Adele M. Buttolph

Photography is a personal endeavor which I experience as a perfect blend of creativity, expression, and technical know-how. Genres of photography that I enjoy are nature, travel, black and white, intentional camera movement, and infrared. Quiet observation and watching for nature’s expression, then capturing it with the camera is a true joy for me. Travel has broadened my view of the world and expanded opportunities for seeing a diverse range of natural scenes as well as cultures, cities, and towns. Capturing the essence of travel through the viewfinder is one of my greatest passions in life.

The expression and mood of an image is captured by the eye of an individual photographer. Further, it is dependent on a number of factors including the light itself, subject or scene, camera settings, and selection of lens.  There is such an array of characteristics to various lenses and this has led me to explore both modern and vintage lenses.  Because of the different rendering properties, specific lenses can be selected to give an image a particular kind of feel.  Lenses are powerful tools and I love playing with the possibilities that they provide.

My interest in photography began in high school with the purchase of a Minolta XG7 SLR camera and a couple of lenses.  Back then, I photographed almost exclusively with black and white film.  Developing prints in the darkroom was a magical experience – watching the image come to life on paper for the first time is something that I will never forget.

Photography has been an essential part of my life for the last several years.  I continue to practice and learn.  As part of my training, I have studied with professionals such as Lee Varis, Bobbi Lane, Les Imgrund, David Nightingale, and currently, Robin Griggs Wood.  Each of these talented and skilled individuals has helped to bring my photography to a new level.  I find inspiration and true joy in learning from professionals who convey their knowledge and vision so well.

Presently, I am based out of beautiful Wallowa County, Oregon, which provides ample opportunities for photography.  Viewing the Wallowa Mountains daily provides constant inspiration and motivation for my work.  I hope that you enjoy my images and return to my website often to see what is new.

Awards & Accomplishments: I have been the recipient of awards in the Wallowa County Arts Festival and other local competitions. In 2018, my image  “Milky Way over Chimney Rock, Capital Reef National Park, Utah” won third place, out of over 2600 entries, in a ViewBug photo contest on the Milky Way.  A panoramic image of poplar trees photographed at Boardman Tree Farm was selected by Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, to be incorporated into the walls of two buildings, the Rood Family Pavilion – a residence for patients and their families, and the Center for Health and Healing Building 2, both completed in 2019. The image was sized to 81.5’ and 90’ long and was included as part of the interior design for one wall in each building.