Orvis ®

icon icon

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Happy 40th Earth Day! You're why Tongass old-growth stands, & whales are especially happy in Laguna San Ignacio. http://tinyurl.com/22qb797

Photograph © Robert Glenn Ketchum

I am humbled to announce that American Photo (AP) has honored me as the first conservation photographer ever to receive the Master Series distinction.

In twenty years of publishing, American Photo has only designated four other photographers with the Master Series feature. I would like to thank AP, not only for honoring me as the fifth, but by extension also honoring the community I represent, those of us who have found their visual library drawn from nature.

My work was always my personal response as an artist to the real world circumstances that concerned me. I have understood from the earliest days of my career that we all exist because our habitat supports us, so I chose to use my work in support of that habitat.

All I have accomplished has been through an amazing network of associates whom I cannot thank enough for informing, advising, and correcting me. Whatever understanding of the issues my pictures and books contain, it is due to scientists and authors who befriended me and helped me to understand and see my subjects in more complete ways.

The International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP) now exists to further the relationships between images and science in the hopes that we can help to communicate the complex environmental issues confronting us all in ways that are credible and clear. Among this distinguished group of iLCP friends and Fellows are what I believe to be some of the most significant artists of our time. These photographers have been the public's witness to what is quite literally a changing world, not just the ever-changing parade of pop culture.

Thank you AP for acknowledging us all. And, thank you to my friends and fans that understood what I was doing and have supported me through 40-years of work.

You are part of the reason Tongass old-growth stands, and the whales are especially happy in Laguna San Ignacio. Now if we can just prevent development of the Pebble mine in Southwest Alaska and preserve the last and largest salmon fishery in the world, Bristol Bay!

Stick with me, the ride is not over.

58 comments:

  1. Huge congratulations Robert! Lovely letter, and you truly deserve it. Keep inspiring!

    Mo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations, Robert!

    Helen Nienhueser
    ACF

    ReplyDelete
  3. Robert & Elizabeth HeinzApril 21, 2010 at 11:49 PM

    Robert,

    Congratulations. We are looking forward to seeing you on the 12th.

    Happy trails,

    Robert & Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Robert,
    My congratulations on the wonderful exposure and exhibition - sorry that I can't see it!
    I have always appreciated your imagery and viewpoint.

    With best wishes,
    Neil

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marrianne WhisenhuntApril 22, 2010 at 1:03 AM

    C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!!!!!!!!!!
    I will have to look for the Magazine!!!!
    Happy Earth Day to you too!!
    Time to get back to work!!
    HA AH ha ah
    Luv
    Marrianne

    ReplyDelete
  6. Robert,
    May these acknowledgments of your decades of brilliant & hard work get louder & lauder! You deserve much, much, more!
    Congratulations - Congratulations - Congratulations
    Shoot me an address & a name at American Photo, for me to congratulate on such a fine choice! You have never wavered in your passion for our planet and your drive to visually share the reasons why the earth matters!
    Always proud to be your friend and privileged to be one of your many advocates!
    ~G. Ray

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations Robert!
    The work you are doing is truly inspiring and we want to send you our warmest regards and sincere congratulations for the honors to you and your efforts in Alaska. The world is in desperate need of protected wilderness areas, and Bristol Bay is part of those incomparable jewels Alaska has, and it needs voices like yours. Thank you for not giving up in this time when life is a lot harder for all of us photographers.
    Keep up the excellent work! And as you say it is all not over and we are with you on the ride!
    A big mexican hug!
    Emil

    ReplyDelete
  8. Robert, Congratulations! I applaud your continued passion for Bristol Bay's watershed and communities. The Pebble Mine situation is emblematic of this moment in history and our growing understanding of the large-scale implications of continueing down the path of cashing in nature's bounty for maintaining an unsustainable society. Thanks for focusing the power and beauty of place through your art and craft on this issue! Wayne Jenkins

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks, Robert. Sorry to miss your presentation with Wild Salmon Center last night. Krystyna said it was great!
    Congratualtions on your award!!! Hope ILCP's is going well. Give my best to Christina Mittermeier too.

    Martin (Goebel)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Congratulations. You deserve it. Your artwork is so beautiful.

    Best Wishes,
    Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful news, Robert. Congratulations!

    Teresa Jordan

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello Robert,

    It is so good to hear from you and congratulations on your AP honor. I am happy for you and pleased to see this distinction go to honoring the wonderful work you have done over the years.

    I am eternally grateful to you for encouraging me to take that solo kayak trip up Tracy arm about 20 years ago. That experience has stayed with me through all my travels in South America and stands out as one of the most inspirational experiences of my life.
    Again congratulations, it's great to hear from you and hope to see you again some day.

    Best
    Rick

    ReplyDelete
  13. Congrats!

    Way to go!

    Bob

    ReplyDelete
  14. Congrats -- that's an awesome accomplishment! Wish I could be at the art walk; will forward to my friends in LA.

    B

    ReplyDelete
  15. Congratulations Robert. Your work is enduring and compelling. It is a major factor as to my finally joining the SF Bay Area Council and the wonderful friendship of a number of members. I come to LA for my new work as the Principal Gifts Director for In Defense of Animals.

    To celebrate the 40th anniversary, my employer is hosting a fund raiser in Sausalito for new prospective major donors.

    For the planet,

    Jerry

    ReplyDelete
  16. Robert - It looks amazing! Great job! I want to go to all the places you photograph!

    ReplyDelete
  17. wow.. absolutely gorgeous... congratulations!

    long time no talk Robert... :)

    Kyle

    ReplyDelete
  18. Steve and Caryl BaronApril 22, 2010 at 8:39 AM

    Wonderful. A big congratulations.


    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  19. Robert,

    Congratulations. All well deserved. We'll put the news in the next newsletter.

    Best,

    Stephen

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love this !!
    Xx
    Elyssa

    ReplyDelete
  21. hi robert,
    i am in israel and i am returning to LA in May. it would be nice to see you when i get back. a lot has happened since we last saw each other. and i hope all is well with you and your family. your photo is beautiful! happy earth day:)
    Leora

    ReplyDelete
  22. Congratulations on receiving the Master Series award from American Photo. And also Partners in Conservation award from the Secretary of the Interior. You are going to run out of wall space quite soon. We’ll let Tom and Davis McHenry know about your exhibition in Venice. Also read with interest the Russell Hart article you forwarded.

    Hope to see you soon in New York and hear more about your wonderful photography and your extraordinary commitment to conservation.

    Cheers,

    Barney

    ReplyDelete
  23. Robert - WONDERFUL!! Thanks for sharing and they gave it to the right person! Long live the wild. April

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congratulations, Robert! A worthy subject, well executed.

    -Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  25. Dear Robert,
    Always good to hear from you, but the AP news is fabulous! BRAVO!
    All best,
    Alice

    ReplyDelete
  26. Happy Earth Day, and sincere congratulations to you as well. Your work has always been inspirational to me, so I take incredible pleasure in this incredible recognition.
    Larry

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi Robert,
    Congratulations on both the American Photo and Partners in Conservation honors you received. While I know that you do what you do for conservation because of your strong belief in preserving the planet, it’s always nice to get acknowledgment, especially from your peers in a publication like American Photo. You richly deserve all of the accolades that come your way.

    Very best,
    Mark J. Lukes

    ReplyDelete
  28. Robert,
    Lot of awards--which you deserve!
    Bill

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Robert – congratulations! What a wonderful honor! Thanks for letting us know.
    I hope all is well with you.
    Best,
    Terry

    ReplyDelete
  30. Congratulations! We are thrilled to have your work here.
    All best,
    Phillip
    __________
    Phillip Prodger
    Curator of Photography
    Peabody Essex Museum
    East India Square
    Salem, MA 01970

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi, Robert:
    Congratulations!
    Michael Turco

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great letter. I'm really proud of your accomplishments and what you've done to help protect our habitat. I love the first photograph of the mountains and water. What is that called? Hope to see your face soon. My best to you and the kids.
    Hugs,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hello Robert:
    Congratulations on all that you have achieved. This is marvelous news.
    All best,
    Ron

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ben & Elisabeth SeymourApril 22, 2010 at 6:40 PM

    Cool. Keep up the good work!

    Ben & Elisabeth Seymour

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sue and Griff HopkinsApril 22, 2010 at 6:43 PM

    Hi Robert,
    Wonderful to hear from you and pleased.
    Our congratulations to you Robert! Sue and I have been very impressed with you personally, and all the wonderful photography you have used as the vehicle to better improve the environment. Being honored by the Secretary of the Interior is certainly impressive and our Congratulations to you Robert!
    Sue and I hopefully will visit the G2 gallery in the time frame noted and the Venice Art Walk. Wishing you the best always.
    Sincerely,
    Sue and Griff Hopkins

    ReplyDelete
  36. Carolyn Muegge-VaughanApril 22, 2010 at 6:44 PM

    Wow!! Congratulations Robert!! Outstanding but you are that kind of guy.
    Carolyn Muegge-Vaughan

    ReplyDelete
  37. Glad to see your continued success. What is this about butterflies?
    Cynthia Hall

    ReplyDelete
  38. Congratulations and good luck with Bristol Bay as always cheers
    ellin

    ReplyDelete
  39. RGK,
    Congratulations from both myself and the entire Alaska SeaLife Center. I was most disappointed to see that I had missed you when you visited us earlier. I am hopeful that we will be able to catch up next time you are in town.
    Kindest Regards,
    Steve Carrick

    ReplyDelete
  40. CONGRATULATIONS! YOU DESERVE IT. BEST REGARDS, BETTY

    ReplyDelete
  41. Dear Robert,
    Thanks for sharing with me this wonderful news; it’s a great honor to be recognized by a world renowned organization. My sincere congratulations!!!
    I always had a strong belief in you and your works; you certainly have a special set of eyes and taste. Even though I do not have too many artistic cells, I love your photos.
    How is business in general?
    I will in China in the beginning of June, and I will be in Suzhou this time. If anything I can do for you, please feel free to let me know.
    Cheers,
    Ed

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hey Robert,
    Congratulations on all your many accomplishments and all the recognition which you so richly deserve! Of course, being the selfless activist you have always been, you are using all this to focus more attention on the issues you have championed so tirelessly for so many years. Your work and the way you have used it are such an inspiration. So glad that you are here and so proud to call you my friend!
    All the very very best and the happiest of Earth Days!
    Garth

    ReplyDelete
  43. Robert,
    Received, Congratulations on such great accolades!
    I am forwarding this to my clients now…
    Peter
    _______

    Wach Gallery

    ReplyDelete
  44. Congratulations on your continued success!

    Lorenzo Baca
    Native American Spiritual Leader

    ReplyDelete
  45. Camilla Bird HartmanApril 23, 2010 at 4:34 PM

    Robert,
    My mom forwarded me your award information. Congratulations!! So well deserved. I hope that your photographs will always capture the eyes, hearts and minds of all our people and future generations of green thinkers.
    Camilla Bird Hartman

    ReplyDelete
  46. Congrats on American Photo award!
    I posted it on my page :-D
    Best, p

    ReplyDelete
  47. Steve and I are thrilled for you! we're in turkey for two weeks. will be in touch. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  48. Shelley De AngelusApril 24, 2010 at 8:07 PM

    Congratulations. Well earned.

    Shelley De Angelus

    ReplyDelete
  49. Congratulations to you and all your good work!!
    June

    ReplyDelete
  50. Robert,

    CONGRATULATIONS and my best wishes from Alaska!

    We are starting to win some battles for the magnificent wildlife you and I love up here…

    Please let me know when you will next be in Alaska. Lunch or whatever is on me if you have the time…

    Warm Regards, John

    ReplyDelete
  51. Barry and Jennifer WilsonApril 25, 2010 at 6:11 PM

    Dear Robert.
    Congratulations you deserve your award you have made a difference with your great photographs, and the struggle to keep some of our wilderness area's for future generations.
    Great job.
    Barry and Jennifer Wilson

    ReplyDelete
  52. Robert—

    Congratulations! Glad to hear about your several awards. Good to hear you're using your photography to advance environmental causes and to find so much material about your work online.
    Best wishes,
    —Victor

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hello Robert,
    Hope all is well and great work on all that you have done and contribute to the art of photography.
    Best wishes
    Greg Syverson

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hello Robert!
    Fantastic website and wonderful accomplishments! Thanks for sending it on to me. Hope to get to the Venice Art Walk!!
    See you soon!
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  55. Wow! Congratulations Robert. What an honour, deservedly so and how proud we are of you.
    Love Paige

    ReplyDelete
  56. Robert,
    Congrats!
    Best,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  57. Congratulations to you. You certainly deserve all accolades. Have been a fan for 25 years.
    Sydney Glass
    Atlanta, Ga

    ReplyDelete
  58. Sally Warner-ArnettMay 13, 2010 at 8:24 AM

    Robert,
    Belated congratulations to you! You are soooo deserving of this award.
    Love,
    Sally W-A

    ReplyDelete

Comment Rules: Constructive criticism is okay, however if you are rude, you will be deleted. Please DO NOT put your URL in the comment text and please use your PERSONAL name or initials as opposed to a business name, to not be mistaken for spam.

Enjoy and thanks for adding your thoughts!

Orvis Supports No Pebble Mine

icon icon