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NANPA 2008 Board of Directors Candidate
Ballot notifications will be sent via e-mail. Check your mailbox for a link to the ballot. You may also get a ballot by logging in to the Members' Area and clicking the "2008 Board of Directors Ballot" link.
Ralph Clevenger
Ralph Clevenger grew up on the coast of North Africa and began diving in the waters of the Mediterranean Sea at the age of seven. He studied zoology at San Diego State University and worked as a diver/biologist for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography before attending the Brooks Institute of Photography. Ralph worked as an associate with renowned nature photographer George Lepp and in 1983 was offered a teaching position at the Brooks Institute of Photography. Ralph has traveled throughout the world on assignment for clients such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State Parks, MacGillivray-Freeman Films, Phillips Interactive Media, Fox Sports Network, Santa Barbara Zoo, The Nature Conservancy, Denali National Park Wilderness Center, the National Park Service and the National Marine Sanctuary. Some of his publication credits include Audubon, Oceans, Outside, National Geographic Traveler, Popular Photography, Smithsonian Books and others. Ralph's stock images are represented worldwide by Corbis Images.
Candidate Questionnaire
Give us a brief overview of your job, photographic, educational, volunteer, organizational board / committee skills.
I have been a professional, freelance photographer for the past 27 years and prior to that I worked as a marine biologist for four years. I have been a full-time faculty member at the Brooks Institute of Photography for the past 24 years. I currently teach courses in Nature Photography, Underwater Photography, Stock Photography, and Video Production. I have held several administrative and leadership positions at Brooks Institute including staff administrator, campus administrator, and faculty board chairman. I have served on advisory panels for West Light and Corbis Stock Agencies, Kodak, and Polaroid.
How long have you been an active member of NANPA?
At least 12 years
What Summits/Forums have you attended?
San Diego, California (1996); Grenelefe, Florida (1998); Las Vegas, Nevada (2001); Albuquerque, New Mexico (2003); and Portland, Oregon (2004)
Have you served as a NANPA volunteer or served on any NANPA committees?
I served on the membership committee.
What particular expertise and/or qualities would you bring to the NANPA Board?
My experience in education and natural history brings a broader view of the value of photography to the members of NANPA. An understanding of why people take pictures and spend time in nature will allow me to bring a unique perspective to the tasks before the board.
How would you use your abilities to further the NANPA mission?
As a college photography teacher and a professional photographer I bring two related but distinct experiences to NANPA. A healthy future for NANPA requires more participation by college students and young professionals. My 24 years of teaching has given me an understanding of what these young adults need from an organization like NANPA and what limitations they have to practicing nature photography. I also feel that NANPA can do more for the professional nature photographer and my 27 years of making a living with photography has given me insight into how important life-long learning is to the pro. It is imperative that NANPA's educational mission addresses the specifics that affect not only aspiring pros but also the established professional.
How do you envision NANPA's role in the future of nature photography? How would you further that role?
NANPA serves many purposes to many different members. Providing a forum for political and environmental issues that affect everyone, not just photographers is probably one of the most important roles for NANPA in the future. If we don't advocate education and protection of nature, especially on the local level, there will be little left of our wild places for us to photograph.
The world of photography is very dynamic. Rapid changes in technology are affecting how people make pictures and the need to educate members about these changes is increasingly important. Some of the biggest changes for pros and amateurs include the blending of still photography and video production, the crucial elements of digital asset management, and the new post-production skills that all image-makers are required to understand.
NANPA can help educate its members on these topics and provide real avenues for accomplishing specific tasks through a regular evaluation and evolution of its many forums, seminars, workshops, and publications.
Why do you want to serve on the NANPA Board of Directors? If elected, what would you personally like to accomplish during your term on the NANPA Board?
NANPA is a fine organization, serving a great need in the field of photography. I would be proud to serve on the board and confident that my experience will add to the growth and quality of NANPA as a whole.
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