ARCHBOLD BIOLOGICAL STATION | Niki Butcher

Central Florida © 2014

Photographic Story Photographing the environment along the Lake Wales Ridge is something both Clyde and I have wanted to do for a long time. Most of Florida has been underwater for a good amount of its geological history. The ‘ridge’ has been above water for millions of years. It is one of the oldest geological areas in Florida. Clyde and I were fortunate to have the cooperation of the Archbold Biological Research Station in giving us a tour. The research station was established in 1941 and is dedicated to long-term ecological research conducted primarily on the organisms and environments of the Lake Wales Ridge. The research area comprises 8,840 acres located in the Florida scrub, one of the most distinctive natural habitats in the USA. As we reached this particular scene, a storm was brewing, the wind was howling, but the scene was fantastic. Both Clyde and I jumped out of the jeep and set up our cameras as fast as we could. I took my shot, and then Clyde took his (it takes a longer time to use a large-format camera). Just as Clyde finished, the raindrops began.

*Archbold Biological Station is open to the public, click here for more info.

The Art of Hand Painting Black and White Photographs Photographed with a Sony digital camera and instead of oil painting with Q-tips and cotton balls, Niki was able to paint using Photoshop. Changing from the old-fashioned way of doing her art, to the new ‘fashion’ of using technology was challenging, but she’s enjoying getting back to her own personal expression. Archival Print Making Niki’s open edition gicleé artwork is printed on Sunset Bright Velvet Rag matte finish paper using eight archival inks. A state-of-the-art Epson Stylus Pro printer creates deep, rich dark values that hold subtle detail in the shadows as well as bright vivid colors that are truly tropical.