Preserving the ruins of the Native American Legacy. Ancestral Puebloan and beyond:

The ancestral Puebloan ruins of the Four Corners region stand as enduring testaments to a rich and complex human history. These irreplaceable structures and intricate petroglyphs are not just remnants of the past; they are vital cultural heritage.

I am undertaking a crucial project to create a robust, archival photographic record of these sites using large format film. This volunteer effort aims to fill significant documentation gaps, ensuring these invaluable cultural resources are preserved visually for generations to come.

Historically, the National Park Service (NPS) plays a vital role in documenting and preserving these sites. However, recent 25% budget cuts to the NPS have left these vulnerable structures and rock art without the critical documentation they desperately need. This project directly addresses that urgent gap.

Over time, negatives and detailed reports will be formally donated to the Library of Congress. This ensures public access to these meticulously documented images, becoming a permanent part of the public domain and available for research, education, and appreciation for centuries.

Why Archival Large Format Film?

The choice of large format black and white film is not just an artistic decision; it's an archival imperative. The Library of Congress, through its rigorous HABS/HAER/HALS guidelines for photographic documentation, explicitly requires large format negatives for two critical reasons:

1. Longevity: Cut sheet film possesses a material stability designed to last 500 years, far exceeding digital alternatives for true long-term preservation.

2. Unparalleled Clarity: Large format negatives capture an exceptional level of resolution and detail unattainable by smaller film formats, ensuring every intricate detail of these ancient sites is preserved with absolute fidelity.

This documentation process also employs specialized large format camera equipment, allowing for precise perspective correction within the camera itself, guaranteeing the highest standard of image integrity before it even touches the negative.

About Me:

I am a professional photographer with extensive experience documenting American history from coast to coast. My work has included contributions to the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) at the Library of Congress, a testament to my ability to meet the most stringent archival standards.

My photography has been featured in:

* The Baffler Magazine

* American Photography 32 & 31

* Wired

* Foreign Policy Magazine

* The San Francisco Chronicle

* The National Trust for Historic Preservation

* MIT Technology Review

* PBS NewsHour

* and more, including features in San Francisco Architectural Heritage and Grid Philly.

I have also had the distinct honor of lecturing on my images at the Smithsonian Institution. This project combines my passion for historical preservation with proven technical skill and a commitment to public benefit.