Kenneth Parker

Photographer Kenneth Parker is a large format landscape colorist working principally in remote pristine wilderness areas throughout the world where he has trekked extensively. His early experience as Eliot Porter’s field assistant helped to nurture a loving eye devoted to isolating and capturing the mysteries in nature that he struggled for decades to unravel as a publishing research scientist in oceanography and climate change (formal education: University of Pennsylvania, University of California, University of Washington).  

Most of Parker’s photographs are captured over the course of 5-10 day backpacking excursions hauling 75-85 pounds of large-format equipment as he becomes immersed in a profound sense of place.  Often several days are spent contemplating the changing light and intimacy of a composition before completing a single exposure.  Usually only a few distinctive images will result from one of these journeys.

Over the past four decades, Parker has produced a body of work in solely traditional film formats that has been widely exhibited and published.  While much of that time was occupied with his natural science career, he consistently maintained and exercised the creative passions that have now fully committed his life focus to photography.

Kenneth Parker is represented in leading galleries and collections nationwide such as the renowned Weston Gallery in Carmel and Getty Images, and has exhibited at major museums that include the Smithsonian Institution, Oakland Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Monterey Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County and San Diego Museums of Natural History.

 

“Parker’s stunning prints have impressed me and will no doubt also impress you for their beauty of craft as well as content.  Those who will give sufficient time to discover what has been wrought through his efforts will no doubt be rewarded.  He has met and mastered the shape of his own passion and vision.” –Paul Caponigro

“Ken is my favorite color photographer.  The way in which he works with light is inspiring.  It feels as if he has an arrangement with God.” –Ruth Bernhard