William Henry Jackson

We are to create a PowerPoint presentation on a photographer of our choosing.  I probably could have named only two or three mainstream photographers.  So I looked around a little, and I decided the work and contributions by William Henry Jackson could be an engaging topic.

Jackson, circa 1870's (on left) and later in his career, circa late 1920's or early '30s (on right).

Jackson's life spanned nearly a century, incorporating:

• his passion for photography (the focal point of my PowerPoint presentation)
• publishing
• artistic talents
• veteran of the American Civil War (Union)
• Hollywood film advisor

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Before Jackson began his work taking pictures for the United States government, the photo above was simply a hot springs geyser in a very unexplored area of the U.S.  Now we know it as Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.  It was photos like these, shot while Jackson was out on survey teams that helped encourage Congress to establish our first National Parks.

Jackson's work took him throughout the relatively unexplored West, but it did not end there.  Travels took him all around the United States and to different continents.

High Bridge and Washington Bridge over the Harlem River

I look forward to learning more about William Henry Jackson and his work. My passion for landscape photography and especially that surrounding our National Parks and the American West, makes me feel like he will be a great topic for my PowerPoint presentation.

Denver's 5 Points section of town