A gemsbok in Namib-Naukluft National Park , Namibia
expressionism hit its zenith right after WWII ,” explains Wolfe . “ The likes of Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko were basically non-objective painters — no recognizable subjects . However , they ’ d say their paintings begin where your imagination ends . I started photographing like all these painters , maybe fifteen different ones , until it became an identifiable style for me . Rather than taking a class , I just self-induced this experience and now I ’ m teaching it .” He goes on to share that he loves teaching and educating other photographers as well as the viewers of his work .
“ I ’ ll take people out to old batteries or forts where there are cement walls up and down the coast . Over time cement oozes these chemicals and people come in and paint graffiti that gets worn off and others paint over it . They become these really textured walls that tell a story of their own ,” Wolfe explains . “ After I lecture on all these different painters , it ’ s up to the student then to go find subjects to fulfill the assignments . They love it !”
It sounds like he teaches from the same philosophy that has honed his craft over the decades . Wolfe details that he teaches in three different ways . He takes groups of students of all ages out for multiple-day immersion tours across the globe where the students are exposed to incredible photographic opportunity without a lot of critique . He also provides three-to-four-day workshops with in-depth lectures that result in specific assignments for the students to explore and fulfill , and lastly , he teaches photography as art where students go find unintentional art in urban and rural settings . “ I tell them that if they get asked what exactly they are photographing [ others just don ’ t see it ], they ’ re probably on the right path ,” Wolfe grins .
Those that study Wolfe get a lesson in the value of always being open to learning new things , as well as advocacy and conservation . Wolfe ’ s sexagenarian photography career is a marvelous testament to the durability and demand for his images , his expertise , and his passionate advocacy for the environment and indigenous culture . Wolfe has accumulated an extensive photographic body of work journaling wildlife of more than 500 species . However , he also has produced more than 120 books in eight languages , all highlighting nature , conservancy , and life in the wild . His first book was in 1979 , only four years after
Wolfe has accumulated an extensive photographic body of work journaling wildlife of more than 500 species . However , he also has produced more than 120 books in eight languages , all highlighting nature , conservancy , and life in the wild .
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