carry into Florida’s swamps, and he has switched over to lighter digital cameras.
Regardless of the equipment he’s using, though, Butcher employs the same approach.
“Everything I do is point and shoot. I don’t use the camera to compose. I just use my eyes,” he said. “If I see something, I set the tripod down, I set the camera down, focus it and shoot.”
Some of the photographer’s work, showcased in a traveling exhibit called “Visions of Florida: The Photographic Art of Clyde Butcher” is currently on display through Jan. 29 at the West Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey.
“I’m basically trying to communicate how great Florida is,” Butcher said.
People are often unaware of Florida’s unique and special nature, he said.
“We have a cypress tree the same circumference as the largest redwood tree. We have the oldest tree in America — 8,000 years old.
“We have great skies.
“We have the largest spring in the world.
“It’s the only place in the world that has a place like the Everglades,” Butcher said.
Pasco-Hernando State College began planning to bring the exhibit to its West Campus more than a year ago, said Ray Culvert, director of libraries. The exhibit is among the traveling exhibits offered through the Florida Museum of History in Tallahassee.
Culvert — whose family roots in Florida date back to the 1800s — has been fascinated by Butcher’s work for years.
“His photography just kind of reaches out to me, you could say, on a very emotional level,” Culvert said. “If all you see is Orlando and the beaches, you completely miss it (Florida). You really have to go back where he’s going to really appreciate it.”
Clyde Butcher will speak on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College in the West Campus Performing Arts Center. A question-and-answer session and book signing will follow the presentation. The performing arts center is at 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey.
Visions of Florida: The Photographic Art of Clyde Butcher
Landscape photographer Clyde Butcher captures the essence of Florida’s nature through black-and-white images.
When: Through Jan. 29. Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: the Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery located within the Alric C.T. Pottberg Library on Pasco-Hernando State College’s West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey.
How much: Free
Published January 14, 2015
