On April 20, I had the opportunity to put PhotoMedia's 13 years and my publishing career in perspective when I attended the 50th annual Maggie Awards for publishing excellence in Los Angeles. Last year, PhotoMedia won one of these prestigious statues in the Best Interview or Profile in a Trade Publication category, but I was unable to attend and receive the award in person, as the event's schedule conflicted with production deadlines on our Spring 2000 issue. This year, when we got the word that we had been named a finalist in two categories — including the same category as last year and also Best Overall Design in a Trade Publication — I decided I shouldn't miss this year's festivities.
Upon entering, I was humbled by the scale of the event — more than 700 attendees from some of the most respected publications west of the Mississippi River — as well as the high quality of the publication entries, which were displayed on magazine racks in the reception area. During the awards ceremony, each category was introduced with a multimedia presentation announcing the finalists and projecting a cover from each publication. Twice that evening I was filled with pride when PhotoMedia was presented in those introductions along with the other five very worthy finalists.
Though we didn't receive a statue this year, it was truly an honor just to be acknowledged by our peers. The nominations put last year's achievement in a new, proud perspective that makes the fulfillment I get from publishing PhotoMedia all the more sweet. As we enter our 14th year in an industry in which most publications fail inside of two years, we are gratified that PhotoMedia has managed to flourish and evolve steadily over the long haul.
In this issue, we are pleased to extend that longevity as we focus on landscape photography with profiles of two photographers who have won many awards of their own. Their images not only are a pleasure to view but also have been used to influence the preservation of the vast areas they portray. Such activism has already made a positive difference to the ecological future of the planet. In this way, the legacies of both photographers will reach out to the global community, who can appreciate the result of these environmental efforts for years to come.
Our cover story on Jack Dykinga will give you a glimpse into the life of a 35mm—toting, Pulitzer Prize—winning photojournalist from Chicago, who transplanted to Arizona and found his calling in capturing the mystery and enchantment of America's southwestern deserts with a large—format camera. Through his meditative images, Jack continues to influence political and administrative decisions about the use of those remote areas.
In our other profile, we are delighted to present our fifth annual PhotoMedia Photography Person of the Year, Robert Glenn Ketchum. As his impressive résumé and achievements illustrate, he personifies all of the qualities we recognize with this award. Few photographers since Ansel Adams have had as broad an influence on the world's ecological issues as Robert has. His humanitarian efforts for change are an inspiration. It has been a year (and a career) filled with honors for Robert, and, as you will see, he has earned them all.
Our Destinations story on Crater Lake National Park by Charles Blakeslee will preview his upcoming book commemorating the park's 100th anniversary and give you a sense of the broad range of photo opportunities that await visitors to this underappreciated resource any season of the year.On the technological front, George H. Thomas will provide a glimpse into the world of the global positioning system (GPS), a network of satellites that could affect the way you catalog your images in the years ahead.
I would also like to welcome Randy Woods as the new editor of PhotoMedia and Clare Parfitt on layout and production. Their talents have contributed to the evolving quality of PhotoMedia, and it has been a pleasure collaborating with them. Also, I give my thanks to all of this issue's subjects and their cooperation.
Your feedback about our efforts is always appreciated. And, of course, please be sure to mention PhotoMedia to our advertisers. Their support makes the depth of our industry coverage possible, and they want to know you're noticing.
Sincerely,
Gary Halpern, Publisher
