There’s a pervasive myth among snobs in the photography world that in order to snap extraordinary pictures, one must travel to exotic locales filled with jungles, mountains strange animals or ancient ruins.
But experience has taught photographer Kip Kriigel that’s simply not the case.
‘Good photography can be done anywhere,? said the 56-year-old Oxford resident, who takes the majority of his nature, wildlife and landscape photos in local parks, wildlife refuges and even in his own backyard.
Kriigel’s award-winning work is currently on display at the Brighton District Library (100 Library Dr.) until Tuesday, Feb. 23.
His photos have been displayed at a number of galleries and libraries in Midland, Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Southfield.
Locally, his work’s been on display at Margot’s Gallery & Frame in Oxford and the Orion Art Center in Lake Orion.
Kriigel’s photos have been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation and published nationally in corporate newsletters and publications such as Popular Photography magazine.
His breathtaking images are the result of his very simple philosophy ? ‘You can get your best photographs wherever you’re at, if you know the area well.?
In order to know an area well, Kriigel indicated a photographer must visit an area frequently and take pictures there at different times of day, in different lights, in different seasons and using different angles.
‘If you do this, you can get interesting pictures from what people would not normally call an interesting location,? he explained.
Kriigel’s favorite ‘common locations? around here range from Hawk Woods Nature Center (3799 Bald Mountain Rd.) to the Indianwood Golf and Country Club in Orion.
‘You can’t always be at the Grand Canyon,? he said. ‘Michigan has a lot to offer that most people don’t realize.?
His love of photography was sparked by his father, Robert, a retired Pontiac elementary school science teacher who now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kriigel’s dad was a member of the Audubon Society, so he loved to shoot photos of birds. ‘We’d go to Kensington Metropark and state parks,? he said.
But it wasn’t until 2000 that Kriigel seriously got into photography. Now, he’s never without a camera. ‘I always travel with a camera,? he said. ‘That’s one of my mottos ? the best camera is the one you have with you.?
Although his journey as a shutterbug began with film, all of his equipment these days is digital and made by Canon.
‘One thing about digital is you have full control from the time you take the picture to the time you print it or put it on your website,? Kriigel said. ‘You have full control over exposure, the adjustment of colors ? things that are very difficult to achieve with film.?
Although he’s attended a few photography workshops, he’s largely self-taught.
The most challenging part of shooting wildlife is being there at the right time.
But Kriigel said a photographer can increase his or her odds of finding that magic moment by learning everything about the animals, from their habits to their habitat.
‘Just like a hunter, you need to know where they’re going to be and when they’re going to be there,? he said.
When he’s not capturing images of Mother Nature’s handiwork, Kriigel enjoys shooting a subject that most people probably don’t think about ? sidewalks.
‘Sidewalks can be interesting depending where you’re at,? he said.
Over the years, Kriigel’s work in the automotive industry has given him the opportunity to travel to places like Latin America. There he discovered just how unique and beautiful sidewalks could be.
‘In Brazil, people own the sidewalk in front of their house and are responsible for it,? he explained. ‘Some do tile, some do cement, some use different types of rock.?
To learn more about Kriigel and view his images of wildlife ? and sidewalks ? visit his website www.kipkriigel.com.