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The Photographer's Chase: Experiencing Wildlife, Landscapes A Passion for Marty Colburn

August 1, 2017 | Jessica Perkins

“One of the best parts of the experience is the process, the chase. It’s not just about the photograph, but about finding out what’s out there and discovering the backdrops that surround the subject.”

While a photo make speak a thousand words, amateur photographer Marty Colburn’s images render the viewer speechless. The depth and texture that his images bring to the naked eye are striking, if not a bit mystifying. Exquisite scenes of snowcapped mountains and close encounters with wildlife mark just a couple of the subjects seen in Marty’s work.

Marty and his wife Brenda have spent several years, traveling the country, shooting from sailboats, kayaks and a variety of other seafaring vessels. They have captured the landscapes of the most remote spots in British Columbia and Alaska, as well as taken in images of wildlife native to their home in Western Kentucky. In all of their journeys, the Colburns have sought out breathtaking landscapes and seascapes that appear in Marty’s work again and again.

Images of bears trekking through Alaskan landscapes and sandhill cranes nestling close to their mother’s breast convey the natural state of wildlife in the varied regions of North America.

“I’m most definitely drawn to any kind of seascape or landscape and animals,” Marty says. “You just never know what you’re going to find.”

Marty has a talent for capturing wildlife in their natural habitat, allowing the viewer to observe animals and terrain in a way that few will ever experience in person. His photographs captivate and inspire those who take the time to view the level of detail that is showcased in each image.

On a recent adventure to British Columbia in Canada, Marty and Brenda found themselves in a four-hour rendezvous with whales breaching, fin slapping and tail slapping. They took amazing images of these scenes that surrounded their 28-foot boat.

“(Nature) is filled with a wild card of critters. One minute you might get lucky enough to see a whale tale for a few seconds. Then your next encounter turns into a 4-hour experience.”

The art of photography has evolved greatly since Marty began taking photos as a teenager in the mid-1970s. He welcomes the ease and clarity that modern technology offers through digital photography.

“It’s great to be free of the dark room,” he says. “You’d be crazy not to take advantage of technology.”

Marty owns Lighthouse Landing, one of Kentucky Lake’s premier resorts and marinas. However, his love of nature and the great outdoors extends beyond this picturesque retreat into a passion for creating images meant to transport the viewer into exotic destinations that they may never have the opportunity to experience in any other way.

“I’m shooting images of the subjects I want to photograph,” Marty says. “One of the best parts of the experience is the process, the chase. It’s not just about the photograph, but about finding out what’s out there and discovering the backdrops that surround the subject.”

While Marty and Brenda spend a great deal of their time traveling and taking photos of the continent’s various environments, the couple also enjoys spending some time at home at Lighthouse Landing, a resort which lends itself to elegant images, including sailboats lining the harbor waters and perfect sunsets in the evenings.

“We have one of the most scenic harbors around,” Marty says. “We had that in mind when we built the resort.”

To view more of Marty’s work, you can find his gallery at Lighthouse Landing and on his website at http://www.martycolburn.com

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