Hello from the road! I am working my way back across the country after a very impactful time spent at the Oceti Sakowin Camp in Cannonball, North Dakota where the Standing Rock “oil pipeline protest” is going on. In this episode, (recorded without much editing and not in studio!) I sit down with my friend and Production Assistant for this shoot-Chris Mahoney-to discuss our experience of living and shooting within this emotionally, socially charged environment. Photographing people is always a different kind of challenge–and negotiating cultural differences while prioritizing respect and discretion adds several layers of consideration to an already complex process. It’s pretty impossible not to be effected by people who are facing a struggle with dignity–and after a short time it became clear that relationships are the most important thing and only from good relationships can good photography come.

I am still editing my work and processing the things I saw and experienced at Standing Rock. There was a great deal of love and prayer–family and welcoming within the camp. That reception from the Native American water protectors was far more gracious than I anticipated. There was also a significant amount of militarization on the side of law enforcement that made it intimidating if not impossible to include their voice and perspective in my work. It’s hard enough making photographs when you don’t have loaded weapons pointed at you…

Here are some links mentioned in this episode:

Support the people at the Oceti Sakowin Camp and get more background on the cause : http://www.ocetisakowincamp.org/

My blog post examining my relationship with bias/opinion during this project: http://livingvertical.org/2016/11/13/standing-rock-examining-bias/

Outside Magazine explains some background on the conflict at Standing Rock: https://www.outsideonline.com/2111206/whats-happening-standing-rock

Thank you for listening and please make sure to leave us a review on iTunes!

Featured in our “Book Club” this month:

Galen Rowell’s Inner Game of Outdoor Photography: http://amzn.to/2e0GYJF

Bonus: Check out https://craftandvision.com/ which is a site dedicated to…empowering the vision of photographers of all kinds. David DuChemin is a mentor of mine and a huge inspiration. If you sign up for their email list (the contact sheet) you will recieve a handfull of awesome free ebooks that will inspire you to keep thinking differently about your work!

Featured in our “Practical” this month: 

The Ugly Camera Challenge (which will be ongoing all month–share your images on instagram using the #uglycamerachallenge tag) and you can read more here: http://livingvertical.org/2016/10/31/the-ugly-camera-challenge/

Connect with us for more adventure + photography:

Make sure to visit the blog/homepage! http://livingvertical.org and sign up for blog updates and connect with me on social media!

Holler at me on Twitter or Instagram! http://twitter.com/livingvertical and http://instagram.com/livingvertical

Watch my Vlog on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/livingvertical

Support the Adventure Photography Podcast https://www.patreon.com/livingvertical

Music:

all titles and artists can be found at FreeMusicArchive.org

“Something Intro” Action Davis

“Skipping in the ‘No Standing’ zone” Peter Gresser

“Because you hold me tight” Alex Fitch

“The time to run” Dexter Britain