NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind the Lens’ Honor the Work of Esteemed Nature Photographer James Balog

MELVILLE, N.Y., April 1 /PRNewswire/—From the beauty of endangered animals to the destruction of natural disasters, nature has many sides that a photographer can capture. The true legends in this field respect nature’s awesome power while working to share its vast beauty with the rest of the world.  It is the secret behind the success of one of the world’s most respected nature photographers, James Balog.

This April, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed nature photographer James Balog.

“NikonNet is pleased to honor the images and extraordinary career of James Balog in this April’s ‘Legends Behind the Lens,’” said Tracy Mack-Jackson, Senior Manager of Internet Development and Programs at Nikon Inc. “For many, Jim has been our eyes in some of the most breathtaking parts of the world, delivering inspiring images and shedding much needed light on many of the issues that affect the globe. His work is truly exceptional.”

Recently, Balog was presented with an opportunity to photograph the unbridled power of nature and its effects. A month after the infamous tsunamis struck the islands of Indonesia in December 2004, Balog arrived in Banda Aceh, one of the hardest hit areas in Southeast Asia. He spent a week in Banda Aceh, taking photographs and helping with recovery efforts. “There were pictures everywhere I’d turn,” he says. “Visually it was intense, a barrage of impressions. I couldn’t stop photographing. Then at night I’d grit my teeth and cringe. I knew it was so visually rich because of so much sadness and horror. I was thinking, there are pictures everywhere, but look at what I’m photographing.” Balog photographed not only the devastation, but also the work of body recovery teams, at times assisting them.

For over 20 years, Balog has been capturing the moment through careful planning and a sharp creative eye. His images have been widely exhibited and collected and have been published in countless magazines, including National Geographic and Smithsonian. His work was featured in A Day in the Life of America and A Day in the Life of the Soviet Union, and he has published several books, including Survivors: A New Vision of Endangered Wildlife and, most recently, Tree: A New Vision of the American Forest.

In Tree, Balog employs a variety of techniques and treatments to present the results of a six-year effort to photograph the tallest, strongest, most massive trees in America. The images range from the results of a portrait studio in the forest to intricate mosaics, many of which required over one hundred separate images of each tree; some of the giant redwoods required 600 frames.

“I don’t think there’s much more to say visually about pure nature,” says Balog, whose work has taken him to active volcanoes in Hawaii and even the vast wilderness of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. “We know what running gazelles look like. We know what happy polar bears looks like and what rocks and trees look like. But what we don’t know is how to truly understand those subjects. That’s the boundary.”

Whether he’s capturing the magnitude of a redwood in California, or the aftermath of a tsunami in Banda Aceh, James Balog is recognized as a legend among nature photographers. To learn more about James Balog, log onto NikonNet’s “Legends Behind the Lens” series at http://www.nikonnet.com.

About “Legends Behind the Lens”:
NikonNet’s “Legends Behind the Lens” series aims to educate users and, in turn, breathe excitement into photography. Nikon has assembled a comprehensive and intriguing collection of artists to share their most incredible, challenging, emotional and exciting experiences on NikonNet.

This inspiring monthly program offers a behind-the-scenes look into the personalities and philosophies behind the world’s greatest and most famous photographers. “Legends Behind the Lens” also offers portfolio galleries, with a new photo added each day of the month, as well as tips and tricks of the trade from featured professionals.

Past “Legends” in the series include Kevin Gilbert, Nancy Brown, Joe Buissink, Steven Weinberg, B. Moose Peterson, Eddie Adams, Jay Maisel and Howard Bingham.

About Nikon:
Nikon…If the picture matters, the camera matters(TM). Nikon Inc. is the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology and is recognized worldwide for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; 35mm compact cameras; Nikon Coolpix(R) compact digital cameras; Coolscan(R) digital film scanners; Nikonos(R) underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative(TM), the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.