ABOUT KENNETH PARKER

Photographer Kenneth Parker is a large format landscape colorist working principally in remote pristine wilderness areas throughout the world where he has trekked and kayaked extensively. He is inexorably drawn to the elemental earth/ocean forces and their compelling magic, translating into arresting imagery the depths of these feelings, rich in power, radiant. His early experience as Eliot Porter’s field assistant helped to nurture a loving eye devoted to isolating and capturing the mysteries in nature that he struggled for decades to unravel as a publishing research scientist in oceanography and climate change (formal education: University of Pennsylvania, University of California, University of Washington PhD). Paul Caponigro has also been a principal influence on his development as a consistent mentor to Parker since the mid-70s.

Most of Ken’s photographs are captured over the course of 5-10 day backpacking excursions hauling 75-85 pounds of large-format equipment as he becomes immersed in a profound sense of place. Often several days are spent contemplating the changing light and intimacy of a composition before completing a single exposure. Usually only a few distinctive images will result from one of these journeys.

Over the past four decades, he has produced a body of work in solely traditional film formats that has been widely exhibited and published. While much of that time was occupied with his natural science career, he consistently maintained and exercised the creative passions that have since fully committed his life focus to photography.

Ken continues to be represented in leading galleries and collections nationwide such as the renowned Weston Gallery in Carmel, Monterey Museum of Art, Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego, U.S. State Department and its international embassies, Emily Fisher Landau Collection, Turnbull Winery Collection and Getty Images, and has exhibited at major museums including the Smithsonian Institution, Oakland Museum, California Academy of Sciences, Los Angeles County and San Diego Museums of Natural History.

Publication in: Communication Arts, View Camera, Oceans, GEO, Time, Smithsonian, Natural History, Pacific Discovery, many national newspapers and their weekly magazines.

Parker’s stunning prints have impressed me and will no doubt also impress you for their beauty of craft as well as content. Those who will give sufficient time to discover what has been wrought through his efforts will no doubt be rewarded. He has met and mastered the shape of his own passion and vision.
~ Paul Caponigro

Ken is my favorite color photographer. The way in which he works with light is inspiring. It feels as if he has an arrangement with God.    
~ Ruth Bernhard

We were in the Museum today and saw your photographs. Each one was exquisite! The locations are all picturesque, of course, but you have given each a “view”, your view, that transforms them into very personal operas of light. They simply do not look like anyone else that I know – and I see quite a bit. As far as I am concerned, you are in the pantheon of great photographers. You’re the real deal and I’m very privileged to know you.
~ David Ligare