About Douglas Goodell Photography
I have been involved with scientific photography most of my life. This technical
background, plus artistic and wildlife interests came together when I retired
from a research establishment in 1998. At that time I got hooked on nature
photography and birds in particular.
I found that birds in the wild are wonderful subjects for photography. They
provide both beautiful subjects and opportunity for interesting and sometimes
unusual image creations. The challenge is in both the subject, action, and the
surrounding environment – finding the right combination of elements to make a
good composition. This often involves learning the bird’s behavior and making
repeated contact. In some cases many sessions are required, working day after
day, to gain enough acceptance to be able to get close enough to finally capture
the desired shot. It can also involve working under very uncomfortable
conditions.
As my work evolved, I was fortunate to study with noted bird photographer
Arthur Morris who helped to enhance my interest and skills in this rather
specialized area. Eventually I was able to setup a small photographic business
selling fine art prints. This also led to lecturing and exhibiting in many
venues around the country. All of this has provided wonderful experiences and
opportunities to meet many fascinating people..
In the course of working with fine art prints, I became involved with the
development of photographic books about natural history and conservation
subjects. The first was with Jim Wright and Jerry Barrack, In the Presence of
Nature, for which I was a contributor. It was published in 2003 by Camino
Books, Inc of Philadelphia, PA. In 2005 the three of us published Duck Enough
to Fly, a story for children about wood duck chicks taking their first big
step into the world. Next, also working with Jim and Jerry, this time in
rainforests of Belize and Guatemala, we developed a natural history art book, Jungle
of the Maya, which was published by The University of Texas Press in 2006.
This work expended my activities beyond just birds, to include many other types
of wildlife and nature photography ranging from macro to landscape subjects.
In 2004 I started working with Marco Saborio in Costa Rica developing
material for another natural history photo book: Nature's Paradise — Costa
Rica. This was completed in 2011 and published by Brio Books of Minneapolis,
MN. After their bankruptcy the book was taken over by Nature Arts Press and is
now distributed in North America by Atlas Books. This and the earlier books can
be found in the Books link.
As for personal information, my wife Debby and I live in Ridgewood New
Jersey. We have both been active bird watchers with Deb doing much of the
spotting and identification while I work to capture the subject on film.
In fact I transitioned to digital captures in 2003 and have greatly appreciated
the added capabilities afforded my the modern technology. Least anyone wonder, I
do use post-capture digital processing tools – they are absolutely necessary
in order to properly render images for print media. I do not, however,
manipulate natural subjects or their relevant environment. Additionally, I focus
on subjects in their wild natural habitat, and when captive subjects are
necessary, they are clearly identified as such.
As a final note, I wish to reiterate the tutorial contribution of Arthur
Morris. I have been photographing on and off for many years, but it
was the instruction, enthusiasm, critique, and friendship of Art that inspired
the level of work shown here and keeps pushing me to do better. Art's
photos, books, and tours are in the links page, along with many other valuable
and interesting connections to photographers, birders, and locations.
