Published: April 2005
In an interview with American Photography, James Balog ’74 said that his latest project, photographing 92 of the world’s largest, oldest, and strongest trees, was “a natural progression in the work I’ve been doing for the past 25 years—”trying to see and understand nature in a new way.”
Tree: A New Vision of the American Forest (Barnes & Noble Books, 2004), is on view at the University’s McMullen Museum of Art from April 14 to July 12, 2005. One of the works in the exhibition, measuring more than 7 feet high and comprising 300 images that Balog stitched together on a computer, depicts a 245-foot-high giant sequoia (known as “Stagg”), photographed in Camp Nelson, California.
In addition to Tree, Balog—”who lives in Boulder, Colorado—”has published five books of photography: Animal (Graphis, 1999); James Balog’s Animals A To Z (Chronicle, 1996); Anima (Arts Alternative Press, 1993); Survivors: A New Vision Of Endangered Wildlife (Harry N. Abrams, 1990), which received the Leica Medal of Excellence; and Wildlife Requiem (International Center of Photography, 1984). He is contributing editor of National Geographic Adventure, and his work has been published in Time, Smithsonian, Audubon, Outside, and Stern. Balog is the only photographer ever commissioned to create a series of stamps for the U.S. Postal Service; his commercial work includes ads for American Tourister and British Airways; and he has contributed to films and television commercials.
At Boston College’s seventh annual Arts Festival (April 28-30, 2005), Balog will speak with undergraduates interested in photography, give a public lecture at the opening reception for Tree at the McMullen Museum, and receive the third annual Arts Council Award for Distinguished Achievement.
- James Balog’s website
- “Icons Online,” website from PDNonline and Kodak
- Balog’s visit to Sumatra after the tsunami, photographs and interview from The World
- Balog events at BC, from the Boston College Arts Festival
- The world premiere of Tree, at the McMullen Museum
- Balog’s 1974 Sub Turri yearbook photograph
