Galen Rowell lived a life  in photography that influenced and inspired not just a few photographers. He followed his calling wherever it took him. He went on many journeys to places far and away like the mountains of Nepal, India, Pakistan, Tibet, China, Africa, Alaska, Canada, Siberia, New Zealand, Norway and Patagonia.

Galen was a visionary. His philosophy set him apart. In his photography, Galen did not believe that the photographer should be dettached from the art that was the photograph. Instead, Galen wanted the photographer to be involved in the photograph. He wanted the artist to become part of the art. Galen saw the artist and the art as one. To Galen, the artist was the art.

Galen Rowell on Tibet from Mountain Light.

Indeed, Galen’s photography continues to influence and inspire. Long after his days in this world, Galen’s photography lives on. So does Galen in his photography in which the art is the artist that is Galen Rowell.

Galen Rowell (23 August 1940 — 11 August 2002) from Mountain Light.

More on Galen’s life and photography is available in the book Galen Rowell: A Retrospective. The Foreword is by Tom Brokaw. The Biographical Introduction is by Robert Roper. The Critic’s Perspective is by Andy Grundberg. This book is available for sale.

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