Can You Picture That? This Photographer Can and Does | Podcast | Overheard at National Geographic

TL;DR

Mark Thiessen captures unique images, from Egyptian fruit bats to rain portraits, showcasing his inventive photography methods.

Transcript

foreign November 2nd and I am getting into my Tyvek suit so because bats carry diseases that we don't know about we have to wear PPE and we all know about PPE because of covid so that's that's Mark Thiessen he's a staff photographer for National Geographic a few months ago he went to Brown University to capture some unusual subjects Egyptian fruit ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛀 Mark Thiessen's innovative photography methods tackle unique subjects like Egyptian fruit bats, showcasing his adaptability and creativity.
• 😫 His transition from wildfire photography to beekeeping reflects a diverse skill set and a passion for exploring different avenues of expertise.
• 🏛️ Thiessen's ability to solve visual problems and build trust with his subjects underscores his success as a National Geographic staff photographer.
• 🧠 From capturing natural disasters to orchestrating artificial rain in a photoshoot, Thiessen's versatility and ingenuity shine through in his diverse photography projects.
• 🏛️ His commitment to continuous learning, evident in his beekeeping classes and photography techniques, showcases a passion for exploration and skill development.
• 🏛️ Essential to his photography success is the rapport he builds with his subjects, enabling him to capture authentic and compelling images.
• 🧡 Thiessen's dedication to storytelling through photography is evident in his diverse projects, ranging from wildlife to people, showcasing his versatility as a photographer.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Mark Thiessen photograph Egyptian fruit bats, and what challenges did he face?

Mark Thiessen used elaborate setups with cameras and strobes to capture the bats in flight, facing challenges like timing the shots perfectly due to the bats' rapid movements.

Q: Why did Mark Thiessen become a certified wildland firefighter, and how does it influence his photography?

Thiessen's experience with fire photography stems from his early days covering accidents, eventually leading him to pursue fire photography as a personal project, enhancing his photography skills and building trust with firefighters.

Q: What inventive technique did Mark Thiessen employ to create rain portraits, and how did he execute the photoshoot?

Thiessen set up a sprinkler on a ladder to create a rain effect in the photo studio, using continuous light for streaks, providing an engaging and unique photoshoot experience for the subject, Enrique.

Q: How did Mark Thiessen transition from photographing wildfires to becoming a beekeeper?

Thiessen's involvement in beekeeping started as a learning experience while at National Geographic, progressively evolving into a hobby that led him to manage beehives on the rooftop of the headquarters and extract honey.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mark Thiessen, a National Geographic staff photographer, dons a Tyvek suit to photograph Egyptian fruit bats at Brown University, facing challenges in capturing the perfect shot.

• Thiessen uses innovative setups with cameras and strobes to photograph the bats in flight, showcasing his creativity and problem-solving skills.

• From chasing wildfires to creating artificial rain portraits, Thiessen's diverse photography journey exemplifies his adaptability and skill as a photographer.