Gallery locations: Denver and Breckenridge, Colo.
Favorite gear: The Linhof Master Technika 4 x 5 view camera and Fujichrome Velvia 100 film. "I used other field cameras while working my way up financially, and the Linhof Master Technika is the most durable for wilderness work, and the most flexible with movements," Fielder says. "I've destroyed several cameras, including Linhofs. The Master Technika is made of metal alloys, and it is the least destroyable field camera I've used."
For lenses, he prefers a 75mm Nikkor f/4.5 and Rodenstock's 115mm f/6.8, 150mm f/5.6, 210mm f/6.8 and 300mm f/6.8, plus a 360mm Nikkor f/8 with a rear-element accessory to make it a 500mm f/11.
Fielder's tripod is a Bogen 3020 series with a Manfrotto three-way head. "I do so much carrying that I have two priorities: sturdiness and also weight," he says. "This combination is just fine even when I rack out the 500mm to 12 inches."
Recent accolades: Lifetime Achievement Award, Colorado Film Commission (2007); Rebel with a Cause Award, Colorado Environmental Coalition (2007); Distinguished Service Award, University of Colorado (2000); Humanitarian Award, National Recreation and Park Association (1998).
Recent books: "Colorado 1870-2000 II" (2005), "Mountain Ranges of Colorado" (2004), and "John Fielder's Best of Colorado" (2002). He has also begun a children's series, which includes "Maria's Mysterious Mission" (2007), which merges his photos with illustrations by Anna-Maria Crum, and "Do You See What I See?" (2006), which includes poetry from children's author Claudia Cangilla McAdam.
Activities: Hikes and skis about 500 miles per year, often with his two adult daughters, Ashley and Katy. Also enjoys whitewater rafting in spring through canyon country.
Advice for aspiring landscape photographers: "It is essential to have a passion for both nature and photography," he says. "This is a very difficult business to make a living at, and it is especially difficult to make a good living. There is no instant success. So you just have to have an incredible amount of patience and perseverance. I say this based on my own personal experience and my observation of others."
