What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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JULY 12-18, 2020 WHAT'S UP! 3 Wilderness ignores virus, but photographer feels impact BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette T im Ernst has been a professional nature photographer for 45 years. Yet he says he still enters the Arkansas wilderness "a wide-eyed little kid with camera and tripod." "I still kind of 'feel' my way around until I am drawn into a scene," he elaborates. "I still set up and take hundreds of pictures like I always have, never knowing if anything will turn out well until later on. Digital has made some of that process a little cheaper! I typically shoot 40,000 to 50,000 pictures a year or more, which was very expensive when shooting and processing film 40 years ago." Surprisingly, Ernst says the actual photography — although he clearly loves doing it — is not the best part of the process for him. "What I enjoy the most is when a satisfied customer walks away with a big smile on their face because one of my images has made their heart sing," he says. "Icing on the cake is when they are carrying a new picture book, print or calendar. This is, after all a job for me; I don't get paid to take pictures, only when someone buys something." Conversely, he adds, his least favorite part of the job is "having to sell my work. I'm a terrible and reluctant salesman — most artists are the same — but that's about 90% Titled "Twin Falls," this image by wilderness photographer Tim Ernst is on show at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum. (Courtesy Photo/ Tim Ernst) Tim Ernst says he's "spent a great deal of time in the middle of creeks these past 45 years trying to get good pictures," then he launches into a funny story about the lengths he's willing to go to. (Courtesy Photo/Tim Ernst) See Ernst Page 4 COVER STORY GO ONLINE! Tim Ernst Buy Tim Ernst's picture books, guide books and maps online at timernst.com.