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Wherever You Go, There You Are - Clyde Butcher

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Real Estate Agent with Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL 676419

Clyde ButcherRecently, I had an amazing opportunity to meet Clyde Butcher.  If you don't know who Clyde Butcher is, know this:  He is one of the great American Iconic Photographers of Modern and All Time.  Period.  Bar none. Put it in your pipe and smoke it.  (his weapon is large format black and white nature photography)

He exemplifies "Wherever you go, there you are".  He has it, he found it, he is it.  He is where he is; almost like you and me are searching for. 

His mission was only accomplished by great loss.  His beloved son was lost in an accident caused by a drunk driver. 

Solice was found in the Florida Everglades, of which he became a master at capturing images for the world to see.  The images are breath taking, one of a kind.  Clyde Butcher knows how to set up his hundreds of pounds of equipment and capture a site, a vision.  A vision that will never be seen again.  A chronicle of time - light - emotion - melancholy.

A delightful woman was telling me  all sorts of stories about Clyde and the swamp and the years of swamp walks that have taken place as I was eating lunch.  She was VERY enthusiastic and also very down to earth.  It wasn't until our conversation neared the end that she introduced herself as Jackie Butcher, Clyde's daughter.  (She runs a gallery for him in Venice, Florida and was down for the swamp walk.)  PBS was filming the kid swamp walk, so she brought her kids to be participants.  I asked her how many years of "life experience" he had and she cheerfully replied.  "It's his birthday!  65.  Go wish him happy birthday, it will embarass him.  Tonight's the party.  He's over there."  So I did -  I walked up to him and blamed it right on her!  "Jackie told me to wish you happy birthday!" and I shook his hand.   His hand is huge and swallowed mine.   He thanked me and his eyes twinkled.  We spoker for a while.

He's just such a great person and environmentalist.  The first thing he proclaimed is that he just wants to educate people about the Everglades.  He participates in events such as this ONLY because it educates the public about the environment and the Everglades.  He runs the swamp walks with guides and friends that will tell you anything about anything that has to do with the swamp.  It's fun and safe.  There really is no danger of getting eaten by a gator.  There really aren't mosquitos, either.  That's what he wants you to know and experience.

He also wants you to know that he doesn't only photograph the Everglades.  The latest series of Clyde Butcher photos is available.  America the Beautiful is a series of photos from across the United States.  They're simply awesome.  When I searched the web I frequently saw a montra that coincided with his name.  I wanted to ask Jackie about it but I couldn't muster the courage.  I bristle for the terminology I've frequently used to describe Mr. Butchers gift and wanted to confirm that "The Anstel Adams of the Everglades" is an insult.  I know it insults me, as a fan. 

Clearly Clyde Butcher is a man made of his own vision and mission.  Wherever he goes, there he is.

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Comments(15)

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Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Wow, I had never heard of him, but went and looked at his photography. AWESOME. What a talent.
Sep 02, 2007 02:08 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
And now you know!
Sep 02, 2007 02:21 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life
The photography is AWESOME, I agree with Missy there.  This is a wonderful post Chris!
Sep 02, 2007 02:21 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
And now you know!
Sep 02, 2007 02:24 AM
Melissa Kruse
Gryphon - Lewis Center, OH
What amazing pictures. I think I just started my christmas wish list.
Sep 02, 2007 02:47 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent

Ho Ho HO

Sep 02, 2007 03:02 AM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

He has amazing pictures.  Black and white photography is becoming a lost art.

Sep 02, 2007 03:07 AM
Bob Carney
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD
Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent
What an awesome experience!!!  I am sure he would be tickled pink to see your description of your experience.  I like that...Where ever you go, There you are
Sep 02, 2007 03:14 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous
Chris, did you just call me a ho? I know Rich has blogged about little bo peep outfits, but those really aren't mine!
Sep 02, 2007 04:41 AM
#10
Billnulls Blog Florida Realty Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
AHWD
Amazing work! I had never thought of him either...thanks for the information!!!
Sep 02, 2007 05:33 AM
John Occhi
AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ
Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Thanks for this Chris - this is awesome.  You must have really felt special being in the presence of such a great artist.  I spent more than a few minutes looking at his website.  He reminds me  lot of Ansel Adams.  What Adams has done for the Rockey Mountains it appears that Butcher has done for the Everglades.

Now Have a Blessed Day,

John Occhi, Hemet CA REALTOR®
Real Estate - Hemet CA
Mission Grove Realty

Sep 02, 2007 08:51 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
My daughter, Tami, has been a Clyde Butcher fan for years! (ever since her Photography class at Eckerd College where she majored in Graphic Arts) We've seen his art everywhere, including Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and have visited his Everglades gallery. How great that you actually met him! He's a class act.
Sep 02, 2007 12:19 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Agreed!  Class act.  Articulate, introspective.  What a gift to have shaken his hand and met him, his daughter and grand kids.  It's a wow.  Definite wow.
Sep 02, 2007 12:23 PM
Bryce Mohan
Bryce Mohan Photography - Bellevue, WA

Hmm, interesting. I've never heard of him prior. Several of his shots are very good.

One thing strikes me as odd though...he seems to be attempting almost literal duplicates of Ansel Adams works for some shots, specifically in 'across america'.

Unfortunately, I think he invites the comparison...which is ironic as it can't be particularly favorable.

Strange.

 

 

 

Sep 02, 2007 03:02 PM