Once upon a century or so ago, photography appeared to be the most virile of mediums, most often described in the same terms as hunting: artists would “shoot” a scene, “capture” a moment and any image would be a “trophy.”
Back then Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) coined the phrase “the decisive moment,” creating an image of the modern man of action – emphasis on “man” – who could spot a profound scene a fraction of a second and click the shutter with absolute certainty.
PC or not, throwback or not, Brett Schreckengost aligns with Cartier-Bresson.
As a filmmaker and photographer, Brett’s favorite subjects tend to be moving fast and demand an intuitive, journalistic approach. He and his small production team thrive in the most challenging environments and difficult-to-reach locations. What’s more, Brett got into aerial photography early in his photographic career and today he is an FAA remote pilot certificate holder. Manly enough?
“I spent lots of time in the air with some amazing Telluride pilots in fixed-wing aircraft. I got into paragliding and started logging hours in a Cessna 172 in pursuit of my pilot’s license, all in the name of getting my camera into new, often challenging places.”
And once drones hit the market, Brett went “all in,” experimenting with new ways to fly cameras around.
After 30+ years exploring the backcountry of the San Juans, Brett has come to know lots of breathtaking places that were rarely if ever housebroken. Places which put him in tune with seasonal transitions and local weather patterns and gave Brett the precious gift of refreshed aesthetic innocence. An innocence which awaits us all, if we are lucky, when we are set free to adventure in (relatively) uncharted environs.
Brett’s upcoming show at Telluride’s Slate Gray Gallery is titled “Panoramas.” His eight images, a mix of old and new, focus on the Telluride region’s San Juan Mountains and will be up at the venue through September. Collectively the work showcases “decisive moments.”
The following images are included in “Panoramas”:
Gilpin
Revelation Bowl
Lizard Head Trail
Prospect Bowl
The following is Telluride Inside…and Out’s interview with Brett about his life and work:
TIO: Brett. Please describe the through-line of your show at Slate Gray.
Brett: I chose a selection of work that is mainly large-format landscape panoramas that really need to be printed large to appreciate the detail. The thread of the work is an ode to trails, routes and destinations, places people, especially locals, can relate to.
TIO: Where and how were these photographs taken and over what period of time?
Brett: The work spans the past seven years, but most of the images were created over the last two years in Telluride and the surrounding mountains.
TIO: Talk briefly about the importance of scale in your work? Why the mix of formats: 30 x 60, 20 x 60 and 24 x 48?
Brett: I love that people are embracing the portrait (vertical) format these days with their smartphones, but I really wanted to embrace the horizontal format with two different panoramic aspect ratios 2:1 and 3:1. They are closer to how we actually view landscapes when we are out there in the mountains.
TIO: In general what equipment do you favor these days?
Brett: I have been a loyal Nikon guy since the film days and love working with the new Mirrolsee Z system. I also use a drone that shoots with three different focal lengths and is an amazing tool for creating aerial panoramas.
TIO: What do you hope your viewers will take away from “Panoramas”?
Brett: I hope that some will have a personal connection or experience with the locations pictured in my images.You know, a favorite hiking trail or ski line on the mountain.
TIO: Growing up in Pennsylvania what triggered your interest in photography? How did you nurture that passion? Was your family supportive? Mentors?
Brett: Growing up I was lucky to experience lots of outdoor adventures with my family. My parents were ski instructors at Loring Air Force Base up in Caribou Maine, so I started skiing at a very early age. We moved to Erie, PA, after my dad was out of the service. There I spent a lot of time camping and hunting with my dad, and skiing, sailing and windsurfing with my mom.
TIO: When and how did you wind up in Telluride?
Brett: After graduating from West Virginia U, I set out on a western road trip to check out a bunch of ski towns. I moved to Telluride in April 1992, in part because Telluride had the cheapest one-bedroom apartment I could find at the time, only $350 a month. And it was in town right next to the historic Depot.
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