OUR VALUES

COLUMN: A photo is worth: Storytelling from the depths

By Wayne Baker Community Contributor

Posted on Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 11:49 a.m.

Editor's note: This post is part of a series by Dr. Baker on Our Values about core American values. Dr. Wayne Baker welcomes guest columnist Rodney Curtis, who usually writes at Spiritual Wanderer. Here is Rodney’s third OurValues column, this week …

This week, pictures are telling the OurValues stories and I hope you’ll use the Comment area below to tell us about photos that have shaped your life. Today, I wanted you to see this photo, above.

Photo 3: Revelation …

From Old School masters to modern day heroes, Rick Loomis is nothing short of phenomenal. His Altered Oceans series won a Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for explaining the impact of pollution on the world’s seas. Certain images of Rick’s remind me of what I was like way back in college, when I was blown away by Ansel Adams. The sunken Jesus off the coast of Florida is just one of the many stunning examples where storytelling is taken to incredible new levels.

Loomis has photographed in some of the world’s hottest spots like Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and Burning Man. Watching his photos over his career at the Los Angeles Times you begin to witness an incredible love for people and the planet. And photography, of course!

I have had the honor of working with Rick Loomis at half a dozen Mountain Workshops in the past decade. Believe me when I say that as amazing and compassionate as his photography is, he’s an even better human being. A postcard from Ansel Adams is one thing, but a big hug from Loomis after you’ve survived cancer is another thing entirely.

Now it's your turn...

Is there a photo that reveals the world in a new way?

Tell us about one in the comment area, below ...

There’s a lot more Rick Loomis photography at loomisphotography.com

NEWS! Rodney writes more about Rick Loomis’ latest project at Spiritual Wanderer today.

Dr. Wayne E. Baker is a sociologist on the faculty of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Baker blogs daily at Our Values and can be reached at ourvaluesproject@gmail.com or on Facebook.