Photo Stories and Tips from Jim Brandenburg and Layne Kennedy

This year we lost world-renowned nature photographer, Jim Brandenburg, who hails from my hometown, Luverne, MN. We came close to interviewing him for a blog, given our shared hometown and passion for photography, but cancer took him first. Fortunately, Minnesota has another world-renowned photographer, Layne Kennedy, who was Jim’s good friend. So, to close our year, we’ll share Layne Kennedy’s thoughts about what makes a good photo, what made Jim such a great photographer and person, and how we all can shoot better photos.

Layne’s Photography and Work

Layne has shot for such prestigious publications as The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic Adventure, Conde' Nast Traveler, Island Magazine, Smithsonian and Audubon, to name a few. Closer to home, this Minneapolis resident has also been featured on KARE11’s Minnesota Bound and PBS Original.

If you know of Grand Marais’ North House School, Layne has taught photography there for 23 years and has also served on its board. Layne’s class is five days jam-packed with learning, shooting and having a great time.

But Grand Marais is just one location. Layne’s taught photography in Portugal, Costa Rica, Argentina, Italy, Croatia, Cuba, Iceland, Greenland, Kenya and more. He’s also shot in many other countries on assignments.

One Assignment: A Harrowing Trip on the Amazon

Layne joined four wildlife biologists boating in Peru’s Amazon to spot the rare pink dolphin. At a tributary ranger station, they planned to interview the rangers to learn more. But a ranger met the vessel on shore and told them that the night before, three rangers were murdered, and Authorities hadn’t yet arrived. They suspected that after rangers confiscated fishing nets from poachers, they killed the rangers in retribution. The group had to leave. But as sunset approached, Layne’s eye caught two natives paddling against a stiff current in their dugout canoe peddling bananas. With no time for a tripod, Layne photographed the paddlers using a 6 second exposure—with a stunning result. (Note photo.)

Jim Brandenburg’s Mind and Art

Layne hails from Anchorage but graduated from UMD in fine arts and communication. Layne is nearly obsessed with nature and inhaled Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine, where he saw Jim’s work. When they first met, Layne was amazed by Jim’s kindness—no ego—despite his worldwide acclaim.

Jim encouraged Layne and freely gave advice. Jim’s mantra was to THINK BIG! “Jim was a genius at getting ideas and making them a reality,” says Layne. “Our conversations were real and inspirational. Jim was never competitive. And he was not afraid to try anything.”

Layne adds, “Jim will probably always be the world’s best wildlife photographer. He had a sixth sense few people have. He was always one step ahead of the animals he shot.” Thus, Jim produced photos nobody else could, as shown in National Geographic for 30-some years. His famous book, Chased by the Light, in which he was in nature for 90 days but could only click his camera once each day, brought global fame.

Layne’s Latest Book

Layne’s favorite photo subject is people IN nature. “When people see photos of people in nature, it allows them to put themselves in that scene,” he says.

Most recently, Layne published Beyond the Light: The Stories Behind the Photographs. Jim Brandenburg, who has won National Geographic’s Lifetime Achievement Award, said of Layne’s book: "Layne Kennedy is truly one of the finest photographers I have had the privilege to know…. because in my more than 50 years of watching the profession, he stands out. He is indefatigable. His intelligent and gifted eye is driven by a thirst for the positive in life...A smart exuberant joy sings from his work.”

Layne’s book offers great insight into photography. Check out his website: www.laynekennedy.com

Layne captured two natives in a dugout canoe paddling upstream to peddle their bananas.

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Layne’s Top Tips for Shooting Better Photos

1. Be out there taking pictures.

2. Shoot tight – only shoot what’s important. Focus.

3. As National Geographic‘s editor said, “My photographers have something to say.” That’s what makes them publication-worthy. What do YOU have to say?

4. When you see something that attracts you. Stop and shoot. What you like – and feel – is what you shoot. Ask yourself, “What am I trying to say with this photo? If it’s pretty, what makes it pretty?”

5. Correct exposure is a starting point in creativity. Sometimes darker is better -others, lighter is better. Get the right exposure. Experiment. Push the limits.

6. Bad light is a good light. Use the sun at noon so the sun frames your subject as a silhouette. Shoot directly into the sun. It’s a new way to see it. Take light in any situation and find the glory in the setting as it is. Once you shoot a silhouette, you’ll recall how you did it last time, and improve it next time.

7. We all have visual weapons. Try new and different things. You’ll find comfort zones. I like motion shots and aerial shots.

8. Show motion and movement. Shoot the animal running or jumping.

Now, make your photos even better by trying Layne’s – and Jim’s – ideas. You won’t regret it. Then, contact BGL & Associates, LLC for photo management and skip the worries about photo organizing, storing, preserving and sharing your photos.