Background
In 2001, I upgraded from my Canon SLR system to a Leica R system and, in the process, gave my photos some magic that hadn't been present when using the Canon system. The Leica/Leitz lenses are simply stunning in the way they process light. And after spending many summers in the 1990's working in the Black Hills along with side trips to Yellowstone, my love of observing and photographing the Plains Bison only grew stronger. In addition to being unpredictable in nature, bison are difficult to photograph due to their thick and dark fur coats. In fact, they act as a veritable black hole absorbing the harsh daylight often present on the plains. On rare occasions, the light is diffuse enough to penetrate their thick fur which can result in remarkable photo captures. This process is greatly enhanced by having the correct equipment for the job, such as the 280/400mm Apochromatically corrected lens pictured below: (No, a cell phone camera will not suffice to capture photos such as shown on this site!)
The other factor in creating these images is the capture medium, which in this case is black and white film. I have primarily used three types of film to capture bison images; Kodak Tri-X 400, Kodak T-Max 800 (pushed to 3200 iso), and Agfa Scala 200 which has since been discontinued. Scala black and white transparency film is noteworthy in that the prints have a wonderful glow to them which can not be replicated by other film mediums.
T-Max 800 pushed two stops gives the images a quite grainy appearance but is exceptionally sharp for being a high speed film. Finally, Kodak Tri-X 400 is a well loved classic black and white film that has smaller grain than the T-Max while exhibiting smooth tonal gradations along with its signature look.
The Prints
The three prints below are my best selling bison images. They are available as inkjet prints in two sizes; 8.5x11, and 13x19 printed on acid free textured natiural cotton rag paper for $25 and $50. Two images are also available as limited edition photogravures listed in a subsequent section.
Title: Lakota LegendFilm medium: Agfa Scala 200Location: Wind Cave National Park, SD
Edition: Open
Title: ElementsFilm medium: Kodak Black and White PlusLocation: Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Edition: Open
Title: Tatanka SlumberFilm medium: Kodak Tri-X 400Location: Custer State Park, SD
Edition: Open
Premium Limited Edition Prints
I also offer my best selling bison images as limited edition fine art prints. 'Elements' and 'Tatanka Slumber' are offered as hand made intaglio photogravure prints in an edition of three sized at 15x22 inches and priced at $220 per print. Since these prints are essentially a high resolution oil painting of a photograph, they will potentially last for hundreds of years and can be passed down to successive generations. For more detailed information about the photogravure intaglio process, please visit my main photographic website at: www.tburkhalterphotography.net
Lakota Legend - Pure Carbon Print
Lakota Legend is also offered as a premium fine art print. Pure Carbon printing is archival in the extreme and when combined with high resolution Piezography results in impressive image quality. The organic carbon has a warmer brown tone than corresponding inkjet prints and thus offers a different look and appeal. These prints are available in a 13x19 inch size and are priced at $150 per print. Edition: 25
Additional Bison Images
Three of following images were captured on Kodak T-Max 800 pushed two stops and have a wonderful grainy and sharp as a tack appearance. The fourth image (grazing bison) was captured on Agfa Scala film and posesses the glow associated with that film. The Yellowstone winter bison image was captured on Kodak Tri-X film in 2025. Most of these are avaiable only in the smaller 8.5x11 inch print size.