Soaring high over the Southwest, local airline pilot Tad Spurlock decided to take a closer look at the landscape below by hiking and camping in the remote mountains and deserts of the region.
Spurlock began to bring a camera with him to capture moments within the landscape. What started as a hobby culminated in the Mancos natives first photography show featured this month at Spruce Tree Coffeehouse in Cortez.
Spurlock snaps photos of wildlife and historical sights, but his passion is capturing the colorful landscapes of the Southwest. He said the vibrant colors captured in his work are not adjusted digitally.
I dont alter the colors, he said. These are the colors that actually transpire. Which means that in order to catch that color, I had to be there right before sunset. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesnt. But the lighting doesnt wait for anybody.
Spurlock chases what he calls the edge of the light at dusk and dawn in the landscape.
Its not about the cameras, its about the timing, he said. Its about catching the light at the right time.
Landscape photos offer a way for Spurlock to remember his experiences in the wilderness as well as bringing the experience to those unable to travel to the remote locations, he said. Hes captured several of the iconic arches and slot canyons of the desert.
Ive had some elderly people call me before and say we really love your pictures, he said. Thats the reason I go, to bring back pictures that other people may not be able to see. Anybody can go out and take really nice pictures, if they catch it at the right time.
He also builds his own photo frames out of sanded and polished aspen.
Spurlock has one main goal for his show.
I just hope that my pictures inspire people to get out, go see the country, go see whats out there, he said. If it does that, then Ive succeeded.
Spurlocks photos are also available online at: framingtime.zenfolio.com.