The "Amazing Photographer Known As 'The Ansel Adams Of Florida'" Story

It was a ordinary day.  Reading a story in my latest AARP Magazine about a fellow named Clyde Butcher.  Clyde is a professional photographer who loves taking wilderness photographs of the Florida landscape; known to most as the Florida Everglades.  All began years ago after he graduated from California Polytechnic University in 1960 with a degree in architecture.  It was during his college career that he began presenting his architecture projects by taking photographs of his miniature-scale models instead of making drawings of them.  While visiting Yosemite National Park in 1963, he learned about the photography studies of Ansel Adams and realized that he could make more money in photography than he could in architecture.  By 1970 he left architecture for landscape photography.  He worked for Sears, Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penney, but found it to be very stressful.  To relieve some of the stress he moved onto a sailboat with his wife.  Clyde's love of boating and the TV program known as "Flipper" finally led him to explore Florida.  After his son was killed by a drunk driver, he retreated to the wilderness for solace and restoration.  He eventually became a black-and-white landscape photographer using large-format cameras.  In 1993 he purchased 14 acres in Big Cypress National Preserve in Southern Florida that was surrounded by over a million acres of wilderness. This is where he settled down and built his home and gallery.  

Mr. Clyde Butcher, The Ansel Adams of Florida!

Mr. Bucher's deep appreciation for the Everglades inspired him to work for the restoration and preservation of the environment.  In 1992, PBS aired a documentary about him.  He has gained the reputation as "The Ansel Adams of Florida" with his photographs of the fragile beauty of the swamps.  He says that millions of people live within a short drive of the everglades, but most never see their beauty.  "My wife and I made a few visits to Florida and on one journey we traveled into the Everglades of Florida.  

Lily Pads

Got to see a few gators as well as the charm and texture of the Everglades."  Today Clyde is an award-winning, black and white landscape photographer who captures on large-format film the transcendent, natural beauty of Florida's rapidly disappearing landscape, particularly the Everglades and Big Cypruss regions of Florida.  He works with 8"X10" and 12"X20" view cameras which gives tremendous detail to his photographs.  

Just Breathe In

Three books have been published featuring his life and his work as featured in numerous solo exhibitions.  His home and gallery are located on 13 acres in the middle of the million-acre Big Cypress National Preserve.  A little over three years ago he suffered a stroke.  He began to use a smaller digital camera, but still is able to get fantastic results in his 8 foot wide prints.  

Everglades Panorama

He tells that the Everglades are dramatic and beautiful, but he fears that global warming and sea-level rise are treats to it's existence.  Perhaps I should buy one of his prints before they are gone.    After reading the story about  Clyde Butcher in my AARP Magazine, I have begun a search for a print by Mr. Butcher.  Would make a great addition to my photographic collection.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.