Our Sanibel Island is a haven of natural beauty that has attracted many artists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. Among them, Clyde Butcher, a renowned fine art photographer often referred to as the “Ansel Adams of the Everglades.”
Clyde and his wife Niki are well-known in South Florida, after all, this is their home. You’ve probably seen those captivating black-and-white images of sunbathing alligators, sprawling-rooted mangroves, untouched shorelines, or stunning swamp hammocks – that’s classic Clyde Butcher photography. His work showcases the raw and natural beauty of Florida’s diverse ecosystem, inviting us to connect with nature through his lens.
Not Simply A Photographer
Photography is not Butcher’s only passion. Clyde is an awarded humanitarian and conservationist who brings important environmental issues to light. Together, He and Niki fight for the preservation and betterment of the environment and our community.
Niki, also a talented artist, says she is drawn to photograph places and individuals that celebrate the idea that we can live together as a group while still being authentically ourselves. In a word from the artist, she writes that art, nature, and history have been the three centering forces in her life.
Capturing Florida’s Interior
Florida’s interior, aka the Everglades, is a surreal place of wonder. If you haven’t yet paid it a visit, you must. If you need a reason to go, check out the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery which sits on 13 acres of swampland in the middle of Big Cypress National Preserve. Here, Niki and Clyde have built an immersive experience where visitors can walk through a guided swamp tour, stay overnight in a cabin, or simply sit in awe in the gallery showroom.
Click here to learn more about the Clyde Butcher Big Cypress Gallery.
Artistic Technique
For Clyde, his approach to photography involves the use of large-format cameras and traditional film techniques. This devotion to analog photography allows him to capture intricate details, rich textures, and an astonishing depth of field that digital formats often struggle to replicate. Even still, Clyde’s digital photography is among the best you’ll find in capturing landscapes. Click here to see his work.
For Niki, her creativity shines through beautiful pastel colors as she uses oil paints to enhance her own black-and-white photos. It’s a beautiful art form that allows her to reinterpret each scene, adding her own color pallet to the black-and-white photos she takes. Today, Niki uses a similar technique to paint digitally with photo software and tablets. Check out a step-by-step display of her hand-painting technique.
Supporting Local Artists
Of course, we couldn’t end this article without a call to support our extraordinarily talented local artists! You can find their work on their website here, but we strongly encourage you to visit their gallery in Big Cypress or their dark room/gallery in Venice.
