An Editor’s Perspective: Photography by Benjamin Olson

This winter proved an exciting time for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts as the cold months in 2013-2014 brought a snowy owl irruption to the United States.  The beautiful birds were seen as far south as Florida and Bermuda.  Benjamin Olson spent a few months following a snowy owl that took up residence near his home in Minnesota.  I greatly appreciate the time and dedication Benjamin showed in tracking this owl and making beautiful photographs without the use of bait, an all-too common practice among owl photographers.  I love the natural blue and white backgrounds of Benjamin’s photographs and the artistic composition he employed in making his images. To see more of Benjamin’s work, visit www.benjamin-olson.com.

About Benjamin Olson:

I originally began pursuing photography to try and capture my experiences in the natural world. As I became more invested in the pursuit of documenting nature, the resulting images have become more of an expression of how I view all of reality. Throughout my life I have consistently been exposed to the natural world whether it was through fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing, or hiking. Eleven years ago, at the age of sixteen, I received my first camera from my grandfather shortly after he became terminally ill. All of the images you see here are captured with the “leave no trace” concept in consideration. This means: I do not bait or feed wildlife to obtain photographs, images are processed to maintain realism and honesty to the scene, and I try to have minimal impact on the environment and its inhabitants when in the wilderness. I have degree in Biology from Bemidji State University and I currently reside and work out of Minnesota. I was a NANPA College Scholarship Recipient.