Local artist wins prestigious annual award
Local freelance writer, photographer and now award winner Randy Dykstra took home the annual Elmore R. Chatham Award presented by the Photographic Society of America.
The award recognizes the best article published in the prior calendar year. The selection letter from PSA Managing Editor Larry Cowles cited Mr. Dykstra’s “outstanding article of the Teton Bears found on page 24 of the February 2021 PSA Journal. In his article ‘Bears in the Grand Tetons,’ he shares his many years’ experience as a professional nature and travel photographer.”
The article looks at the discovery of the bears and teaches about his photography techniques, equipment and settings.
Mr. Dykstra’s eight-page spread featured a dozen photographs capturing the ultimate predator in America. He found 24-year-old mom “Bear 399,” also known as the Queen of the Tetons and her unusually large litter of four cubs, referred to as the ‘Fabulous Four.’
The article looks at the discovery of the bears and teaches about his photography techniques, equipment and settings.
PSA touts memberships in over 60 countries.
Mr. Dykstra first started taking photographs over 40 years ago in high school, where he learned everything from taking photos to working in a darkroom.
“I love the outdoors and nature and was an avid backpacker, which gave me plenty of opportunities for landscape photography,” he said. “In the early 1990s, I became a professional SCUBA diving instructor, which opened new worlds of photography for me. My love of nature, wildlife and photography has always been a huge passion of mine.”
After graduating from the University of California with an Electrical Engineering degree, he designed and integrated space and military aircraft and surveillance equipment. Photography classes included private instructors and classes at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California.
His hobby has turned into a vocation. Instead of the darkroom of his youth, he works with Lightroom and Photoshop. He finds opportunities to use his engineering knowledge to learn the intricacies of photography while expanding more on the artistic aspects.
He has served as vice president of a local camera club, manages two large Meet-up Groups with over 9,000 members and makes presentations to groups. He also helps with Facebook groups and teaches workshops and seminars.
His tours and workshops provide instruction, tips and guidance for photographers with hands-on field experience in locations such as Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Arches National Park and Texas Gulf Coast.
Ongoing and future projects include educational and photo books, working on magazine articles and speaking engagements, as well as continuing his photography seminars and workshops.
For more information about Mr. Dykstra, his photography, tours, workshops and his award-winning article, visit rdykstraphoto.com.