Happy Mother's Day

This is one of the last times Jim could take his mother, Olga, with him while he was working - he was photographing a prairie in Iowa for a National Geographic magazine assignment. 

Jim's prairie roots run deep in his veins. When he was born, his parents lived on a farm in southwestern Minnesota just one mile east of Touch the Sky Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.  His early formative years were spent in that vast prairie landscape. His mother also grew up on a farm located just below the Blue Mounds State Park cliff. 

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. - Abraham Lincoln

Happy Mother's Day

The Nature Conservancy Green Tie Affair

Jim was honored to be the speaker at the Green Tie Affair for The Nature Conservancy in Minneapolis, Mn.  More than 500 guests feasted on fare from local waters, forests and prairies, followed by a stunning visual presentation by Jim. The evening ended with a live auction which exceeded The Nature Conservancy's fundraising goal.

The Nature Conservancy has played a prominent role in Jim's photographic career.  In the mid 1970's, Jim received a grant to photograph The Nature Conservancy prairies.  Jim later brought these images to National Geographic magazine; thus began his tenure with Geographic.  

Jim photographing avocets on Samuel H. Ordway, Jr. Memorial Preserve, South Dakota

Avocets - One of the images taken during the assignment.

Jim Brandenburg on assignment in Namibia for National Geographic magazine, wearing The Nature Conservancy hat

The Green Tie Affair was a benefit to preserve nature and the valuable resources it provides to all of us.  The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people.

In Celebration of the Earth

Pipestone Creek, Pipestone National Monument

 

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.  ~Chief Seattle, 1855

 Happy Earth Day

Touch the Sky Prairie Exhibit Opens in Kansas

Bison After the Storm - South Dakota

Touch the Sky Eagle Cloud - Minnesota

Touch the Sky Prairie - Minnesota

Awe-inspiring landscapes, breath-taking vistas and iconic creatures of the American tallgrass prairie await visitors of the Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, Kansas, starting today with the opening of “Touch the Sky: Prairie Photographs by Jim Brandenburg.”

Brandenburg captures the panoramic majesty of herds of bison, raging wildfires and lightening storms, while still managing to endear his subject by noting small details, such as grasshoppers and dragonflies.  

This magnificent collection of prairie photographs features 44 framed images by Brandenburg, and includes images from prairies in Nebraska, Iowa, the Dakotas, Oklahoma, Illinois and other states.

“Born on a small prairie farm to children and grandchildren of turn of the century emigrants, I first experienced a world without trees. My earliest memories are of a landscape with an incessant wind and a bright open-sky sun. At a quiet and more than shy fourteen I made a first attempt at a new language. The resultant image of a shy fox from my second hand three-dollar camera spoke back to me with a loud, profound and life-changing voice,” Brandenburg said.

“Nearly fifty years later that voice is still whispering in my ear. The dialect is the same, even though I have tried many versions along the way. I traveled and photographed grand landscapes of the world. Many were covered with alluring luxurious forests and jungles. I even fulfilled a boyhood fantasy to live in a romantic wilderness log cabin beneath towering pines. But the visual language dialect that still seems to translate with the deepest meaning in my work is that of the open sky prairie-like landscape,” he said.

The exhibit will be open through May 26, 2013.

Flint Hills Discovery Center

315 South 3rd Street

Manhattan, Kansas 66502

http://www.flinthillsdiscovery.org/

About the Tallgrass Prairie

A tremendous diversity of plant and animal life once thrived on America's tallgrass prairie. In an area the size of an acre, up to 300 different plant species and up to 3 million individual insects coexisted together.

Due to the deep, rich, fertile soil that supports this expanse of grass, the prairie was easily transformed into crop land as it was settled. The massive conversion of prairie to agriculture has led many species to become rare and endangered. A greater proportion of Minnesota's prairie species are endangered, threatened or of special concern than species found in forest biomes.  From a historic range of about 25 million acres in Minnesota and Iowa alone, only about 300,000 acres of the original tallgrass prairie remains today.

2013 Calendars on Sale!

Our 2013 Jim Brandenburg calendars are on sale for $13.95 at the Brandenburg Gallery in Ely, Mn.  Click the Buy Now button below to order or stop by and pick one up.

Framed Photos Back from the Vatican

These two framed pieces were returned to Ely in January 2013 after being on display at The Vatican since 2010. They were displayed in public areas within the diplomatic residence of Dr. Miguel Humberto Diaz, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, as part of the ART in Embassies Program with the U.S. Department of State.  Prior to his time in Rome, Ambassador Diaz was a professor of theology at the College of St. Benedict and Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He was familiar with Jim’s work, and when given the opportunity through ART in Embassies, requested these two images. We are honored to have been part of the ART in Embassies Program.

These pieces are now on display in the Ely Brandenburg Gallery and will be up through the winter.

A copy of Ambassador Diaz’s letter to Jim from 2010 as displayed in the gallery.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition Now Open

Enter Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 now and take part in one of the world's most prestigious photography events. The competition is open to professional photographers, amateurs, young and old, worldwide until February 25, 2013.

We are delighted to announce that for the second year running, esteemed photographer, filmmaker and environmentalist Jim Brandenburg will be chairing the competition.

Joining Jim are the following judges:

Ingo Arndt, wildlife photographer (Germany)
Sophie Boulet-Gercourt, executive, Biosphoto (France)
Luciano Candisani, wildlife photojournalist (Brazil)
Tui De Roy, naturalist, wildlife photographer (New Zealand)
Richard Eccleston, Art Editor, BBC Wildlife magazine (UK)
Ruth Eichhorn, Director of Photography, GEO magazine (Germany)
Lisa Lytton, Director, Paraculture Books, Director of Digital Editions, National Geographic Magazine (US)
Koji Nakamura, underwater photographer, President, Japan Underwater Films (Japan)
Elio Lello Piazza, natural history picture editor (Italy)
Anna Sever, director, picture editor, ASA Agency (Spain)
Igor Shpilenok, wildlife photographer (Russia)
Hans Strand, landscape photographer (Sweden)
Jan Vermeer, wildlife photographer (The Netherlands)
Steve Winter, wildlife photojournalist and Director of Media, Panthera (US)


"This year will be my second time at the helm of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
As Chair of the 2012 competition, I found it fascinating to watch how the jury carried out their important task of evaluating and selecting submissions.

The stakes are high with such a prestigious competition, so we all knew it was important to get it right and the panel had to make some very difficult decisions. I am proud of the final selection of winning photographs from 2012’s competition and am quite sure that some are future classics.

But now my focus is on the 2013 competition. I call on you all to enter your finest, most compelling, courageous work. Then once again, my fellow judges and I will be transported to other worlds where we will discuss the techniques, artistry and ethics behind the array of compositions.

Wildlife photography is a universal language and an exciting yet powerful communications tool. Photographers carry a responsibility to their subjects, their audience and themselves. This simple mantra holds true – take only photographs, leave nothing but footprints. Every place, plant and animal, above or below water, is unique. Subtle impacts can accumulate over time to devastating effect. So we must encourage those who enjoy photographing nature to do so in a way that best promotes good stewardship of our natural resources.

Despite shifts in technology that enable us to get even closer to our subjects, we must remain true to our roots, focusing on in-camera excellence, skill, ingenuity, patience, dedication, passion and a simple narrative underpinning each and every image.

Now the time is right to edit your collection and submit the images that you believe will wow our loyal audience across the world, fueling understanding, promoting discussion, provoking reactions that cause change, and ensuring that there is a legacy … a very natural legacy."

Holiday Greetings from Jim

 

Wishing you peace this holiday season

with good health and prosperity in the new year!

 

From Jim Brandenburg and family,
and all of us at the Brandenburg Gallery 

 

 

 

Ready for the Holidays?

We have several new items available at the Brandenburg Gallery, just in time for the holidays!

Autumn Mist Signed Lithograph

This peaceful scene depicts a solo canoeist paddling one of Jim's favorite lakes in the northwoods of Minnesota.  The lithograph is 13" x 33" with an image size of 11" x 31" and is signed by Jim in the lower right corner.  The Autumn Mist signed lithograph sells for $40.00 and can be purchased by clicking the 'Buy Now' button below or by calling the Brandenburg Gallery at 877-493-8017. 

Autumn Mist

Framed Mini-prints & Photo Magnets

We now have framed and matted mini-prints featuring many of Jim's National Geographic assignment images.  These little prints are presented in a 6"x8" frame inside a 3.5"x5.5" mat and sell for $29.95 each.  Give the Brandenburg Gallery in Ely a call at 877-493-8017 to see which images we are currently featuring.

Framed & Matted Mini-prints

We've also just introduced Jim's Photo Gems. Handmade in our Ely gallery, these cute little glass gems have super strong magnets and feature photos from across Jim's career. They are available in sets of four 1" squares or circles for $11.95 and can be purchased individually in other sizes. Give the Brandenburg Gallery in Ely a call at 877-493-8071 to see what we have available.

Jim's Photo Gems Photo Magnets

Jim's Photo Gems Photo Magnets

Our 2013 calendar features 12 months of Birds of the Northwoods by Jim Brandenburg.

This beautiful calendar was published by Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and is available at the Brandenburg Gallery in Ely, Mn.   The calendar is 11.5" x 13", sells for $18.95 and can be purchased by clicking the 'Buy Now' button below or by calling the Brandenburg Gallery at 877-493-8017.

Jim Brandenburg's Leaping White Wolf Image Offered at Christie's New York Today

Cover Photo by Thomas J. Abercrombie

In celebration of 125 years of The National Geographic Society, Christie's is auctioning 232 pieces from The Geographic's The Art of Exploration collection. Jim is honored to have his Leaping White Wolf image as part of the collection and part of the auction today. The 20"x30" limited edition fine art photographic print was hand-signed and numbered and represents one of his favorite and most memorable projects from his career.

 

The National Geographic Collection: The Art of Exploration

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Christie's, 20 Rockefeller Center, New York

It's Give to the Max Day!

Touch the Sky Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge ~ Luverne, Minnesota

Listen as Jim Brandenburg talks with MPR's Stephanie Hemphill about his love of the prairie, and his photographs which capture its beauty.

 ______________________

As you know, Brandenburg Prairie Foundation is making a difference every day through promoting, preserving and expanding the native prairie in Southwest Minnesota. Your generous support means the world to prairie enthusiasts, now more than ever.

Join us on today, November 15, Minnesota's Give to the Max Day, and help us win a $1,000 Golden Ticket. By partnering with GiveMN-an online giving website for Minnesota nonprofits- Brandenburg Prairie Foundation will have 25 chances to maximize your gift on Give to the Max Day!

By making a donation today on Give to the Max Day, your gift could help us win an extra $1,000 for our work in the community.

At the end of Give to the Max Day, one donation from across Minnesota will be randomly selected for a $10,000 Supersized Golden Ticket! Help us increase our odds by making your gift today by visiting www.GiveMN.org and searching for Brandenburg Prairie Foundation Inc!

What is the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation?
The Brandenburg Prairie Foundation (BPF) was established in 1999 with the Mission to “Educate, Promote, Preserve, and Expand Native Prairie in Southwest Minnesota.” Founding Board Members were Jim and Judy Brandenburg, and Luverne, Minnesota residents Randy Creeger, Dave Smith, Ben Vander Kooi, Jr., and Dan Biever.  Through numerous projects, the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation educates the public and heightens awareness of the prairie's ecological significance and beauty.  Find more information at our website at www.brandenburgprairiefoundation.org or our Facebook page.

What is GiveMN?

GiveMN.org is the smart way for you to discover, support and engage with the charities that are right for you. The online giving platform allows you to easily find organizations that match your giving goals, support them through secure credit or debit card donations, receive automated tax deductible receipts through email, and conveniently track and record your donations in a single online location. You can now also fundraise for your favorite causes-like us-on GiveMN too by creating a fundraiser page.

Please consider kicking off this season of giving by Giving to the Max today, November 15!

Thank you, Minnesota. You make the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation proud!

Jim Premieres the New Nikon P7700

 

Jim was honored to participate in another Nikon project, the release of the Nikon Coolpix P7700.  Nikon spent a week in Ely, Minnesota filming Jim as he used the P7700.  They visited several of Jim's favorite areas to photograph, all located around his home, Ravenwood.  To see video of Jim using the P7700 and additional sample images, please visit this link.

The Nikon Coolpix P7700 is the newest flagship model for Nikon’s Coolpix series of cameras. The P7700 is a high-performance compact digital camera loaded with functions that allow users to enjoy full-scale photography similar to that possible with a digital-SLR camera.

 

I often take a small simple camera with me when I go for a casual walk or canoe paddle near my home. I was pleased to work with my Nikon friends from Tokyo in introducing this exciting new P7700 pocket camera. I am surprised at how many "keepers" are made during my casual walks. This camera has enough quality to easily produce images that I will be able to publish in magazines and books. Some of the movie of me shooting with this camera was made in Brittany France while I was on assignment and some was shot while I was at home at Ravenwood.

 The Nikon crew filming Jim in the studio at his home, Ravenwood

Nikon Tech/Development: Masaya Takahashi, Videographer: Laurent Joffrion,
Creative Director: Soichi Hayashi, Sound: Anthony Brandenburg, Photo: Alex Messenger

I often canoe past this ancient cliff-dwelling white cedar in the Boundary Waters wilderness near my home.

My son Anthony plays our David Seaton custom made guitar at the waterfall sauna.

My Italian Greyhound Gracie stands at attention in the Ravenwood guest room.

A loon family swims in the clear water of Ojibway Lake near my home.

The old white cedar on the wilderness cliff in the moonlight. A strobe adds a fill light for detail in the low light of dusk.

Ravenwood Falls looks more inviting when shot with a long exposure.

Rookie Lake has a cliff vista and is a place where people stop to make photographs. I often do the same but try to see it in a new way.

A blue jay feather glistens with water drops. Weather can add an atmosphere that is often more photographically interesting than a sunny day image.

Exhibit in Montier-En-Der, France

White Wolf Testing Water

From November 15-18th, 2012 Jim will be the honorary “Patron” at the Festiphoto-Montier which typically draws 45,000 attendees in Montier-En-Der, France.

Jim’s theme for the exhibit is Wolves and Prairies as that is where he feels he has made the most impact in nature preservation. The images chosen for the show represent some of his best work on the subjects and will hang alongside the work of Ansel Adams.  Jim and Ansel were chosen as two photographers whose work has made a significant contribution to nature preservation.

"Ansel Adams is considered America's best know artist by some and I am honored to be in the same space with him here." -Jim Brandenburg

Ansel Adams 
Photo by ©Mimi Jacobs

Snake River, Grand Tetons 1942. Taken by Ansel Adams for the Dept of the Interior.

     Ansel Adams, photographing in Yosemite National Park from atop his car about 1942. 
Courtesy of the Cedric Wright Family.

Red-Winged Blackbirds Migrating

Wolves in Winter

Jim's Artist Statement

Around the world, photography is used as a means to record personal or family events --simple as that. Aesthetics not being a priority, the family camera is mostly used to record a moment to be remembered. Millions of snapshots are casually made everyday. Most are looked at a few times among family and friends and then forgotten. Precious few of those casual snaps survive the ages, but those that do are cherished.

Then there is the professional side of photography, where the camera is used to report on the state of man and nature’s condition. Often, it goes beyond a mere profession and can become one’s life mission. Some hope that their reportage will make a difference in the world. That is the world I have found myself in for my whole adult life -- 50 years of a deliberate and not-so-casual expression of my feelings about the natural world through my photography.

Two subjects have nearly dominated my half-century of photographic work. The highly persecuted wild wolf population, and the once vast, but now nearly vanished American native prairie both captured my passion at an early age. Like the great French combat war photographers that shared their battlefield images with the public to impress and help change attitudes, I have attempted the same – without the physical dangers of the military battlefield.

Born on the treeless and almost completely cultivated Great Plains of America, I realized the story that needed to be told; that only half of one percent of native tall-grass prairie land had not been plowed under and destroyed. This passion and subsequent picture story is what opened the door for me to the great magazines of the world like National Geographic.

With the opportunity at the Geographic, I decided to take on a similarly sad story in the animal realm. I attempted to give voice to the wolf, which I thought was the least understood and perhaps the most persecuted animal in our history of animal relationships.

One never knows if this life’s work has or will make a difference. We can only hope and work toward making that difference a reality. 

Blue Mounds Bison

Alpha Pair Eats First

Brother Wolf

Rattlesnake and Cactus

Prairie Coneflowers

Goldfinch in Field

Bison Looking for New Pasture

Wolf Harmony

White Wolf Jumping