229: Claude Fiddler - Inside the High Sierra via Large Format Film

Welcome to episode 229 of the F-Stop Collaborate and Listen podcast! This week on the podcast I was joined by Claude Fiddler. Claude spent much of his life deeply exploring and photographing the High Sierra of California after being inspired by the likes of Galen Rowell and Ansel Adams. Most of Claude's images were created using a large format film camera in extremely remote locations in the Sierra wilderness. We discuss: The Single Powerful Image vs. a series of images, Photographing experience while presenting our work as art, Learning on large-format cameras vs. digital, The importance of studying the work of the giants that came before us, Claude's new book, "Inside the High Sierra." Inside the High Sierra is Claude Fiddler’s third fine art monograph describing the mood and lighting of the High Sierra. The book includes 50 photographs from 35 years of explorations into the Range of Light. With a foreword from Tom Hornbein and essays from Michael Cohen, Laurel Fiddler, Peter Croft, and Dick Dorworth, along with Fiddler’s descriptions of the experiences of each picture, this book joins the classic works of art from the Sierra Nevada. Also, each essay is graced with a pen and ink drawing from the artist Valerie Cohen. The book is hardbound, printed on 200gsm archival paper, and there will only be 1,000 copies Printed. 100 copies will be slip-cased in a custom built wood box milled from reclaimed Western White pine and accompanied with an 8x10-inch limited edition print. These prints will only be sold with the book. Over on Patreon this week, Claude and I talk about the need for us to have honest conversations about our carbon impact in the age of climate crisis. Here's who Claude recommended for the podcast this week: Caroline VanHemert Steve Solinsky Jon Waterman John Wawrzonek Joseph Holmes Other items mentioned on the show: 1. Matt Payne's Private 1:1 Photography Workshops. Support the show on Patreon. I love hearing from the podcast listeners! Reach out to me via Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter if you'd like to be on the podcast or if you have an idea of a topic we can talk about. We also have an Instagram page, a Facebook Page, and a Facebook Group - so don't be shy! We also have a searchable transcript of every episode! Thanks for stopping in, collaborating with us, and listening. See you next week. As a reminder, you can also support the podcast by shopping at B+H for your photography gear using our Affiliate Link.