National Geographic photographer to make appearance at USU

By Mikala Lindhardt

 

Nineteen months of preparation will pay off when, on Sept. 29 when National Geographic photographer, James Balog comes to the Utah State University campus to tell the public of his photographic mission across the Arctic.

 

Since February 2014, the university has prepared for Balog’s visit to educate students and the Cache Valley community about professional photojournalism, said Becky Winstead, a staff assistant for the department of art and design.

 

Balog, with his 35-years of photographic experience, is coming to share his work with the Utah State community.

 

The university will hold a screening of the film "Chasing Ice" to introduce students and community members to Balog's work. The film follows Balog on his mission to the Arctic for National Geographic. The 75 minute documentary is the result of years filming the Extreme Ice Survey, “the most wide-ranging, ground-based, photographic study of glaciers ever conducted” according to the “Chasing Ice” synopsis.  

 

Jim Urquhart also works for National Geographic as a freelance photographer. He believes in the importance of exposure for students.

 

“Right after you come out of college you are probably the least equipped you will ever be in your career,” Urquhart said. “There is a huge dose of reality when you get out and we can get people prepped for that.”

 

Winstead said she hopes students see this as an opportunity to learn from someone who has been where they are and can help them be inspired.

 

It is that inspiration that photojournalists, like Urquhart, believe students need.  

 

“As a professional photojournalist I want the next generation of journalists to come up and kick my ass every day,” Urquhart said. “I want the best storytelling out there. I want people to come out of school driven and passionate about stories they believe in.”

 

On Wednesday at the Caine Performance Hall on the university campus there will be a screening of “Chasing Ice” as a preview to the Sept. 29 lecture and radio talk show on Utah Public Radio from Balog.