Photographer Clyde Butcher presents new digital photography collection at February open house in Venice

Renowned American landscape photographer Clyde Butcher (www.ClydeButcher.com), known for his large-format film photography of the Everglades and natural sites throughout the world, now captures his stunning images in digital format.

For over 50 years, Butcher has used a large-format film camera to immerse himself in the natural world and bring landscapes to life, but the act of carrying the large-format camera equipment has become too rigorous. The use of a digital camera will allow Butcher to continue to photograph and share his inspiring images with people around the world.

“I’m excited about the advances in digital photography and printing,” Butcher said. “My large-format digital prints are exceptionally strong. The archival inks have a rich, sharp quality to them.”

The new digital collection of wilderness areas, including images from the Smokey Mountains, Florida, Alaska and more, is on display at his Venice gallery at 237 Warfield Ave.

Butcher’s foray into digital also creates a major opportunity for collectors. Since he will no longer be shooting large format, Butcher’s limited edition silver gelatin prints are becoming even more rare, valuable and collectable. He will, however, continue to print his existing large-format photography collection at the Venice darkroom.

Fans will be able to view the newer digital photos and the large-format collection of over 50 years at a spring open house at the gallery on Feb. 5 to 7. The open house is free and open to the public, and guests have the option of attending on Feb. 5 from 2 – 5:30 p.m., Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or Feb. 7 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The approachable and candid Butcher will speak to guests at the open house, along with his wife, Niki, who is also an artist. Niki creates hand-colored photomontage images and beautiful giclée prints. Clyde will also sign calendars and books of his photography at the event.

A highlight of the open house will be special behind-the-scenes tours of Butcher’s 2,200-square-foot darkroom, including a description of the technical process Butcher and his team use to create breathtaking images.

For more information about the spring open house, please call 941-486-0811 or visit www.ClydeButcher.com.

About Clyde Butcher

For the last five decades, Clyde Butcher’s black and white photographs have preserved untouched areas of the natural landscape on film. He is known for images he captured using large-format cameras that allowed him to express the elaborate details and textures of the landscape. Today, Butcher uses a digital camera to produce sharp prints that also tell the story of the beauty and drama of the natural world.

Butcher has worked on projects for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Everglades National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, River Keepers and the Wilderness Society.

Clyde has been honored by the state of Florida by being inducted into the Artist Hall of Fame, the highest award that can be given to a private citizen.

He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association. He was awarded the Heartland Community Service Award from the state of Florida for educating the people of Florida about the beauty of their state. The Sierra Club gave him the Ansel Adams Conservation Award, awarded to a photographer showing excellence in photography who has contributed to public awareness of the environment.

Butcher’s photography can be seen at his Venice gallery and his Big Cypress gallery, located on 13 acres in the center of the Everglades in the Big Cypress National Preserve. For more information, please visit www.ClydeButcher.com.