What happens when photography isn't the goal, but a byproduct of a life lived adventurously? We sit down with Taylor, founder of revivedive.org who finds his shots while mountaineering, diving ...
What inspired you to pursue landscape photography?
I've always loved traveling and have recently been traveling solo quite a bit. When there is no built-in camaraderie or social group you end up noticing your surroundings a bit more and are more hyper aware of the setting. I began to really notice the scenery and in order to capture what I was experiencing so I could share with others I would take a few photos here and there. That progressed into more of an interest in landscape photography specifically as I prefer vast, open spaces rather than city-scapes.
How do you choose your travel destinations for photography?
I love seeking out new adventures. I would say it is very rare for me to plan a trip solely around photography, but rather around a particular activity. I love to go mountaineering, caving, diving, and trekking and these types of activities inevitably expose me to beautiful landscapes and unique experiences to capture with a lens.
Can you describe a memorable experience or adventure while capturing a landscape photo?
Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to trek through the largest cave in the world located in the jungles of Vietnam. We spent 4-days climbing and camping in the cave and I was in constant awe of the scale of the place. It was absolutely enormous. The setting mixed with squeezing through rock falls, swimming in underground rivers, picking off leeches, and never quite adjusting to the pitch blackness made for an epic adventure.
What are the essential pieces of equipment you always bring on your landscape photography trips?
I have my camera body, which is a Canon R6ii. I always bring extra batteries, a light-weight, yet sturdy tripod, and a wide lens. Most of the time if I have the space I will bring a neutral density filter and a lens that has a bit more zoom capability. I long ago abandoned the camera strap and depending on the type of trip, I'll often leave behind a camera bag and just wrap my camera and lens carefully and place them into my trekking backpack.
How do you plan your shoots to capture the perfect lighting and weather conditions?
I rarely plan my shoots. At least for now, I approach photography somewhat holistically. If I happen to be in the right time and place for a great shot, amazing! If not, I'm typically happy to capture the setting with whatever conditions I stumble across or worst case scenario, just enjoy it with the naked eye.
Can you share some tips for aspiring landscape photographers on improving their craft?
Don't strive for perfection. With today's digital technology, the consequences for taking too many photos are negligible as you can always just delete them later. Snap photos whenever you get an opportunity. It will help you to develop your style and give you some practice in setting up your shot and post-processing. In addition, it's helpful to have a camera on you in some fashion wherever you go. The old adage "The best camera is the one you have on you" really applies here. You never know when you'll come across a once in a lifetime shot.
How do you handle post-processing of your landscape photos to enhance their visual impact?
I use Lightroom for post-processing. The way someone processes photos is unique to that photographer and I have developed my own particular style.
What role do conservation and environmental awareness play in your work as a photographer?
Many of the places I travel to are still off the beaten path. I often feel conflicted sharing my photos with anyone outside of my close network as I want others to experience these beautiful areas, but am aware that the more light to shine on something the more shadows you cast. I certainly don't want to add to the destruction of such unique places. Therefore, I rarely share the exact location of places I photograph and I try to only support local guides and companies that take precautions in order to minimize their environmental impact.
Can you please talk about your non-profit?
Environmental awareness is incredibly important to me. I love scuba diving and being under the water. However, it provides a unique view of the impact that humans have on the natural environment that remains out of sight to most people. Therefore, I decided to start an environmental nonprofit focused on cleaning up refuse from beneath local piers and within local waterways. It is a new venture, but we have already pulled up over 500 pounds of trash from beneath the surface. We are also acutely aware that no deed goes unpunished. Therefore, we take precautions to limit our impact on ocean life that have used said litter as an unnatural habitat. We have partnered with local aquariums and marine scientists to safely remove sealife from the refuse and return them to their natural environment unharmed. While the nonprofit is a local effort at the moment, we have hopes to expand to other areas and hopefully at some point expand the scope of our practices.
You recently won the mid-fair competition. Can you tell us a little more about it?
My good friend encouraged me to enter some of my travel photos into the California Mid State Fair. I entered a photo of the Vietnam cave, a photo of a young woman sitting on a famous wooden bridge in Myanmar, and a photo of a jaguar lounging in a tree in the middle of the Namibian savannah. It was a learning experience and it was amazing to meet other local artists and to see the incredible shots that they were able to capture.
Created: 6/28/2025
