When the White House awarded prolific photographer and environmental activist, Clyde Butcher, with the National Medal of Arts last year, the citation read: “From humble beginnings as a self-taught photographer, Clyde Butcher is considered America’s most acclaimed landscape photographer today.”
And what a fitting tribute for the man who is often called the “Ansel Adams of Florida.” Just as Adams’ work changed perceptions of California and the American West, Butcher’s large format, black & white photos of Florida’s natural landscapes will change the way you think of Florida.
Butcher’s work captures the breathtaking serenity, mystery, and grandeur of Florida’s natural and seldom seen environment — its swamps, wetlands, mangroves, and the untouched corners of the Everglades. Renowned for his adventurous and painstaking photographic process, Butcher often wades waist-deep into remote marshes, swamp waters, and riverbeds, braving the elements and wildlife to capture the perfect shot. He has endured mosquitoes, heat, and even close encounters with alligators — all in pursuit of a fleeting moment of perfect light and composition.
Right now, the Key West Art & Historical Society is showcasing Visions of Florida —The Photographic Art of Clyde Butcher. Not to be missed, this immersive journey into a fragile ecosystem under threat offers a rare glimpse into the raw beauty of Florida’s vanishing wilderness.
On view daily through October 8 from 9:30 am — 4:30 pm at the Custom House Museum, 281 Front St. Info: 305-850-8343; kwahs.org.
