Jim Brandenburg, a renowned wildlife photographer from Minnesota has died at 79 in Medina. Brandenburg’s family confirmed his death last Friday.
Reports say that Jim was undergoing treatment for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma for the last seven months. He also dealt with some complications from pneumonia this year.
Jim Brandenburg’s Photography Legacy Lives On
You might know Brandenburg for his 50 years of working with National Geographic. Throughout his career, he contributed many stories to NatGeo. One of the standout ones was the famous “White Wolf” series. His most well-known work is “Chased by the Light”. This was a personal challenge he set for himself. For 90 days, he ventured into the wilds of Minnesota and snapped just one photo each day.
Brandenburg’s work seems evident throughout the Bell Museum located on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. His film, “Images of Home,” is included in the museum’s permanent exhibits. I think it serves as a quiet, cinematic love letter to Minnesota’s natural beauty. The museum also features his work in various galleries is also present in the museum. They recently hosted a screening of his other film, “Secrets of a Forest.”
As far as I know, photography isn’t the only area from which he got praised. In Stockholm, the United Nations Environmental Programme honored Brandenburg with their World Achievement Award. His work was related to public awareness about how we can protect the environment. I feel like it highlights how he used his camera for more than just art.
Jim Brandenburg wrapped his work with National Geographic in 2016. His last masterpiece was “93 Days of Spring.” If you’ve watched it, you realize it’s more than just a collection of photos. Layne Kennedy, a talented photographer from Minnesota, also expressed his feelings.
“It is my opinion Jim was the most gifted of any wildlife photographer. He possessed a sixth sense, like Gretzky held in hockey, to make things happen that to most, was unimaginable.”
The Camera Stops, but the Vision Doesn’t
Sadly, Jim Brandenburg has left us, but his incredible contributions will always remain with us. They will always be there in art exhibitions, classrooms, on shelves, etc. Because I think photography doesn’t just depicts the world. It allows you to truly experience it. And that’s exactly what Brandenburg did.
[via PIONEERPRESS]
