When science teacher Leonard Beck, was in graduate school, he visited exotic locations for education. During these visits, he developed an interest in photography.
Beck, 44, has taught numerous science classes during his 18 years at Boone. He currently teaches Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, and Marine Biology.
When getting into photography, Beck found that he believes that people connect more to things when they see a picture. He now aspires to “share some of the love and wonder” of the world, especially to those who don’t get out much.
He has visited 21 countries to date, but only one for photography specifically. Most photography he does nowadays is domestic, as he has a wife and a 7-year-old daughter at home.
Wildlife, landscapes, and outer space are Beck’s primary subjects to shoot. He explained that he prefers the former two, as shooting space “gets frustrating” and is “very technical.”
(Photo submitted by Leonard Beck)
One of Beck’s favorite aspects of photography is how adventurous it is. During his time as a photographer, he’s had many memorable experiences.
For example, one time he began hiking at 3 a.m. in the San Juan mountains in Colorado, and traveled roughly six miles in the dark.
He explained that he enjoyed having it to himself and seeing the “beautiful scene” of the world.
Once, he encountered a moose in the Rocky Mountain National Park that he had to get away from while carrying all of his gear. However, he managed to turn around and take a quick picture of the moose.
He even encountered a group of night monkeys at a field station outside of Puerto Maldonado, Peru that threw things at him and tried to pee on him.
Beck also explained that the pictures he sells are able to fund his photography gear and travel. He had done art shows and taught lessons in the past to earn more, but simply doesn’t have much time to do that anymore.
Even years after beginning photography, Beck still has some dream locations. He expressed interest in visiting and photographing Iceland, Africa, and Yellowstone National Park.
(Photo submitted by Leonard Beck)
He said that there is still “tons of wildlife” he hasn’t seen yet. However, he said that “it’s getting harder to find feasible places to explore.”
For people interested in getting into photography, Beck gave some advice.
His first piece of advice is that you don’t have to have the best gear, despite what some people think,
Secondly, he said that it’s important to really learn how to use the equipment that you do have.
Beck’s third tip is to be patient. He explained that photography is not easy to learn, and that it took him five years to get a photo that he could sell.
His final piece of advice is to “plan plan plan.” He explained that the best photographers are “very meticulous.”
Years of practice has made Beck the photographer he is today, and he still has a passion for it.
“I don’t see myself stopping, I love it.”
